Associate Planner

Willdan is a national leader in energy, engineering, and software consulting services. Since 1964, we have provided all aspects of municipal and infrastructure engineering, including building and safety, public works, public financing, planning, and construction management services. We help engineers, facility owners, municipalities, and utilities meet their long-term goals and transition communities to clean energy and a sustainable future. 

Public Agency Resources (PARS), a subsidiary of Willdan Group Inc., currently has an opening for a part-time to full-time Associate Planner in the Los Angeles, CA area. The Associate Planner will perform responsible, professional planning activities involving current and long-range planning and special projects.

Why Willdan?

• Competitive Salary
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401K 
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan 
• Employee Discount Program
• Generous Employee Referral Program
• Opportunities for Career Growth and Development

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Plans, organizes and conducts research studies and prepares reports for development proposals involving current and long-range planning issues and development applications, such as plot plans, subdivisions and model home complexes; participates in the review, development, amendment or revision of various elements of the City’s General Plan, specific plans, municipal codes, annexations and other policies and procedures; compiles, analyzes and interprets data to define environmental conditions, social, economic and housing trends, community needs and zoning problems; prepares maps, graphs, charts and other visual aids to illustrate planning studies.
• Reviews development proposals for conformance with City ordinances and codes; communicates with and assists developers, property owners, the public and elected officials regarding laws, policies, regulations, standards and procedures with respect to the submission of plans, processing of applications and implementation requirements; determines conformity with codes, policies, regulations and procedures; recommends approval or identifies problems and assesses alternatives for projects; reviews environmental studies and impact reports from other City departments and external agencies and prepares environmental documentation for development proposals.
• Reviews, analyzes, and makes recommendations regarding conditional use permits, home occupancy permits, variances, zone changes, lot line adjustments, lot mergers, certificates of compliance, temporary use permits and signs permits.
• Make presentations or prepare material for presentations to the Planning Commission and City Council; provide written and oral information to the public on a wide range of planning issues, including current and long-term planning projects; answers question and provides assistance to the public in person, on the telephone and in writing.
• Plan checks building permit and landscape plan requests, conferring with building inspectors, officials, engineers, architects, developers, and others; reviews plans and drawings to ensure compliance with approved plans and City ordinances; performs field and site inspections during and after construction to ensure project is following approved plans.
• Prepares a variety of written communications, including analytical reports, correspondence, and drafts of revisions to local ordinances and planning policies and procedures.

Job Requirements / Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in urban planning or a related field.
• Four (4) years of experience performing responsible, professional planning activities involving current and long-range planning and special projects, preferably in the public sector.  
• Knowledge of:
  • Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and court decisions applicable to assigned areas of responsibility, including the Subdivision Map Act and the California Environmental Quality Act.
  • Objectives, principles, procedures, standards, practices, and information sources of city planning.
  • Subdivision planning/project management experience.
  • Implementation of zoning and other municipal ordinances.
  • Methods used in developing information for General Plan modifications and municipal code amendments.
  • Application of land use, physical design, economic, environmental, and/or social concepts to the planning process.
  • Community trends and market analysis techniques.
  • Statistical analysis techniques and formulae relevant to the planning process.
  • Terminology, symbols, methods, techniques, and instruments used in planning.
  • Local government organization and the functions and practices of a municipal planning function.
• Ability to:
  • Perform responsible current and long-range planning assignments.
  • Understand and apply federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards applicable to the planning process.
  • Interpret and understand engineering and architectural plans, concepts, and methodologies.
  • Interpret maps, site and building plans and specifications, graphs, and statistical data.
  • Research, analyze and summarize planning data, both manually and with computer programs.
  • Prepare clear visual displays, such as maps, graphs, and illustrations.
  • Conduct analyses and make accurate recommendations based on study findings.
  • Prepare clear and concise correspondence, reports, and other written materials.

EEO Non-Discrimination and ADA Reasonable Accommodation Statement
 Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, religious creed, color, age marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, religion, military service or veteran status, disability, medical condition, childbirth and related medical conditions, genetic testing, reproductive status or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws and ordinances. Willdan does not discriminate on the basis of physical or mental disability where the essential functions of the job can be reasonably accommodated. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us.

Public Agency Resources participates in E-Verify.