Associate Planner - Land Use Services*
San Bernardino County San Bernardino, California, United States
- Location: San Bernardino, California, United States
- Categories: Planning and Development
- Job Type: Full Time
- Posted: Jan 31, 2026
Job Description:
Associate Planner - Land Use Services*
Description
The JobSan Bernardino County, Land Use Services Wants You To Join Our Team!
Apply NOW for immediate consideration!
San Bernardino County is seeking a motivated and skilled Associate Planner - Land Use Services* to join our planning team. This fully qualified working-level position plays an integral role in a variety of urban and rural planning studies, including the development of community plans and the County-wide General Plan. The Associate Planner performs moderately complex planning assignments, acts as a project contributor or lead on select initiatives, and serves as a liaison with internal teams, external agencies, and the public.
Key Responsibilities may include:
- Research and review technical reports, maps, and plans; compile and document data for planning projects.
- Serve as a project contributor or lead, conducting analyses of planning and environmental issues, and developing recommendations or alternatives.
- Respond to inquiries from the public, effectively communicating complex regulations to support resolution of land use and planning issues.
- Prepare written staff reports, ordinances, technical reports, planning study reports, and correspondence.
- Organize and participate in public meetings and presentations, including those related to controversial or high-profile projects.
- Act in a lead capacity when needed, reviewing and guiding the work of lower-level planners or team members.
RECRUITMENT BONUS: Bonus payments up to $2000 in total compensation may be available for newly hired employees from this recruitment.**
REFERRAL BONUS: Bonus payments up to $750 for each employee referred and hired into an eligible regular position.**
**Refer to the Teamsters MOU for more details.
San Bernardino County established a $0.50/hour American Institute of Certified Planner Differential for employees in the Planning Series that included Planner Trainee, Planner I, Planner II, Planner III, Planning Supervisor and Planning Manger who attain and maintain a certificate as an American Institute Certified Planner. ***
PLANNING FOR THE COUNTY WIDE VISION
The San Bernardino County Land Use Services Department is recruiting for an Associate Planner to perform a variety of responsible duties in urban, rural, and regional land use applications and studies. This includes processing development applications for entitlement, reviewing environmental documents, researching technical reports, maps, and plans, and supporting Advance Planning projects related to the General Plan, development code, or special projects. Associate Planners handle moderately complex planning work, contribute to project initiatives, coordinate with outside agencies, public groups, and internal teams, and may provide guidance to less experienced planners as needed.
LAND USE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
San Bernardino County is geographically the largest in the United States and the twelfth largest in population. We are currently in the midst of historic change as our leaders have adopted a Countywide Vision that sets an exciting and ambitious course for our future. The Planning Division includes Current Planning and Advance Planning and is committed to the fulfillment of the Countywide Vision for our communities. We are a passionate team of planners looking for the right teammate to grow and learn with us as we plan for our County's Vision. The County recently adopted a General Plan Update, the Planning Division will be responsible for implementing the Countywide Plan, Community Action Guides, and a Renewable Energy and Conservation Element, Green House Gas Reduction Plan and Housing Element as well as numerous other strategic initiatives in support of the Countywide Vision. We are committed to continuing education and encourage our planners to pursue AICP status as they become eligible. Our work is hard but offers the opportunity to become immersed in leading edge planning initiatives. If you are up to the challenge, are deeply committed to community development, and have the skills in planning for valleys, mountains and deserts, consider joining our team and helping us serve a great cause, a great region, and a great county.
EXCELLENT BENEFITS
To review job-specific benefits, refer to
Summary of Benefits
Memoranda of Understanding (MOU)
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Pre-Employment Process: Prior to appointment, candidate must undergo a background check, which includes fingerprinting and a medical exam.
Sponsorship: Please note San Bernardino County is not able to consider candidates who will require visa sponsorship at the time of application or in the future. Candidates must be able to present their legal right to work in the United States.
Minimum Requirements
Candidates must meet both education AND experience requirements for one of the options listed below:
OPTION 1:
- Education: Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Planning, Urban Studies, Environmental Science, Landscape Architecture, Geography, Engineering, Public or Business Administration, or closely related field.
- Experience: One (1) year of professional level planning experience in urban/regional planning, policy development, comprehensive land use, entitlement, environmental review, analysis or site design planning, and/or regulatory compliance.
- Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Planning, Urban Studies, Environmental Science, Landscape Architecture, Geography, Engineering, Public or Business Administration, or closely related field.
