Associate Planner

Under general supervision, performs professional-level current and/or long-range planning work involving the review, analysis, and processing of planning and development applications; conducts planning studies and research; provides information and assistance to applicants, developers, residents, and the general public regarding planning regulations, policies, and procedures; prepares staff reports and presentations; and performs related duties as assigned.

Associate Planner: This is the journey-level classification in the professional planning series. Positions at this level are distinguished from the Assistant Planner classification by the performance of the full range of professional planning duties with greater independence and responsibility.

Planners are expected to exercise sound professional judgment and apply well-developed knowledge of planning principles, practices, applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. Employees at this level generally receive limited supervision and are expected to independently manage assigned projects and planning applications, seeking guidance when particularly complex, sensitive, or unusual situations arise.

Receives general supervision from the Director of Building and Planning or other assigned management or supervisory staff.

May provide technical and functional guidance to lower-level planning staff, interns, consultants, or other assigned personnel. This classification does not typically exercise direct supervisory responsibility.

The intent of this position description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by the incumbent(s) in this position. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties in this description and incumbent(s) may be required to perform position-related tasks other than those specifically listed in this description.

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, essential functions may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodation will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer.

Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Prepare monthly agenda and packets for Planning Commission meetings.
• Transcribe Planning Commission minutes, set up meetings, and notify media of Planning Commission meetings.
• Participates in the review, development, amendment, or revision of various elements of the City’s General Plan, specific plans, municipal codes, annexations, and other policies and procedures.
• Compiles, analyzes, and interprets data to define environmental conditions, social, economic, and housing trends, community needs, and zoning problems; prepares maps, graphs, charts, and other visual aids to illustrate planning studies.
• Reviews, analyzes, and makes recommendations regarding conditional use permits, home occupancy permits, variances, zone changes, lot line adjustments, lot mergers, certificates of compliance, temporary use permits, sign permits, and business license applications.
• Attends meetings and public hearings; participates in various special projects to ensure planning and review activities are meeting the needs of the city.
• Prepares a variety of written communications, including analytical reports, correspondence, and drafts of revisions to local ordinances and planning policies and procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned. Conducts assignments involving current and long-range planning projects; confers with applicants and agency representatives to identify problems; evaluates data and proposes methods to resolve conflicting issues of plan implementation, zoning requirements, and environmental impact.
• Evaluates current development projects by detailed review of plans for architectural, zoning and general plan requirements; performs field surveys to identify problems and upon completion of projects to ensure conformance with applicable requirements, discusses recommendations with builders, developers, architects, and real estate professionals.
• Contributes to the review and revision of local ordinances; conducts research; prepares planning…