Associate Planner

City of El Segundo•El Segundo, CA

31d

About The Position

Under general supervision, perform professional field and office planning work; provide complex professional staff assistance to the Community Development Director or Planning Manager, other departments, and the public in areas of expertise. SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED: Receives general direction from the Planning Manager or Community Development Director. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following duties and responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list of duties and responsibilities is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class. Distinguishing Characteristics: This is the journey-level class in the professional planning series. Work performed at this level is under considerable independence and may provide work instruction to new or less experienced staff. This class differs from Senior Planner in that the latter is a lead level of the series, exercising a higher degree of independent judgement on diverse and complex assignments with a greater degree of accountability and oversight of staff and consultants. Positions in the Assistant and Associate Planner classifications are flexibly staffed and positions at the Associate level are normally filled by advancement from the Assistant level requiring three (3) years of experience at the Assistant-level and after gaining the knowledge, skill, experience, licenses, and certifications which meet the qualifications for, and after demonstrating the ability to perform the work of, the higher-level class. Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities: Positions in this classification typically perform a full range of duties at a level of complexity represented by the following types of responsibilities: Review routine to complex development proposals, plans, and applications for issuance of zoning clearance, and for compliance with applicable regulations and policies; Review permit applications and building plans for completeness and compliance with current City codes and regulations; provide interpretations of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Subdivision Map Act, and local environmental guidelines; conduct re-checks, and approve or deny submittals; Prepare staff reports, resolutions, and conditions of approval on more complex projects; present recommendations to the City Council, Planning Commission, and various other committees, commissions, advisory boards, and agencies; Research and draft ordinances and amendments; Review zoning violations, and perform periodic reviews of projects for compliance with zoning requirements, state environmental laws, and conditions of approval; Compile information, make recommendations, and prepare written reports for a variety of studies and reports; Research, analyze, and interpret social, economic, population, and land use data and trends; Participate in the implementation and administration of the City's General Plan and development regulations; Assist the public at the front counter, on the phone, and via email, and perform plan check functions for various projects; Confer with and advise architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, engineers, and the public regarding City development policies and standards; Confer with applicants and agency representatives to identify problems and participate in interdepartmental planning reviews; provide feedback to project applicants, consultants, City staff, and the public; Prepare environmental impact reports, written initial studies, negative declarations, and staff reports related to development or City projects; Manage planning and development projects; prepare staff reports, schedule meetings and hearings, monitor project implementation to verify substantial conformance with approved plans, conditions, and mitigation measures; suggest revisions to site plans and architecture; inspect project development sites; Attend meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions; urban planning and other types of public services as they relate to the area of assignment; Regularly and predictably attend work, and Perform related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge of modern principles and practices of urban and regional planning, zoning, demographics, and environmental planning and program management
Knowledge of geographic, socio-economic, transportation, political, environmental, and other elements related to city planning
Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and organizational policies and procedures
Knowledge of recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to planning, zoning, and environmental review
Knowledge of site planning and architectural design principles
Knowledge of general concepts of architecture, landscaping, grading, drainage, traffic, and transportation engineering as they relate to the process of urban planning
Knowledge of practices of researching planning and land use issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports
Knowledge of methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation
Knowledge of modern office practices, methods, procedures, and equipment
Knowledge of principles of advanced mathematics and their application to planning work
Knowledge of techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, educational, and regulatory organizations, and with property owners, developers, contractors, and the public
Skill in interpreting and explaining planning and zoning programs to the public; identifying and responding to issues and concerns of the public, City Council, and other boards and commissions
Skill in reading, understanding, and interpreting plans and specifications and making effective site visits
Skill in analyzing site design, terrain constraints, land use compatibility, utilities, and other urban services
Skill in conducting research projects, evaluating alternatives, and making sound recommendations
Skill in ensuring compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local rules, laws, and regulations
Skill in collaborating and working with contract consultants
Skill in preparing and presenting clear, concise, and logical written and oral reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials
Skill in establishing and maintaining a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems
Skill in making sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines
Skill in operating office equipment including computer applications related to the work
Skill in communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
Skill in appearing for work on time
Skill in following directions from a supervisor
Skill in understanding and following posted work rules and procedures
Skill in accepting constructive criticism
Skill in establishing, maintaining, and fostering positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
Three (3) years increasingly responsible experience in professional planning or a closely related field. Experience in a government agency is desirable.
Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Community Development, Geography, Business or Public Administration or a related field.
Due to the performance of some field duties which requires the operation of a personal or City vehicle, valid and appropriate California driver's license and acceptable driving record are required.

Nice To Haves

A certificate from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable.

Responsibilities

Review routine to complex development proposals, plans, and applications for issuance of zoning clearance, and for compliance with applicable regulations and policies
Review permit applications and building plans for completeness and compliance with current City codes and regulations; provide interpretations of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Subdivision Map Act, and local environmental guidelines; conduct re-checks, and approve or deny submittals
Prepare staff reports, resolutions, and conditions of approval on more complex projects; present recommendations to the City Council, Planning Commission, and various other committees, commissions, advisory boards, and agencies
Research and draft ordinances and amendments
Review zoning violations, and perform periodic reviews of projects for compliance with zoning requirements, state environmental laws, and conditions of approval
Compile information, make recommendations, and prepare written reports for a variety of studies and reports
Research, analyze, and interpret social, economic, population, and land use data and trends
Participate in the implementation and administration of the City's General Plan and development regulations
Assist the public at the front counter, on the phone, and via email, and perform plan check functions for various projects
Confer with and advise architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, engineers, and the public regarding City development policies and standards
Confer with applicants and agency representatives to identify problems and participate in interdepartmental planning reviews; provide feedback to project applicants, consultants, City staff, and the public
Prepare environmental impact reports, written initial studies, negative declarations, and staff reports related to development or City projects
Manage planning and development projects; prepare staff reports, schedule meetings and hearings, monitor project implementation to verify substantial conformance with approved plans, conditions, and mitigation measures; suggest revisions to site plans and architecture; inspect project development sites
Attend meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions; urban planning and other types of public services as they relate to the area of assignment
Regularly and predictably attend work
Perform related duties as assigned