Associate Planner I/II

City of Palm Desert•Palm Desert, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Palm Desert is seeking a knowledgeable and motivated Associate Planner to join its Community Development team. This position plays a key role in coordinating land use processes, including land combinations and divisions, preparing clear and well-supported staff reports for development projects, and conducting in-depth research and analysis to support the City’s comprehensive planning and zoning efforts. The ideal candidate will bring experience in municipal planning, strong analytical and communication skills, and a solid understanding of land use principles, development review, and community engagement. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the thoughtful and sustainable growth of Palm Desert. Appointment to this position is expected to fall within the salary range of $88,878 to $107,994 annually; however, the final amount will be carefully determined based on the candidate’s knowledge, skills, qualifications, and an evaluation of internal equity within the organization. Exceptional candidates with highly relevant experience and credentials may be considered for compensation above the anticipated hiring range. Under general direction, performs a full range of journey level professional duties in support of the Development Services Department’s current and advanced planning functions; administers zoning regulations; performs a variety of assignments in the preparation and distribution of planning reports; processes development projects; performs technical reviews of land use and permit applications, environmental impact reports, and environmental statements; provides customer service and serves as a liaison to applicants, developers, consultants, the general public, and outside organizations and agencies regarding City codes, policies, standards, and processes; and provides technical and professional assistance to City committees, commissions, and the City Council; and performs related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in urban planning, environmental studies, engineering, or a related field.
Associate Planner I: Two (2) years of general professional and technical planning experience is preferred.
Associate Planner II: Four (4) years of increasingly responsible planning experience equivalent to that of an Associate I in the City of Palm Desert.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, standards, and procedures relevant to zoning and land use planning.
Knowledge of principles, practices, theories, and trends of urban, land use, and regional planning, zoning, and environmental review.
Knowledge of development review procedures and requirements.
Knowledge of operations, services, and activities of a community planning and development program.
Knowledge of principles and practices of project management.
Knowledge of principles and practices of urban planning and land development methods.
Knowledge of recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to planning, zoning, and environmental review.
Knowledge of practices of researching planning and zoning issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
Knowledge of geographic, socio-economic, transportation, political, and other elements related to city planning.
Knowledge of principles of advanced mathematics and their application to planning work.
Knowledge of statistical and research methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.
Knowledge of record keeping principles and procedures.
Knowledge of modern office practices, methods, computer equipment and applications related to the work.
Knowledge of English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
Knowledge of techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
Knowledge of techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
Ability to interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, standards, and procedures relevant to zoning and planning.
Ability to perform a full range of professional level planning duties involved in participating in the development, implementation, and modification of the City’s planning function.
Ability to interpret planning and zoning programs to the general public.
Ability to identify and respond to issues and concerns of the public, City Council, Planning Commission, Cultural Resources Preservation Committee, and other stakeholders.
Ability to manage current and advanced planning projects.
Ability to prepare and analyze technical and administrative reports, statements, and correspondence.
Ability to assess, monitor, and report environmental impact on and of various City programs and services.
Ability to independently conduct research projects, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations.
Ability to organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner.
Ability to read and interpret architectural and engineering plans and specifications.
Ability to prepare clear and effective reports, correspondence, and other written material.
Ability to make accurate arithmetic and statistical computations.
Ability to effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, and regulatory organizations and individuals.
Ability to establish and maintain accurate databases, records, and files.
Ability to organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
Ability to effectively use computer systems, software, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
Ability to use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
Ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver’s license by the time of appointment may be required for certain assignments.

Nice To Haves

Associate Planner I: Two (2) years of general professional and technical planning experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Performs professional level duties in the development, implementation, and modification of the City’s current and advanced planning and development programs and projects
Analyzes specific project applications and determines applicability of planning, zoning, and building codes, and the types of modifications that might be needed to meet city requirements and other types of regulatory and design standards.
Provides customer service and serves as liaison to City staff, applicants, developers, consultants, the general public, and outside organizations and agencies regarding City codes, policies, standards, processes, and requirements over the phone or at the public counter; responds to zoning and land use questions.
Serves as project manager on planning and land development projects, including processing applications, reviewing plans for routine to complex commercial, industrial, residential, and mixed use projects, and signing permits; writes staff reports and collects supporting documentation for submission to the Planning Commission, Cultural Resources Preservation Committee, Architectural Review Commission, City Council, and other committees and commissions; schedules and facilitates meetings and community hearings; and monitors project implementation to ensure conformance with approved plans, conditions, and mitigation measures.
Receives and reviews development proposals for zoning variances, conditional use permits, precise plans, development agreements, General Plan Amendments, tentative tracts, zone changes, and related proposals; ensures compliance with General Plan and related codes and regulations.
Evaluates land uses and impacts in the context of site plan review and development standards; prepares environmental determinations, including negative declarations as part of environmental analysis.
Administers or conducts planning studies for assigned projects, involving staff or consultants; assures that project tasks and timelines are achieved in accordance with department standards.
Advises developers, contractors, and the general public on planning, zoning, and land use regulations, and historical, current, and future planning projects.
Conducts a variety of current and long-range planning studies; researches and analyzes social, economic, population, and land use data and identifies trends; develops recommendations and prepares written reports on various planning activities.
Prepares or assists in preparing and reviewing environmental impact reports in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); prepares written initial studies, negative declarations, and reports related to assigned planning studies and projects.
Participates in the development and preparation of requests for proposals for professional planning-related services, including project scope documents and contractor agreements.
Performs complex research and analyses; performs major planning and zoning studies for development; investigates planning problems while considering legal and public relations aspects, as well as planning and makes presentations of findings.
Conducts presentations to the Planning Commission, Cultural Resources Preservation Committee, Architectural Review Commission, City Council, and other committees and commissions.
Conducts field inspections of development proposals, land use surveys, and related planning projects to ensure completion of construction and adherence to City standards, codes, and requirements.
Participates in coordinating City planning and development related activities with other City departments and with outside agencies.
Participates in and/or coordinates the review and analysis of building and grading plans as well as the routing of plans for approval in accordance with the City’s plan check process.
Research various grants and potential funding sources; prepares and submits grant applications.
Attends and participates in professional group meetings, conferences, and workshops; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of urban planning.
Performs duties of a disaster services worker in event of an emergency.
Performs other duties as assigned.