The City of Fort Bragg is Accepting Applications

For

ASSOCIATE PLANNER

The filing deadline is March 31st, 2023
Interviews are scheduled for April 17, 2023

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Associate Planner is the advanced level classification in the planning series. With minimum supervision, incumbents in this class provide and perform responsible technical and professional planning work in a variety of functional planning service areas, are familiar with city planning regulations and policies and exercise considerable judgment in applying planning and research skills, organizing and setting priorities for work assignments and selecting work methodology for projects and assignments. The incumbent must be productive at reviewing and analyzing development applications; preparing staff reports for various committees and commissions; developing guidelines, policies, ordinances and procedures pertaining to land use planning and development; providing information regarding land use matters to the public; being the liaison with consultants, developers and staff of other agencies; investigating a wide variety of issues/activities for code compliance; and initiating, monitoring and completing code enforcement actions. Associate Planner is distinguished from Assistant Planner in that the latter is learning to perform the assigned duties while the former performs the duties at a journey-level with considerably more independence.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Current Planning

• Acts as project manager for complex projects or applications that require specialized knowledge and/or experience in the interpretation of land use and environmental policies and regulations.
• Provides answers to questions from the public on the phone, in person, and in writing regarding City planning regulations and applicable statutes, regulations and procedures, planning program and projects.
• Assists applicants through the permit process by: 1) coordinating and conducting comprehensive pre-application conferences; 2) preparing application completeness letters; 3) analyzing proposed project compliance with the General Plan, Land Use and Development Code, and Local Coastal Program; 4) working with applicants to address identified issues; and 5) developing special conditions to ensure that projects comply with applicable policies and regulations and 6) preparing staff reports for the Planning Commission to review for consideration of permits.
• Reviews data and information received from other agencies and incorporates data/information into report recommendations and/or environmental documents.
• Prepares detailed staff reports for projects of varying complexity for presentation and recommendation to the Planning Commission, City Council and/or Community Development Director.
• Prepares and processes Negative Declarations, Mitigated Negative Declarations, and CEQA notices, and assists with other environmental documents (Environmental Impact Reports, Environmental Assessments, Environmental Impact Studies, etc.).

Long Range Planning

• Writes requests for proposals to secure consultant contracts for special studies or reports. Manages consultant's work product and billing.
• Manages consultants, compiles and analyzes information and data, and prepares draft reports on basic planning topics.
• Reviews and makes recommendations regarding General Plan amendments and zoning changes.
• Assists other Community Development Department staff in the development of, and revisions to major planning documents such as the General Plan, Local Coastal Program, environmental documents, specific plans, transportation plans, and related topics.
• Conducts studies and prepares basic planning reports.
• Prepares maps, charts, and other graphic information for presentations and/or reports concerning planning matters with the City's GIS system.
• Performs advanced research and compiles data to implement a comprehensive plan or other programs, or for preparation of staff reports for planning studies.
• Serves as liaison with consultants, developers and staff of other agencies relative to planning and code compliance matters.

Administration

• Aid in the selection and management of consultants by writing requests for proposals, developing contracts, monitoring performance and billings, and reviewing technical analyses and documents.
• Staff community meetings, including meeting facilitation, agenda-setting, and meeting minutes as needed.
• Attend meetings and provide management and peers with status reports on assigned projects.

MINIMUM EDUCATION/ EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, including 15 semester units or 22 quarter units of course work in urban/rural and regional planning, environmental studies, or life, physical, or social sciences; and three years of professional experience in land use planning, planning policy development, and/or environmental review and analysis.

• License: possession of a valid Class C or higher California driver's license.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION:

• Master's degree in urban/rural or regional planning, environmental studies, landscape architect, architecture; and
• Minimum of three years of professional experience in urban/rural and regional planning, planning policy development, or environmental review and analysis.
• Work experience with a coastal city government is highly desirable.

Salary : $33 - $40