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Join Our Team!

• Are you an experienced planning professional who enjoys turning community vision into practical results?

• Do you thrive in small, collaborative teams where your work directly shapes the character of a community?

If so, the Town of Los Altos Hills invites you to apply for the Associate Planner position.

Compensation and Recruitment Timeline
Salary: $110,222.00 – $148,797.00 annually

Final salary will be determined based on the candidate’s relevant work experience, specific skills, and educational background. The Town’s salary ranges are divided into five steps, which represent incremental increases within the pay range. Employees typically start at a step that reflects their level of experience and performance. Each step corresponds to a specific salary amount and provides an opportunity for periodic increases based on satisfactory performance and time in position.
This recruitment is targeting individuals whose qualifications align with approximately Step 5 of the salary range.

Recruitment and Interview Process

Recruitment Opens: November 7, 2025 - 11:59 PM November 28, 2025

First Interviews: December 5, 2025 (Remote)

Second Interviews: December 15, 2025 (In-Person at Los Altos Hills Town Hall)

Target Offer Date: Early 2026

About the Role

The Town of Los Altos Hills is seeking an experienced, motivated, and community-oriented Associate Planner to join our small but dynamic Planning team. Under the supervision of the Director, the Associate Planner will work on a wide variety of current and long-range planning efforts. This is a mid-level professional planning role ideal for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and enjoys managing projects with autonomy while serving a unique, rural-residential community.

The Associate Planner conducts research and analysis related to the Town’s General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and other land use regulations. This position also plays a key role in community engagement and customer service, preparing reports and presenting to citizen committees, the Planning Commission, and the Town Council on projects of moderate to considerable complexity.

Key Responsibilities

• Reviews and makes recommendations on development proposals, including site development permits, variances, conditional development permits, conditional use permits, and lot line adjustments.
• Prepares staff reports and recommendations for the Planning Commission, City Council, and Site Development hearings; attends meetings and delivers presentations as needed.
• Conducts field investigations to assist with project evaluation.
• Coordinates plan reviews with internal departments (e.g., Building, Public Works), Town consultants, and other public agencies.
• Inspects development projects for compliance with approved plans and conditions of approval.
• Conducts research and analysis on planning topics such as land use trends, General Plan updates, Census data, and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) participation.
• Evaluates and approves administrative-level development permits and checks building plans for consistency with Town codes and conditions.
• Interprets and explains planning and zoning regulations and land use principles to the public, architects, builders, and developers.
• Conducts site analysis meetings with design professionals and residents.
• Investigates zoning and code compliance complaints and conducts follow-up as necessary.
• Prepares informational handouts and public materials related to Town policies and development procedures.
• Evaluates projects for compliance with CEQA, the Subdivision Map Act, and applicable State planning and zoning laws.
• Prepares findings for CEQA exemptions, Initial Studies, Negative Declarations, Mitigated Negative Declarations, and coordinates Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) as needed.
• Provides occasional training, technical support, and direction to interns, Assistant Planners, and consultants.
• Participates in interdepartmental coordination with the Public Works Manager, City Engineer, Finance Director, and Building Official.

Application filing deadline Open Until Filled- Apply Immediately

Interviews- TBD

Resumes are not accepted in lieu of completing a City application

DEFINITION

Under general supervision of the Code Enforcement Officer, the Code Enforcement Inspector facilitates compliance with City Municipal codes, ordinances, California Codes, conditions of approval and resolutions relating to public nuisances, planning, zoning, construction, business licensing, animal control and other associated disciplines. Works collaboratively with other City Divisions and Agencies and actively participates as a member of the Code Enforcement Task Force. Tracks, updates and maintains investigations, complaint information and official records. Attends training to maintain or achieve Code Enforcement Officer Certification. Performs related work as required.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

Investigate reported or suspected violations of City or California codes, and implement enforcement activities to gain compliance. Issue written notices and warnings, and criminal citations. Educate the public regarding code requirements. Conduct field inspections, gather-supporting evidence, maintain case files (both computer and hard files) and, as necessary, prepare investigation reports regarding violations. May assist in preparing and presenting information to the Planning Commission, City Council, Administrative Hearing Board and courts of law. Participate in and often coordinate joint code enforcement activities with other agencies. Speak before neighborhood and civic groups about the Code Enforcement Program and work closely with such groups to solve neighborhood problems.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of: Basic code enforcement and investigation techniques; common California Codes relating to property maintenance, municipal codes, ordinances and resolutions related to public nuisances, planning and zoning. Effective and efficient techniques of public education, field inspections for code compliance, gathering and analyzing evidence and data, and preparing and presenting reports.

Ability to: Read, understand, interpret and apply laws, regulations, ordinances, resolutions, policies and other documents associated with enforcement duties. Maintain a positive attitude and work as a highly effective team member of the Code Enforcement Program, Economic and Community Development Department and the Code Enforcement Task Force. Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Prepare and make verbal presentations to small and large groups, the Administrative Hearing Board and other official bodies. Prepare factually clear, concise and complete written reports and correspondence. Exercise good customer service skills with the public, outside agencies and staff. Interact tactfully to gain voluntary compliance with City codes. Identify code violations and exercise proper judgment in determining the degree of compliance with various laws and determine appropriate course of action. Assist City staff with interpretation and application of the codes used. Coordinate enforcement and inspection functions with other City departments. Competently use a desktop computer with a main program base such as Office 2010, to record, organize, and monitor all code enforcement activities. Follow established work procedures and practices, including adherence to sound safety practices. Drive a vehicle. Work under stressful and uncomfortable, cold, foggy and rainy climatic conditions. Perform inspections on substandard or unsafe properties, which may require climbing, crawling, kneeling, and bending. Interview witnesses and violators in a highly effective and professional manner. Interact positively and cooperate with co-workers, respond politely to customers, work as a team member, function under demanding time pressure, respond in a positive manner to supervision, and attend work and perform duties on a regular and consistent basis.

Education: Possession of an AA degree in a related field. Additional education and training in writing, public speaking and areas related to code enforcement are desirable.

Experience: A minimum of one year of full-time, relevant public contact experience, with occasional public speaking, requiring problem solving and/or field investigation in code enforcement, law enforcement, investigations, or a comparable field that would provide the requisite knowledge needed to succeed in this position. Experience in the enforcement of municipal, planning and zoning codes and working with building or planning permits at a public or private agency is desirable.

Certifications: Possess, or obtain within 12 months from hire date, current certification as a Code Enforcement Officer from the California Association of Code Enforcement Officers (CACEO); or certification as a Housing Inspector from the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO- through the American Association of Code Enforcement). Certification under Penal Code 832 Module A (California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training) or similar police training is desirable.

License: Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License.