APA Los Angeles provides this job bank as a free service. Please submit your job posting here. Submissions are subject to review for relevance to the planning community and will be published upon approval.
After you submit your job posting through the above form, consider browsing the APA Los Angeles resume book for potential hires. The resume book allows job-seeking planners to showcase their work histories and professional skills to prospective employers. If you would like to request access to the resume book, please contact [email protected].
Planning Technician
City of Goleta / Goleta, California
Posted on: October 9, 2025
Application Deadline: 10/29/25
Job Description
Salary: $33.25 – $42.44 Hourly
Job Type: Full time, non-exempt
Department: PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Opening Date: 10/08/2025
Closing Date: 10/29/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Job Number: 2025-025
Effective January 1, 2026, this position is scheduled for a 3% salary increase, with a possible additional increase of up to 1% based on CPI-U, for a total not exceeding 4%.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Planning and Environmental Review Department is seeking to hire a Planning Technician. The ideal candidate will be an energetic, thoughtful, and collaborative team member.This is the entry-level position in the Planning and Environmental Review series. This position is the first point of public contact for the Planning Department and provides technical assistance and information to staff and the public relating to planning related programs, ordinances, and applicable public records. In that role, the Planning Technician provides information to the public and applicants regarding application requirements, handles the intake of digital applications, provides status updates on applications, reviews business license requests to verify zoning compatibility, and responds to request for historical public planning records.
The Planning Technician may conduct initial review of plans and applications to ensure submittals are compliant with requirements such as use, setbacks, heights, bulk, and parking ratios etc. The Planning Technician also assists with the processing of ministerial applications such as signage, residential additions, and landscaping renovations etc. For additional information, please review the associated position classification document.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The Planning and Environmental Review Department provides staff services to assist City management, the City Council, and the Planning Commission and Design Review Board in guiding future growth and change in a manner that conforms to adopted policies and ordinances, which reflect community values.
DEFINITION
Under general supervision, performs entry level administrative and technical duties in support of the Planning and Environmental Review (PER) Department; provides information, assistance, and customer service on planning related matters to the public and other City staff; provides support in the review and processing of routine applications; and performs other duties as required.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the entry-level position in the Planning and Environmental Review series. Incumbents at this level have moderate oversight and are expected to perform assignments with only occasional instruction or assistance. The Planning Technician is distinguished from the Assistant Planner by the latter’s ability to work more independently and by the increased complexity of assignments, scope, and independent judgment exercised in performing the assigned work.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
The following duties are typical for positions in this classification. Incumbents may not perform all listed job functions, nor are all listed duties necessarily performed by everyone in this class depending upon business need and changing business practices:
- Provides technical assistance and information to staff and the public in the administration of specific planning-related programs, ordinances, and applicable public records (such as researching property and/or permit history).
- Provides primary staffing of the Planning public counter and serves as the first point of public contact regarding Planning matters. Provides information to the public and permit applicants regarding planning requirements and the City’s Planning process; assists the public in explaining the needed information to submit a permit application.
- Reviews plans and zoning permit applications to ensure submittals are compliant with requirements such as use, setback, heights, bulk, placement, and parking ratios
- Reviews new business licenses and renewals to verify appropriate use related to zoning and land use.
- Provides processing assistance in ministerial applications such as signage, residential additions, minor façade and landscaping renovations.
- Performs routine office tasks in designated program areas, including data entry, application intake through the electronic public portal, coordination with Finance Department on development fee intake, file management, copying, answering telephone calls, and responding to e-mails.
- Develops and maintains automated tracking systems, hard copy files (if applicable), and records.
- Researches and compiles information on a variety of planning issues from multiple sources.
- Prepares public notices or property owner verifications.
- Prepares maps, charts, tables of limited complexity.
- Investigates violations of planning regulations and ordinances, including site visits.
- Attends public meetings, assisting other Planning staff as appropriate.
- Reviews parcel legal descriptions.
- Provides back up support to the PER Commission Clerk in coordinating agenda packet preparation for Design Review Board.
Required Experience / Skills / Education
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND TRAINING
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would include:
Education:
- Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by college level course work in urban planning, architecture, construction management, social sciences or related field. A bachelor’s degree is preferred and may substitute for two years of experience.
Experience:
- Two years of experience in Planning or a related field including experience at a public counter; experience with a municipal agency preferred.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
- Knowledge of planning principles and practices, including zoning and other pertinent specialties.
- Knowledge of principles and practices of research and data collection.
- Knowledge of effective writing techniques.
- Statistical, algebraic, or geometric knowledge and ability to apply such knowledge in practical situations.
- Knowledge of computer programs and applications, which may include Microsoft Office, database management and Internet applications.
- GIS programs and applications.
Ability to:
- Effectively explain rules and procedures clearly to the public through oral and written communication mediums.
- Use problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve practical problems and address citizen inquiries and concerns.
- Review plans and apply provisions of the ordinances and codes to determine compliance with such regulations and to apply regulations to field conditions.
- Work on several projects or issues simultaneously.
- Work independently or in a team environment as needed.
Special Requirements
- Possession of a valid Class “C” California driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record may be required.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS
The physical and mental demands herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential job functions.
- Mental function: Includes reading, writing, mathematical computations, operating a computer, problem solving, managing multiple projects, calmly handling complaints and problems from irate citizens or contractors, decision making under stressful conditions, and executing assignments within established deadlines.
- Productivity: Incumbents must perform work in an efficient, effective and timely manner with minimal direction.
- Mobility: Incumbents require sufficient mobility to work in an office setting and operate office equipment. Incumbents may be required to perform light lifting and carrying, and sit, stand, walk for prolonged periods of time.
- Vision: Vision sufficient to read small print, computer screens, and printed documents, and to operate assigned equipment.
- Hearing: Incumbents are required to hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
- Environment: Normal office setting with some travel to attend meetings or conduct site investigations. Incumbents may be required to work at both indoor and outdoor environments; individuals may be exposed to noise, dust and inclement weather conditions.
- Other factors: Incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends. Incumbents may be required to travel outside City boundaries to attend meetings.
Application Instructions
To apply, please visit our job board:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/goletaca
