Associate Planner

• Possess excellent analytical skills and public sector planning experience. 
• Provide exceptional customer service and communication skills are required to communicate technical regulations or policies in a clear and concise manner.
• Work well independently and as part of a team.

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

1.    Plans, organizes and conducts research studies and prepares reports for development proposals involving current and long-range planning issues and development applications, such as plot plans, subdivisions and model home complexes; participates in the review, development, amendment or revision of various elements of the City’s General Plan, specific plans, municipal codes, annex­ations and other policies and procedures; compiles, analyzes and interprets data to define environ­mental conditions, social, economic and housing trends, community needs and zoning problems; prepares maps, graphs, charts and other visual aids to illustrate planning studies.

2.    Reviews development proposals for conformance with City ordinances and codes; communicates with and assists developers, property owners, the public and elected officials regarding laws, policies, regulations, standards and procedures with respect to the submission of plans, processing of applications and imple­mentation require­ments; determines conformity with codes, policies, regulations and procedures; recom­mends approval or identifies problems and assesses alternatives for projects; reviews environmental studies and impact reports from other City departments and external agencies and prepares environmental documentation for development proposals.

3.    Reviews, analyzes and makes recommendations regarding conditional use permits, home occupancy permits, variances, zone changes, lot line adjustments, lot mergers, certificates of compliance, temporary use permits and sign permits. 

4.    Makes presentations or prepares material for presentation to the Planning Commission and City Council; provides written and oral information to the public on a wide range of planning issues, including current and long-term planning projects; answers questions and provides assistance to the public in person, on the telephone and in writing.

5.    Plan checks building permit and landscape plan requests, conferring with building inspectors, officials, engineers, architects, developers and others; reviews plans and drawings to ensure compliance with approved plans and City ordinances; performs field and site inspections during and after construction to ensure project is in compliance with approved plans.

6.    Prepares a variety of written communications, including analytical reports, correspondence and drafts of revisions to local ordinances and planning policies and procedures.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS

      Knowledge of:

1.    Federal, state and local laws, regulations and court decisions applicable to assigned areas of responsibility, including the Subdivision Map Act and the California Environmental Quality Act.

2.    Objectives, principles, procedures, standards, practices and information sources of city planning.

3.    Implementation of zoning and other municipal ordinances.

4.    Methods used in developing infor­mation for General Plan modifications and municipal code amendments.

5.    Application of land use, physical design, economic, environmental, and/or social concepts to the planning process.

6.    Community trends and market analysis techniques.

7.    Statistical analysis techniques and formulae relevant to the planning process.

8.    Terminology, symbols, methods, techniques and instruments used in planning.

9.    Local government organization and the functions and practices of a municipal planning function.

Ability to:

1.    Perform responsible current and long-range planning assignments.

2.    Understand and apply federal, state and local laws, regulations, policies, procedures and standards applicable to the planning process.

3.    Interpret and under­stand engineering and architectural plans, concepts and methodologies.

4.    Interpret maps, site and building plans and specifi­ca­tions, graphs and statistical data.

5.    Research, analyze and summarize planning data, both manually and with computer programs.

6.    Prepare clear visual displays, such as maps, graphs and illustrations.

7.    Conduct analyses and make accurate recommendations based on study findings.

8.    Prepare clear and concise correspondence, reports and other written materials.

9.    Organize, set priorities and exercise sound judgment within areas of responsibility.

10.  Exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive issues and situations.

11.  Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City management, staff, builders, engineers, contractors, architects, developers, other governmental agencies, the public and others encountered in the course of work.

While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to sit for prolonged periods; talk and hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle and feel computers and standard business equipment; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. Employees occasionally lift and carry materials and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encoun­ters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employees work under typical office conditions, and the noise level is usually quiet. Employees are occasionally required to travel to field sites where they may be exposed to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes and gases; and work in inclement weather including heat, cold and rain.

• Retirement – Participation in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS). Classic members with less than 6 months separation: CalPERS 2% at 55, single highest year plan. New members, CalPERS 2% at 62, three highest year average plan.
• Health Insurance – Monthly contribution of $755.00 (Employee Only), $1,377.00 (Employee plus one), or $1,841.00 (Employee plus Family) for health, dental and vision premiums. Eligible employees who waive all medical, dental, vision, supplemental life, and supplemental AD&D benefits will receive an annual “Health Insurance Waiver Stipend” of $4,000.00 every first paycheck of December.
• Leave – Vacation beginning at 80 hours after one year, 96 hours of sick leave annually, 12 holidays, plus 18 hours of floating holiday time. 
• Life & Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance – The City provides Term Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance.
• Other – Optional Deferred Compensation Plan, flexible benefits plan, pre-tax childcare plan, employee assistance program, and all other benefits which are received by Management/Confidential employees of the City per Memorandum of Understanding.

• Application Review
• Oral Examination

• Pre-employment Medical Exam, including drug test.
• Background Investigation with the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
• Employment/Professional Reference Check.