- Experience: Two (2) years of professional level planning experience in urban/regional planning, policy development, comprehensive land use, entitlement, environmental review, analysis or site design planning, and/or regulatory compliance.
- Education: Associate's degree or equivalent coursework units from an accredited college in Urban Planning, Environmental Science, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources, Public Administration, or another relevant field.
- Experience: Three (3) years of professional level planning experience in urban/regional planning, policy development, comprehensive land use, entitlement, environmental review, analysis or site design planning, and/or regulatory compliance.
- Substitution: One (1) year of full-time experience as a Land Use Technician or equivalent may substitute for one (1) year of required professional planning experience. Qualifying experience includes supporting professional planning staff and providing planning counter services, including the processing and intake of temporary use permits, preparation of zoning letters, development of planning-related reports, and coordination with related disciplines (e.g., Engineering or Building & Safety) in a one-stop shop or similar planning environment.
- Education: No college coursework required.
- Experience: Four (4) years of professional level planning experience in urban/regional planning, policy development, comprehensive land use, entitlement, environmental review, analysis or site design planning, and/or regulatory compliance.
- Substitution: Two (2) years of the required professional planning experience may be gained through full-time experience as a Land Use Technician or equivalent land use role providing support to professional planning staff and planning counter services. Qualifying experience includes processing and intake of temporary use permits, preparation of zoning letters, development of planning-related reports, and coordination with related disciplines (e.g., Engineering or Building & Safety) in a one-stop shop or similar planning environment.
Desired Qualifications
Land Use Services: The ideal candidate will have a comprehensive understanding of land use planning and environmental analysis, entitlement experience, and strong experience in a California public agency. Knowledge of the CEQA, as well as strong writing, critical thinking, and decision-making skills are essential.
Selection Process
Application Procedure : Applications will be accepted until a sufficient number of qualified applications are received. To receive consideration for this excellent opportunity, please complete and submit the online employment application and supplemental application. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and/or supplemental questionnaires.
There will be a competitive evaluation of qualifications based on the information provided in the Application and the Supplemental Questionnaire. You are encouraged to include detailed descriptions of your qualifying experience and skills, as only the most highly qualified applicants will be referred to the Department.
All communications regarding the selection process will be via email. Applicants are encouraged to check their e-mail frequently to learn additional information regarding this recruitment. Check your GovernmentJobs account for notifications. Update your firewalls to allow e-mails from San Bernardino County through governmentjobs.com. Update your Spam, Junk, and Bulk settings to ensure it will not spam/block/filter communications from email addresses with the following domain "@hr.sbcounty.gov". Finally, be sure to keep your personal information updated. Taking these steps now will help ensure you receive all communications regarding this recruitment.
To ensure timely and successful submission of your online application, please allow ample time to complete and submit your application before the posted filing deadline. Applicants will be automatically logged-out if they have not submitted the application and all required materials prior to the posted deadline. Once your application has been successfully submitted you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email. We recommend that you save and/or print these for your records. Please note: if you do not receive an onscreen confirmation and an email acknowledging our receipt of your application, we have not received your application.
All communications regarding the selection process will be via email . Applicants are encouraged to check their e-mails frequently to obtain any correspondence associated with this recruitment. Please be sure the email provided on this application is always current; it is your responsibility to update your personal information. Update your Spam, Junk, Bulk and Firewall settings as needed to ensure that you receive all information pertaining to this recruitment.
EEO/ADA: San Bernardino County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant employer, dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants.
ADA Accommodation: If you have a disability and need accommodations during the testing process, please submit the Special Testing Accommodations Request Form within one week of a recruitment filing deadline.
Veterans’ Preference: Eligible veterans and their spouses or widows/widowers who are not current County employees may receive additional Veterans' Preference points. For details and instructions on how to request these points, please refer to the Veterans' Preference Policy .
For more important details, review the links below:
Guide to Completing a County Job Application
Applicant Information and the County Employment Process
Administrative Services Unit
San Bernardino County offers a range of benefit programs for employees and their eligible dependents. These include health, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a variety of other voluntary benefits. Programs and benefit amounts vary and are based on bargaining unit, family size, hire date, plan selection, and number of hours worked.
Please review the appropriate Summary of Benefits * for more information
Refer to the appropriate MOU, contact the County’s Employee Benefits and Services Division at (909) 387-5787 or visit the Employee Benefits website for more detailed information.
*Retirement benefits subject to change.
Closing Date/Time: Continuous