Planning Intern

Job Description

Planning Intern – City of Diamond Bar

The City of Diamond Bar’s Planning Division is seeking a dynamic and motivated planning student to join its team of outstanding professionals as a paid intern. This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a talented individual to gain valuable experience and develop essential work habits in a highly-competitive profession.

About the City of Diamond Bar

Incorporated on April 18, 1989, the City of Diamond Bar operates under a city council/city manager form of government. A five-member city council is elected by residents, with a mayor elected annually by the council. The city manager oversees daily city activities.

About the Planning Division

The Planning Division, part of the Community Development Department, is responsible for preparing and administering zoning and subdivision ordinances, reviewing development projects, ensuring compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and providing long-range planning to coordinate and monitor growth. It is also charged with updating and implementing the City’s General Plan.

The division is actively engaged in significant long-range planning projects, including ongoing efforts with the Town Center Specific Plan and the implementation of the City’s certified 6th Cycle (2021-2029) Housing Element. These projects offer interns a unique chance to contribute to impactful initiatives.

The Internship Experience

The assigned intern will report directly to the Senior Planner and have the opportunity to work closely with all staff in the Community Development Department. This position is located at Diamond Bar City Hall, 21810 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765.

This internship is designed to provide comprehensive insight into the interdisciplinary fields of municipal planning. Beyond day-to-day duties, interns will have opportunities to:

• Attend Planning Commission and Administrative Review hearings to experience the public hearing process.
• Participate in field/site visits to learn basic tools for assessing site conditions and design schemes, understanding issues, identifying opportunities and constraints, and providing project recommendations.

Key Responsibilities and Exposure

The selected intern will be exposed to a wide variety of planning-related tasks, including but not limited to:

• Processing discretionary projects such as Administrative Development Reviews for single-family residence additions and Minor Conditional Use Permits for alcohol sales.
• Processing non-complex applications, including routine business licenses, plan checks, patio covers, walls/fences, and sign permits.
• Assisting customers at the front counter, over the phone, and via email.
• Conducting and compiling research using resources like the Planners’ ListServ, the internet, and direct contact with other public sector agencies.

These duties will build a strong foundation in:

• City’s zoning regulations, policies, and procedures
• Project and file management
• Time management
• Problem-solving
• Communication skills
• Land use administration fundamentals, such as reading site, grading, and architectural plans, and checking for zoning compliance.

Additional Routine Tasks May Include:

• Administration: Purging and organizing closed planning files to support records scanning needs.
• Current Planning/Discretionary Review: Serving as an apprentice to planners on more complex projects.

Qualifications

Education:

Currently enrolled college or university students who have attained Senior level status in an undergraduate Urban and Regional Planning degree program, or graduate level students in a Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree program.

Experience:

None required.

Highly Desirable Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to apply research techniques, survey methods, and data collection.
• Flexibility and ability to handle multiple priorities.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to foster effective working relationships with all levels of staff and the public.
• Computer experience with Microsoft Office.

Work Schedule

This is a year-round internship opportunity. The successful candidate will be assigned a minimum of two to three working days during business hours (7:30 AM – 5:30 PM), preferably on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, for approximately 18 hours/week.

Benefits to Interns

Interns with the City of Diamond Bar will gain numerous advantages, including:

• Building resumes/work history and exploring career options.
• Applying academic skills and knowledge in a professional workplace.
• Fulfilling college/university internship requirements.
• Networking with professionals in their fields of interest.
• Interning with one of the premier public employers in the region.
• Flexible scheduling to accommodate finals and class schedule changes.
• Opportunity to engage in employee events, such as holiday luncheons, city-wide meetings, and Commission and Council meetings (as scheduling permits).
• Opportunities to meet with the City Manager and other City Executives.

Selection Process

Candidates whose education, experience, and/or training appear to be best qualified will be invited to participate in an Oral Interview (100%).

The top candidate(s) will be required to successfully pass:

• A criminal background check.
• Verification of work experience.
• Submission of an official copy of educational transcripts verifying obtained degrees or certificates as indicated on the employment application.
• A medical examination after a conditional job offer is made.