Assistant Planner

JOB DESCRIPTION

If you are selected for interviews, they will take place in person on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, so please hold that date.

JOB SUMMARY:

To perform technical planning work including assisting the public with planning, housing programs, and application information; support housing related research, grant management and tracking; conduct field inspections; prepare planning reports; prepare various illustrations for planning activities; assist in the development and implementation of procedures for maintaining property, administrative and infrastructure data records; mapping projects utilizing conventional and computer assisted techniques; review and evaluation of land use and permit applications; Responsibility areas can include long range planning activities, general plan amendments, project design, and moderately complex as well as routine current planning projects.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:

Assistant Planner is the journey-level classification in this series. Incumbents are fully trained and expected to perform the full range of technical planning work competently and independently.

SUPERVISION

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

Employees in these classifications receive general direction from a Senior Planner or Housing Policy and Programs Manager. Entry level employees (Planning Technician) may work under the direction of a Senior Planner within a framework of standard policies and procedures.

Employees in these classifications are not directly responsible for supervision of other planning staff, although they may provide supervision of work product to technical or intern staff.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks that may be found in positions of this class.)

• Assists and answers public inquiries at permit information counter.

• Coordinates and assists with housing inventories, reporting, grant tracking, below market rate housing support and assisting members of the public with information on the City's housing programs.

• Reconciles new Assessor Parcel Numbers in database with County Assessor's office.

• Processes administrative approvals, such as fence height exceptions, homestays, tiny home on wheels, signage, and temporary use permits.

• Evaluates business tax certificates for conformance to current Zoning Regulations and the City's addressing plan.

• Creates new and maintains existing maps utilizing both conventional drafting methods and computer assisted techniques.

• Prepares maps, charts and other illustrative materials for various planning reports, staff, and Commission information and general distribution.

• Maintains and updates information contained in the Community Development Department Internet Web Site.

• Assists with generating data and preparing staff reports for land use projects.

• Reviews use permits, variance and environmental assessment applications; prepares initial findings; checks plans and permit applications for zoning, signs, and minor subdivision compliance.

• Coordinates and cooperates with other City departments and outside agencies; gathers land use data, addresses public input and concerns, prepares plan amendments/revisions and reviews development proposals consistent with local, federal and state laws and guidelines, and provides information on land use and zoning codes, laws, regulations, and ordinances affecting construction and other land use proposals.

• Researches and interprets data, performs necessary field work, and prepares staff reports for various commissions concerning land divisions, site plans, architectural review, variances, use permits, etc.

• Presents and prepares staff evaluations and recommendations for projects at public hearings and various commission meetings including the Planning Commission and Architectural Review Commission; prepares follow-up reports as necessary.

• Assists Long Range Planning with implementation of Housing Element Programs and preparation of General Plan Amendments as assigned.

• Performs project management duties for short-term City projects of small to medium size with increasing complexity and impact.

• Checks for compliance with Zoning Regulations and addressing through follow-up letters and field inspections.

• Assists in field inspections of approved projects to assure the projects are being completed in accordance with approved conditions.

• Researches, compiles and develops reports on demographic information and reconciles owner information/assessor's files and maps.

• Performs administrative tasks including staffing of the public counter, building plan check review, business license review, ordinance enforcement, sign permit review, addressing, issuing of permits, and collecting fees.

• Prepares diagrams, charts, and other graphic exhibits to accompany staff reports and technical studies.

• Builds and maintains positive working relationships with coworkers, other City employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.

• Conducts field inspections of construction and other land use projects to verify that the conditions of project approval are being met.

• Processes planning development permits for timely action and acts as a liaison between the project applicant, the City, and the community.

• Assists in preparing applications for and administering State/Federal grants.

• Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Nomenclature, symbols, methods, and techniques used in mapping and drafting.

• GIS software such as Arc View (Arc Info desirable).

• Internet software and functions, including HTML conversion and web page development.

• Basic principles and functions of land use planning.

• Analyzing data.

• Computer operations, including workstation, PC and peripherals.

• Research methods for records and maps.

• Theory, principles, and practices of land use, transportation, housing, and revenue planning.

• Purposes, policies, and procedures of the City Council, Planning Commission, and other agencies concerned with public planning and community development.

• Current laws and trends in federal, state, regional, and local planning.

• Statistical and research methods as applied to the collection and tabulation of data affecting public planning.

• 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 Act.

Ability to:

• Skillfully prepare drafting presentations of data, plans and maps.

• Collect, analyze, and compile data pertaining to planning and zoning functions.

• Establish and maintain records.

• Interpret planning codes and ordinances.

• Research and interpret Assessor's parcel maps and recorded maps.

• Read plans and legal descriptions.

• Prepare technical reports of moderate complexity.

• Develop, sequence and document procedures.

• Effectively communicate in both oral and written forms.

• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.

• Deal tactfully, patiently, courteously, diplomatically and persuasively with the public.

• Collect, analyze, and interpret technical, statistical, and related information pertaining to planning and zoning research.

• Organize, conduct, coordinate, and present planning research studies.

• Prepare both concise and comprehensive oral and written reports.

• Act as information source to others regarding planning practices to include specialty area as assigned.

• Oversee the development/revision and preparation of maps, charts, and graphic illustrations.

• Effectively make presentations to large and small groups in both formal meetings and group discussion environments.

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Four-year college degree in planning or a related field;

and

Two years of planning related experience, preferably with a public agency;

or

An equivalent combination of education and experience (a maximum of six months as a Planning Intern for the City of San Luis Obispo may be counted towards the planning experience requirement - the six months shall be counted as actual work hours, not duration of the internship, i.e., six months at full time or 12 months at half-time.)

POSSESSION AND MAINTENANCE OF:

• A valid California class C driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.

THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE A FINAL OFFER IS MADE:

• LiveScan Fingerprinting - DOJ