Assistant Planner/Associate Planner (Community Development)

Job Description:

Assistant Planner/Associate Planner (Community Development)

Description

About the Opportunity

GENERAL INFORMATION

Assistant Planner - $33.60 - $40.83 hourly

Associate Planner - $40.11 - $48.76 hourly

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Planning and Community Development Department is seeking a qualified candidate for a challenging position focused on delivering housing programs, infrastructure projects, and public services.

The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment with ongoing deadlines and demonstrate:

• Strong organizational, quality control, time management, and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external partners.
• Comfort performing critical tasks independently.

The work is community-focused, and the successful candidate will play a key role in advancing programs that make a meaningful impact on the community. With experience, an Assistant Planner may transition to an Associate Planner by demonstrating the ability to manage complex tasks independently.
To learn more about the Planning and Community Development Department, click here .

Stanislaus County now offers an employee bonus worth up to $10,000!

Click here for details.

THE POSITION

This position is part of the Department’s Community Development Division and will oversee programs in three key areas, ensuring compliance with regulations specific to each:

• Housing Programs: Managing contracts for housing development, rehabilitation, and down payment assistance
• Infrastructure Projects: Monitoring contract compliance, project progress, and adherence to budgets
• Public Services: Overseeing grantee performance, reviewing funding requests, and tracking performance metrics

The position requires close collaboration with external partners - including non-profit agencies, affordable housing developers, federal and state agencies, and city jurisdictions - as well as internal partners across other Department Divisions and County departments. The position also requires strong analytical skills and the ability to research, interpret, and implement locally adopted policies and procedures, as well as state and federal program regulations.
Additional responsibilities include presenting program information at community and public meetings (held during the day and occasionally evenings and weekends), and conducting on-site monitoring visits during the workday at sites located throughout Stanislaus County.
While position qualifications call for knowledge in land use planning and zoning, it is recognized that community development is a specialized subset that applies many of these principles in a programmatic and regulatory context. Candidates may demonstrate this knowledge through their education and professional experience in areas that incorporate community development principles, even if their background does not include direct land use or zoning experience.
As a block-budgeted position, a promotion from the Assistant to Associate Planner may be approved by the Department Head once an incumbent demonstrates the ability to work independently with minimal supervision and has attained the minimum years of experience. As required by department workload and funding, the incumbent may be assigned to various tasks within the Department.
Unless otherwise provided, the Assistant Planner is part of the Classified Service of the County and is assigned to the Technical Services Bargaining Unit for labor relations purposes. Unless otherwise provided, the Associate Planner is part of the Classified Service of the County and is assigned to the Mid-Management/Supervisory Bargaining Unit for labor relations purposes.
Individuals who are in a full-time classification position are required to serve a twelve-month probationary period, which may be extended an additional six months, for a total of eighteen months.

Incumbents may also be subject to overtime, standby, callback, weekend, holiday and shift assignments as identified in their MOU (Memorandum of Understanding).

The Job Task Analysis provides information detailing the physical and functional demands of the classification. For the complete job task analysis, visit the Risk Management website at http://www.stancounty.com/riskmgmt/ under the "Disability" tab.

Typical Tasks

ASSISTANT PLANNER

• Analyze and interpret federal, state, and local program regulations and requirements;
• Research and apply locally adopted policies and procedures in conjunction with state and federal program regulations;
• Ensure accurate and timely programmatic and financial reporting of data in compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
• Evaluate studies and data to identify opportunities for improved outcomes and effective practices;
• Maintain accurate records and protect confidential information in accordance with legal standards;
• Manage housing program activities, including contracts for housing development, rehabilitation, and down payment assistance;
• Monitor infrastructure projects for compliance, progress, and adherence to budgets;
• Oversee public service programs by reviewing funding requests, tracking performance metrics, and ensuring grantee compliance;
• Conduct on-site and desk monitoring visits at project and program locations throughout the County;
• Prepare clear written reports, correspondence, presentations, and supporting materials such as charts and graphics;
• Develop agenda reports with findings and recommendations; present information at meetings and community events, including occasional evenings and weekends;
• Prepare and review environmental assessment documents and oversee consultant-prepared assessments to ensure accuracy and compliance with applicable regulations;
• Draft, monitor, and update contracts; assist with contract renewals and amendments;
• Process and reconcile grant reimbursement claims and payment files;
• Compile, analyze and maintain contract-related data to monitor services and ensure timely renewals;
• Maintain and share program data to support budgeting, monitoring, and reporting;
• Communicate effectively with County staff, partner agencies, and stakeholders at all levels;
• Collaborate with external partners such as non-profit agencies, affordable housing developers, federal and state agencies, and city jurisdictions, as well as internal County departments;
• Provide technical assistance and support to staff and partners;
• Coordinate projects and special assignments to meet program objectives; and
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

ASSOCIATE PLANNER (In addition to the tasks listed above)

• Independently and with minimal assistance and supervision, conduct all tasks listed above; and
• Plans, assigns, trains, and supervises work of subordinate personnel.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education/Experience)

KNOWLEDGE

ASSISTANT AND ASSOCIATE PLANNER

• Principle and practices of land use planning and zoning;
• Principle and practices applying to governmental planning;
• Local, State and Federal laws relating to planning procedures;
• State and Federal environmental laws;
• Current trends in local, State and Federal Planning;
• Trend and statistics affecting public planning; and
• Engineering and building drawing and topographic mapping.

