Associate Planner

BASIC FUNCTION:

Works under the general guidance and direction of the Community Development Director and is directly supervised by the Planning Manager. Performs a variety of supervisory, routine and complex administrative, technical and professional work in the current and long-range planning programs of the city related to the development and implementation of land use and related municipal plans and policies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Exercises supervision over the assistant planners and planning technician as assigned. Generally supervises support staff, part-time and temporary employees or volunteers, as assigned.

Assists with short and long range plans; gathers, interprets, and prepares data for studies, reports and recommendations; coordinates department activities with other departments and agencies as needed.

Provides technical and professional advice; makes presentations to supervisors, boards, commissions, civic groups and the general public. Provides information on land use applications, ordinances, codes, plans and related planning programs, services or regulations to architects, engineers, developers, contractors, owners, community groups and interested persons.

Prepares a variety of studies, reports and related information for decision-making purposes.

Conducts technical research studies and prepares statistical reports and recommendations for drafting or revising local legislation and plans, projecting trends, monitoring socio-economic data, etc.

Assists in the development and implementation of growth management, land use, economic development, utility, housing, transportation, facilities, solid waste or other plans and codes to meet the City's needs and any inter-governmental agreements or requirements.

Evaluates land use proposals for conformity to established plans and ordinances, evaluates proposals' development impact as they related to the adopted plans of the City and make recommendations.

Evaluate land use applications and site plans for compliance with applicable local, state or federal laws and applies such laws as necessary in application processing/project entitlement activities. Monitors assigned land use applications through the approval stages, and prepares reports and related data as required.

Ensure compliance with California Statues and Rules regarding Planning and Zoning by conducting environmental review and analysis reports, in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for proposed land development applications by preparing and evaluating various CEQA documents including environmental initial studies.

Conduct field and site inspections and investigations to identify traffic issues, air quality issues, hazards, visual quality, etc., which may be affected by the proposed development.

Writes, or assists in writing, a variety of ordinances and regulations relating to development controls.

Responds to complaints and requests for information from the public and developers.

Manages consultant contracts for environmental, traffic and other land use studies and oversee their work.

Provides staff support to the Planning Commission as needed and assigned.

Prepares planning reports and supporting data, including recommendations on various land use proposals.

Evaluates environmental information and recommends mitigation measures to reduce adverse impacts of development.

Assists city staff in the enforcement of local ordinances and in interpreting city codes and master plans.

Assists in designs for parks, streetscapes, landscapes and other municipal projects.

Updates a variety of maps. Prepares graphics and maps for a variety of reports, plans, grant applications, publications or meetings.

Serves when assigned as a member of a planning task force composed of City, County or State groups.

Prepares and writes grant application components relating to cartography, geographic information, maps, plats, site plans, etc.

Assists in maintaining the database of information for planning purposes.

Responds to local citizens inquiring about local planning and zoning regulations and ordinances.

Coordinates and manages planning consultant contracts, as assigned.

OTHER DUTIES:

Attends professional development workshops and conferences to keep abreast of trends and developments in the field of municipal planning.

Assists other planning staff as needed.

Maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and the public.

Other duties as needed,

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Thorough knowledge of zoning laws and comprehensive plans including their formation, process of adoption, and enforcement; extensive knowledge of planning programs and processes; working knowledge of personal computers and standard office programs.

ABILITY TO:

Communicate effectively orally and in writing; with architects, contractors, developers, owners, supervisors, employees, and the general public;

Establish effective working relationships.

Report to work every scheduled workday.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree in urban planning, public administration, or a related field, and two (2) years experience in local government planning.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Valid California Class C Driver's License, or ability to obtain one.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions.  The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, or airborne particles.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office, and moderate in the field.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands 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.   Some outdoor work is required in the inspection of various land use developments and construction sites.   Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand or sit; walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop; kneel; crouch; or crawl; talk or hear.

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, and the ability to adjust focus.