Assistant Planner Jobs
Assistant Planner jobs are open across urban planning, architecture, real estate development, and engineering consulting, from entry-level to senior associate, with specializations in transportation, land use, and community development. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Position Title: Assistant Town Planner Grade Level: SEIU-B
Department Planning Date: 11/10/2026
Reports to: Town Planner FLSA Status Non-Exempt
The Assistant Town Planner serves as the primary back up person to the Town Planner and is responsible for providing technical assistance and reviewing permit applications to the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals and assists in the day-to-day functions of the Planning & Appeals Office.
a. Review applications for Special Permits, Site Plans, Preliminary and Definitive Subdivisions and ANR plans to determine application completeness, zoning compliance and adherence to Planning Board Rules and Regulations and the Zoning Bylaws.
b. Working in conjunction with the Town Planner and Planning and Appeals Office Administrative Assistant in the analysis of development proposals, preparing legal notices, developing staff reports and slide shows, drafting letters and decisions and communicating information.
c. Providing enhanced customer assistance regarding Dennis regulations, procedures and application requirements and technical questions about the zoning bylaws and rules and regulations.
d. Meeting with developers, attorneys, engineers, architects, surveyors, contractors and members of the general public regarding Dennis regulations, procedures and application requirements.
e. Gathering, assembling and analyzing data to be used in various short- and long-range planning studies. These include current efforts updating the Local Comprehensive Plan, Open Space Plan, Hazard Mitigation Plan and ADA Plan, among others.
f. Research to support new amendments to the Zoning By-Law and the Subdivision Rules and Regulations and other guidance documents for the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.
g. Support of the Economic Development Committee and Zoning Bylaw Study Committee.
h. Research to support The Town Planner and Housing Coordinator with monitoring and updating the Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) and the EOHLC Biennial update and ensuring compliance with affordable projects allowed through the local zoning bylaw to encourage affordable housing.
i. Assist Town Planner in preparing periodic and annual reports, carrying out the multiple duties of the office, and other related functions as required.
j. When authorized, may serve to represent the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Appeals, Town or Town Planner in conferring with Town, regional, state and federal officials or with other public and private organizations.
k. Filing and records keeping.
l. Monitoring and updating the Department, Planning Board, ZBA and EDC webpages as well as the online permitting portal in conjunction with the Town Planner and Administrative Assistant.
Starting Salary $70,000.00
Education and Experience:
A candidate for this position should possess a Bachelor's Degree in urban planning or related field, such as: geography, landscape architecture, history, engineering or another related field. Preferably, at least two years’ experience in the planning field during which time candidate should have had work experience in planning research working with state/local laws dealing with planning and zoning matters.
Candidate needs to possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license and have the ability to move from place to place and tread over rough terrain. Candidate must be able to demonstrate possession of the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work of the position.
Send cover letter and resume through online application.
Type : INTERNAL & EXTERNAL
Location : PLANNING
Position Title: Assistant Town Planner Grade Level: SEIU-B
Department Planning Date: 11/10/2026
Reports to: Town Planner FLSA Status Non-Exempt
The Assistant Town Planner serves as the primary back up person to the Town Planner and is responsible for providing technical assistance and reviewing permit applications to the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals and assists in the day-to-day functions of the Planning & Appeals Office.
a. Review applications for Special Permits, Site Plans, Preliminary and Definitive Subdivisions and ANR plans to determine application completeness, zoning compliance and adherence to Planning Board Rules and Regulations and the Zoning Bylaws.
b. Working in conjunction with the Town Planner and Planning and Appeals Office Administrative Assistant in the analysis of development proposals, preparing legal notices, developing staff reports and slide shows, drafting letters and decisions and communicating information.
c. Providing enhanced customer assistance regarding Dennis regulations, procedures and application requirements and technical questions about the zoning bylaws and rules and regulations.
d. Meeting with developers, attorneys, engineers, architects, surveyors, contractors and members of the general public regarding Dennis regulations, procedures and application requirements.
e. Gathering, assembling and analyzing data to be used in various short- and long-range planning studies. These include current efforts updating the Local Comprehensive Plan, Open Space Plan, Hazard Mitigation Plan and ADA Plan, among others.
f. Research to support new amendments to the Zoning By-Law and the Subdivision Rules and Regulations and other guidance documents for the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.
g. Support of the Economic Development Committee and Zoning Bylaw Study Committee.
h. Research to support The Town Planner and Housing Coordinator with monitoring and updating the Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) and the EOHLC Biennial update and ensuring compliance with affordable projects allowed through the local zoning bylaw to encourage affordable housing.
i. Assist Town Planner in preparing periodic and annual reports, carrying out the multiple duties of the office, and other related functions as required.
j. When authorized, may serve to represent the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Appeals, Town or Town Planner in conferring with Town, regional, state and federal officials or with other public and private organizations.
k. Filing and records keeping.
l. Monitoring and updating the Department, Planning Board, ZBA and EDC webpages as well as the online permitting portal in conjunction with the Town Planner and Administrative Assistant.