SKILLS/ABILITIES

ASSISTANT PLANNER

• Review, collect, analyze, and interpret data pertaining to planning, demographic and zoning situations;
• Prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive written and oral reports;
• Provide project reports at public meetings such as the Planning Commission;
• Work on and coordinate several complex planning projects simultaneously, often as part of a team;
• Effectively communicate and maintain harmonious relations with subordinates, governmental officials, fellow employees and the public;
• Complete work assignments in a timely and accurate manner;
• Read site and plot plans and blueprints;
• Understand governmental structures and current policy issues in Stanislaus County;
• Review current legislation and identify the impact on current programs; and
• Use PC's, including word processing, spreadsheet and GIS applications.

ASSOCIATE PLANNER (In addition to abilities defined above)

• Plan, assign, and supervise the work of others.

We recognize your time is valuable, please only apply if you meet the following required qualifications.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
ASSISTANT PLANNER

• Related education and/or experience, which would lead to the acquisition of the required knowledge and abilities listed above. This would typically be acquired by possession of a Bachelor's Degree in City or Regional Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Public Administration, Economics, Geography or a similar degree or a combination of four (4) years of related education and/or planning experience; OR
• A Bachelor's Degree in an unrelated field may be substituted for one (1) year experience within the above pattern orfour (4) years of non-professional planning experience with a local government land-use planning agency and completion or commitment to complete an approved land-use certification program may be substituted for a Bachelor's Degree; AND
• One (1) year of progressively responsible related professional experience in governmental or similar land use planning work.

NOTE : A Master's Degree in City or Regional Planning may be substituted for six (6) months of the required experience.

ASSOCIATE PLANNER

• Related education and/or experience, which would lead to the acquisition of the required knowledge and abilities listed above. This would typically be acquired by possession of a Bachelor's Degree in City or Regional Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Public Administration, Economics, Geography or a similar degree or a combination of four years (4) of related education and/or planning experience. A Bachelor's Degree in an unrelated field may be substituted for one (1) year of experience within the above pattern; AND
• Two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience in governmental or similar land use planning work.

NOTE : A Master's Degree in City or Regional Planning may be substituted for six (6) months of the required experience.

Proof of education must be provided at the time of application. Applicants who are unable to submit proof must call 209-525-6330 to make other arrangements before 5pm on the final filing date. Failure to submit proof or make other arrangements before final filing deadline will result in disqualification.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

In addition to the minimum qualifications, applicant screening may focus on the following desirable qualifications. Please list any of these qualifications you may have within the "Duties" section of the online application.

• One (1) year of progressively responsible experience working with grant management, including competitive grants or entitlement grants such as Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Programs or similar federal and state grants; OR
• One (1) year of progressively responsible experience working with loan processing/underwriting; OR
• One (1) year of progressively responsible experience working with project and/or construction management.

Application and Selection Procedures

APPLICATION PROCEDURES/FINAL FILING DATE

Applications cannot be submitted later than 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date. Make your online application as complete as possible so a full and realistic appraisal may be made of your qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Attaching your resume and cover letter are an optional feature for those who wish to do so in addition to completing the required application. Information on your resume and cover letter will not substitute for the education, work experience and required fields on the County application. The online County application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

Most County recruitments consists of the steps detailed below and are governed by Merit Principles. The examination process ensures that all applicants are given the same opportunity to gain employment within Stanislaus County.

• Application Review and Screening. Applications are carefully screened based on information provided. Those who submit incomplete applications that lack relevant qualifications or do not submit all required documents will not be invited to move on.
• Written Examination. Applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in a written exam that tests knowledge for the position.
• Oral Examination. Applicants passing the written examination will be invited to a panel interview in which they will be evaluated by County subject matter experts.
• Eligible Lists. Candidates who pass the examinations will be placed on an eligible list for the classification. Eligible lists are effective for six months but may be extended up to eighteen months.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE

Application Deadline: February 13, 2026.

Oral Examination: Tentative for the week of February 23, 2026.
Selection Interviews are In-Person only.

Note: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, part-time and full-time vacancies throughout Stanislaus County .

GENERAL INFORMATION
Final appointment will be conditional upon successfully passing a County paid pre-employment drug screening (if applicable for position) and a job-related background investigation.

Some positions may require possession or the ability to obtain, and maintenance of a valid California Driver's license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job related essential functions.

Stanislaus County supports the good health of its workforce. More information is available at http://myclubwellness.org

Cell phones are typically incompatible with the online application format or browser. We recommend using a desktop or laptop computer. If you are still having technical difficulties, please call NEOGOV at 1-855-524-5627.

Benefits associated with this position can be found at Benefits Summary.

Closing Date/Time: 2/13/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$83,428.80 - $101,420.80 Annually