Associate Planner

Associate Planner

The City of Bell is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Associate Planner to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone looking to build their career in planning while contributing to a dynamic and collaborative environment. The ideal candidate will bring a strong foundation in planning principles, excellent communication skills, and a proactive attitude toward problem-solving and community engagement. Whether you're early in your career or bringing experience from a similar role, we welcome individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact through thoughtful planning and development.

Under direction of the Community Services Director, provides experienced current and advanced planning assistance to the City, exercises independent judgment on a variety of complex planning issues. Exercises independent judgment to develop recommendations on complex long range planning, urban design and redevelopment issues; prepares and presents planning related reports and studies to the Planning Commission, City Council and other boards or committees; performs related work as assigned.

Associate Planner: The Associate Planner is the journey level classification in the professional planning series. Incumbents are assigned to, and perform, the full range of planning, zoning, and related functions administered by the City with only occasional instruction or assistance.

Associate Planner - Receives direction from higher level supervisor or management staff.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Performs a variety of professional urban planning duties and provides professional advice and assistance to the public on planning and zoning regulations.
• Develops short and long range plans; gathers, interprets, and prepares data for studies, reports and recommendations; coordinates department activities with other departments and agencies as needed.
• Confers with, and advises, architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, engineers, and the general public regarding City development policies and standards; provides and clarifies information relative to zoning, general plan compliance, signage, and other issues.
• Provides technical and professional advice; makes presentations to supervisors, boards, commissions, civic groups, and the general public. Provides information on land use applications, ordinances, codes, plans, and related planning programs, services or regulations to architects, engineers, developers, contractors, owners, community groups, and interested persons.
• Responds to local citizens inquiring about local planning, zoning, building codes enforcement, regulations, and ordinances.
• Prepares a variety of studies, reports, and related information for decision making purposes. Conducts technical research on studies and prepares statistical reports and recommendations for drafting or revising local legislation and plans, projecting trends, monitoring socio-economic data, etc.
• Reviews Architectural Review Board applications/proposals and works with developers/owners to reach agreement on zoning code conforming site plans, including a review of the building plans, parcel maps, subdivisions, and lot line adjustments; prepares a staff recommendation report for review and approval.
• Processes commercial, industrial and residential development plans for issuance of zoning clearances and/or permit applications.
• Prepares agendas, staff reports and displays for the Planning Commission, City Council, various committees and advisory boards.
• Assist in the development and implementation of growth management, land use, economic development, utility, housing, transportation, facilities, solid waste or other plans and codes to meet the City's needs and any inter-governmental agreements or requirements.
• Prepares studies for General Plan review and zoning/code amendments/updates and ordinances; assists with the implementation and administration of the City's General Plan and development regulations.
• Evaluates environmental information and prepares appropriate documents according to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) on behalf of the City as lead agency. Prepares responses on behalf of the City as a responsible agency.
• Reviews and processes applications for Temporary Use Permits, Special Use Permits and other entitlement applications for zoning clearance.
• Participates in coordinating City planning and development related activities with other City departments and with outside agencies.
• Updates a variety of maps. Prepares graphics and maps for a variety of reports, plans, grant applications, publications or meetings.
• Prepares and writes grant application components relating to geographics, maps, plats, site plans or other planning processes.
• Assists in maintaining the City's planning and economic database.
• Manages vendor contracts in the planning division.
• Maintains comprehensive, complex and accurate planning related records and files.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

To qualify for this position, an individual must possess a combination of experience, education, and/or training that would likely produce the knowledge and abilities required to perform the work. A desirable combination of qualifications is described as follows:

Education: Associate Planner: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in urban planning, or a related field.

Experience: Associate Planner: Three (3) years of professional experience in planning, zoning and related community development activities.

Associate Planner positions should possess the foundational knowledge, skills and abilities listed below.

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive urban planning and development program.
• Principles, practices, policies and procedures related to urban planning and development and zoning administration.
• State land use, development, and environmental law, comprehensive planning and zoning, including their formation, adoption, and enforcement.
• Techniques and application of statistical analysis as applied to land use, transportation, zoning and master plan studies.
• Site planning and architectural design principles.
• Methods and techniques of conducting research.
• Principles and practices used to apply geographic information systems.
• Methods and techniques of developing complex planning reports and displays, and presentation of same.
• Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to planning and zoning.
• Environmental laws and related regulations as they apply to planning and zoning.
• Practices of researching planning issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
• Modern office methods, practices, procedures and equipment, including computer hardware and software necessary for graphic presentation, mapping and database management.

• Methods and techniques of providing quality customer service to City staff and members of the public
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances and regulations related to assigned area of responsibility.

Ability to:

• Perform the full range of professional urban planning duties.
• Effectively respond to issues and concerns of the public, Planning Commission, City Council, and other boards and commissions.
• Interpret, apply and explain complex laws, codes, regulations and ordinances.
• Analyze site design, terrain constraints, circulation, land use compatibility, utilities and other urban services.
• Enforce ordinances and regulations effectively and tactfully.
• Prepare clear and concise technical and staff reports, display maps, plans, charts and tables, and business correspondence.
• Assist in the development of planning related policies and procedures.
• Maintain continuous learning on current literature, information sources, and research techniques in the field of urban planning.

• Respond to inquiries, complaints, and requests for service in a fair, tactful, and firm manner.
• Use sound, independent judgment within established policy and procedural guidelines.

• Communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.

• Understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures, and instructions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Mobility – frequent standing or sitting for extended periods; frequent walking; occasional driving may be required, depending upon assignment; occasional pushing/pulling; occasional bending, kneeling, squatting and crawling. Lifting – occasional lifting up to 25 pounds. Vision – constant use of good overall vision for reading/close up work; frequent use of color perception and eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision. Dexterity – frequent repetitive motion from writing and using a computer keyboard; frequent grasping, holding and reaching. Hearing/Talking - frequent hearing/talking to others on the telephone and in person; occasional hearing of faint sounds. Emotional/Psychological – frequent decision making and concentration; frequent public contact; occasional working alone.

Employees work partially in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions, and partially in the field and are occasionally exposed to inclement weather conditions. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives, and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. Positions may require occasional overtime or weekend work.