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Associate Planner
City of Arcadia / Arcadia, California
Posted on: November 21, 2022
Application Deadline: Open Until filled (First Review on November 30, 2022)
Job Description
The City of Arcadia is in search of an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to serve as its next Associate Planner to join our award-winning Development Services Department. The ideal candidate will have knowledge in urban planning, architectural design, subdivision, and environmental analysis (CEQA). This individual will have excellent customer service skills, value a collaborative team environment, and strive for excellence.
The position will appeal to individuals who are inspired by the challenges and great opportunities presented in working in this first-class City that is home to a regional shopping center, Westfield Santa Anita, the renowned Santa Anita racetrack, state-of-the-art Arcadia Methodist Hospital, and a downtown area that is in transition with new mixed-use developments near the Gold Line station.
If you enjoy working with the public and want to join a team that inspires you to “Go Above and Beyond,” then this will be a great opportunity for you!
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open Until Filled (First Review on November 30, 2022)
INTERVIEWS: Week of December 14, 2022 (TENTATIVE)
This is the full journey level in the professional Planner class series. Positions at this level are distinguished from the Assistant Planner level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned including responsibility for the application of professional knowledge and skills to various municipal planning problems and projects. Responsibilities include the preparation of specific reports and plans with opportunity for working independently and exercising judgement and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Positions in this class series are flexibly staffed and positions at the Associate Planner level are normally filled by advancement from the Assistant Planner level with three years of experience and successful performance reviews. When filled from the outside, the employee is required to have prior related experience which allows the employee to meet the qualification standards for the Associate Planner level.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
May exercise technical and functional supervision over lower level staff.
EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Advise property owners and petitioners of the effect and implications of zoning and development actions.
Coordinate and develop CDBG programs.
Check plans for grading, slope, and other engineering plan check items.
Research and draft covenants, resolutions, and ordinances for review.
Review, assist in the preparation and submittal of, evaluate and process rezoning, variance, conditional use permit, subdivision, design review and other similar planning related applications.
Review building plans for conformance to zoning and related ordinances, policies, guidelines, and criteria.
Perform field activities to ascertain compliance with zoning and related ordinances, policies, guidelines, and criteria.
Provide technical staff support and make oral presentations to the Planning Commission, Modification Committee and other committees.
Serve as alternate representative for the Planning Director’s Committee of the SGVCOG.
Respond to telephone and counter inquiries for information, advice, and assistance regarding the effects of construction and land use regulations and policies, and demographic and economic situations on development opportunities and proposals.
Review, assist in the preparation of, evaluate, process, investigate in the field, and monitor implementation of development and land use plans and applications within specific timeframes for compliance with planning, architectural, environmental and redevelopment regulations and policies.
Evaluate and resolve problems arising from conflicts between proposed development and land use plans and the various regulations, policies, and processes that govern construction, development and land use; assist in the redesigning of project at the design and construction stages as necessary.
Compile, research and evaluate information to report on planning related matters as requested or mandated by co-workers, supervisor/manager, the general public, and other agencies including planning applications, surveys, compliance with regional, State and Federal programs.
Monitor and evaluate the effects and implications of regional planning and development issues on the City of Arcadia; coordinate with SCAG and the SGVCOG.
Identify insufficiencies, inconsistencies, conflicts, and obsolete items in the Municipal Code relating to development and land use regulations; recommend and prepare amendments to correct, improve, or repeal such items.
Research, analyze, and interpret social, economic, population, and land use data and trends; prepare written reports on various planning matters and elements of the General Plan.
Prepare initial studies; define the scope of work; review environmental impact reports.
Participate in the preparation of the City’s General Plan.
Compile information and prepare recommendations on special studies; prepare related planning reports.
Provide information to the public regarding zoning, land use, and the General Plan; participate in public meetings as necessary.
Confer with and advise architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, engineers, and the general public regarding City development policies and standards.
Review development proposals and applications for compliance with appropriate regulations and policies; prepare reports of recommendations.
Prepare staff reports for the Planning Commission, City Council, and the Modification Committee.
Check commercial, industrial, and residential development plans for issuance of zone clearance; process permit applications and calculate appropriate fees.
Research and draft ordinances for review by the Community Development Administration and Planning Commission.
Investigate complaints of zoning violations and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints concerning the City’s planning function.
Participate in coordinating planning activities with other City departments; conduct meetings to define project scope.
Provide technical assistance to professional and clerical planning staff.
OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES
Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to general plans, housing, zoning, subdivision, building and construction, real estate, redevelopment and civil engineering.
Safe driving principles and practices.
Statistical principles.
Architectural styles, history, and design philosophies.
Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment.
Operate a motor vehicle safely.
Ability to:
Interpret planning and zoning programs to the general public.
Perform professional planning work with a minimum of supervision.
Manage project development and implementation.
Provide training to less experienced planning staff.
Required Experience / Skills / Education
Minimum Qualifications:
Experience:
Three years of professional municipal planning experience.
Training:
Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning or a related field.
Application Instructions
Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:Ability to work in a standard office environment; ability to travel to different sites and locations.
Application:
A fully completed online application is required to be submitted. Incomplete, late, emailed, faxed and hard copy applications are not accepted. Resumes are not considered in lieu of the required online employment application. All certificates, resumes, cover letters, and other documents requested by the City for the position advertised, must be uploaded with your online application.
The Selection Process:
All applications will be reviewed and evaluated. Those candidates who are determined to be best qualified based upon the information presented on the application materials will be invited to continue in the selection process which may include a qualifying written or performance evaluation and will include an interview weighted 100%. The City reserves the right to limit the number of interviews conducted. Candidates will be notified via e-mail or telephone if they qualify to move to the next step in the selection process. The interview score will determine ranking on the eligibility list and will remain in effect for one year.
Pre-employment background and medical examinations are additional requirements for hire. Failure on any part of the selection process will result in removal from the recruitment process.
Please Note: If you have a health or medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief that may require that the City provide you with an accommodation in either the selection process or the performance of your duties, please notify Human Resources in writing when you submit your application.
