Associate Planner

ABOUT THE POSITION: The City of Monterey is currently recruiting for a full-time Associate Planner in the Community Development Department. The position serves as an integral role reviewing current planning applications and stewarding advanced planning work program items. The department includes a diverse team of professionals in planning, project management, environmental compliance, housing, property management, historic preservation, sustainability, and architectural disciplines serving five (5) individual boards/commissions including the City Council. The position offers a unique opportunity for an individual interested in a variety of topics including progressive mixed-use redevelopment in a culturally-significant community.

ABOUT THE CITY OF MONTEREY:

Nestled along California's Central Coast, the City of Monterey is known for its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, hospitality, and sense of community. The City of Monterey is a full-service charter city operating under a Council-Manager form of government. The City of Monterey is a full-service city that provides police, fire, public works, planning, recreation, and parks services and operates its conference center, sports center, parking, and marina facilities.

WHY WORK FOR US?

The City of Monterey offers a competitive benefits package to full-time employees. Some of these benefits include a Health Spending Fund, Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Vacation Accruals, Sick Leave, 14 Paid Holidays, Education Incentive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement Programs, CalPERS Retirement, and more!

Application Process

A limited number of applicants who clearly show that they most closely meet the needs of this position in terms of training, experience, education, and other job-related characteristics will be accepted to participate in the selection process. This process will include evaluation and initial screening of the standard on-line City application to determine which candidates progress to the next phase of the recruitment process. The subsequent selection process may include a written test/written exercise, performance exercise, panel interview, and a final departmental interview. The Human Resources Department reserves the right to make changes to components of the examination process.

As a condition of employment, the selected candidate will be required to successfully pass a Live Scan fingerprint background check and reference check. Depending on the position, as a condition of employment, the selected candidate may also be required to pass a physical exam including a drug screen and a federal background check to gain access to military and police facilities and systems. Positions that require work on a military installation will involve job duties performed on-site and therefore require passing a background check conducted by the Department of Defense (DoD).

Candidates who successfully progress through all phases of this recruitment process will be placed on an eligible list. The eligible list is active for 12 months and may be used to fill additional positions including lower-level positions, regular part-time, and part-time temporary seasonal, determined to have similar duties and requirements.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: The City of Monterey provides outstanding services to the public and is deeply committed to a community and workforce that is inclusive, equitable, and diverse. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified applicants, including underrepresented minorities that contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives. The City of Monterey does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual’s status in any group of class protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Review planning and permit applications, and architectural/engineering plans for compliance with state and federal laws, and City codes, policies, and procedures.
• Write environmental analysis reports for compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Conduct entry level studies and develop elements and revisions for the City General Plan, serve as lead planner on specific plan, Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance and other ordinance amendments.
• Conduct studies and develop components and revisions for the City General Plan, other land use plans, and ordinances; may serve as primary specialist for an assigned portion of City planning functions.
• Provide customer service, information, and recommendations within scope of authority.
• Collect, compile and analyze technical planning data using specialized software applications.
• Prepare and present reports and recommendations to decision-makers.
• Work with concerned citizens to encourage cooperative solutions to planning problems and issues.
• Support the relationship between the City of Monterey and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff.
• Maintain confidentiality of work-related issues and City information.
• Perform other job-related duties within the scope of this job classification as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree from a college or university in Urban Planning or a closely related field.

Experience: Two (2) years of professional planning experience working with land use development problems and issues, or completion of a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning, or closely related field and one (1) year of professional planning experience working with land use development problems and issues.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Supplemental Info

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Knowledge of:

• City policies and procedures.
• Federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, policies, rules and regulations governing planning and development, including California Environmental Quality Act, and California Coastal Act of 1976.
• Principles of urban planning, growth management, community development, land use, and permitting.
• Record keeping and file maintenance principles and procedures.
• Customer service methods and techniques.

• Researching and analyzing the factors and components affecting community planning projects.
• Checking designs, details, estimates, plans, specifications, and reports of planning projects.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers
• Operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of standard and specialized applications, including Geographical Information Systems (GIS) software.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

Physical Demands

• Standing & Walking – Primarily sedentary classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required.
• Sitting - Ability to work in a seated position at a computer station for extended periods of time.
• Lifting - Ability to safely lift up to 20 pounds; this requirement includes bending at knees to facilitate proper lifting techniques.
• Manual Dexterity - Ability to perform multiple work activities requiring a significant level of physical and mental coordination, such as operating a computer keyboard; copying, and adding machines; writing.
• Visual – Ability to read printed materials and view a computer screen for long periods.
• Hearing and Speech - Ability to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone.
• Mobility – Ability to work in a standard office setting and operate a motor vehicle to visit various meeting sites, reach, carry, push, pull, stoop, and bend.

