Associate Planner

Position Overview

             The first review of applications will be June 18, 2024. This recruitment may

             close or be extended at any time after the first review without notice. 

                                         Applicants are encouraged to apply early.

Purpose

Under the direction of the Director of Community Development, provides experienced current and advanced planning assistance to the City, exercises independent judgment on a variety of complex planning issues; performs related work as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is an intermediate-level class within the professional planning series.  This class is distinguished from the Assistant Planner by experience and oversight responsibility in a variety of functions, and the difficulty and complexity of work performed. This class performs some analytical work and has a wider scope of responsibility.  An Associate Planner reports to a department head and/or management staff and may take general direction from senior staff members.

Duties & Responsibilities

Essential Functions

The duties listed below are examples of the essential job duties typically performed by employees in this class. An employee may not be assigned all duties listed and may be assigned duties that are not listed below:

• Develops short and long-range plans; gathers, interprets, and prepares data for studies, reports, and recommendations; coordinates department activities with other departments and agencies as needed.  
• Provides technical and professional advice; makes presentations to supervisors, boards, commissions, civic groups, and the general public.  
• Provides information on land use applications, ordinances, codes, plans, and related planning programs, services or regulations to architects, engineers, developers, contractors, owners, community groups, and interested persons.  
• Responds to local citizens inquiring about local planning, zoning, building code enforcement, regulations, and ordinances.  
• Prepares a variety of studies, reports, and related information for decision-making purposes.  
• Conducts technical research studies and prepares statistical reports and recommendations for drafting or revising local legislation and plans, projecting trends, monitoring socio-economic data, etc.  
• Assist in the development and implementation of growth management, land use, economic development, utility, housing, transportation, facilities, solid waste or other plans and codes to meet the City's needs and any inter-governmental agreements or requirements.  
• Evaluates land use applications and site plans for compliance with applicable local, state or federal laws.  
• Monitors assigned land use applications through the approval steps, and prepares reports and related data as required.  
• Provides staff support to the City Council, Planning Commission, Cultural Heritage Commission, Design Review Board and other boards as needed and assigned.
• Prepares planning reports and supporting data, including recommendations on various land use proposals.  
• Evaluates environmental information and prepares appropriate documents according to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) on behalf of the City as lead agency.  
• Prepares responses on behalf of the City as a responsible agency.

Coordinates and assists in the enforcement of local ordinances and in interpreting City codes and master plans. May assist in designs for parks, streetscapes, landscapes, and other municipal projects. Updates a variety of maps. Prepares graphics and maps for a variety of reports, plans, grant applications, publications or meetings.

Serves when assigned as a member of the planning task force composed of City, County or State groups in regional and sub-regional planning efforts. Prepares and writes grant application components relating to geographies, maps, plats, site plans or other planning processes. Assists in maintaining the City's planning and economic database.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in regional planning, urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture, or a related field; In addition, three years of increasingly responsible municipal experience.  Any equivalent combination of education and experience, additional education substituting on a year for year basis for the required experience.  Master's degree and/or AICP preferred.

Knowledge of

State land use, development, and environmental law, comprehensive planning, and zoning, including their formation, adoption, and enforcement; familiarity with urban design principles and standards; planning programs and processes; working knowledge of computers and GIS applications; drafting; familiarity with today's techniques and public information and involvement.

Ability to

Read architectural drawings and plans; communicate clearly and effectively verbally and in writing with the general public, architects, contractors, developers, owners, supervisors, and employees; establish effective working relationships; manage multiple tasks and projects in a timely manner; use a computer, motor vehicle, calculator, phone, copy and fax machine, and various graphic design tools and software.

Working Conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions.  The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, or airborne particles.  Work may entail occasional driving to various sites within and around the City.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office, moderate in the field.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed mostly in office settings.  Some outdoor work is required in the inspection of various land use developments and construction sites.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus

• Ability to exert light to moderate physical effort, and exert sufficient force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects up to 25 pounds.  Ability to remain in a sitting/standing position for extended periods of time. 
• Ability to hear and speak to the general public, and City staff on the telephone and in person.
• Hand and eye coordination are needed to operate office equipment. 
• Strength, dexterity, coordination and vision to use keyboard and video/computer display terminal.

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Special Requirements

Possession of a valid Class "C" California Driver's License or the ability to obtain one.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

This recruitment will close at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. To be considered, please apply online under “Current Openings” with your cover letter and resume as PDF attachments. This recruitment may close, or be extended, at any time, without prior notice. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.

Applications will be reviewed for depth and breadth of experience and, level and relatedness of education. The most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in further selection procedures. The selected candidate will be required to go through a background check and a physical examination before appointment. Only complete applications or applications that meet the minimum requirements will be considered.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The City of South Pasadena is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value and encourage diversity in our workforce. The City of South Pasadena intends to provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If a special accommodation is desired, or if you would like to request this information in an alternative format, please call (626) 403-7239.

The City of South Pasadena is committed to creating a workplace where every employee is valued for who they are. Having our workforce reflect the diversity of our community at various levels of the organization is a continuous goal embraced by our departments, management staff, and policymakers. To support efforts of fairness and diversity, City Leadership is committed to incorporating equity and inclusion into our work.

FAIR CHANCE ACT

The City of South Pasadena will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You are not required to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until you receive a conditional job offer. If the City of South Pasadena has concerns about a conviction that is directly related to the job after making a conditional job offer and conducting a background check, you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide evidence to mitigate concerns or challenge the accuracy of the background report (for non-public-safety backgrounds). Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act.

NOTE: The provisions in this job flyer do not constitute an expressed or implied contract; and any provisions contained in this flyer may be modified or revoked without notice.

ABOUT THE CITY

The City of South Pasadena is a charming community, situated only six miles from downtown Los Angeles. Called the City of Trees, the area is known for its stunning homes, unique small businesses, and top-quality schools. South Pasadena’s diverse population of about 25,000 occupies a mere 3.44 square miles of flatlands and hillsides on the west side of the San Gabriel Valley. More than 100 acres of parks and playgrounds blanket its landscape and more than 21,000 trees adorn its streets. The quiet, historic character of its attractive neighborhoods is a testament to the preservationist efforts of residents in protecting both its architectural and natural beauty. The city enjoys a low crime rate and the benefits of a close-knit, participation-oriented community.

Its busiest street, Fair Oaks Avenue was an important link in the original Route 66 and remains a vital thoroughfare today. A Gold Line station provides a light rail connection to downtown Los Angeles and the regional transportation system. Mission Street and its vicinity are dotted by fine restaurants, downtown lofts, and unique shops. The city also is home to its own beautiful library, located inside a picturesque park.

South Pasadena continues to honor its traditions by conducting its own long-running 4th of July Parade, known as the Festival of Balloons. Residents also craft the city’s own float for the New Year’s Tournament of Roses Parade, held annually few miles north. Like so many other local activities, these events are coordinated by a cohesive assortment of City staff teamed with volunteers from the many vibrant clubs and organizations. While respecting its illustrious past, the City of South Pasadena looks forward to shaping its future.