City And Job Overview
The City of Garden Grove is now accepting applications for:
PLANNING AIDE / ASSISTANT PLANNER
Deadline to apply for this recruitment is Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PST.
Click here to apply online: Join Our Team
Join our award-winning Planning team! The Planning team at the City of Garden Grove received the 2024 Award of Merit from the California Chapter of the American Planning Association for a Public Agency.
We are currently accepting applications for the positions of Planning Aide (official classification: Administrative Aide) and Assistant Planner in the Planning Services Division of the Community Development Department. Under general supervision, these roles perform technical work for current and advance planning sections in the Planning Services Division. The ideal candidate will: possess strong oral and written communication skills; be customer service oriented; possess excellent researching skills; and have experience with the latest industry software.
We are looking to fill one full-time vacancy with an energetic, customer service oriented professional. The vacancy may be filled at either the Planning Aide or Associate Planner level. We anticipate creating an eligibility list from this recruitment that may be used to fill current and future vacancies for these classifications. Apply now!
Essential Duties
PLANNING AIDE (ADMINISTRATIVE AIDE): $4,900 - $7,240 monthly
- Assists members of management and technical staff by performing basic administrative assignments;
- Prepares a wide variety of written materials, including correspondence, reports, procedure guides, and instructions;
- Reviews and summarizes publications and documents;
- Performs preliminary analyses of administrative procedures and budgets;
- Answers requests for information;
- Prepares forms and other administrative devices;
- Gathers and tabulates data and prepares reports;
- May work overtime;
- May attend various commission and staff meetings;
- Performs other related duties as required.
ASSISTANT PLANNER: $5,686 - $8,401 monthly
- Perform general research;
- Review, analyze and assist in the acceptance and processing of development applications and permits;
- Prepare planning reports and make staff presentations to the Planning Commission and Zoning Administration;
- Assist with the development of planning strategies;
- Assist with implementing the City's General Plan and zoning ordinances;
- Perform environmental analysis studies; and
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Requirements
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
PLANNING AIDE (ADMINISTRATIVE AIDE): An Associate's degree or equivalent units (at least 60 semester units) with major coursework in public administration, business administration, political science or a related field from an accredited university is required. No experience required. Planning experience is highly desirable.
ASSISTANT PLANNER: A Bachelor's degree with major course work in planning, public or business administration, social sciences, economics, or a related field and six (6) months of experience in urban planning, land use or zoning administration and enforcement is required.
KNOWLEDGE OF
Principles and practices of land use and municipal planning; local, state, and federal laws and regulations pertaining to planning, land subdivision and zoning; statistical and research methods relating to physical, social and economic effects on communities; the Subdivision Map Act and California Environment Quality Act; customer service techniques and principles, and computer software, including Microsoft Word and Excel programs.
ABILITY TO
Communicate effectively and cooperatively with property owners, developers, their agents or professional representatives, other public and private agencies, and other City departments; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; effectively convey planning studies and recommendations to a wide variety of audiences; conduct research and make appropriate recommendations; understand and administer complex laws and regulations; use initiative and creativity in solving problems; use a personal computer; read and interpret construction drawings, grading plans, and flood maps; and provide quality customer service.
Other Requirements
Assistant Planners must possess a valid class C California driver license and an acceptable driving record in order to operate a City vehicle. An acceptable driving record is one that has three (3) or fewer DMV points issued within the past five (5) years, and no more than one (1) DUI within the past ten (10) years.
A valid class C California driver license is highly desirable for the Planning Aide position.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Incumbents in this classification stand, walk, sit, push, pull, use fingers repetitively, speak clearly, hear normal voice conversation, distinguish shades and colors, see long distances, see small details, use a telephone, type, work on a personal computer and drive a vehicle.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment described here is representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Incumbents in this classification work in an open office environment, have direct contact with the public and may be required to work evenings and weekends.
Other Important Information
How To Apply
Online applications can be completed by visiting: www.ggcity.org/hr. Questions regarding this position may be sent via email to ggjobs@ggcity.org. City Hall is open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and every other Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The deadline to apply is Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 5:00 p.m. PST
Your Online Application Packet Must Include
- a completed online employment application
- a completed supplemental questionnaire
Job applications must be completely filled out. A resume cannot substitute for required information. Be sure to include any education, training or other relevant course work that would make you a particularly strong candidate.
Your application will be reviewed very carefully, and only those who appear to have the best qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to further testing.
THE SELECTION PROCESS
Selection Process May Consist Of
- Oral Panel Interview and Writing Sample - tentatively scheduled for Monday, April 6, 2026
Candidates who may need accommodations during the selection process must contact the Human Resources Department at ggjobs@ggcity.org at least one week prior to any test dates.
Regardless of the notification preference selected when creating the application,
CANDIDATES WILL ONLY RECEIVE COMMUNICATION THROUGH EMAIL. Candidates should be diligent in checking their email and spam mail as all notices regarding their status in the recruitment will be emailed to them.
If there are any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the Human Resources Department at ggjobs@ggcity.org.