Environmental 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.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS:

All City of Monterey employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

This is a summary of benefits for employees holding classification in the General Employees’ of Monterey (GEM) bargaining unit. This summary is for information purposes only. More specific details regarding these benefits can be found in the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and GEM.

Retirement: The City provides CalPERS 2.7 % @ 55 with highest year formula for “classic members”, as defined by CalPERS, which includes current City of Monterey non-sworn miscellaneous employees hired prior to January 1, 2013 or new employees who are currently active or have been active within six months of the date of hire in the CalPERS or reciprocal retirement system. These Classic employees are responsible for paying the full 8.0% member contribution rate in addition to cost-sharing 3.0% of the employer contribution resulting in a total employee contribution of 11.0%, which is deducted on a pre-tax basis.

The City provides CalPERS 2% @ 62 with highest three year formula for “new members” as defined by CalPERS, which includes new non-sworn miscellaneous employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who have not been previously employed by the City of Monterey or who were employed by a reciprocal agency but had a break in service greater than six months. New employees are responsible for contributing fifty percent (50%) of the total “normal cost” rate. The “normal cost” rate is subject to change on a fiscal year basis as determined by CalPERS.

The City participates in the Medicare portion of Social Security.

Flexible Benefit Plan: For plan year 2026, the City shall make a non-elective employer contribution to the flexible benefits plan on behalf of each active employee in this unit for use for health insurance, dependent dental insurance, and additional life insurance, in the following amounts:

Employee Only = $1,086.89

Employee 1 = $2,223.60

Employee 2= $2,872.83

Cash in lieu of benefits = $300.00

Dental: Fully paid employee premium by the City.

Vision: Fully paid premium for employee and eligible dependents by the City.

Life Insurance: $20,000 policy paid by the City, with an option to purchase additional coverage up to five times your annual base salary, up to a maximum of $350,000.

Short Term / Long Term Disability Plan: The City provides a Short Term/Long Term Disability Plan.

Deferred Compensation: City will match employee paid contributions to a maximum of $150.00 per month. Participants may contribute up to the maximum annual limit as specified by IRS guidelines.

Education Incentive Program Pay: If you have a college degree, you may qualify for 5% premium pay on base salary (for a Baccalaureate degree) or 7.5% premium pay on base salary (for a Master's degree) upon completion of probation. Employees are not eligible for this premium pay if their classification requires a Baccalaureate degree or higher.

Flexible Spending Account: The Section 125 Plan provides for an employee to set pre-tax dollars aside, through a payroll deduction, for reimbursement of health care and dependent care expenses.

Group Legal: Subject to provider limitations, the City will continue to provide a Group Legal Services Plan for employees represented by GEM through an employee-paid premium. Participation in the program shall be voluntary and consistent with the provider's requirements that the potential pool of participants must include a minimum of 200 employees.

Tuition Reimbursement: Subject to department approval, employees may be eligible for an allowance of $2,000 per fiscal year, per employee for reimbursement for costs incurred for job-related course textbooks, seminars, conferences, and other accredited courses.

Fitness Pass: Fitness Pass Program available to use the City of Monterey Sports Center.

Fitness Activity Plan: Employees are eligible to participate in a Fitness Activity Plan, allowing them to work out off-duty in exchange for leave time accrued in a Fitness Leave Bank. Employees may accrue up to 40 hours per year (10 hours per quarter), with a maximum of 80 hours allowed in the bank. The Fitness Leave Bank has no cash value, and accrued time does not expire.

City Recreation Program Fees: Resident Rates for City Recreation classes and programs for employees and immediate family household members.

Employee Assistance Program: Fully-paid confidential counseling and referral service for employee and eligible dependents.

Voluntary Unpaid Leave: With advance approval, an employee may take up to forty (40) hours of unpaid leave per calendar year.

Commuter Bicycle Program: Members may be reimbursed up to $20 per qualifying month for some of their bicycle commuting expenses.

Holidays: 14 paid days annually plus 1 floating holiday.

Sick Leave: 12 days per year.

Vacation: 1-5 years/10 days; 6-10 years/15 days; 11-15 years/ 17 days; 15 years/20 days; 20 years/23 days per year.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Candidate selected will serve up to one-year probationary period.
• Candidates who pass the testing process will be placed on an eligibility list. This list may be used to fill additional positions (including subordinate positions) that become available during the life of the list.
• This bulletin is for informational purposes only and does not supersede rules regulations, ordinances and resolutions currently in effect.
• Pursuant to the Immigration Reform Act of 1986, employees must show proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States.
• The City of Monterey is an Equal Opportunity Employer.