Associate Planner I or II

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 Associate Planner I or II 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.”  “Flexibility in my schedule and easy-going employees.

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.
 
The Associate Planner I or II Position:

As Association Planner I or II, you will perform professional work in the field of current and comprehensive planning; process permits and conduct research; and to 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. 

Associate Planner I -This is the first mid-level class in the professional planner series. This class is distinguished from the Assistant Planner by increased work experience and the ability to act more independently as a development project case planner including environmental document preparation, development plans examination, code compliance research, and report preparation. 

Associate Planner II -This is the second mid-level class within the professional planner series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Associate Planner I by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned including more independent case planner assignments, environmental document preparation, complex plans examination, code compliance research, policy development, and advanced report preparation. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

• 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 and over the phone. 
• 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, yearly Department of Finance Report, monthly census report of building activity, yearly infrastructure report, and quarterly development status report; may make recommendations on special studies and compile information. 
• Participate in the environmental review process of proposed developments and prepare initial studies. 
• 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 projects; survey neighborhoods for land uses. 
• Research and prepare a variety of documents, briefs, and correspondence on planning activities. 
• Answer questions and provide information to the public; may make public presentations and present oral reports on planning information and activities. 
• As assigned, assume responsibility for code and condition compliance related duties. 
• Process and issue home occupation, 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 applications and code compliance activities. 
• Maintain organized and accurate records, files, and databases for entitlement processing, including key deadlines for action and expiration dates for permits.

Marginal Functions:

• Serve as emergency response worker as necessary.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

• 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.
• Principles and practices of urban planning and development.
• Advanced site planning and architectural design techniques and methods.
• Technical report writing.
• Laws underlying general plans, zoning, and land divisions.
• Applicable environmental laws and regulations.
• Current literature, information sources, and research techniques in the field of urban planning.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• 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 computers, 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.
• Interpret planning and zoning programs to the general public.
• Analyze and compile technical and statistical information.
• Prepare clear and concise oral and written reports.
• Perform journey level plan checking activities.

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

Experience

Associate Planner I :   Two years of increasingly responsible urban planning experience working in municipal, county, or regional government community development/planning department or similar private sector experience, with at least one year of such experience at a level equivalent to Assistant Planner I.
Associate Planner II:  Three years of increasingly responsible Assistant Planner level or equivalent urban planning experience, in either current or comprehensive planning, working in municipal, county, or regional government community development/planning department or similar private sector experience.

Training

Associate Planner I or II:  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 closely related field.

License or Certificate:

 Associate Planner I or II:  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 : $70,928 - $102,731