Assistant Planner

Posting number: 2026-02185

Department: Community Development Agency

Division: Planning

Job classification: Assistant Planner

Posting type: Open

Categories: Planning and Development

Summary

For exact salary information please refer to the current salary schedule, County website.  

DEFINITION
Under supervision, performs a variety of entry-level professional planning duties, including assisting in the review of land use and development applications; conducting research and analysis; preparing draft staff reports; and providing information to the public regarding planning policies, regulations, and procedures, including at the public counter. Assignments are typically routine to moderately complex and are performed within established guidelines and under direction of higher-level staff. This classification is a for cause, non-exempt position.
  
 DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the entry-level class in the professional Planner series. Incumbents perform a variety of planning assignments while developing knowledge of land use regulations, planning principles, and environmental review requirements. Work is performed under supervision, and assignments are generally routine to moderately complex in scope.
Duties typically include data collection, research, basic analysis, and preparation of draft staff reports, as well as providing information to the public regarding planning policies and procedures. Incumbents may assist with field reviews, environmental review, and public meetings as part of assigned projects.
This class is distinguished from the Associate Planner in that the latter performs work with greater independence, manages projects, and is responsible for more complex assignments requiring the application of independent judgment. Incumbents in this class are expected to develop the skills necessary to advance to the Associate Planner level.
    
 REPORTS TO
 Deputy Director of Planning.
  
 CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED
  This is not a supervisory class.

Examples of duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 
The following is used as a partial description and is not restrictive as to duties required. Duties are performed under supervision or direction of higher-level staff, and incumbents may perform a range of tasks depending on assignment and experience.

• Provides information to the public on various County land use regulations, permits, and applications; 
• Accepts and reviews application and plan submittals for completeness and compliance with Siskiyou County ordinances and regulations; 
• Refers plans to building inspectors, environmental health specialists, planners, code compliance personnel, public works, special districts and plan checking personnel as needed;
• Coordinates applicable inquiries with code compliance staff; 
• Gathers and evaluates data and information for planning studies and long-range planning policy development; 
• Assists with or coordinates preparation of project reports; 
• Conducts research and performs data analysis and project evaluations; 
• Assists with processing applications for planning permits (e.g., use permits, variances, specific plans, etc.); 
• May conduct inspections of sites to ensure compliance with General Plan and zoning codes; 
• Assists with and participates in the preparation of environmental studies; 
• Assists with and prepares public presentations; 
• Participates in the environmental review of proposed projects; 
• Assists with the implementation of general plan and specific planning requirements; 
• Assists with the revision of planning ordinances; 
• Interprets use permits, ordinances, policies, and regulations under supervision; 
• Assists with review of site development plans and may assist in the preparation and presentation of staff reports for the Planning Commission; 
• Prepares or assists with the preparation of maps and graphs; 
• Answers public inquiries regarding planning issues, permit procedures, and zoning; 
• Provides staff support to the Local Transportation Commission, LAFCO, regional pl