Associate Planner

With supervisor approval incumbents may be eligible for intermittent remote work;however they must physicallyresidewithin the Sacramento region orhave the ability toregularly report to a City of Sacramento physical worksite with little notice.

The Community Development Department is seeking an Associate Planner to join the Zoning Administration Section of the Planning Division. This position will focus on supporting the administration and upkeep of the Citys Planning and Development Code. Additionally this position will lead and/or support special projects related to the implementation of planning policies and City Council direction. This work originates from new state laws an annual department work program staffinitiated updates and the City Council including their Law & Legislation Committee. The position will also assume a supportive role over improvements to the systems and content of customerfacing aspects of the Citys Planning and Development Code.

ASSISTANT PLANNER / ASSOCIATE PLANNER

To perform professional technical statistical and analytical duties involving land use or other planning studies for a variety of public or private development projects. The scope of assignments includes project management work land use studies policy development recommendation revision or implementation and preparation of a variety of documents for compliance with state or federal environmental laws.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Assistant Planner

The class of Assistant Planner is distinguished from Associate Planner by performing less complex to moderately difficult project management work. Incumbents in this class may work independently on assignments but generally do not have the responsibility for team leadership. Positions are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the Junior Planner class.

Associate Planner

The class of Associate Planner is distinguished from that of Assistant Planner by the greater complexity of assignments received and the advanced planning project management work. Associate Planners manage projects with greater independence and limited supervision and lead project teams made up of individuals from various technical disciplines. Positions are flexibly staffed and are normally filled from the Assistant Planner class.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

General direction is provided by a manager who is usually a Senior Planner. Associate Planners may provide direct or indirect supervision and training of other subordinate technicians planners or interns. The Assistant Planner usually does not perform direct or indirect supervision of staff.

Depending upon assignment duties performed by the Assistant Planner may include but are not limited to the following:

• Review and analyze proposed minor development projects for conformance with adopted City plans design/architectural guidelines and standards applicable codes and ordinances and other regulations and prepares recommendations on approval of such projects.
  
• Review proposed tentative subdivision and parcels maps and recommend necessary revisions to meet City requirements.
  
• Evaluate the environmental effects of proposed projects and prepare or supervise the preparation of environmental documents.
  
• Conduct onsite investigations of proposed development projects or community areas.
  
• Provide information to the public on City of Sacramento requirements related to City planning policies and procedures.
  
• Prepare and present data in the form of written graphic or oral reports for use by elected and appointed officials special committees or community organizations involved in planning matters.
  
• Assist in the coordination of departmental activities with other City departments and divisions and with outside agencies.
  
• Participate in special projects and perform related duties as assigned.
  
• Negotiate prepare and manage consultant contracts.
  
• Facilitate discussion groups to aid in building consensus and resolve conflicts on projects and policy matters under supervision of a Planning Manager.
  
• Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed may necessarily be performed by each individual holding this classification.

• Compile and analyze data and make recommendations on complex planning matters involving issues related to land use traffic parking aesthetics environment landscaping energy and preservation.
  
• Review and analyze proposed major development projects for conformance with adopted City plans City design/architectural guidelines and standards applicable codes and ordinances and other regulations; prepare recommendations on approval of such projects.
  
• Review criteria for various Federal and State grants and prepare necessary reports.
  
• Develop work programs budgets scope of work and time estimates.
  
• Program coordinate and oversee the work of other planners and individuals from other disciplines and sectors as their work relates to completion of a project.
  
• Supervise and train staff as assigned and provide technical advice to subordinate staff.
  
• Prepare analyze and interpret recommendations of new revisions and existing City regulations policies and procedures.
  
• Assist in the development and implementation of goals objectives policies and priorities.
  
• Confer with and conduct meetings with elected and appointed officials other City departments members of the public neighborhood organizations and developers to explain policies procedures proposed development proposed regulations and policies and code enforcement.
  
• Represent the City in community and official meetings with other City departments organizations and professional groups on planning matters.
  
• Facilitate discussion groups to aid in building consensus and resolve conflicts on projects and policy matters.
  
• Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual.

Assistant Planner

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of local urban planning environmental planning economics public administration and/or other related disciplines as applied to urban planning.
  
• Research techniques sources and availability of information methods of report presentation and basic project management skills.
  
• State and federal planning and environmental laws.
  
• Computer applications such as GIS spreadsheets databases word processors.

Ability to:

• Prepare required maps and other graphic material; evaluate statistical data and present facts and conclusions clearly in written and oral form.
  
• Conduct meetings with other public agencies or citizens groups.
  
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public.
  
• Read and understand architectural plans.
  
• Understand and apply the adopted City plans code ordinances and other materials in evaluating specific projects or plan elements.
  
• Work with interested parties to resolve issues related to planning and policy projects.
  
• Build consensus among diverse groups.
  
• Learn new computer software programs.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:
Equivalent to a Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning or a closely related field.

Experience:
One year of professional planning. A Masters degree in Urban Planning or a closely related field may substitute for the required experience.

Substitution
Additional years of professional planning experience beyond the minimum may be substituted for the required education on a yearforyear basis.

Associate Planner

In addition to the qualifications for Assistant Planner:

Knowledge of:

• Regulations and procedures affecting local planning agencies.
  
• Specific comprehensive knowledge of one or more activity areas utilized in urban planning and advanced project management skills.

Ability to:

• Program and manage projects and lead project teams; motivate individuals assigned to a project team.
  
• Present written and oral reports representing Department positions to elected and appointed officials special committees or community organizations.
  
• Identify and define issues and solve problems.
  
• Build consensus among diverse groups.
  
• Manage multiple projects at one time.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:
Equivalent to a Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning or a closely related field.

Experience:
Two years of professional planning experience performing duties comparable to those of an Assistant Planner in the City of Sacramento

To see the classification specification for the comparable classification of Assistant Planner please clickhere.

OR

One year of experience performing duties comparable to those of an Assistant Planner in the City of Sacramento AND a Masters degree in Urban Planning or a closely related field.

Substitution
Additional years of professional planning experience beyond the minimum may be substituted for the required education on a yearforyear basis.