Associate Planner

The Planning Division of the Community Development Department at the City of Carlsbad is currently accepting applications for the position of Associate Planner.

Carlsbad is a well-balanced community with beaches, lagoons, habitat preserves, a variety of housing types, world class employers, Legoland, the second highest number of hotel rooms in San Diego County, a successful auto dealership core, two golf resorts and a municipal golf course, two rail stations, a thriving downtown village, and an engaged public. This balance has been achieved not by accident, but in part through the efforts of a strong team of experienced planners. From translation of the community's vision into ambitious General Plan goals and policies and application of rigorous growth management principles that ensure public facilities, open space and infrastructure are provided in conjunction with development, to consistent implementation of zoning rules and development codes, the Planning Division is at the forefront of ensuring that Carlsbad's high quality of life is maintained and the city continues to evolve in a manner valued by the community.

In addition to the many benefits that the City offers, incumbents will have the option of a 9/80 work schedule, a professional membership fee paid, and a variety of training and career advancement opportunities (please see the benefits tab and our website for benefit details). 

Associate Planners are be assigned city-initiated projects, such as general plan amendments, municipal code updates, and special research and study assignments in support of planning and housing policy development. Major policy efforts include implementation of General Plan Housing Element Policies and development of a successor program to the Growth Management Plan. The Advance Planning planner may also assist with activities related to the comprehensive update to the city's Local Coastal Program (LCP) and Zoning Code (ZC) amendments. Associate Planners in Currently Planning are also assigned discretionary permits of varying complexity with decisions approved administratively, as well as by the Planning Commission and City Council.

The City of Carlsbad embraces diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and recognizes the vital relationship of a culturally diverse, engaged work environment and innovative excellence. A diverse, equitable and inclusive work climate comprises personal experiences, values, and views shaped from differences of culture and circumstance. Our organization appreciates belonging, creativity, recognition and retention of its employees and is committed to hiring and developing motivated, productive and talented employees who provide services and enhance our quality of life. We work to embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our responsibility and goal.

• Manage general, community and urban plans

• Manage land use and land development projects

• Review and write environmental documents

• Prepare and coordinate processing of local, state and federal permits

• review and analyze technical drawings, specifications and reports

• perform site inspections and field research

• research, review and prepare ordinances and policies

• review projects and advise citizens and developers during the application process to ensure compliance with City regulations

• prepare planning reports, use GIS products/maps

• perform quality control, coordinate various departments and agencies, monitor mitigation requirements for environmentally sensitive projects and perform proper documentation and reporting and perform related tasks

• Respond to inquiries/requests; assist customers with planning issues, and intake permits, conduct sites visits for proposed development sites; organize and participate in conducting and organizing public workshops and hearings

• Serve on cross-functional teams

• Present staff reports to Planning Commission and City Council

• Perform informational and advisory reporting

• Research and create draft resolutions, ordinances, and General Plan amendments for review

• prepare legal notices and notices of decision

• conduct surveys and studies to address significant development issues

• review and process private and public development projects and update land management files

• Attend public hearings for assigned projects

• prepare Planning Commission and City Council staff reports, conduct final inspections on projects, process private and public development projects and review grading improvement plans

• Provide solutions to a wide variety of problems of moderate scope and complexity

• Handle complex projects, perform site inspections and field research, review and enforce plans and specifications, perform quality control, coordinate various departments and agencies, monitor mitigation requirements for environmentally sensitive projects and perform proper documentation and reporting, and perform related tasks

• Exercise judgment within the standard, defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action

• May attend regional committees for information and assist in communicating agency input on regional issues

• Perform other related duties as assigned

• Requires a thorough understanding of: Municipal planning principles, procedures and methods including principles of urban design, site planning and architectural design, applicable federal, state, and local planning laws, ordinances, and policies

• Requires full use and application of standard principles, theories, concepts used and a basic understanding of the City's policies and procedures

• Effective communicator with both written and oral presentation

• Excellent presentation, demonstration, and writing skills

• Strong interpersonal and communications skills

• Effective team player and leader of small, departmental or interdepartmental teams

• Applicants may apply for the Assistant Planner position simultaneously

• The equivalent of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major work in planning or a related field

• Masters' degree in planning, public administration or a related field is desirable

• Minimum of Three years of related work experience