Assistant Planner

Under general supervision, performs a variety of professional level duties and responsibilities in support of the City’s current and advance planning functions; processes and assists with planning applications in accordance with the City’s Zoning Code; prepares and presents reports and recommendations; and provides information and assistance to applicants, developers, consultants, the general public, and outside agencies and organizations regarding City codes, policies, standards, and processes related to planning matters.

• Assist with inquiries from the public, in person and over the phone, providing planning information and explaining procedures.
• Evaluate proposed development projects and conduct field surveys during and upon completion of projects ensuring compliance with architectural, zoning and general plan requirements.
• Participate in evaluating and determining environmental impacts of projects under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), including supporting documentation and data collection.
• Interpret local planning related ordinances.
• Prepare and present staff reports for the Planning Commission.
• Confer with and provide guidance to architects, engineers, attorneys, developers and the general public regarding City development procedures and processes.
• Assist in coordinating planning activities with other departments, state, county and federal agencies.
• Complete special projects as assigned.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
  
  

Knowledge Of

• Basic principles of community planning and development.
• General principles, practices, and techniques of current and advance planning.
• Principles and practices used in building, architecture, and engineering.
• Development review procedures and requirements.
• General site planning and architectural design principles.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including laws underlying general plans, zoning and land divisions, and applicable environmental laws and regulations.
• Recent developments, current literature, research methods, and sources of information related to municipal planning, urban growth, and development.
• Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.
• Statistical methods and research techniques applicable to the preparation of municipal planning studies.
• Methods and techniques of eliciting community participation in planning and development issues; customer service techniques, practices, and principles.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and supporting software applications. Computer-related programs for mapping and data sources including Geographic Information Systems.
  
  

Ability to:

• Perform planning-related duties in the development, implementation, and modification of City plans and regulations.
• Apply policies, procedures, and standards pertaining to the municipal planning process.
• Interpret, analyze, apply, implement, and explain pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including City codes and departmental policies and administrative directives.
• Communicate planning and zoning programs to the general public.
• Read, interpret, and prepare maps, graphs, charts, site plans, legal descriptions, and other descriptive material; analyze and compile statistical and technical information.
• Develop recommendations regarding the use of property; process development applications and coordinate necessary communication between staff, developers, and other agencies.
• Review projects and potential projects for consistency with planning regulations, general planning principles, and architectural quality; assist in the preparation and evaluation of technical and administrative reports, statements, and correspondence. Present technical data in verbal, written, graphic, and map form.
• Effectively present information and respond to questions.
• Work under steady pressure with frequent interruptions and a high degree of public contact by phone or in person; handle conflicts constructively and develop effective solutions.
• Operate modern office equipment and computers including specialized computer applications.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective professional working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  
  

Education and Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a major in planning, architecture, geography, or a related field.
• At least one year of professional planning experience is desirable.
  
  

Other Qualifications

• Possession of a valid Class C motor vehicle operator's license issued by the State of California.
  
  

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit for up to two hours at a time.
• Ability to see.
• Ability to get from one location to another in the course of doing business.
  
  

Application Process

Along with your online application, please submit a resume.

Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be a comprehensive list of responsibilities, duties, and requirements. When appropriate, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.