Planning Specialist

The City of San Ramon is recruiting for a Planning Specialist! The position will address the Divisions needs for both technical planning and administrative support.

The Ideal Candidate will be experienced in the following areas:

• Excellent customer service skills;
• Working knowledge of basic planning principles and business license process;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Basic clerical skills;
• Experience with data collection and organization;
• Understanding of basic design principles and concepts; and
• Ability to read and understand plans.

• Provides customer service by responding to public and agency inquiries by phone and at the counter; provides information regarding zoning and land use issues application procedures City codes policies and procedures.
• Review application submittals and materials to verify completeness under both State and local requirements.
• Review and process less complex development projects including administrative use permits sign permits tree removal permits home occupation permits etc.
• Assist planners in conducting and preparing statistical and research projects compiles zoning and planning related data as required; prepares a variety of correspondence.
• Maintains department records and files in the computerized permit tracking system.
• Prepares graphic and mapped data using computer-based mapping/GIS.
• Establishes positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations state/local agencies and associations City management staff and the public.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:
Basic principles and practices of local government planning and zoning laws and related planning matters. Use of architect and engineering scales. Statistics and simple data manipulation. Modern office practices methods and computer equipment and applications. Technical report writing practices and procedures. Principles and procedures of record keeping. English usage grammar spelling vocabulary and punctuation. Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public vendors contractors and City staff.

Ability to:
Participate as a team member in assigned work. Use excellent customer service skills including the ability to listen to and understand customer needs and courteously and completely respond to those needs. Learn and apply information and laws rules and regulations related to the duties and responsibilities routinely assigned other team members. Explain planning drawings maps specifications legal descriptions and ordinances and do necessary computations. Prepare clear and concise reports correspondence policies procedures and other written materials. Understand and follow oral and written instructions. 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.

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:

Education
Equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelors degree in City Planning Architecture Landscape Architecture Public Administration or related field

OR

Experience
One (1)year of responsible zoning and administration or related experience in a municipal planning department combined with college level course work in such subjects as city planning geography architecture engineering public administration and other related subjects. Experience in a public agency setting is desirable.

Licenses and Certifications

• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid California Drivers License by time of appointment. A valid California Drivers License is not a requirement for this position. However persons hired into this class who intend to drive their personal vehicle and/or a City vehicle as part of their job duties will be required to possess a valid California Drivers License; alternatively persons hired into this class could use alternative means of transportation as part of their job duties.

Interested candidates must complete an online application. Resumes cannot be substituted for a completed application.

• The most qualified candidates as determined by initial screening of applications will be invited to a panel interview.
• Panel Interviews are tentatively scheduled for Early-August 2025.
• The eligibility list will be established from the interview process. Individuals on the eligibility list may be asked to participate in a second round of interviews based on specific individual qualifications and the Citys needs. The eligibility list will remain in effect for one (1) year for potential future vacancies.