Associate Planner

DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, performs professional-level tasks in current, advanced, and/or comprehensive planning and environmental analyses; may assist in the implementation of the Community Development Block Grant Program; provides information and assistance to developers, the business community, and the public on planning, housing, annexations, and development‑related matters; perform related work as assigned.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

The Associate Planner is part of the planning series classifications. Under general supervision, incumbents perform a variety of activities in the area of current, advanced, and/or comprehensive planning. Incumbents in this position do not supervise staff; however, they may be required to provide technical direction to Assistant Planners.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

May work under the direction of a Senior Planner; however, responsible supervision shall be by higher level professional planning staff, such as a Planning Manager.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Provides technical supervision to Assistant Planners.

Essential functions may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conduct office and field research, investigations and analysis of social, economic, population, and land use trends, community design and other community and economic development projects.
• Compile and evaluate data for advanced planning and economic development studies relating to land use and report findings and prepare written reports on various planning matters and elements related to the General Plan.
• Review commercial, industrial, and various residential development plans with developers to discuss proposed architectural design, efficient land use, and parking, and inspect properties involved in such applications and compile information thereto to ensure compliance and conformity with the City’s ordinances.
• Review building plans, parcel maps, environmental documents, graphics, resolutions, and ordinances for conditional use permits, zone variances, zone changes, zoning codes and general plan amendments.
• Review subdivision plans, site plans, and business license applications for compliance with zoning regulations.
• Answer inquiries from the public regarding community development, economic development, environmental and zoning regulations, legal descriptions and zoning violations, procedures and policies of the Planning Commission over the public counter, on the telephone, or through email.
• Prepare staff reports for various zoning and subdivision applications with recommendations.
• May attend meetings of the City Council, Planning Commission, Housing Authority and other meetings when necessary for the specific purpose of presenting the details and answering questions regarding a project to which the incumbent has been assigned.
• Work with other departments/divisions to coordinate the development requirements of the City.
• Confer with and advise architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, engineers and the general public regarding City development policies and standards.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Training and Experience

Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in urban planning, or a related field AND two (2) years of recent, increasingly responsible professional planning experience involving local governmental planning is required. A master’s degree in planning is desirable.

License Requirement

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License and a satisfactory driving record is required at time of appointment and throughout employment in this position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of: the principles, practices and trends of public planning and community development; an understanding of statistics, economics, and sociology; site planning and architectural design; land use, physical design, demographic, environmental, and economic concepts as applied to municipal and/or urban planning; building and engineering practices; statistics and graphic presentation; laws, ordinances, rules and regulations pertaining to planning and zoning; modern office practices, procedures and equipment, including word processing and computer applications (Words, Microsoft Outlook, Excel, etc.).

Ability to: understand laws underlying general plans, zoning and land divisions; environmental laws and regulations and methods of assessment; apply policies, procedures and standards pertaining to planning process; interpret and prepare maps, site and building plans and specifications; follow oral and written directions; speak clearly, interpret and explain technical information; listen effectively; use computer and related software; read and interpret maps and specifications; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLE (DMV) PULL NOTICE SYSTEM

An incumbent appointed to this position is subject to enrollment in the California DMV Pull Notice Program. The Pull Notice program provides information on the incumbent’s driving record and Driver’s License status on a periodic basis to the City of South Gate. An employee assigned a City vehicle must acknowledge receipt and understanding of City Administrative Regulations covering the use of City vehicles.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment described here 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 functions. Work is performed mostly in office settings. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, crouch and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, ability to adjust focus and perform office machine operations. Incumbents are not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of South Gate is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws, it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, religion, disability (mental or physical), medical condition, genetic characteristic or information, sex (including gender, gender identity, gender expression, or pregnancy), sexual orientation (including homosexuality, bisexuality, or heterosexuality), or military or veteran status in its employment actions, policies, procedures, or practices.

The City of South Gate

The City of South Gate is a busy urban community consisting of residential, commercial, and industrial development, spread over 7.41 square miles. It is currently ranked the 79th largest city in California with a population of approximately 97,000. Strategically located along the 710 freeway, the City is just 12 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.