Assistant Planner

If you're looking for a rewarding career in city planning where you can positively impact the community every day and thrive in a supportive and growth-oriented work environment, consider joining the City of Moorpark! Our Community Development Department is excited to welcome a motivated and enthusiastic Assistant Planner to our group.
 
We offer a competitive salary and an exceptional benefits package comprised of 100% City paid health insurance for employee and most plans will also cover dependents at 100% (depending upon the plan chosen), 100% City paid dental, vision, life, short-term and long- term disability insurance for employee and dependents, CalPERS retirement, 2% City contribution of employee gross salary to deferred compensation, annual leave bank, 11 ½ days paid holidays, Flexible Spending Plan, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), tuition reimbursement, voluntary employee-paid supplemental life insurance, and a 9/80 work schedule (See and review the benefits tab). Here at City Hall, we have an Employee Engagement Team and we celebrate and recognize employees every quarter.
 
Your role is essential in helping us achieve our mission of “Striving to preserve and improve the quality of life in Moorpark.”
 
Below are some employee comments on why they like working for the City of Moorpark:

• “There is teamwork in my department. When I need help, there is someone always there to assist me”.
• “I like the All-Employee Meeting. The food is always good, and the City Manager gives updates on what is happening. We play games and recognize employees.”

“I like working with professionals who are trying to do their best for the City.”  

The Assistant Planner Position:

As Assistant Planner, you will be the primary public contact at the City’s planning counter, working on a variety of projects and providing high-quality, reliable customer service to our residents every day. You will perform professional work in the field of current and comprehensive planning; process permits and conduct research; and provide information and assistance to developers, the business community, and the public on planning, housing, and development related matters. This position is not overtime exempt.

This is an entry level class in the professional planner series and is distinguished from the Associate Planner series by the performance of more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series, requires more supervision, and receives immediate supervision from higher-level staff. Employees at this level may have limited development project case planner experience.
 
If this opportunity aligns with your skills and career aspirations, we encourage you to apply and make a meaningful difference in Moorpark as part of our close-knit team. 

 First review of applications will be on December 16.   This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time. Prompt application submission is encouraged. Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
 
Essential Functions: 

• Assist in the implementation of the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance as it relates to development applications and land use requests.
• Confer with and advise other staff, architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, engineers, and the general public regarding City development policies and standards; provide customer service at the public counter.
•  Provide responsible staff assistance and support to higher-level planning staff.
• Accept applications for development; enter data into a computer; check commercial, industrial, and residential development plans to determine compliance with appropriate conditions of approval, regulations, and policies; process administrative and discretionary permits and minor variances.
• Participate in the preparation or review of environmental impact and planning reports; with supervision, prepare environmental studies; may make recommendations on special studies and compile information.
• Conduct planning research; prepare reports; prepare and maintain graphics and maps.
• Collect, record, and summarize statistical and demographic information; establish and maintain a comprehensive database; research and draft various ordinances for review.
• Process minor lot line adjustment applications, sign permit applications, zoning clearances, and landscape plans and invoices.
• Perform site visits of proposed site projects; survey neighborhoods for land uses.
• Research and prepare a variety of documents, briefs, and correspondence on planning activities.
• As assigned, assume responsibility for code and condition compliance related duties.
• Process and issue home occupation, zoning clearance, business registration, and vendor permits, and develop and maintain related files and correspondence.
• Provide regular reports to the Department Head on the status of development.
• Maintain organized and accurate records, files, and databases for entitlement processing, including key deadlines for action and expiration dates for permits.

Marginal Functions: 

• May make public presentations and present oral reports on planning information and activities.
• Serve as emergency response worker as necessary.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required. 

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles and practices of urban planning and development.
• Basic site planning and architectural design techniques and methods.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• Applicable City, State, and Federal codes, ordinances, and regulations related to zoning, building construction, and property maintenance.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

 
 Ability to: 

•  Prepare maps and basic landscape, building layout, and architectural drawings.
• Learn laws underlying general plans, zoning, and land divisions.
• Learn applicable environmental laws and regulations.
• Learn to interpret planning and zoning programs to the general public.
• Interpret and utilize current literature, information sources, and research techniques in the field of urban planning.
• Perform basic plan checking activities.
• Conduct site inspections.
• Operate and use modern office equipment including computer, printers, and copiers.
• Enter data into a computer at a speed necessary for successful performance.
• Respond to difficult and sensitive public inquiries.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Maintain mental capacity, which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities.
• Maintain effective audio/visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful performance of assigned duties.

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:  One year of planning technician-level experience working in municipal, county or regional government community development/planning department or similar private sector experience is desirable.

 Training:  Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning, architecture, geography, public administration, business management, or a related field.

 License or Certificate:  Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain an appropriate, valid California driver's license.

WORKING CONDITIONS 
Environmental Conditions:  Office and field environment; travel from site to site; exposure to computer screens; exposure to outside atmospheric conditions, dust and noise; work on slippery or uneven surfaces.
Physical Conditions:  Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, standing, bending, kneeling, squatting, or walking for prolonged periods of time; travel to various locations; operating motorized vehicles; medium lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling; climbing; balancing; stooping; reaching; handling; use of fingers; talking; hearing; near and far acuity; depth perception.

Salary : $62,691 - $84,282