NEPOTISM POLICY
The City has adopted a Nepotism Policy that may affect the status of a candidate's application. Please refer to the Garden Grove Municipal Code 2.44.440 Nepotism Policy for more information.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The City of Garden Grove is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, marital status, religion, ancestry, national origin, medical condition, non-disqualifying disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, military/veteran status, or other protected class covered by appropriate law.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
Per Government Code 3100, in the event of a disaster, employees of the City of Garden Grove are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
VACATION
Accrues At The Following Rates
- 80 hours upon completion of one (1) year
- 120 hours after one (1) year - 10 hours per month
- 132 hours after four (4) years - 11 hours per month
- 144 hours after nine (9) years - 12 hours per month
- 156 hours after eleven (11) years - 13 hours per month
- 168 hours after fourteen (14) years - 14 hours per month
- 186 hours after sixteen (16) years - 15.5 hours per month
- 207 hours after nineteen (19) years - 17.25 hours per month
- 246 hours after twenty-four (24) years - 20.6 hours per month
HOLIDAYS: 14 paid holidays a year (up to 125 hours)
SICK LEAVE: Accrues at 8 hours for each full calendar month of service.
CAFETERIA PLAN HEALTH INSURANCE: The City provides each eligible employee a fringe benefit allocation to purchase benefits for themselves and their dependents. Any unused portion of the allowance may be put into a deferred compensation plan, or taken as cash at the end of the year, or invested into a Flexible Reimbursement Account in which employees may tax-defer funds to use to pay for childcare or to cover those health and dental care expenses (deductibles, etc.) that are not reimbursed by an insurance carrier.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PROGRAM: Employees may contribute to a 457(b) account up to the maximum as determined by the IRS annually. There is no City contribution.
Retirement
Tier I - Employees hired prior to January 1, 2013, are covered by the "2.5% at 55" single highest year option of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) plan. Employees contribute eight percent (8%) of salary to PERS on a tax-deferred basis. Employees hired after January 1, 2013 that have already been enrolled in CalPERS or another reciprocal retirement system and do not have a break in service of more than six (6) months may be hired into Tier I. The plan also includes the 1959 Survivor Benefit (Indexed Level), and $5,000 death benefit.
Tier II - Employees hired after January 1, 2013, are covered by the "2% at 62" three highest year average option of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) plan. Employees contribute half of the normal cost to PERS on a tax-deferred basis. The plan also includes the 1959 Survivor Benefit (Indexed Level), and $5,000 death benefit.
BILINGUAL INCENTIVE: Employees may receive $85 per pay period if designated by the department head and certified by Human Resources to use bilingual verbal and translation abilities for languages such as Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, or other designated languages. A designated and certified bilingual employee required to utilize his/her verbal-only bilingual abilities (Vietnamese, Korean, Spanish and/or any other language designated by the City Manager) on City business will be paid $65 each pay period.
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: Employees who successfully pass probation may receive up to $3,000 per year for pre-approved completed coursework toward a college degree.
RIDESHARE PROGRAM: Incentives in the form of various gift certificates and transportation subsidies are provided to encourage ride sharing and other types of alternate commuting modes.
Please visit the City's website for more information: https://ggcity.org/hr/salary-and-benefits
THE BENEFITS LISTED ABOVE ARE ONLY RELEVANT TO FULL TIME EMPLOYEES. BENEFITS FOR PART-TIME BENEFITED AND NON-BENEFITED EMPLOYEES WILL DIFFER FROM THOSE OF A FULL TIME EMPLOYEE.
01
Please carefully read these instructions: Your responses to the supplemental questions below will be used to determine your qualifications for the position.
You are required to answer ALL of the supplemental questions as truthfully and accurately as possible. Your responses to these questions are subject to verification and may be assessed in subsequent examination parts. Any sign of deliberate misinformation or intentional exaggeration may result in disqualification from this examination process.
- Yes – I have read, understood, and agree to these terms.
- No – I have read, understood, and do not agree to these terms. I wish to withdraw my application from this process.
02
What is the highest level of education you have completed?
- Some high school
- High school diploma or G.E.D.
- Associate's degree or equivalent units (at least 60 semester)
- Bachelor's degree
- Master's degree
- Doctorate or Ph.D.
- None of the above
03
Please indicate the number of years of experience you have in urban planning, land use, or zoning administration and enforcement.
Please include any relevant experience, including paid or non-paid internships. All relevant experience should be included in the work experience section of the application.
- I have no experience in this area
- Less than 6 months of experience
- Six months but less than 1 year
- 1 year but less than 2 years
- 2 years but less than 3 years
- 3 years but less than 4 years
- 4 years but less than 5 years
- 5 years or more
04
Please check all of the programs that you are proficient in:
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Illustrator
- Sketchup
- ESRI ArcGIS
- Blue Beam
- Microsoft Publisher
- Microsoft Office Suite
- I am not proficient in any of the above mentioned programs
05
How many years of current and/or advance planning experience do you possess?
- I do not have experience in this area
- Less than 1 year
- 1 year but less than 2 years
- 2 years but less than 3 years
- 3 years but less than 4 years
- 4 years but less than 5 years
- 5 years or more
06
Please describe in detail your experience in the areas of current and/or advance planning. If you do not have experience in this area, please write N/A below.
07
How many years of experience in updating city zoning ordinances and general plans do you possess?
- I do not have experience in this area
- Less than 1 year
- 1 year but less than 2 years
- 2 years but less than 3 years
- 3 years but less than 4 years
- 4 years but less than 5 years
- 5 years or more
08
Please describe in detail your experience updating city zoning ordinances and general plans. If you do not have experience in this area, please write N/A below.
09
Please describe in detail your experience working with the public including any experience working at a municipal public counter. If you do not have experience in this area, please write N/A below.
10
Please describe in detail your experience analyzing, researching, and evaluating data for a planning project. If you do not have experience in this area, please write N/A below.
11
Please describe in detail your experience presenting projects at public meetings or in a classroom setting. If you do not have experience in this area, please write N/A below.
12
Do you currently possess a valid California Class "C" driver license?
