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Assistant Planner
City of Whittier / Whittier, CA
Posted on: March 10, 2020
Application Deadline: 04/10/2020 by 11:59 PM
Job Description
POSITION WILL CLOSE AFTER RECEIPT OF THE FIRST 150 APPLICATIONS OR APRIL 10, 2020, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.
Under general supervision, performs professional land-use and urban planning work, including current and advance planning, implementation of the City’s General Plan and Zoning Code; performs historic preservation work and zoning code amendments; reviews complex zoning and development applications; performs complex research; prepares maps, graphs, models, and reports; presents projects to the Planning Commission and other bodies; coordinates special projects; performs other related duties as required. Successful candidates appointed to this position will serve a minimum one-year probationary period.
Examples of Duties
(Listed below are some of the duties performed by this position. For a complete listing of Essential Functions, review the class specification.)
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 making presentations of findings; confers with developers, building designers, contractors, architects, and the general public on planning and zoning related matters; interprets planning policies, State laws, and local ordinances or explains procedures. Provides information and assistance to developers, property owners, and the public regarding laws, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures related to the submission of plans, processing of applications, and implementation requirements; performs field inspections; communicates and coordinates with other City departments and outside agencies.
Physical, Mental and Environmental Working Conditions: Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in preparing reports using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires both near and far vision in reading written reports and work related documents. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. Additionally, the incumbent in this position works outdoors in all weather conditions, including wet, hot, and cold. The nature of the work also requires the incumbent to drive motorized vehicles. The need to lift, drag and push files, paper, and documents weighing up to 25 pounds is also required. The City of Whittier encourages applications from qualified Individuals with disabilities as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act and California Fair Employment and Housing Act. Individuals who require accommodation in the application or testing process should contact the Human Resources staff at least 5 days prior to the application deadline or 5 days prior to the testing process so that a reasonable accommodation may be made. Persons requesting a reasonable accommodation will be required to provide documentation of such need. Seeking or receiving an accommodation by the City will have no negative impact on an individual’s application or employment.
Required Experience / Skills / Education
Typical Qualifications
(The following are minimal qualifications necessary for entry into the classification.)
Education and/or Experience: Any combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for an Assistant Planner. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is to possess the equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree with major work in planning, architecture, environmental design or a related field and one year of related work experience.
License/Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver’s license.
Knowledge of: Modern principles, practices, and techniques of current and advanced planning; historic preservation and familiarity with zoning code amendments; land use, physical design, demographic, environmental, economic, and social concepts as applied to municipal planning; statistical methods and research techniques applicable to the preparation of municipal planning studies; methods and techniques of training; applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations, including the Whittier Municipal Code, the California Environmental Quality Act, and California laws relating to subdivisions, annexations, zoning, and land use; basic principles of mathematics; methods and techniques of scheduling work assignments; modern office practices, methods, and equipment, including a computer and applicable software; methods and techniques for record keeping and report preparation and writing; proper English, spelling, and grammar; and occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
Ability to: Apply policies, procedures and standards pertaining to the municipal planning process; interpret and prepare maps, site and building plans and specifications, graphs and statistical data; attend evening meetings, including Planning Commission, City Council, and other agency meetings as required; collect, analyze, and interpret data pertaining to planning and zoning; make comprehensive presentations; perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately; interpret, explain, and apply applicable laws, codes and regulations; read, interpret, and record data accurately; organize, prioritize, and follow up on work assignments; work independently and as part of a team; make sound decisions within established guidelines; analyze a complex issue and develop and implement an appropriate response; follow written and oral directions; observe safety principles and work in a safe manner; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Skill to: Operate an office computer and a variety of word processing and software applications, including graphics and presentation programs.
Supplemental Information
Prior to hiring, candidates will be required to submit proof of U.S. Citizenship or employment authorization if not a U. S. Citizen and the ability to successfully pass a background investigation.
Medical: Applicants will be required as a prerequisite to employment to successfully pass a physical examination, including a drug screen, the cost of which will be paid by the City.
Selection/Exam Process: Based on a review of the applications received, the candidates appearing to be the most qualified and meeting the City’s particular needs will be invited in writing to the exam process. A candidate must achieve a passing score on each exam to proceed to the next exam. Due to the anticipated large volume of applicants for this position and our limited resources, we will only be able to invite the top candidates to participate in the panel oral interview.
Exam Information: (Dates to be determined.)
Oral Interview: 100%
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.
The City of Whittier is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Application Instructions
Please apply online at the City of Whittier website:
