Associate Planner
Under direct and general supervision, performs various professional field and office planning work, including review of development and land use applications, zoning, site plans, and environmental documents; provides project management and administration; completes technical assessments and prepares written project analyses; provides professional advice and assistance to the public on planning, community development, zoning, permits, and environmental review; provides complex professional staff assistance to management, other departments, and the public in areas of expertise; performs a variety of studies and prepares and presents staff reports; and performs related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives direct and general supervision from the Senior Planner. Exercises no supervision of staff. May exercise technical and functional direction over and provide training to lower-level staff.
Class Characteristics
This is the journey-level class in the professional planning series. Incumbents are expected to perform the full range of professional and technical planning work in all of the following areas: current and/or environmental planning activities and daily departmental operations, in addition to providing project management and administration. Positions at this level are distinguished from the Assistant level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from the Senior Planner in that the latter is the advanced journey-level class in the series and is responsible for organizing, assigning, and reviewing the work of departmental and/or contract staff involved in a major area of the Planning Division, in addition to performing the more complex planning and project management activities.
Examples of Duties
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
- Reviews routine to complex commercial, industrial, and residential development proposals, plans, and applications for compliance with appropriate codes, ordinances, standards, laws, rules, regulations, and policies.
- Reviews permit applications and building plans for completeness and compliance with current City codes and regulations; provides interpretations of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Subdivision Map Act, and local design guidelines; identifies corrective actions to be taken by owners; recommends improvement and rehabilitation programs; conducts follow-up inspections.
- Reviews and signs off on plans submitted for Building Plan Check and permits.
- Prepares or assists in preparing and reviewing environmental impact reports; prepares written initial studies, negative declarations, and staff reports related to development projects or City projects.
- Assists the public at the front counter and on the phone, answering questions and providing information regarding zoning, land use, development standards, and the City's entitlement process; performs plan check functions for various projects; receives and reviews applications for building permits for planning completeness; receives zoning and code compliance complaints, establishes appropriate files, performs inspections of document violations, coordinates actions with those of other agencies, and implements appropriate procedures to correct or resolve each complaint and violation.
- Conduct field surveillance to identify violations of zoning and other development regulations and coordinate with Code Enforcement to perform follow up enforcement activities.
- Compiles information for a variety of studies and reports; researches, analyzes, and interprets social, economic, population, and land use data and trends; researches and reviews previous entitlements and City records; develops recommendations and prepares written reports on various planning matters; participates in the implementation and administration of the City's General Plan and development regulations.
- Researches, collects, records, analyzes, interprets, and summarizes statistical and demographic information; prepares spreadsheets and establishes and maintains a comprehensive database.
- Prepares and presents staff reports for the City Council, Planning Commission (PC), Board of Architectural Review (BAR), and various other committees and advisory boards as directed; prepares research, reports, maps, and conducts briefings and meetings.
- Serves as staff liaison for volunteer-member city commissions
- Confers with and advises architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, engineers, and the general public regarding City development policies and standards; provides and clarifies information relative to land use, zoning, code interpretation, general plan compliance, signage, and other issues.
- Researches and assists in preparing ordinances for review.
- Participates in coordinating City planning and development related activities with other City departments and with outside agencies.
- Refers to and applies numerous documents including the General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, California Environmental Quality Act, Subdivision Map Act, State Planning laws, Municipal Code, Specific Plans, emergency operations manual, historical preservation guidelines, County tax assessor's maps and records, building and architecture plans, etc.
- Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions; attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of urban planning and other types of public services as they relate to the area of assignment.
- May provide technical direction and training to other planning and technical staff.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Typical Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Any combination equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in urban planning, public administration or a related field; and Three (3) years of professional experience in planning, zoning and related community development activities, or two (2) years of experience equivalent to Assistant Planner at the City of Seaside. A Master's Degree in urban planning, public administration or a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of planning experience.
Licenses and Certifications:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment.
Knowledge of:
- Principles of urban planning and land development methods and procedures including modern principles and practices of technical and legal issues of urban and regional planning, zoning, urban economics, demographics, and environmental planning and program management.
- Geographic, socio-economic, transportation, political, and other elements related to city planning.
- Comprehensive plans and current planning processes and the development process.
- General concepts of architecture, landscaping, grading, drainage, and traffic and transportation engineering as they relate to the process of urban planning.
- Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a comprehensive environmental planning program.
- Laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations affecting general plans, zoning, development, environmental review, and land use, including but not limited to CEQA, planning and zoning laws, and the Subdivision Map ActProject management and contract administration principles and techniques.
- Researching and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
- Basic computer skills and competency Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.
Ability to:
- Interpret planning and zoning programs to the general public; identify and respond to issues and concerns of the public, City Council, and other boards and commissions.
- Read plans and specifications and make effective site visits.
- Assess, monitor, and report environmental impact on and of various City programs and services.
- Analyze site design, terrain constraints, land use compatibility, utilities, and other urban services.
- Conduct routine research projects, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations
- Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Read and understand technical drawings and specifications.
- Perform mathematical and planning computations with precision.
- Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, and regulatory organizations and individuals.
- Coordinate assigned activities with other City departments and agencies as required.
- Deal tactfully, patiently, courteously, diplomatically and persuasively with the public.
- Prepare and present clear, concise, and logical written and oral reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, staff reports, and other written materials.
- Effectively make presentations to large and small groups in both formal meetings and group discussion environments.
- Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
- Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.
- Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
- Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
- Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Willingness to attend evening meetings as required.
Supplemental Information
Physical Demands
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to inspect City development sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary or construction access points; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
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 work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.