Location
Description
It’s a great time to join the City of Belmont’s Community Development Department as an Assistant or Associate Planner!
The Community Development Department includes the Planning and Building divisions and works closely with the Housing and Economic Development team in the City Manager’s office. We are a dynamic staff of twelve, including several team members that have many years of service and bring deep institutional knowledge and experience working alongside newer team members who bring fresh perspective and ideas. Together, we are working on a wide range of projects and programs to provide great customer service, encourage housing development, diversify the City’s employment base, and plan for a resilient future for Belmont. We approach our work with a commitment to public service and belief that what we do helps shape the community and peoples’ lives.
This position is ideal for a planner that wants to apply their skills and experience to provide customer service, manage projects, help develop policy, and improve process in a collegial environment where humor is appreciated. The Assistant or Associate Planner will focus on current planning and will also have opportunities to work on advance planning and policy development. The Community Development leadership team is committed to providing training and growth opportunities for staff. This position will be filled at the Assistant Planner or Associate Planner level dependent on candidate qualifications.
Recruitment Timeline
First Review of Applications - January 12, 2026
First Round Interviews - Week of January 26, 2026
Department Interviews - Week of February 2, 2026
*Dates may be subject to change
Ideal Candidate
Ideal Candidate:
- Team oriented - invested in good work and positive outcomes for all team members.
- Skilled Communicator - the ability to communicate in a confident, effective and courteous manner.
- Resident focused - enjoys serving the public and providing great customer service.
- Sense of humor, friendly and approachable.
- Detail oriented but also able to see the big picture.
- Highly motivated, curious and self-directed.
- Organized but adaptable - able to change focus and address competing priorities.
Key Work Areas:
- Provide front line customer service to design professionals and property owners
- Process development applications including new homes, ADUs, remodels, small housing projects, and conditional use permits
- Prepare staff reports, PowerPoints, and make presentations to the Planning Commission and City Council
- With assistance, apply the California Environmental Quality Act to development projects
- Work with consultants on technical analysis
- Assist small businesses through business license and sign permit reviews
- Work on multidisciplinary teams on City priorities; coordinate with outside agencies and other jurisdictions
- Assist with Housing Element implementation
- Make use of GIS spatial analysis and research to support policy initiatives
- Assist with the preparation of zoning code and General Plan amendments
- At the Associate Planner level, work on projects and programs with more complexity and with less direct supervision
See the job descriptions for Assistant Planner and Associate Planner for more information.
Training and Experience:
Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning or a related field.
Assistant Planner: Two (2) years planning experience; as an intern, technician, or similar position.
Associate Planner: Three (3) years of responsible planning experience.
Benefits
Benefits of Working for Team Belmont
Assistant Planner - $8,001.76- $10,212.50 Monthly
Associate Planner - $9,015.36 - $11,506.14 Monthly
*The listed salaries are effective January 4, 2026
- Health Insurance - You will have access to comprehensive health insurance plans, which include: Medical insurance via the CalPERS Medical Program, with a City contribution of up to $2,893.54 a month towards plan premium.
- Employer paid dental insurance via Delta Dental PPO (nominal monthly cost for dependents).
- Vision Insurance via VSP for you and your eligible dependents.
- Retirement- The City of Belmont participates in the CalPERS Retirement Plan. Employees are enrolled at the PEPRA Member or Classic Member subject to CalPERS regulations.
- Retirement Health Savings Account - The City makes a monthly contribution to employee's account based on years of service from $150.00 - $300.00 per month. Vested after ten (10) years of continuous service.
- Deferred Compensation - The City makes a monthly contribution of $335.00 per month into employee's 457 Deferred Compensation Account. In addition, employees can make pre-tax contributions via payroll deduction.
- Paid Time Off: We understand the importance of work-life harmony. You will receive accrual of paid time off, including vacation days, sick days, and holidays.
- Vacation - Accrual starts at 6.33 hours per month of service, equal to ten (10) days per year. Prior years of public service may be considered when granting accrual rate.
- Associate Planner Only: Administrative Leave 80 hours per year.
- Sick Leave - Earned at one day (8 hours) per month of service.
- Eleven (11) Holidays with two (2) Floating Holidays after a year of service.
For more detailed benefit information, including eligibility criteria and specific plan provisions, please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding - Mid-Management Confidential Employee Association
Special Instructions
A City application and supplemental questionnaire (1 question - multiple choice) are required for consideration. Applications may be submitted online. Please include a resume.
Candidates who possess the best combination of qualifications will be invited to participate in the selection process; possession of the minimum qualifications does not ensure continuation in the selection process.
The City of Belmont makes reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities to participate in the selection process. If you wish to request an accommodation in order to participate in the selection process, you must inform the Human Resources Department in writing no later than the final filing date. Applicants requesting an accommodation should document the request, including the type and extent of accommodations requested to participate in the selection process and/or perform the duties of the job for which applied.
Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City should expect to undergo an employment background/reference check that may include, but is not limited to: employment history, confirmation of educational credentials and degrees, licenses including a driver's license, registrations, certificates, and other credentials as well as a review of Summary Criminal History obtained from the State Department of Justice through Live Scan Fingerprinting. Some positions, depending on the nature of the work, also require a credit check.
City of Belmont is an Equal Opportunity Employer