Assistant Planner

About the Position

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

The deadline for the first review of applications is Wednesday, April 3, 2024.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Applicants that apply after the first review are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review date.

Under general supervision, performs professional work in the field of current and advanced planning and environmental analyses; may assist in the implementation of the Community Development Block Grant Program; perform related work as assigned.

Class Characteristics

The Assistant Planner is the entry class in the planning series. Under general supervision, incumbents learn to perform and perform a variety of fundamental support activities in the area of current and advance planning. Incumbents in this position do not supervise staff.

Supervision Received

Works under the technical supervision of higher-level planning staff; however, directly supervised by the Planning Manager.

Supervision Exercised

Does not supervise.

Examples of Essential Functions

Essential functions may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Conduct office and field research, investigations and analysis of social, economic, population, and land use trends, community design and other community and economic development projects.

Compile and evaluate data for advanced planning and economic development studies relating to land use and report findings and prepare written reports on various planning matters and elements related to the General Plan.

Prepare reports regarding applications for Community Development Block Grant programs, housing projects, zoning and rezoning adjustments.

Review commercial, industrial, and various residential development plans with developers to discuss proposed architectural design, efficient land use, and parking, and inspect properties involved in such applications and compile information thereto.

Review building plans, parcel maps, environmental documents, graphics, resolutions, and ordinances for conditional use permits, zone variances, zone changes, zoning codes and general plan amendments.

Answer inquiries from the public regarding community development, economic development, environmental and zoning regulations, legal descriptions and zoning violations, procedures and policies of the Planning Commission over the public counter, on the telephone, or through email.

Prepare charts, maps and other graphic material to illustrate findings and recommendations.

May attend meetings of the City Council, Planning Commission, Housing Authority and other meetings when necessary for the specific purpose of presenting the details and answering questions regarding a project to which the incumbent has been assigned.

Confers with and advises architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, engineers and the general public regarding City development policies and standards.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum & Desirable Qualifications

Training and Experience

Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in planning, architecture, landscape architecture, economics, geography, public administration, or a related field AND one (1) year of recent planning experience involving local governmental planning is required.

License Requirement

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License and a satisfactory driving record is required at time of appointment and throughout employment in this position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of: the principles, practices and trends of public planning and community development; site planning and architectural design; land use, physical design, demographic, environmental, and economic concepts as applied to municipal and/or urban planning; building and engineering practices; statistics and graphic presentation; laws, ordinances, rules and regulations pertaining to planning and zoning; modern office practices, procedures and equipment, including word processing and computer applications (Words, Microsoft Outlook, Excel, etc.).

Ability to: understand laws underlying general plans, zoning and land divisions; environmental laws and regulations and methods of assessment; apply policies, procedures and standards pertaining to planning process; interpret and prepare maps, site and building plans and specifications; follow oral and written directions; speak clearly, interpret and explain technical information; listen effectively; use computer and related software; read and interpret maps and specifications; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Other Important Information

California Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Pull Notice System

An incumbent appointed to this position is subject to enrollment in the California DMV Pull Notice Program. The Pull Notice program provides information on the incumbent's driving record and Driver's License status on a periodic basis to the City of South Gate. An employee assigned a City vehicle must acknowledge receipt and understanding of City Administrative Regulations covering the use of City vehicles.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed mostly in office settings. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, crouch and reach with hands and arms.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, ability to adjust focus and perform office machine operations. Incumbents are not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS:

Application Packets Must Include: A fully completed online employment application which:

• Covers at least the past 10 years of employment history (or longer if you have other relevant experience).

• Responses to the supplemental questionnaire.

• Must be specific in describing your qualifications for this position. Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.

• Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any phase of the application or selection process must advise Human Resources and make such a request during the application process. Every effort will be made to provide a reasonable accommodation where requested.

Selection Process: All application materials received by the application deadline will be reviewed and evaluated. All information supplied by applicants is subject to verification.

• Application Review: The first phase will be a detailed review and appraisal of each candidate's application.
  
  This phase is for qualifying purposes only. There is no weight assigned to this phase. Those candidates who meet the minimum qualifications may be invited to the next phase.

• Written Examination: If a written exam is given, a minimum of 70% must be obtained on the written exam in order to be eligible to continue to the next phase of the selection process which will consist of an oral appraisal interview.

• Oral Appraisal Interview: A minimum of 70% must be obtained to pass the oral appraisal interview.

• Employment Eligibility List: The Employment Eligibility List will be established after completion of the examination process.
  
  Current and future vacancies will be filled from this list. Lists typically last for 12 months, but may be extended or abolished in accordance with the City's Civil Service rules and regulations.

Pre-employment Process

• The City supports a Drug-Free Workplace.

• All potential employees are required to successfully complete a thorough background investigation, fingerprinting, and pass a post-offer pre-employment medical examination (which will include a drug/alcohol screening).

• New employees must complete a verification form designated by the United States Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services, that certifies eligibility for employment in the United States of America.

Hiring of Relatives: Relatives of existing employees by blood or marriage will not be eligible for employment with the City if potential supervision, safety, security, or morale problems exist; or if potential conflicts of interest exist. Relatives include an employee's parents, children, spouse, brothers, sisters, in-laws, and step relationships.

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of South Gate is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws, it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, religion, disability (mental or physical), medical condition, genetic characteristic or information, sex (including gender, gender identity, gender expression, or pregnancy), sexual orientation (including homosexuality, bisexuality, or heterosexuality), or military or veteran status in its employment actions, policies, procedures, or practices.

The City of South Gate

The City of South Gate is a busy urban community consisting of residential, commercial, and industrial development, spread over 7.41 square miles. It is currently ranked the 79th largest city in California with a population of approximately 97,000. Strategically located along the 710 freeway, the City is just 12 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.