JOB SUMMARY

The Associate Planner is a journey-level classification in the professional Planner series. The Associate Planner is responsible for performing, with regular supervision, routine to complex planning duties in the administration of land use regulations, General Plan, environmental review, and design review. Depending on areas of expertise, an Associate Planner may be primarily assigned to one or more of the following specialties: current planning, long-range planning, architectural review, transportation planning, or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping. The Associate Planner works under the supervision of senior planning staff and performs difficult and specialized planning assignments. This classification is distinguished from the Assistant Planner class which handles the less complex assignments.  

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist senior planning consultants in the management of both ministerial and discretionary land use projects to determine compliance with General Plan Policies, Zoning Ordinance regulations, State Land Use regulations, Specific Plan policies and regulations, and other agency processes, as necessary.
• Advise applicants and property owners about procedures for the filing of ministerial and discretionary land use applications, including, General Plan and Zoning amendments, zoning review, subdivision review, variances, use permits, environmental review, and design review.
• Assume a lead project manager role in the review of complex planning applications to determine completeness, compliance, and consistency with development and design standards.
• Make decisions to determine the level of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review required for discretionary land use applications.
• Process applications and reviews plans necessary for issuance of a variety of permits.
• File, route, and track applications and permit documents to City departments and staff, and coordinate with other regulatory agencies and individuals concerned with proposed developments.
• Conduct site inspections and field investigations.
• May provide customer service in-person to support a municipality’s Permit Center involving coordination with property owners, project developers, public officials, and consultants in review of plans for development.
• Assist in the review for compliance with the state or local Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO).
• Review plans for adherence to architectural review guidelines and regulations and other objective planning standards.
• Maintain planning data using various computer software programs.
• Prepare graphics, public notices, and distribution lists for public hearings and/or meetings.
• Respond to inquiries from the general public and independently resolve issues related to the client’s planning and zoning procedures.
• Conduct research and provide information to City staff and the general public regarding land use issues and standard environmental documentation.
• Develop special studies and general reports.
• May represent the municipality at Planning advisory committees, other committees, and agencies.
• Prepare a variety of reports and draft ordinances for City staff, the City Council, Zoning Administrator, and the Planning Commission.
• Prepare correspondence and other similar documents to fulfill policy and legal requirements.
• Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATION

• Possess at least three (3) years of directly related planning experience in the public or private sector, including experience reviewing development proposals and land use documents.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, architecture, or a related field.
• Valid American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is desirable.
• Any combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary will be considered.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid Class “C” California driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record is required.

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITY OF

• Research and data collection methods.
• Principles and practices of planning and zoning administration.
• Environmental protection regulations such as California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), National Environmental Policy Action (NEPA), Clean Water Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act, etc.
• State and local laws pertaining to land use such as Subdivision Map Act, Williamson Act, Historic Preservation Programs, etc.
• Principles of effective customer service.
• Effective report writing and presentation techniques.
• Statistics and math applicable to planning and property development.
• Common computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, database management, internet, video conferencing, and geographic information systems.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work independently or in a team environment.
• General office environment.
• Based on the need, may work at city hall, the CSG office, or from the home office.
• Regularly requires working in sitting position with computer for extended periods.
• Must be able to travel to client sites and/or job sites.