Associate Planner (Long Range)

City of Escondido•Escondido, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is open until filled. A first review of applications will take place during the week of November 2, 2026. Applicants that apply after the first review are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review date. If you want to join a hardworking team that shares a commitment to provide top-quality municipal services in a prime North County location, consider a career with the City of Escondido. We have an opening for the position of Associate Planner (Long Range) in Development Services/Planning Services. Under general direction, performs professional planning work on complex current planning and advance planning projects within the Planning Division of the Development Services Department at both the administrative and public hearing levels; and may supervise other personnel in providing planning services to the public.

Requirements

Knowledge of the principles, techniques, and objectives of City planning.
Knowledge of State planning and zoning laws and regulations affecting planning, including CEQA and the Subdivision Map Act.
Knowledge of trends and statistics related to public planning.
Knowledge of engineering drawings, topographic mapping, and both architectural presentation and design.
Knowledge of operations, services, and activities of a community planning and development program and familiarity with redevelopment programs.
Knowledge of principles and practices of program development and administration.
Knowledge of organization and functions of the various agencies involved in the planning, redevelopment, and related processes.
Knowledge of principles and practices of urban planning, zoning, and land development methods.
Knowledge of development review procedures and requirements.
Knowledge of principles and practices of project management.
Knowledge of principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
Knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including planning and redevelopment laws, zoning code, California Environmental Quality Act, and Subdivision Map Act requirements.
Knowledge of state and federal permitting procedures.
Knowledge of site planning and architecture design principles.
Knowledge of recent developments, current literature, research methods, and sources of information related to municipal planning, urban growth, and development.
Knowledge of methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.
Knowledge of methods and techniques of eliciting community participation in planning and development issues.
Knowledge of principles and practices of grant funding and contract administration.
Knowledge of modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and supporting software applications.
Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data pertaining to planning and zoning.
Ability to organize and monitor workloads.
Ability to make clear and concise written and oral reports.
Ability to establish and maintain effective relations with the public and coworkers.
Ability to oversee, direct, and coordinate the work of lower level staff.
Ability to select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
Ability to research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
Ability to understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
Ability to interpret, analyze, apply, implement, and explain pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including City codes and departmental policies and administrative directives.
Ability to provide staff support to and manage assigned commissions and committees.
Ability to prepare and interpret ordinances and formulate land use, zoning, and related policies.
Ability to identify, coordinate, and resolve a wide variety of interests in the development of land use policy.
Ability to identify and suggest needed changes to City codes, standards, and procedures.
Ability to analyze projects and potential projects for consistency with planning regulations, general planning principles, and architectural quality.
Ability to ensure project compliance with state, federal, and local rules, laws, and regulations.
Ability to prepare and analyze technical and administrative reports, statements, and correspondence.
Ability to operate modern office equipment and computers including specialized computer applications.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, council members, committee and commission members, outside agencies and groups, and the general public.
Ability to effectively represent the City to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the division.
Ability to work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies.
Ability to demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in planning, architecture or related field.
Three years (full-time equivalent) of progressively responsible experience in municipal planning work, or equivalent.
A Master's Degree may substitute for one year (full-time equivalent) of work experience.
All positions require the ability to read, write and speak English.

Nice To Haves

A first review of applications will take place during the week of November 2, 2026. Applicants that apply after the first review are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review date.

Responsibilities

Handles complex planning assignments relating to the implementation of the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance.
Serves as project manager and handles all aspects of analyzing and coordinating of complex planning applications including planned developments, conditional use permits, zone changes, annexations, variances, environmental impact reports and subdivision maps, and prepares and reviews written staff reports thereon.
Supervises the review of site development, building, grading and landscape plans, parcel maps, final maps, adjustments plats, and similar applications.
Prepares reports related to planning and zoning issues.
Makes presentations to decision-making bodies as well as professional and public groups.
Prepares written staff reports analyzing complex development issues for consideration by decision makers.
Represents the City on various committees.
Secures grant funds for various City projects.
Manages environmental reviews of development projects.
Develops plans, ordinances, and programs necessary to implement the General Plan.
Consultant selection and management.
Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan for assigned staff; assigns work activities, projects, and programs; reviews and evaluates work methods, procedures, and products including staff reports, actions, conclusions, and related documents; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
Provides technical and professional assistance to City committees, commissions, and the City Council; oversees the scheduling and preparation of agendas for the Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, and the scheduling of all planning related matters for the City Council; prepares reports and makes public presentations to the Planning Commission, City Council, and other public groups as necessary; represents the City on San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) committees and other outside organizations; provides staffing at meetings; responds to issues and questions; performs special planning studies as assigned.
Serves as the liaison for the Planning Division to other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; provides status reports on pending projects; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues; provides technical advice and code interpretations.
Participates in a variety of public relations, outreach, and education work related to planning activities with other departments and outside agencies; participates in public meetings; gives formal presentations on planning matters.
Attends and participates in professional associations and group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of urban planning.
Performs related duties as required.

Benefits

The City of Escondido is committed to a drug and alcohol free workplace.
All applicants will be subject to fingerprint investigation before a conditional offer of employment is extended.
A pre-employment medical examination will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment for all positions.
Safety sensitive positions will include a pre-employment drug screen.
Positions subject to the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations will be subject to DOT pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing.
All appointments are subject to the successful completion of background investigation including LIVESCAN fingerprinting, and will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States.
Qualification by a medical examination will be required at the time of appointment.
After appointment, classified employees must satisfactorily complete a probationary period to be eligible for regular status.
In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, all new employees must produce proof of eligibility to work in the United States within the first three days of their employment.
The City of Escondido participates in E-Verify®.
The Loyalty Oath will be administered to all new employees on their first day of hire.
New employees hired into positions that require a driver's license must provide proof of a valid California Driver's License of the appropriate class level on their first day of employment.
Additional information regarding the essential functions and physical, environmental and communication demands of the position may be obtained from the Human Resources Department.
If you require reasonable accommodation in the testing process, such as an alternate means of testing, you must contact the Human Resources Department by the final filing date to complete a Request for Reasonable Accommodation form.
The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract.
Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.
Pursuant to California Civil Code section 1786.53, the City of Escondido shall provide to all job candidates a copy of any records of arrest, indictment, conviction, civil judicial action, tax lien or outstanding judgment which was obtained in the course of conducting an evaluation for employment, assignment, and/or promotion.
A copy of this information, if received by the City, will be given to candidates within seven days of the City's receipt.
Eligible individuals are those who meet the following criteria: Served in the U.S. armed forces Received an honorable discharge Did not retire from military service Seeking employment with the City of Escondido for the first time. Guard and Reserve active duty for training purposes does not qualify for veterans' preference.
Proof of eligibility (copy of DD-214) must be submitted at time of application, or later if the promulgation of the eligibility list will not be delayed.
Veterans' preference credit will only be applied to eligible applicants who attained a passing grade (total score exclusive of credit) on the final open examination.