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Associate Planner
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes / Rancho Palos Verdes
Posted on: April 9, 2020
Application Deadline: Continuous Recruitment
Job Description
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is looking for individuals with a strong technical background, excellent leadership, project management, and decision making skills to join our team as an Associate Planner. A strong candidate is a self-starter who can work in a fast paced environment with the ability to juggle assignments, handle redirected priorities and be a team player. Additionally, the incumbent will require the ability to foster effective working relations with management, City staff, residents, business owners, community leaders, and other public/private agencies.
This is a continuous recruitment; therefore, this recruitment will remain open until filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the position is filled.
DEPARTMENT
The Community Development Department has four divisions that are comprised of Building & Safety, Code Enforcement, Planning & Zoning, and View Restoration & Preservation. The Department is focused on upholding exceptional customer service and delivering efficient and timely review of proposed development projects.
THE ASSOCIATE PLANNER POSITION
The Associate Planner will assist applicants/property owners at the counter, over the phone, or via email on interpreting municipal code, policies, research, and entitlement process. The incumbent will review plans, conduct site visits, work on code amendments, long range plans, and major projects. The incumbent will also process complex applications that require coordination with multiple Departments and staff. Additional duties include writing memos and staff reports, and presenting projects for City staff and community members.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
In additional to a strong technical background, the ideal candidate shall have the ability to work independently in managing long term projects, manage time and prioritize responsibilities, prepare staff reports and other documents that clearly and accurately convey complex information, and act in a responsible and respectful manner toward all members of the community.
Experience with design software (Bluebeam), permitting system (TRAKit), and GIS software is highly desirable.
DEFINITION AND CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
Under general supervision, performs various professional field and office planning work related to current and advance planning, including review of development and land use applications, zoning, site plans, and environmental documents; may administer the City’s ordinances related to provisions for the preservation and restoration of views and manage the View Restoration/Preservation Permit application process; provides project management and administration; completes technical assessments and prepares written project analyses; provides environmental review and project analysis for Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) and special projects in advance planning; provides professional advice and assistance to the public on planning, community development, zoning, permits, and environmental review; provides complex professional staff assistance to the Director or Deputy Director/Planning Manager, other Departments, and the public in areas of expertise; performs a variety of studies and prepares and presents staff reports; and performs related work as required.
This is the full journey-level class in the professional planning series. Incumbents are expected to perform the full range of professional and technical planning work in all of the following areas: current, advance, and/or environmental planning activities, and daily Departmental operations, in addition to providing project management and administration. Positions at this level are distinguished from the Assistant level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently and exercising judgment 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. This class is distinguished from the Senior Planner in that the latter is the advanced journey-level class in the series and is responsible performing the more complex planning and project management activities.
EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
- Reviews routine to complex commercial, institutional, and residential development proposals, plans, and applications for issuance of zoning clearance and for compliance with appropriate codes, ordinances, standards, laws, rules, regulations, and policies.
- Reviews permit applications and building plans for completeness and compliance with current City codes and regulations; provides interpretations of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Subdivision Map Act, and local environmental guidelines; identifies corrective actions to be taken by owners; recommends improvement and rehabilitation programs; conducts follow-up and re-check, and approves or denies submittals.
- Prepares environmental impact reports; prepares written initial studies, negative declarations, and staff reports related to development projects or City projects.
- Participates in the administration of the view preservation and restoration ordinances related to the impact by foliage growth; processes planning, and view restoration/ preservation permit applications.
- Conducts site inspections, makes referrals for mediation services, and recommendations to the Department Director, Planning Commission, and City Council to reach mutually acceptable solutions related to view permit applications.
- Prepares staff reports on more complex projects involving site plan reviews, height variations, grading applications, minor exemption permits and variances.
- Assists the public at the front counter and on the phone, answering questions and providing information regarding zoning, land use, development standards, approved development proposals, and the City’s entitlement process; performs plan check functions for various projects; receives and reviews applications for building permits for completeness; receives and records zoning and code compliance complaints, establishes appropriate files, performs inspections of document violations, coordinates actions with those of other agencies, and implements appropriate procedures to correct or resolve each complaint and violation.
- Manages planning and development projects, including application and plan review, coordination with project applicants and other City Departments, preparation and posting of legal notices, background research, environmental review; preparation of staff reports, scheduling meetings and hearings, monitoring of project implementation to verify substantial conformance with approved plans, conditions and mitigation measures; suggests revisions to site plans and architecture; inspects project development sites.
- Compiles information for a variety of studies and reports; researches, analyzes, and interprets social, economic, population, and land use data and trends; researches and reviews previous entitlements and City records; develops recommendations and prepares written reports on various planning matters and the City’s General Plan; participates in the implementation and administration of the City’s General Plan and development regulations.
- Researches, collects, records, analyzes, interprets, and summarizes statistical and demographic information; prepares spreadsheets and establishes and maintains a comprehensive database.
- Prepares and presents staff reports for the City Council, Planning Commission and various other committees and advisory boards as directed; prepares research, reports, maps, and conducts briefings and meetings.
- 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 land use, zoning, code interpretation, general plan compliance, signage, and other issues.
- Researches and assists in preparing ordinances for review.
- Participates in coordinating City planning and development related activities with other City departments and with outside agencies.
- Refers to and applies numerous documents including the General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, California Environmental Quality Act, Subdivision Map Act, State Planning laws, Municipal Code, Specific Plans, emergency operations manual, County tax assessor’s maps and records, building and architecture plans, etc.
- Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions; urban planning and other types of public services as they relate to the area of assignment
- May provide technical direction and training to other planning and technical staff.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Experience / Skills / Education
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in urban planning, community development, public administration, or a related field and three (3) years of professional experience in planning, zoning and related community development activities.
Knowledge of:
- Modern principles and practices, technical and legal issues of urban and regional planning, zoning, urban economics, demographics, and environmental planning and program management.
- Geographic, socio-economic, transportation, political and other elements related to city planning.
- Comprehensive plans and current planning processes and the development process.
- Site planning and architectural design principles.
- General concepts of architecture, landscaping, grading, drainage, traffic and transportation engineering as they relate to the process of urban planning.
- Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a comprehensive environmental planning program.
- Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and requirements and related reports.
- Project management and contract administration principles and techniques.
- Researching and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
- Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to planning, zoning, and environmental review.
- Modern office methods, practices, procedures, and equipment, including computer hardware and software necessary for graphic presentation, mapping, and database management.
- Practices of researching planning and land use issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
- Principles of advanced mathematics and their application to planning work.
- Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.
- English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
- 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.
- Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors and City staff.
Ability to:
- Interpret planning and zoning programs to the general public; identify and respond to issues and concerns of the public, City Council, and other boards and commissions.
- Read plans and specifications and make effective site visits.
- Assess, monitor, and report environmental impact on and of various City programs and services.
- Analyze site design, terrain constraints, land use compatibility, utilities, and other urban services.
- Conduct routine research projects, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations.
- Read, interpret, apply, and explain technical written material and complex Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, regulations, ordinances, and City planning policies and procedures.
- Read and understand technical drawings and specifications.
- Perform mathematical and planning computations with precision.
- Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, and regulatory organizations and individuals.
- Coordinate assigned activities with other City departments and agencies as required.
- Direct the work of contract consultants.
- Prepare and present clear, concise, and logical written and oral reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
- Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
- Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.
- Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
- Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
- Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
- Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
- Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Application Instructions
Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis
To apply, visit our careers page at: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/rpvca