Assistant Planner

Assistant Planner

The City of Millbrae’s Community Development Department has an exciting opportunity for a full-time Assistant Planner to join our team in Millbrae, San Mateo County.  

Please review the special instructions before you consider applying for this job opportunity.

The Community Development Department is comprised of five divisions and functional areas: Planning, Building, Code Enforcement, Housing, and Economic Development. This position will be the primary planner assigned to staff the public service counter, and would be assigned to process planning applications, zoning clearances, business license applications, and building, sign, and wireless permits. There would be a focus on processing design review planning applications and conditional use permits for single family dwelling units and other residential and commercial projects. This position may also work on other duties as needed by the Planning Division.

This unique opportunity offers the ability to engage in a wide variety of planning projects with regional significance while serving a charming, diverse community with a small-town feel. The City of Millbrae offers interested applicants a competitive compensation and benefits package, a positive and collaborative working environment, opportunities for professional growth and advancement, and is conveniently located for commuters within walking distance from both BART and Caltrain.

The Assistant Planner is the first working level in the Planner class series. Incumbents must perform a wide range of professional planning functions. This classification is distinguished from the Associate Planner because the Associate Planner performs more complex work more independently.

A combination of experience and training provides the required knowledge and abilities for the position:

Education: Graduation from a four-year college or university with major course work in city or regional planning, urban planning, public policy, or a closely related field. Master’s degree in a related field is highly desirable.

Experience: One (1) years of experience as a current planner.

Licenses: Possession of a valid California Driver’s License and a satisfactory driving record, as determined by the City.

Special Requirements: Speak clearly and understandably; operate standard computer programs. Ability to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Millbrae to meet program needs and fulfill the job responsibilities. When driving on City business, maintenance of a California driver’s license and satisfactory driver’s record is required. Must be able to actively participate in evening meetings.

Must have the willingness and ability to work the hours necessary to accomplish the assigned duties, including evening and weekend hours; attend evening meetings.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will bring collaborative, team-centered qualities to the Department; be self-motivated, tactful, detail-oriented with strong customer service skills; able to communicate highly technical topics in a clear and concise manner, as well as be self-assured with the ability to exercise a high degree of common sense and sound judgment. We are looking for a candidate who possesses a positive, “can-do” attitude and is willing to take on more routine tasks of varying sizes and scopes. We are also looking for someone who is thorough in their work assignments and possesses strong writing and public presentation skills.

Management Benefits

The Assistant Planner position is a management-level position entitled to management benefits as noted in the Summary of Management Benefits posted online here. Management benefits applicable to the position include:

Leave accruals

11 days (88 hours) national holidays observed per year
40 hours Floating holiday leave per calendar year with cash out option
40 hours Management leave per fiscal year with cash out option
14 hours General leave per month (21 days/year); General leave accrual goes up with years of service
Maximum accumulation of General Leave accrual is 1,040 hours (6 months)

Health Coverage

$2,654.19/mo medical allowance towards CalPERS health plans in 2025
$572/mo cash stipend for opting out of health coverage (proof of health coverage is required)
Up to $300/mo cash stipend for selecting employee-only or employee+1 coverage
You are still eligible for Dental and Vision coverage even if you opt out of Health coverage

Dental coverage

City Paid Ameritas PPO plan through The Standard for employee, spouse, and dependent children up to age 26
$2,000 annual maximum for each covered member
The Max Builder benefit

Vision coverage

City Paid VSP Choice plan for employee, spouse, and dependent children up to age 26

CalPERS

CalPERS retirement formula of 2.7% @ 55 for classic members or 2% @ 62 for PEPRA members

Other Benefits

City paid Short Term and Long Term Disability insurance
City paid Life insurance plan; coverage is 2.5 times the annual salary amount up to $400,000
City paid AD&D insurance; coverage is 2.5 times the annual salary amount up to $400,000
Deferred Compensation 457 and Roth Plans through CalPERS and/or MissionSquare
Flexible spending accounts for medical, dependent care, transit, and parking
Employee Assistance Program
Additional group rate insurance plans available

Special Instructions

The application requires supplemental questions designed to assist us in evaluating your qualifications for this position. The information you provide, along with the information on your application, will help us to select the most appropriate candidates for further consideration. We are interested not only in what you have to say but also in your ability to present information in a clear, concise and organized manner. PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR ANSWERS TO EACH QUESTION IN 300 WORDS OR LESS. Where applicable, relate your answers to your specific background of education and experience as it relates to the position of Assistant Planner.
 
Recruitment Contact
 
Contact phone: 
(650)259-2332
 
Contact email: 
hr@ci.millbrae.ca.us