Associate Planner Jobs

The Associate Planner performs professional complex planning work on various projects; plans, organizes and conducts research studies and prepares reports and recommendations regarding land use, zoning, community design, and environmental issues; participates in the review, development and/or revision of the various elements of the General Plan, Environmental Impact Reports, ordinances and other policies and procedures; coordinates the work of other professional and technical staff as needed; and performs other duties as assigned.

This is the full journey level class in the Planner series and it is distinguished from the Assistant Planner level by the ability to perform the full range of duties assigned with only occasional instruction or assistance as unusual or unique situations arise. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the Assistant Planner level, or when filled from the outside, by those with prior experience.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

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Any combination of education and/or 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:

Three (3) years of increasingly responsible city or regional planning work and training equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college with major course work in planning, architecture, environmental studies, natural resources management or a related field.

Knowledge of: principles and practices of planning theorems and land development methods and design procedures; state planning and zoning laws and regulations affecting planning, including the California Environmental Quality Act, Subdivision Map Act, and other governmental environment policies rules and regulations; trends and statistics related to public planning; engineering drawings, topographic mapping, and both architectural presentation and urban design; research methods as applied to collection, tabulation and analysis of statistics affecting public planning; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation; computer equipment and software applications related to assignment.

Ability to: collect, analyze, and interpret data pertaining to planning, zoning and/or environmental policies and issues; read and interpret laws, ordinances, general plan elements, environmental impact reports, and other documents related to community planning and land use; read and interpret maps; operate computer equipment and software applications related to assignment; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; and work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.

On an intermittent basis, sit at desk for long periods of time; intermittently walk, stand, bend, squat, twist and reach while retrieving and/or returning files; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and use a keyboard to communicate through written means, review information and enter/retrieve data; see and read characters on computer screen; and lift light weight. See in the normal vision range with or without correction; hear in the normal range with or without correction. Work is performed indoors in a carpeted and air-conditioned office environment with fluorescent lighting and moderate noise level. Some movement is required from office to office and there is exposure to the external environment when going to outlying offices, meeting, or performing field inspections. Work is frequently interrupted by the need to respond to in-person and telephone inquires.

To be considered, applicants must submit an online City Application and supplemental questionnaire by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date listed. Candidates whose applications indicate education and experience most directly related to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. All notices will be sent via email.

Unless otherwise noted, a passing score must be achieved at each step of the selection process in order to have your name placed on the eligibility list for hiring consideration. Note that the examination materials for this recruitment are validated, copyrighted and/or inappropriate for review. The eligibility lists established as a result of this recruitment will be for a duration of six (6) months, unless otherwise extended.