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Assistant 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 seeking an Assistant Planner. The ideal candidate will be someone who is passionate about serving the public, in a team oriented way with integrity, humility and social awareness. 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 ASSISTANT PLANNER POSITION
The Assistant Planner will provide customer service at the public counter or over the phone to address concerns and inquires regarding the City’s Municipal code and/or department policies. The incumbent will process and review multi-faceted planning applications involving site plan review, neighborhood compatibility analysis, height variations, grading permits, fence/wall permits, etc. Additional duties include preparing public notices and presenting staff reports; performing research on properties, policies, and procedures; and updating and maintaining property address files. This is a Non-exempt position, which means the incumbent is eligible for overtime.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
In addition to a strong technical background, the ideal candidate shall have the ability to work in a fast paced, team-oriented professional environment, possess a strong work ethic and excellent interpersonal skills to foster effective working and creative relations with citizens, business owners, contractors, community leaders, City staff and other public/private agencies.
Experience with design software (Bluebeam), permitting system (TRAKit), and GIS software is highly desirable.
DEFINITION AND CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the first-level class in the professional planning series. Under direct 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 assist in the administration of the City’s ordinances related to provisions for the preservation and restoration of views and manage the View Restoration/Preservation Permit application process; completes technical assessments and prepares written project analysis; provides support for special projects in advance planning; provides assistance to the public on planning, community development, zoning, permits, and environmental review; provides staff assistance to the Senior Planners, 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.
As experience is gained, assignments become more varied and are performed with greater independence. Positions at this level usually perform many of the duties required of the positions at the Associate level, but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
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 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; conducts follow-up and re-check, and approves or denies submittals.
- Assists in gathering data for environmental impact reports; assists in preparing written initial studies, negative declarations, and staff reports related to development projects or City projects.
- Assists, when assigned, in the administration of the view preservation and restoration ordinances related to the impact by foliage growth.
- 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, as assigned, draft staff reports on less 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.
- Assists with 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, and environmental review.
- 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.
- Researches, collects, records, analyzes, interprets, and summarizes statistical and demographic information; prepares spreadsheets and establishes and maintains a comprehensive database.
- Researches and assists in preparing ordinances for review.
- Assists with 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, Redevelopment Guidelines, emergency operations manual, historical preservation guidelines, 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, business or public administration, or a related field and one (1) year 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.
- 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.
- 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 and understand technical drawings and specifications.
- Perform mathematical and planning computations with precision.
- 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 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