What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Planner position at City of Fairfield, CA?
Description
The City of Fairfield is accepting applications for an Associate Planner opening within the Community Development Department!The deadline to apply is 5:00 PM on Monday, April 21, 2025. In-person panel interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of April 28.
Are you passionate about planning with a focus on collaboration and community impact?
Do you want to help implement Specific Plans that emphasize urbanization, multi-modal transportation, and economic development? Are you looking for mentorship, opportunities for career growth, and a supportive work environment? If so, we invite you to apply for the Associate Planner position with the City of Fairfield.
The City of Fairfield's Community Development Department is dedicated to protecting, enhancing, and expanding the community's physical, environmental, economic, and historic resources while improving and increasing housing opportunities. The Planning Division plays a key role in achieving this mission by overseeing land use regulations, development permitting, environmental review, long-range planning, implementing the City's General Plan, and regional planning efforts. Take this opportunity to make a meaningful difference in Fairfield’s future!
Learn more about the City of Fairfield's Planning Division and featured projects at: City of Fairfield Planning Division
This position is represented by Fairfield General Management Association (FGMA) and receives an excellent benefits package, including:
- CalPERS pension (Classic 2.5% @ 55 OR 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS member)
- Generous contributions to medical, dental, and vision plans
- 3 medical carriers to choose from: Kaiser, Sutter Health or Western Health
- 144.86 hours of personal leave (cashable) annually, plus vacation and sick leave
- City paid retirement health savings contributions and life insurance
- 10.40% City paid deferred comp contribution (mandatory employee contribution is 4.10%)
- A 9/80 work schedule with the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month off
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CITY USES AN ELECTRONIC REFERENCE CHECK PROCESS. REFER TO THE “REFERENCE CHECKS” SECTION AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS JOB POSTING FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION.
The Associate Planner will be responsible for performing complex professional level duties and technical work of moderate difficulty in City planning with increasing independence; assisting in field and office studies for master plan development and subdivision and zoning administration; and performing related work as required.This is the journey level class in the professional planner series. This class is distinguished from the Assistant Planner by the assignment of the full range of duties; incumbents receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit. This class is distinguished from the Senior Planner in that the latter serves in a lead worker capacity and may provide supervision of technical planning or administrative staff.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Work is generally performed in an office setting with frequent interruptions, multiple deadlines, complaints, and peak workload periods. Position requires attendance at night meetings. Work may include prolonged sitting, as well as light to moderate lifting, reaching, stooping, pulling and pushing. Manual dexterity, clear speech, visual and hearing acuity are required. The need to transport files, paper and documents weighing up to 25 pounds is also required.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED:
Receives direction from the Planning Division Manager, as well as functional and technical supervision from the Senior Planner or Principal Planner.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience:
Three (3) years of professional level experience in current planning with a public agency.
Education:
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning or related field. A Master's degree in planning or related field is desirable.
Licenses and/or Certificates:
Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License is required.
Examples of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Review increasingly difficult development proposals for conformance with appropriate regulations.
- Evaluate site plans and building plans, parcel maps, subdivision proposals, re-zonings, ordinance and General Plan amendments, use permits, variances and other proposals.
- Make recommendations based on findings.
- Prepare and present detailed reports on development proposals to government bodies.
- Evaluate complex projects under the California Environmental Quality Act and National Environmental Policy Act.
- Provide information to the public and City staff regarding zoning regulations, development policies and departmental procedures.
- Attend substantial number of evening meetings.
- Check complex commercial, industrial and residential development plans for consistency with development approvals.
- Research, analyze, and interpret social, economic, population and land use data and trends.
- Compile information and make recommendations on special studies.
- Perform related work as required.
Knowledge & Abilities
Knowledge of:
- Theory, principles, and practices of City planning.
- Regional, state, and federal laws pertaining to planning, subdivision, zoning and the environment.
- One or more planning specializations, such as economic development, policy development, transportation planning, or environmental planning.
- Computer software applications related to job tasks such as word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, GIS and database management. Experience with Sungard TRAKiT (permit and project tracking system) or similar, is highly desirable.
Ability to:
- Prepare and manage consultant contracts.
- Accurately interpret complex architectural plans and specifications, engineering plans and specifications, legal descriptions, and zoning regulations.
- Creatively gather relevant information to solve less well-defined practical problems.
- Collect, record, and interpret factual data from the field and from previous studies.
- Prepare clear and concise technical reports.
- Maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Work on several complex projects or issues simultaneously.
- Work independently or in a team environment as needed.
- Attend to details while keeping big-picture goals in mind.
THE SELECTION PROCESS:
Based on the information provided in the application documents, the best-qualified applicants will be invited for further examination. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. Depending upon the number of applications received, the examination may consist of an application screening, written and/or practical exam, oral interview, or any combination.
HOW TO APPLY:
Candidates must submit an online application via NeoGov/Governmentjobs.com by 5:00 p.m. of the closing date. If you have any difficulties submitting your online application, please call NeoGov's Applicant Support Line at (855) 524-5627.
Mac users please note: To ensure compatibility, please use Google Chrome and ensure iOS settings are up-to-date.
If you feel you will need a reasonable accommodation for any portion of the testing/interview process, please contact Human Resources at (707) 428-7394 at least 1 week prior to the application deadline or examination date.
REFERENCE CHECKS:
The City utilizes an electronic reference check process to gather references of candidates referred to an eligibility listing. Do not list your current supervisor in the “References” section of your application if you do not want them contacted prior to receiving a conditional job offer. Please note that if you include your current supervisor in the “References” section of your application, they may be contacted at any point in the recruitment process, without prior notification to you.
Candidates are encouraged to notify anyone they list in the “References” section to help ensure a timely response. When listing references, please identify persons who can assess your professional qualifications in the context of the workplace. Examples include former colleagues/supervisors, mentors, etc. If you have limited or no work experience, you may identify personal references familiar with your qualifications that correlate to workplace experiences. Examples include teachers, volunteer coordinators, mentors, etc.
The City of Fairfield is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and professionalism.
