Associate Planner

Full Job Description

ASSOCIATE PLANNER
Regular, Full-Time Employment Opportunity

Work for the City of Sunnyvale: The Heart of the Silicon Valley!

Visitors and residents enjoy Sunnyvale’s beautiful and clean setting with a mix of suburban and urban land uses, efficient, high-quality city services, low crime rate, quality schools and 18 prize-winning parks.

We are looking for an Associate Planner with strong current and/or policy planning experience to join the Planning team in Sunnyvale.

Under direction of a Principal Planner or Planning Officer, the Associate Planner performs professional work including project review, public assistance at the One Stop counter, environmental review, general plan updates, plan preparation and review, long-range and land use policy studies, and plan adoption; and performs related work as required.

Teamwork and collaboration are at the heart of the Planning Division.

A candidate with great interpersonal skills, a strong work ethic, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced and challenging work environment is desired.

Working for the City of Sunnyvale as an Associate Planner is an opportunity to develop and grow in a collaborative, supportive and forward-thinking team environment.

Under direction of a Principal Planner or Planning Officer, performs professional work in current and long-range planning including zoning, environmental review, general plan updates, and plan preparation and review; and performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Associate Planner is the experienced journey-level classification in the professional Planner series in which incumbents are expected to independently perform the full scope of planning activities under direction.

Associate Planner is distinguished from the higher-level classification of Senior Planner in that Senior Planner is responsible for performing more complex duties.

Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the Assistant level once the incumbent meets the qualification standards of the Associate level, demonstrates an ability to perform the full scope of the work, and meets performance expectations.

Incumbents are not automatically promoted to the higher level; the needs of the department determine the level of assignment.

Requirements

• Processes planning applications; reviews and analyzes land use impacts and compliance with local and State regulations and City policies.
• Conducts research and compiles, analyzes and evaluates information related to planning studies, such as demographic, economic, social, environmental, land use and housing data.
• Prepares a variety of technical and administrative reports, documents and correspondence; makes presentations to the Planning Commission, City Council and at public hearings and community meetings.
• Prepares and maintains maps pertaining to zoning, land use and other planning related activities.
• Conducts studies and prepares and presents corresponding reports.
• Evaluates and reviews development plans for compliance; prepares reports, Initial Studies, ordinances, and research and communicates with applicants, consultants, staff and members of the public.
• Inspects residential, commercial and industrial properties to gather data and assess the possible need for project or plan modifications.
• Researches, conducts and/or analyzes policy and long range planning projects.
• Researches planning issues related to economic development, land use, zoning and environmental concerns.
• Researches and writes special studies including General Plan review and policy study issues.
• Coordinates project reviews with other city departments and outside agencies.
• Receives and responds to inquiries and questions at the front counter, via email and telephone; provides information regarding planning, zoning and the development process to developers, property owners, design professionals, other agencies and City departments.
• Assists in the identification and preparation of grant applications for planning and development projects.
• Represents the Community Development Department at meetings and conferences as assigned.

Qualifications

• Basic planning and design principles, practices and current trends.
• General understanding of zoning, land use and environmental laws.
• Principles of research.
• Basic math and statistical methods.
• Office methods, procedures, software and equipment.

• Learn to interpret, apply and explain zoning and land use principles, laws and regulations.
• Read and understand maps, architectural drawings and plans, and reports.
• Analyze and compile information and determine appropriate course of action.
• Operate a computer using word processing and business software and other office equipment.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Write staff reports and similar correspondence.
• Establish and maintain and promote positive and effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, public officials and the public.
• Demonstrate initiative and exercise good judgment in the performance of duties.
• Work independently and as a team member; recognize and set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.

• Principles, objectives and procedures of city and regional planning, urban design and zoning.
• Research and statistical practices as they relate to land use, transportation, zoning and master plan studies.
• Techniques used in the development and maintenance of comprehensive plans, general plans and specific plans.
• Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, ordinances and rules.
• Elements of project review, including architectural and site planning considerations.
• Methods of citizen participation in planning.
• The relationship of land use planning to transportation, housing and other aspects of community development.

• Gather and analyze data on land use, population, urban growth patterns, economic and social trends, industrial development and other demographic data used in land use planning for the purpose of preparing and presenting accurate and concise written reports and making presentation at public forums.
• Interpret economic, sociological and statistical data and draw logical conclusions.
• Interpret, apply and explain planning, zoning and City policies, rules, laws and regulations.

• Demonstrated experience developing and delivering public presentations.
• Certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners
• Completion of certification in land use, transportation, geographic information systems, public policy, or a related area from an accredited institution; or state licensing or registration in a related field such as architecture or landscape architecture.

Additional Information

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS & PROCESS

The application submitted must meet the minimum qualifications listed in the job description in order to move forward in the recruitment process with the City of Sunnyvale.

The information provided in the Work Experience, Education, and Certificates/Licenses sections of the application will be used to determine if the application meets the minimum qualifications.

A resume, employment history provided elsewhere in the application, or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of the completed application.

Note: The minimum qualifications for experience are based on full-time experience (40 hours per week).

Experience included in the Work Experience section of the application is calculated to the full-time equivalent (hours are pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).

Volunteer experience is not considered qualifying experience.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a City of Sunnyvale employment application and responses to the supplemental questions to the Department of Human Resources by Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 5:00pm or after receiving 75 qualified applications, whichever is first.

Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience, or skills relevant to this position. Electronic applications may be submitted online through the City's employment page at Sunnyvale.ca.gov and click on JOBS. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

EXAM PROCESS

Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position.

Based upon a review of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the oral examination process scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

(Note: The examination process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Director of Human Resources.)

SELECTION PROCESS

Those candidates that receive a passing score on the examination will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year, in accordance with the City's Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies.

Top candidates on the eligibility list will be invited to participate in an in-person selection interview with the department tentatively scheduled for the week of February 9, 2026.

Any candidate that is selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a background history check, as well as a medical exam(s) administered by a City selected physician(s) before hire.

Prior to starting work, all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history.

A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination.

Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.

INFORMATION ABOUT PROOF OF EDUCATION

Any successful candidate, selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e. original copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts).

A candidate with education obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential evaluation service at the candidate's expense to determine its equivalency in the United States.

Candidates may utilize any third-party agency for the evaluation.

If you search ‘education equivalency verification’ or similar online, you will obtain results for agencies that provide this evaluation service.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Positions in this job classification are represented by the Sunnyvale Employees Association (SEA).

For assistance on how to fill out your job application, watch the following video:

• How to Apply for a City of Sunnyvale Job- YouTube (5:13)