Starting Salary $70,000.00
Education and Experience:
A candidate for this position should possess a Bachelor's Degree in urban planning or related field, such as: geography, landscape architecture, history, engineering or another related field. Preferably, at least two years’ experience in the planning field during which time candidate should have had work experience in planning research working with state/local laws dealing with planning and zoning matters.
Candidate needs to possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license and have the ability to move from place to place and tread over rough terrain. Candidate must be able to demonstrate possession of the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work of the position.
Send cover letter and resume through online application.
Type : INTERNAL & EXTERNAL
Location : PLANNING
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Find Assistant Planner JobsAssistant Planner Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Retail
- Food & Beverage
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in assistant planner jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in urban planning, geography, public administration, or a related field
- Proficiency with GIS software such as ArcGIS for spatial analysis and mapping
- Experience preparing staff reports, planning documents, or zoning analysis
- Knowledge of local zoning codes, land use regulations, and municipal planning processes
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for public presentations and reports
- AICP eligibility or progress toward certification preferred for mid-level positions
Tips for Your Assistant Planner Job Search
Tailor your resume to plan types
Hiring managers in planning scan resumes for the type of work you've done, whether that's zoning reviews, environmental assessments, or site plan analysis. Label each role with the specific plan type so reviewers can match your experience to their open projects immediately.
Highlight GIS and mapping software skills
Most assistant planner postings expect hands-on proficiency with GIS tools like ArcGIS or QGIS. List the specific tools you've used and the types of maps or spatial analyses you've produced, not just the software names, to stand out from candidates with surface-level familiarity.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists assistant planner openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings that match your plan area
Assistant planner roles differ sharply by specialty: a transportation planning posting expects traffic modeling experience, while a current planning role centers on permit review. Filter your search by the plan area you've trained in to avoid mismatched applications that hurt your odds.
Prepare a work sample or portfolio excerpt
Many planning departments ask for a writing sample, a staff report, or a map product during screening. Pull two or three examples that show both your technical output and your ability to explain planning decisions clearly to a non-specialist audience before you start applying.
Ask specific questions in your planning interview
Interviewers notice candidates who ask about current project types, the balance of long-range versus current planning work, and how the team handles public hearings. Generic questions about culture signal you haven't done your homework on what the department actually does.
Assistant Planner Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most assistant planners?
The most active employers for assistant planners right now are Saks Global, DICK'S Sporting Goods, and THG, and the most openings are in New York, Texas, and California, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Municipal governments, regional planning agencies, and civil engineering consulting firms consistently account for the largest share of open roles.
How many assistant planner jobs are remote?
About 50% of assistant planner openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with remote arrangements more common in long-range planning, policy research, and grant writing roles than in current planning or permit review positions that require in-person site visits and public counter work.
How do you become an assistant planner?
Start by completing a bachelor's degree in urban planning, geography, or public administration, since most entry-level postings treat this as a baseline requirement. Build GIS skills through coursework or self-study, then gain experience through internships with a city, county, or planning consultancy. Demonstrating that you can write a clear staff report and interpret zoning codes will get you past most initial screenings.
Can you get hired as an assistant planner with little experience?
Yes, many assistant planner roles are specifically designed for early-career candidates, particularly at municipal planning departments that run structured internship-to-hire pipelines. A strong academic portfolio, a GIS certification, and even one substantive internship where you drafted a planning document or analyzed land use data can substitute for years of full-time experience in most entry-level postings.
What does the assistant planner interview process look like?
Most assistant planner interviews include a phone or video screen with HR, followed by a panel interview with planning staff that tests your knowledge of local zoning principles, your ability to explain a planning decision to a public audience, and your technical skills. Some departments ask you to present a brief work sample or complete a short written exercise before the panel stage.
Where can I find and apply to assistant planner jobs?
You can find and apply to assistant planner jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that fit your specialty and experience level, then apply directly to each listing that matches what you're looking for.
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