SALARY:

Associate Planner – $72,952 – $86,997/Annually

Senior Planner – $93,399 – $111,381/Annually

CLOSING DATE: Open until filled. First review, week of August 19.

*VACANCY WILL BE FILLED BASED ON QUALIFICATIONS*

ASSOCIATE PLANNER

DEFINITION:

Under direct or general supervision, performs a variety of professional and technical routine to complex activities in the field of current and advanced planning, including review of development and land use applications, zoning, site plan, and environmental review; may serve as project manager for development applications; completes technical assessments, prepares written project analyses; provides professional advice and assistance to the public on planning, community development, zoning, permits, and environmental review; assists with preparation of City ordinances; assumes primary role in enforcement of zoning regulations; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direct or general supervision from the Community and Economic Development Director or designee. May exercise technical and functional direction over assigned staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry-level class in the professional planning series. Initially, under direct supervision, incumbents learn the more routine planning, zoning, and related functions encountered by the City. Responsibilities include providing a range of routine customer service to the public at the front counter and on the telephone regarding policies and procedures, ongoing projects, zoning regulations, permit requirements, and related building and development issues. This class is alternately staffed with Associate Planner and incumbents may advance to the higher-level class after gaining the knowledge, skills, and experience that meet the qualifications and demonstrating the ability to perform the work of the higher-level class.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Reviews routine to more complex commercial, industrial, and residential development proposals, plans, and applications for completeness and accuracy; issuance of zoning clearance; reviews for compliance or consistency with appropriate regulations and policies.
• Reviews permit applications, site plans, and architectural plans for completeness and compliance with current City codes and regulations; provides interpretations of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and local environmental guidelines; approves or denies administrative submittals.
• May serve as project manager for routine application projects, including site and architectural plans, use permits, tentative tract maps, variances, performing technical review and analyses, coordinating in-house review with applicants, and making recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council.
• Compiles information for a variety of studies and reports; researches, analyzes, and interprets social, economic, population, and land use data and trends; develops recommendations and prepares written reports on various planning matters and the City’s General Plan.
• Participates in the implementation administration and update of the City’s General Plan, including Housing Element and development regulations, including the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map.
• Researches, collects, records, analyzes, interprets, and summarizes statistical and demographic information; prepares spreadsheets and establishes and maintains a comprehensive database on identified planning issues.
• Prepares staff reports for the Planning Commission, City Council, various committees, and advisory boards as directed; prepares research, reports, and maps; and conducts briefings.
• Confers with and advises architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, consultants, and the general public regarding City development policies and standards; provides and clarifies information relative to zoning, general plan compliance, CEQA, and other issues.
• Conducts studies and participates in the development of programs to address significant planning and development issues.
• Researches and assists in preparing ordinances for review.
• Participates in coordinating City planning and development related activities with other City departments and with outside agencies.
• Answers questions and provides information to the public concerning planning and zoning regulations.
• Maintains accurate records and files.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices and procedures related to urban and regional planning, development, and zoning administration.
• Geographic, socio-economic, transportation, political, and other elements related to urban planning.
• Comprehensive plans and current planning processes and the development process.
• Site planning and architectural design principles.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Project management techniques.
• Researching and reporting methods, techniques and procedures.
• Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to planning and zoning.
• Modern office methods, practices, procedures and equipment, including computer hardware and software necessary for graphic presentation, mapping and database management, including Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, PowerPoint, and basic GIS concepts and applications.
• Practices of researching planning issues, evaluating alternatives, making appropriate recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
• Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, and regulatory organizations, and with property owners, developers, contractors, and the public.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to:

• Interpret planning and zoning programs to the general public.
• Read site plans and architectural plans and make effective site visits.
• Identify and respond to issues and concerns of the public, Planning Commission, City Council, and other boards and commissions.
• Interpret, apply, and explain complex laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Analyze site design, terrain constraints, circulation, land use compatibility, utilities, and other urban services.
• Enforce ordinances and regulations effectively and tactfully.
• Make effective public presentations.
• Conduct routine research projects, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations.
• Prepare clear and concise technical and staff reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Learn City permitting software, information sources, and research techniques in the field of urban planning.
• Prepare accurate display maps, plans, charts, and tables.
• Effectively represent the Department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, and regulatory organizations, and individuals.
• Analyze and compile technical and statistical information and prepare reports.
• Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and software programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Associate Planner: Two (2) years of professional experience in planning, zoning, and related community development activities. A Master’s degree in a related field may be substituted for one (1) year of experience.

