Associate Planner - Transportation

The City of South Lake Tahoe is currently recruiting for an Associate Transportation Planner. The Associate Transportation Planner is a mid-level manager responsible for all transportation planning and design aspects for the City of South Lake Tahoe. Responsibilities will include new development reviews, reviews of encroachment permits for public works projects, planning of Active Transportation projects, Corridor Studies, Traffic Safety Studies, Traffic Calming Programs, and planning of Complete Street Projects. Knowledge of transportation planning, urban planning, Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, safety analysis, TRPA regulation, and Best Management Practices (BMP) are required.  AICP certification is highly desirable.

The City offers a comprehensive benefit package for this position, including:  

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability
• Education Incentive Pay and Tuition Reimbursement
• Bilingual Incentive Pay
• 88 Hours of Vacation Time 
• 12 days of Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Wellness Program and Gym Reimbursement
• Professional Development Opportunities 
• CalPERS Pension
• City employees may also qualify for student loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)program 

All applicants must submit the following in order to be considered:

• Proof of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course-work in urban or regional planning, architecture or a closely related field. 
• Resume

Recruitment Process:
Applications Accepted: April 1 - April 22, 2025
Oral Panel Interviews: May 2025
Department Interviews: May 2025

Identifying Characteristics
Associate Planner - This is the full journey level class within the professional Planner series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Assistant Planner by the performance of the full range of professional planner duties in the fields of current or advanced planning or environmental analysis that require the application of general planning principles and are generally more complex projects than would be assigned to an Assistant Planner. 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. Positions in this class series are flexibly staffed and are generally filled by advancement from the Assistant Planner level, or when filled from the outside, require prior experience. Advancement to the "Associate" level is based on demonstrated proficiency in performing the assigned functions and/or certification or testing that validates the performance of the full range of duties and is at the discretion of higher level supervisory or management staff.

Transportation Planner - In addition to the above duties, planners focused on transportation perform professional work related to research and analysis of traffic and transportation planning problems and related projects which affect the City of South Lake Tahoe on a short- and long-term basis. Planners within this division compile and analyze data sets and performance measures, and assist with data visualization to make large and/or complex data understandable.The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1. Plans, organizes, and conducts research studies; maintains, updates, and analyzes demographic and other data required for community planning; prepares reports and analysis regarding land use, zoning, urban design, population trends, transportation, community needs, housing, and environmental issues.
2. Recommends the use of land for residential, commercial, industrial, and community uses; participates in the review, development, revision, and maintenance of general plan elements, plans, zoning ordinances, and other policies and procedures.
3. Reviews and processes various plans and applications for subdivision and commercial developments; collects and evaluates information related to the application process and determines conformity with laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; recommends approval, or alternative approaches; conducts project site checks and field inspections.
4. Coordinates and assists in the management of the development review process; communicates and coordinates with other City departments, developers, and outside agencies throughout the development process to create the best possible development.
5. Plan checks building and engineering plans for adherence to approved projects.
6. Prepares final resolutions, ordinances, environmental notices, plan approvals, and file cleanup after project completion; monitors conditions of approval after project completion for compliance.
7. Provides 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; investigates and responds to complaints of zoning code violations.
8. Performs a wide range of duties in support of the Planning Commission as well as the City Council and other boards and commissions; coordinates preparation of meeting agendas for various commissions, boards, and community groups including reviewing draft materials and preparing comments; organizes meetings and work sessions; prepares public hearing notices ensuring timely notification of appropriate parties; prepares and presents staff reports and other presentations for the City Council, Planning Commission, and other commissions, boards, and community groups.
9. Coordinates the setup and maintenance of zoning and development modules in the project tracking system.
10. May provide work coordination and project direction for other planning personnel and contract consultants.
11. Performs related duties as required.

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of planning.
• Research and investigation procedures.
• Drafting and graphic presentations.
• Statistical methods and research techniques applicable to the collection, analysis and presentation of data for municipal planning studies.
• Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.
• Methods and techniques of eliciting community participation in planning and development issues.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and supporting software applications.

In addition to the above knowledge, those assigned to transportation will need to have knowledge of the following:

• Traffic Engineering principles and Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices
• Traffic control device warrants
• Subdivision Map Act and review of site plans

Ability to:

• Perform professional level planning duties in the development, implementation, and modification of City plans and regulations.
• Apply policies, procedures, and standards pertaining to the municipal planning process.
• Understand all aspects of the job.
• Demonstrate tact and diplomacy with the public.
• Prepare accurate maps, plans, charts and tables.
• Interpret maps, site and building plans and specifications, graphs and statistical data.
• Interpret, analyze, apply, implement, and explain pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including City codes and departmental policies and administrative directives; learn applicable environmental laws and regulations.
• Interpret planning and zoning programs to the general public.
• Develop recommendations regarding the use of property.
• Process routine development applications and coordinate necessary communication between staff, developer, and other agencies.
• Analyze and compile technical and statistical information and prepare reports.
• Analyze projects and potential projects for consistency with planning regulations, general planning principles, and architectural quality.
• Prepare and analyze technical and administrative reports, statements, and correspondence.
• Present technical data in verbal, written, graphic, and map form to City management staff and variety of boards and commissions.
• Effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, council members, committee and commission members, and the general public.
• Work under steady pressure with frequent interruptions and a high degree of public contact by phone or in person.
• 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 Guidelines- Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Associate Planner 
Education/Training:
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course-work in urban or regional planning, architecture or a closely related field. A Master's degree is desirable.

Experience:
Two years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience in a local government at a level comparable to an Assistant Planner with the City of South Lake Tahoe.

License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California or Nevada driver's license.
Certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners is highly desired.

Transportation Planner
In addition to the above requirements, those assigned to transportation should have experience with the following areas:

• Transportation planning, capacity in demand analysis
• Transportation corridor feasibility studies
• Road Safety Audit and Safety Analysis
• Complete Street Design Concepts
• Active Transportation Projects, including bicycle and pedestrian facility planning and design
• Transportation grant funding and preparation of grant applications
• California Department of Transportation Local Program Manual requirements
• State and federal funding
• Environmental review analysis, including NEPA and CEQA requirements

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; incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends.
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.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
The City of South Lake Tahoe is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All employment actions shall be administered regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, veterans’ status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

Disaster Service Worker
All full-time, permanent City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency/disaster.

Salary : $91,287 - $110,955