Position Description
The Community Development Department is seeking a qualified professional to fill the position of Assistant Planner!
PLEASE APPLY IMMEDIATELY, THE RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME.
First Review of applications will take place on July 8, 2024.
Panel Interview is tentatively scheduled for the week of July 22, 2024.
Under general supervision, demonstrates a basic knowledge of municipal zoning codes, performs professional land use and urban planning work, including review of development and land use applications, zoning, site plans, and environmental documents; completes technical assessments and prepares written project analyses; provides professional advice and assistance to the public on planning, community development, zoning, permits, and environmental review; acts as project planner for smaller development projects, including soliciting project review comments from other departments; prepares and presents staff reports; and performs related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the journey level class within the professional Planner series. Incumbents of the Assistant Planner classification initially perform routine and professional planning work under close supervision. However, as experience is acquired, incumbents are expected to progress to a journey level and perform a full range of planning duties with ever-increasing independence.
Example of Duties
Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include, but are not limited to the following characteristic duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class. Other duties may be required and assigned.
- Assist the Principal Code Enforcement Officer with implementation of the Zoning Code Enforcement Program for private property including conducting field inspections, assistance with preparation of notices and negotiate with violators for compliance.
- Prepare staff reports, ordinances and resolutions, and graphic displays and make presentations to the Planning Commission, Sustainable City Committee, or other committees, boards, and City Council.
- Research, analyze, and interpret social, economic, population and land use data and trends; analyze and recommend revisions to the Zoning Ordinance, General Plan, and the City's Strategic Plan.
- Conduct preliminary reviews of conceptual development proposals electronically and at the public information counter and work with applicants to reach agreement on acceptable site plans; review building plans, parcel maps, and subdivision proposals for conformance with appropriate regulations; make site inspections as necessary.
- Analyze projects and prepare special studies and environmental initial studies; compile information and data; develop analyses and make recommendations on a variety of planning matters.
- Review applications for a variety of purposes, including, but not limited to land use, site plan and design review, business license, zone changes, lot mergers, conditional use permits, code amendments; ensure compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations; develop staff recommendations.
- Respond to inquiries and requests from outside agencies, organizations and the general public.
- Confer with and advise architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, engineers, and the general public regarding City development policies and standards.
- Research, monitor and analyze legislation related to City planning interests and issues.
- Coordinate Department activities with other City departments, outside agencies and the general public.
- Assist in budget and grant development and administration.
- Prepare a variety of annual reports including those related to implementation of the General Plan; inspections of properties with conditional use permits and other State compliance reports.
MARGINAL FUNCTIONS
- Prepare and make presentations to a variety of community groups.
- Perform various related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Any combination of education, training, and work experience to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position is qualifying. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is to possess:
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in urban or regional planning, geography, architecture, or related field.
EXPERIENCE: One (1) year recent paid experience performing responsible urban planning, preferably in a municipal agency.
LICENSE/CERTIFICATION: Valid Class C California driver license, acceptable driving record, and evidence of insurance are required.
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of urban planning.
- Current literature, information sources, and research techniques in the field of city planning.
- Statutes related to general plans, zoning and land divisions.
- Applicable environmental laws and regulations.
- Computer software programs, such as I-worqs, Blue Beam, and GIS tools maintained by outside agencies.
- Utilization and care of various types of office machinery and equipment.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to operate a variety of automated office machines, including a calculator, copier, personal computer.
- Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing slightly skilled movements.
- Ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, typically involving lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, sitting and/or walking.
- Ability to maneuver and steer equipment and machinery requiring simple, but continuous adjustments, such as the operation of an automobile.
Mathematical Ability:
- Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide.
- Ability to calculate decimals, ratios, percentages, fractions, volumes, present values and spatial relationships.
- Ability to interpret basic descriptive statistical reports.
- Ability to read and comprehend development plans.
Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability:
- Ability to utilize functional reasoning and apply rational judgement in performing diversified work activities.
- Ability to exercise independent judgement, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory and/or judgmental criteria.
- Ability to analyze data and information using established criteria, in order to determine consequences and to identify and select alternatives; ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure and/or sort data, as well as assemble, copy, record and transcribe data and information; ability to classify, compute, tabulate and categorize data.
- Ability to multi-task on a daily basis and perform calmly and professionally to meet project and public meeting timelines.
Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication:
- Ability to utilize a wide variety of descriptive data and information, such as regulations, electronic plans, correspondence and general operating manuals.
- Ability to provide excellent customer service and communicate effectively with coworkers, consultants, developers, elected and appointed officials, and the general public, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to advise and provide interpretation how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.
Environmental Adaptability:
- Ability to work in an office environment.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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.
Selection Procedure:
All statements made on applications are subject to investigation and verification. Falsifying one's education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City of Signal Hill. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City application and supplemental questionnaire.
Admission to the competitive examination may be limited to those whose applications show the best combination of qualifications in relation to the requirements and duties of the position. Any part of the examination process may be qualifying only.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The City of Signal Hill is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports workplace diversity.
Americans with Disabilities:
Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources. If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact Human Resources at HR@cityofsignalhill.org or (562) 989-7307/4 no later than 5 business days before the test date.
Fingerprinting:
Applicants who are selected for hire are fingerprinted during the pre-placement processing period. All fingerprints will be processed with the Department of Justice to verify criminal records or absence thereof.
Physical Examination:
Employment offers are conditional based, upon the successful completion of a medical examination which may include drug and alcohol screening. Physicals are performed by the City's designated physician at the City's expense. Candidates are cautioned not to quit their jobs or give notice to their current employers until they are determined to be medically qualified.
Oath and Disaster Service Worker:
All City employees are required to sign the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance for Public Employees upon the beginning of employment. Pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100, all City employees are required to perform assigned emergency service duties in the event of an emergency or disaster and are required to sign a Disaster Service Worker Statement upon hire.