License:

Associate Planner:

• Valid California class C driver’s license with satisfactory driving record.

To view the complete job description, click here: Assistant Associate Planner

SENIOR PLANNER

DEFINITION:

Under general direction, administers current and advanced planning activities, including serving as project manager for complex development applications; administers specified activities in such areas as zoning, redevelopment, housing, and advanced planning; provides technical direction to lower-level or contract staff; provides information and assistance to property owners, developers, contractors, and the public; provides professional assistance to the Community and Economic Development Director, City Council, Planning Commission, and others in areas of expertise; oversees, reviews, and performs a variety of studies and prepares and presents staff reports; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from the Community and Economic Development Director. Exercises technical and functional direction over and provides training to assigned staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey-level class in the professional planning series with responsibilities spanning the entire spectrum of the planning function, with a primary emphasis on current and advanced planning and related issues. Successful performance of the work requires a broad professional background as well as skill in coordinating assigned work with that of other City departments and public agencies. Responsibilities include assisting with performing specified departmental day-to-day administrative functions. This class is distinguished from the Community and Economic Development Director in that the latter has overall responsibility for all planning and community development functions and for developing, implementing, and interpreting public policy for the department.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Reviews applications for residential, commercial, and industrial developments; evaluates alternatives and conformance with City policies and ordinances, the General Plan, and State and Federal laws; prepares and presents staff reports to the Planning Commission and City Council regarding such applications.
• Confers and coordinates assigned planning and development activities with those of City departments, public utilities, and public agencies to solicit comments regarding projects and ensures that the comments are satisfactorily addressed by the project applicant.
• Provides day-to-day technical support and direction to lower-level or contract professionals and technical and support staff.
• Prepares and processes California Environmental Quality Act compliance documents.
• Confers with and provides information to property owners, contractors, developers, engineers, architects, and the public regarding conformance to standards, plans, specifications, and codes; explains codes, requirements, and procedures, and evaluates alternatives.
• Participates in City long- and short-range planning activities; prepares or oversees the preparation of modifications to specific General Plan elements; conducts a variety of special studies, evaluates alternatives, makes recommendations for actions, and prepares narratives and statistical reports.
• Makes presentations to the Planning Commission, City Council, and various committees and commissions; develops and presents informational sessions to various segments of the community.
• Serves as project manager for the most complex planning projects, including analyzing and evaluating site and architectural plans, performing technical review for routine project plans and applications, and making recommendations; manages consultant contracts, including determining scope of work and budgets, tracking budgets, and approving contract payments.
• Conducts site inspections, including determining if projects are in compliance with laws, regulations and ordinances; makes recommendations regarding changes.
• Prepares a variety of written correspondence, reports, procedures, ordinances, and other written materials.
• Maintains accurate records and files.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and procedures related to urban and regional planning, particularly as related to the current planning and redevelopment processes.
• Geographic, socio-economic, transportation, political, and other elements related to urban planning.
• Concepts of municipal zoning, building, and other municipal codes.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations, such as CEQA, subdivision and planning laws, and California redevelopment laws.
• Modern and complex principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Modern principles and practices, technical legal issues, and research methods of urban planning, zoning, urban economics, demographics, and environmental management.
• General concepts of architecture, landscaping, grading, drainage, and traffic and transportation engineering as they relate to the process of urban planning.
• Practices of researching planning issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
• Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.
• Modern office methods, practices, procedures and equipment, including computer hardware and software necessary for graphic presentation, including Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, City permitting software, and basic GIS concepts and applications.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, and regulatory organizations and with property owners, developers, contractors and the public.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and City staff, in person, and over the telephone.

Ability to:

• Administer specified current and long-range planning, development, redevelopment, and related programs in an independent and cooperative manner.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Interpret, apply, and explain complex laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances governing land use and municipal planning.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner.
• Interpret, explain, and ensure compliance with City policies and procedures, complex laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, various businesses, professional and regulatory organizations, and individuals.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Senior Planner: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in urban planning, community development, business or public administration, or a related field, and four (4) years of professional experience in planning, zoning, and related community development activities. Possession of a Master’s degree in either urban planning or public administration with emphasis in urban planning is highly desirable.

Senior Planner:

• Valid California class C driver’s license with satisfactory driving record.
• Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is highly desirable.

To view the complete job description, click here: Senior Planner

ASSOCIATE PLANNER AND SENIOR PLANNER

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to inspect City development sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary or construction access points; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and make inspections; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard, or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects necessary to perform job functions.

ENIVROMENTAL ELEMENTS

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.