Entry Level City Planner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $97,093.82 - $117,303.68 Annually
Location : 1541 Second Street, Napa, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-CD07-01
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 08/12/2026
Closing Date: 8/23/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
DESCRIPTION
***This is an internal promotional recruitment, only open to City of Napa full-time classified employees.***
WANTED: An Assistant Planner who is passionate about shaping communities through thoughtful planning, enjoys working in a collaborative team environment, and is eager to contribute to the City of Napa's dynamic Planning Division.
Are you interested in producing excellent work in the areas of planning? Do you excel at assisting the public with planning applications, providing information in a timely manner, and implementing your project management skills? Are you someone who thrives in an innovative, fast-paced work environment?
Then APPLY today to join a hardworking team that strives to make our community and organization a better place!
The City of Napa is seeking applicants for an Assistant Planner in the Planning Division of our Community Resources and Development Department. The Community Resources and Development Department provides a full range of development-related services, including planning, building, economic development, parking and code enforcement. The Planning Division is responsible for guiding private development in accordance with State law and the City's adopted land use and physical development policies, regulations and guidelines.
As an Assistant Planner, you will be responsible for performing professional and technical level work in the field of current and advanced planning, and providing information and assistance to developers, the business community and the public on planning, zoning, resource management, historical preservation and development related matters. Our Assistant Planners play an integral role in processing application for rezoning, specific plan amendments, subdivision maps, annexations, use permits, variances and other related items. Under direction from our Planning Manager or Senior Planners, you will be tasked with preparing materials and making presentations to the Planning Commission and City Council, as well as community groups. Our Assistant Planner will also assist the department with launching a new land management platform, EnerGov. We are searching for an individual with planning experience who is looking to apply their professional expertise in an active, vibrant, mid-sized community. The ideal candidate is an adaptable self-starter who demonstrates emotional intelligence and collaborates well with other departments and divisions within our organization.
The Assistant Planner is the entry level class in the professional planning series. This class is distinguished from the Associate Planner by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series including the responsibility for assignments in the fields of current or advanced planning which require the application of fundamental planning principles. Assistant Planners receive greater day-to-day supervision and guidance as they develop a range of experience. The Assistant Planner role is designed to support early-career professionals who are building foundational experience in municipal planning. Candidates with transferable skills from related fields such as environmental studies, architecture, housing, or public policy are encouraged to apply. While direct planning experience is preferred, the Assistant position offers opportunities for mentorship, training, and professional growth.
Any combination of education and experience that provides the requisite knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way of gaining the requisite knowledge and abilities is:
Education: Possession of the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, economics, or another field of study applicable to the responsibilities and requirements of this job class.
Experience: Some prior experience performing urban planning is desirable.
Ideal candidates for the position of Assistant Planner will have shown success in demonstrating the following competencies:

• Technical Knowledge and Skill - Knowledge of principles and practices of planning; keeping up with current developments and trends in planning.
• Customer Focus - Dedication to public service to provide an experience that satisfies both internal and external customers.
• Collaborating - Working collaboratively to help a team or work group achieve its goals.
• Planning & Organizing - Establishing an action plan for self and others to complete work efficiently and on time by setting priorities, establishing timelines, and using resources.
• Resolving Conflict - Helping others deal effectively with an antagonistic situation to minimize damage to the relationships and promote shared goals; using appropriate interpersonal methods to reduce tension or conflict between two or more people and facilitate agreement.
• Adaptability - Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment (e.g., people, processes, structure, or culture); adjusting effectively to change by exploring the benefits, trying new approaches, and collaborating with others to make the change successful.
• Decision Making - Identifying and understanding problems and opportunities by gathering, analyzing, and interpreting quantitative and qualitative information; choosing the best course of action by establishing clear decision criteria, generating and evaluating alternatives, and making timely decisions; taking action that is consistent with available facts and constraints and optimizes probable consequences.

Please click here for a full, detailed job description for the classification of
This recruitment and examination is being conducted to fill one (1) vacancy and may be used to fill future similar vacancies as they occur during the active status of the employment list. The active status of this employment list will be for six (6) months unless abolished sooner or extended beyond that date in accordance with the Civil Service Rules.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
MISSION STATEMENT for the City of Napa
Rooted in public service, our mission is to grow a vibrant, sustainable community for all who live in, work in, and visit the City of Napa, through thoughtful leadership and dedication to excellence.
CORE VALUES for the City of Napa

• Integrity - Consistently demonstrating the highest level of ethical conduct with accountability and pride.
• Service - Engaging in meaningful work to care for our community through resourceful dedication and humble actions.
• Inclusion - Creating a sense of ease and belonging through respect, acceptance, and mindfulness of our collective diversity.
• Collaboration - Working together with a shared purpose while respectfully considering all voices to achieve common goals, solutions, and greater outcomes.

***NOTE: CITY OF NAPA EMPLOYEES SHOULD USE A PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS DURING THE APPLICATION PROCESS***
SELECTION PROCESS
The City of Napa utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad outreach efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to take part in a process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, an eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments and eligible lists may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.
Candidates who have participated in a testing process for a recruitment are not eligible to re-take the same test within six (6) months.
What happens next?

• We will review your application and all supplemental materials to select the best qualified applicants to continue in the selection process. Application appraisal includes a review of qualifications, education, training, and experience related to the job, as well as supplemental questions if applicable.
• Applicants moving forward in the selection process may be asked to participate in any combination of the following (at any phase of the selection process): online assessment, written examination, job-related exercise, phone interview, and panel interview. These testing steps may be conducted on a pass/fail basis, and/or percentage-based scoring methodology.
• Based on the City Charter, the final phase of the selection process is the Probationary Period, which in most cases is six (6) months but may be twelve (12) months depending on the classification.
• When three or fewer candidates are available, the testing procedures outlined in the Job Announcement may be waived by the Human Resources Department.

Language Equity

• If you need assistance with the recruitment and selection process in Spanish, contact us at 707-257-9505. These request will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• Si necesita ayuda con el proceso de reclutamiento y selección en español, contáctenos al 707-257-9505. Estas solicitudes se evaluarán caso por caso.

Reasonable Accommodations
The City of Napa Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate qualified disabled applicants. Individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation in the testing process must inform the HR Department in writing by the final filing date. A Reasonable Accommodation Request Form is available from HR and may be obtained by calling 707-257-9505, or dial 7-1-1 for the California Relay Service, offering free text-to-speech, speech-to-speech, and Spanish-language services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The City of Napa is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we believe that a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace will maximize our talents to benefit the residents we serve.
01
This is an internal promotional recruitment, only open to City of Napa full-time classified employees.
Are you currently a full-time classified employee for the City of Napa?

• Yes
• No

02
Please explain how your prior work experience and educational background relates to the role of Assistant Planner.
03
Please describe, in detail, your experience providing customer service and assisting customers at a public counter.
04
Please describe, in detail, your experience/knowledge in both current and/or advanced planning.
Required Question