Job Information
City of Carlsbad Planning Technician I/II in Carlsbad, California
Planning Technician I/II
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Planning Technician I/II
Salary
See Position Description
Location
Carlsbad, CA
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
03182026
Department
Community Development
Opening Date
03/23/2026
Closing Date
4/13/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Description
Benefits
Questions
The Position
A world-class city is seeking world-class talent.
Carlsbad -The Community
The City of Carlsbad is ideally situated in north San Diego County where a great climate, beautiful beaches and lagoons, and abundant natural open space combine with world-class resorts, family attractions, well planned neighborhoods, excellent schools, and a charming village atmosphere to create the ideal California experience. Covering nearly 40 square miles, the City of Carlsbad is currently home to about 115,000 residents. The city sets the standard for high-quality local government services and is home to corporate headquarters in technology, life sciences and action sports, supported by a thriving tourism market and nearly 40 percent preserved open space. Thanks to an award-winning growth management plan, the city's infrastructure and services keep pace with development and promote an excellent quality of life.
You belong in Carlsbad
The City of Carlsbad embraces and recognizes the vital relationship of an inclusive, engaged work environment and innovative excellence. An equitable and inclusive work climate comprises personal experiences, values, and views shaped from differences of culture and circumstance. Our organization appreciates belonging, creativity, recognition and retention of its employees and is committed to hiring and developing motivated, productive and talented employees who provide services and enhance our quality of life. We work to embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our responsibility and goal.
The Position:
The City is currently seeking a full time Planning Technician that primarily staffs the Planning Division's public counter. The title of Planning Technician I or Planning Technician II will be determined based on the qualifications of the successful candidate. Following successful job performance and personal development, reassignment from the Planning Technician I to the Planning Technician II level may be expected. The ideal candidate will have excellent customer service skills, oral and written communication skills, and will have some public counter experience and/or knowledge in reading plans such as maps, charts, and sketches. A Planning Technician I will perform a variety of technical planning related duties requiring technical training and education, but little practical experience. A Planning Technician II may be distinguished from a Planning Technician I by having more technical planning knowledge, skills, and abilities acquired through one year of experience equivalent to Planning Tech I level, and having the ability to work independently, exercising judgment and initiative while assuming more difficult tasks under direct supervision.
Under general supervision, to perform a variety of technical work related to current planning; and to do related work as assigned. Positions in this class are normally filled by advancement from the lower grade of Planning Technician I or when filled from the outside, require prior planning experience. This is the journey level technical class. Positions assigned to this class require technical planning knowledge, skills, and abilities acquired through experience, and require the ability to work independently, exercising judgment and initiative while assuming more difficult tasks under direct supervision. This class may be distinguished from the next higher class of Assistant Planner by the level of difficulty and complexity of work performed, and the commitment of time to providing information to the general public. This position reports to a Senior Planner and Principal Planner and does not supervise.
Planning Technician I Range 31: $28.01 - $34.08
Planning Technician II Range 46: $31.89 - $38.80
Key Responsibilities
Answer questions from the public, meet and correspond with property owners, developers, architects, engineers and contractors regarding zoning requirements.
Assist in gathering and tabulating data on population, land use, subdivision and community design.
Assist public in completing and in-taking of applications for tentative maps, site development plans, coastal development permits, conditional use permits and other zoning applications.
Check building plans for appropriateness of site, lot size, setbacks, height, and other zoning regulations.
Conduct field inspections for permit approvals and compliance with zoning regulations and codes.
Provide information to the general public at the development processing counter, over the phone and through email.
Interpret and analyze the zoning code, the General Plan, the Local Coastal Program, Master Plans, Specific Plans and other planning documents.
Implement state housing laws.
Research and respond to Public Records Act requests.
Prepare zoning compliance letters.
Research permit history of properties.
Qualifications
Knowledge of:
Property description and requirements pertaining to preparation and maintenance of property maps.
Skills related to the design and layout of development plans.
Some knowledge of the principles and practices of municipal planning.
Organization and functions of the various agencies involved in the planning process.
Skills in:
Public contact.
Ability to:
Read maps, site plans, floor plans and elevations used in staff reports for public hearings.
Understand and carry out oral and written direction.
Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
Properly interpret and make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations and policies.
Enforce appropriate codes and regulations with firmness and tact.
Experience & Education
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:
- One year of responsible technical experience in planning; public contact duties involving development processing, building or engineering; and Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License may be required for some positions.
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Flexible Spending Account
Life Insurance
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
Retirement under the CalPERS program, 2% @ 62 formula, Classic Members (those who are enrolled in CalPERS at another local agency) have the 2% @ 60 formula
Bilingual Pay
Holidays - 11 scheduled
Floating Holiday- 2
Paid vacation
Computer purchase loan
Tuition reimbursement
A detailed list of our benefits can be found here: Carlsbad Benefits (https://www.carlsbadca.gov/departments/human-resources/compensation/full-time-benefits)
Additional CalPERS information can be found here: CalPERS (https://www.calpers.ca.gov/page/about/laws-legislation-regulations/public-employees-pension-reform-act)
01
Initial in the box below that you acknowledge "see application" and "see resume" are not valid responses to the questions below.
02
What is your highest level of education?
High School / GED
Associates
Bachelors
Masters or Higher
None of the above
03
Regarding your education, indicate your area(s) of study in the space below. If you answered "None of the above," type N/A in the space below.
04
Please list any related internships, courses, or certifications that have prepared you for a Planning Technician role. If none, indicate N/A.
05
How many years of responsible technical experience do you have in planning, public contact duties involving development processing, building or engineering
None
1-2 years
3-4 years
5 or more years
06
Please briefly describe the experience indicated in the previous question. If none, indicate N/A.
07
How many total years of experience do you have in customer service?
None
1-2 years
3-4 years
5 or more years
08
Please describe an example of when you have provided exceptional customer service. If you checked "NONE" in the previous question, indicate N/A.
09
Do you have any experience in reading plans? (i.e. grading plans, building plans, landscape plans)
10
If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please briefly discuss your experience with reading plans. If none, indicate N/A.
Required Question
Employer
Carlsbad, City of (CA)
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