Assistant Planner

Performs a wide range of technical and professional work in municipal planning including current and advance planning

Responds to public and other governmental organizations inquiries in person, over the phone, and/or by email

Assists in providing information and assistance to developers, property owners, the public, other departments, and outside agencies regarding laws, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures related to the submission of plans, processing of applications, and implementation requirements

Reviews development and construction plans and conducts zone checks to ensure compliance with applicable zoning and code requirements

Assists in the preparation of staff analysis of projects being heard by the Planning Commission and City Council

Assists in preparing and conducting planning surveys, land use surveys and research

Assists in preparation of initial environmental assessments

Assists in the preparation, processing and monitoring of grant applications

Processes applications for major developments, zoning changes, subdivisions, site reviews, variances, special use permit and other permits prepares and/or revises planning ordinances

Participates in and/or conducts field inspection and survey and performs project site analysis

Works with code enforcement to investigate zoning violations/complaints and works with property owners, architects, and/or contractors to determine appropriate actions to resolve violations/complaints

Assists in coordinating the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs

Serve as the liaison for assigned functions with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies

Participates in special projects as assigned

Performs related work duties as required

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:  

Knowledge of:  

Basic operations, services, and activities of a community planning program the principles and practices of urban planning  

Understanding of state and federal planning, zoning, development and environmental laws statistical and research methods applied to the collection and analysis of data pertinent to planning  

Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and supporting software applications 

Basic methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.   

Ability to:  

Effectively read construction plans and site plans  

Identify and interpret technical and numerical information  

Read and interpret regulations   

Prepare and analyze technical and administrative reports, statements, and correspondence that can be understood by a layperson  

Provide effective customer service  

Operate modern office equipment and computers including specialized computer applications  

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing  

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain this required knowledge would be:   

Educational equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in planning, public administration, or a related field and one year of experience in the planning field.    A Master’s degree in Planning or Public Administration may be substituted for experience requirement. 

Licenses/Certificates: Possession of a valid Class C California Driver’s License with a safe driving record is required and must be maintained as valid during the course of employment. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT 

The conditions herein 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 job functions. 

Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with some travel to different sites occasionally works in outside weather conditions. 

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard to travel to other locations using various modes of private and commercial transportation and to verbally communicate to exchange information. 

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction. 

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.