What are the responsibilities and job description for the Planning Assistant position at City of Hawthorne?
The City seeks experienced candidates to fill one vacancy in the Planning and Community Department. This
position will be filled based on the extent of candidate qualifications to meet the needs of the organization. All
experienced applicants are encouraged to apply.
Under supervision of the Director of Planning, or his/her designee, assists in the operation of the Planning
activities and performs all other work as required. The Planning Assistant reports directly to the Director of
Planning or his/her designee.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following is a list of typical duties assigned to this classification. The duties included on this list are
examples and not intended to be all-inclusive or restrictive.
- Composes reports in written, graphic and design form.
- Reviews and applies laws and regulations to planning projects.
- Conducts analysis and recommendations based on findings in studies, field observations and public
- Assists in the evaluation of land use applications and site plans for compliance with applicable local, state
- Coordinates department activities with other departments and agencies as needed.
- Assists in the investigation and recommendations on zoning matters and performs all other related work
as required.
- Provides information on land use applications, ordinances, codes, plans and related planning programs,
interested persons.
- Assists city staff in the enforcement of local ordinances and in interpreting city codes and the City’s
- Responds to local citizens inquiring about local planning and zoning regulations and ordinances.
- Provides staff support to the Planning Commission as needed and assigned, including the preparation of
- Updates and prepares graphics and maps for a variety of reports, plans, grant applications, publications
- Assists in the evaluation of environmental information; and assists in the recommendation of mitigation
- Assists in maintaining data base information as it relates to planning issues, etc.
- Maintains and updates Planning Department information on the City of Hawthorne’s official website.
- Works effectively with other city departments, the general public and community agencies concerning
- Serves as a member of various staff committees as assigned.
- Serves, when assigned, as a member of a planning task force composed of local, county or state groups.
- Attends professional development workshops and conferences to maintain current knowledge of trends
- Assists other staff members as needed.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education, Training and Experience
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree, AND a minimum of one-year
- OR an Associate of Arts Degree with a major in Planning or a related urban development field and three
Licenses, Certificate and/or Special Requirements
- Must possess a valid California Class C driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
A complete City application and supplemental questionnaire (if applicable) are required to be considered for any
open position and must be filled out completely, showing clearly that the minimum qualifications are met.
Applications may be accompanied by a resume describing experience, education & training in relation to the
requirements of the position, however resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a City employment
application. Incomplete applications will be rejected from consideration.
The City’s employment application is located at www.cityofhawthorne.org. Please complete all the required
information as provided on the form. Do not alter the application.
City Hall business hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and closed every other
Friday. On the alternate Friday, City Hall hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please contact the Human
Resources Department at (310) 349-2950 with any questions regarding this recruitment.
Note: Communications from the Hawthorne Human Resources Office regarding this recruitment will be via
email. Please periodically check spam or junk mail folders.
All employment application materials received by the final filing deadline will be reviewed to determine the level
and scope of applicant qualifications for the position. All information provided by an applicant is subject to
verification.
TESTING & SELECTION PROCESS
All properly completed applications will be reviewed and only the most highly qualified candidates will be invited
to continue in the selection process. The selection process may include a supplemental questionnaire, a written
test, a performance test, and/or an oral interview to evaluate the applicant’s skill, training, and experience. An
applicant requiring reasonable accommodation during the testing and selection process must inform the City of
Hawthorne Human Resources Department at (310) 349- 2950 at least seventy-two (72) hours in advance of the
established testing date.
Applicants completing selection testing with acceptable results will qualify to have their name placed on an
Eligibility List. The Eligibility List will be considered by the hiring authority to fill current and future vacancies for
the position.
V ET ERANS’ PREFERENCE CREDIT
The City of Hawthorne provides Veterans’ Preference Credit to qualified candidates who are successful in the
examination process. To be eligible for this preference, a legible copy of DD214 upon application filing with the
Hawthorne Human Resources Department is required.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
City employee may be eligible to participate in a benefit program including holidays, vacations, savings and
retirement plans, health programs, educational reimbursement and other benefits listed in the Hawthorne
Municipal Employee Association (HMEA) Memorandum of Understanding. Benefits may change due to
employer-employee negotiations.
Eligible City employees will participate in a defined benefit retirement plan administered by California Public
Employees’ Retirement System (CalPers).
For additional details, refer to the City’s website: www.cityofhawthorne.org under MOUs & Salary Schedules.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY
The City of Hawthorne is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to
providing all individuals equal opportunity in employment regardless of age, sex, race, national origin, religion,
color, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, medical condition, physical or mental disability, or service as a
military veteran. Women, minorities and disabled individuals are encouraged to apply.
ABOUT THE CITY
Proudly Serving the Community for over 80 Years!
Incorporated in 1922, the City of Hawthorne currently has a population of nearly 87,000 within a six square mile
area. Ideally located near the Los Angeles International Airport, connected by rail to the Port of Los Angeles and
downtown Los Angeles, and surrounded by the San Diego (I-405), Harbor (I-110), and Glenn M. Anderson (I-
105) Freeways, the City of Hawthorne could easily be termed the "Hub of the South Bay." By virtue of its location,
Hawthorne affords easy, quick access to all that Southern California offers; culture, sports, entertainment,
mountains, and beaches. Temperatures in the area are always among the most pleasant in the Los Angeles
basin. The City of Hawthorne possesses a shared vision towards the future to create a great city and build an
economy, which supports the community's desire for a high quality of life.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS JOB BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONTRACT OR GUARANTEE OF EMPLOYMENT.
ANY OF THE PROVISIONS CONTAINED HEREIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.
Salary : $5,257 - $7,753