Assistant/Associate Planner

City of San Marino; San Marino (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established city in California is seeking a dedicated Associate Planner or Assistant Planner to join its Community Development Department. This role involves reviewing construction plans, managing permits, and ensuring compliance with local regulations. Ideal candidates will possess strong interpersonal skills and a solid understanding of urban planning principles. The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the vibrant community of San Marino, known for its beautiful residential areas and commitment to high-quality services. Join a team that values customer service and community engagement, and make a difference in local development projects.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of urban planning principles and practices.
• Ability to interpret building and zoning codes.

Responsibilities

• Assist at the public counter with planning inquiries.
• Review development plans for compliance with zoning requirements.
• Prepare reports and make presentations to committees.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Urban Planning Principles

Building Code Administration

Environmental Analysis

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Planning

Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration

Bachelor's Degree in Geography

Bachelor's Degree in Architecture

Tools

Office Software

Research Techniques

Job description

This recruitment is subject to close without advance notice.

Interview Date: TBD

Competitive Wages:

4% COLA increases effective July 1, 2025 and July 1, 2026

The Community Development Department is looking for an enthusiastic, excellent interpersonal skills, dedicated,knowledgeable, and customer service-oriented professional to join our team. If you are interested in joining a team that is motivated and committed to delivering the highest level of customer service, apply today!The department is responsible for administering and enforcing local and state regulations applicable to construction on private property within the city. Included in this responsibility is the review of construction plans, issuance of permits and field inspection of projects from foundation through final completion of buildings.The department plays the major role in ensuring conformance with city ordinances, state laws, and promoting property maintenance.

Situated 12 miles from the majestic foothill mountains, the beautiful City of San Marino, California, with a population of approximately 13,000 is located northeast of Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Valley. Incorporated in 1913, San Marino is primarily a residential community known for expansive properties surrounded by beautiful gardens, wide streets, well- maintained parkways, and top- performing schools. A city of 3.75 square miles, the City is home to numerous recreational and cultural opportunities that complement all interests. Residents and visitors enjoy hiking in the foothill mountains, exhibits at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, historical culture and art galleries at the Old Mill (El Molino Viejo), and recreational activities at the historic Lacy Park. Other recreational activities include shopping and dining in the delightful business districts along Mission Street and Huntington Drive. With a focus on resident services and community engagement, the City of San Marino is recognized for its police and fire services, library, parks and community amenities, and planning and zoning that maintain the community’s high-quality residential character.

DEFINITION

Associate Planner-

The Associate Planner functions under the Senior Planner and under the direction of the Community Development Director.

Assistant Planner-

The Assistant Planner functions under the Senior Planner and under the direction of the Community Development Director.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Associate Planner-

The Associate Planner is the journey level position in the professional planning series that performs routine professional level work in the field of current planning and advanced planning, environmental analysis, and building code administration.Assistant Planner-The Assistant Planner is an entry-level position in the professional planning series that performs routine professional level work in the field of current and advanced planning, environmental analysis, and building code administration.Associate Planner/Assistant Planner

The duties, skills, and 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 a disability to perform the essential duties, skills, and demands.

Duties:

• Provides assistance at the public counter on inquiries and requests regarding the City's planning functions and procedures for obtaining building permits.
• Reviews development plans for construction of single-family homes and commercial buildings; explains the City's zoning requirements and procedures to contractors, architects and homeowners for applications to the Design Review Committee and Planning Commission.
• Participates in the preparation of initial studies and in the preparation of, or review of environmental impact Reports.
• Provides primary staff support to the Design Review Committee; compiles information and makes recommendations on special studies and prepares routine planning reports.
• Assists in making presentations to the Planning Commission, City Council, and various committees and advisory boards as directed.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Associate Planner-

• Participates in zoning enforcement and administration; assists in reviewing development proposals; research and drafts ordinances for review.
• Assists in coordinating City planning activities with outside departments.
• May provide supervisory responsibilities over subordinate personnel.

Assistant Planner-

• Research and drafts ordinances for review; and assists in coordinating City planning activities with outside departments.

Any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential job duties of the position is qualifying.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Associate Planner/Assistant Planner

Knowledge of

• Basic principles and practices of urban planning; current literature, information sources and research techniques in the field of urban planning; and major types of construction materials and techniques.
• California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); California Planning, Zoning, ad Development Laws; and basic principles of Building and Zoning Codes, environmental laws and regulations.
• Supervisory and management practices and procedures.
• Modern office practices, procedures, methods and equipment.

Skills/Abilities

• Retain and interpret building and zoning codes and City ordinances related to the Community Development Department activities; interpret technical building codes, ordinances, plans and specifications with increasing independence.
• Apply environmental laws and regulations and methods of assessment; analyze and compile technical and statistical information and prepare reports; interpret planning and zoning programs to the general public.
• Review and understand architectural, grading, topographical and related drawings; conduct research, prepare detailed narrative reports, perform complex numerical analysis and sort/file documents.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Operate a computer, software programs, and other modern office equipment.
• Respond to the public's and staff's requests for assistance both on the phone and in person; and deal effectively with the public while working at the front counter.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, property owners, contractors, architects, engineers, attorneys, members of the public, and with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Observe safety rules; sit for up to two hours at a time, stand, stoop or bend for long periods of time; drive to and from construction sites and conduct field inspections; lift up to 15 pounds; get from one location to another, including climbing stairs, in the course of doing business.

Assistant Planner-
Conduct, research, prepare detailed narrative reports, perform complex numerical analysis and sort/file documents; make oral presentations.

• Review and understand architectural, grading, topographical and related drawings.

Education and Experience:

Any combination equivalent to the education and experience likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to gain such knowledge and abilities would be:

Associate Planner-
Education

• A bachelor's degree in planning, public administration, geography, architecture or closely related field.

Experience

• Two (2) years of fulltime related experience in the position of Assistant Planner or any equivalent.

Licenses/Certificates

• Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license.

Assistant Planner-
Education

• A bachelor's degree in planning, public administration, geography, architecture or closely related field.

Experience

• Six months of fulltime related experience or any equivalent.

Licenses/Certificates

• Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Physical demands
The physical demands described 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.

Employee spends 80% working in an office environment and is regularly required to sit at a desk and in meetings for long periods of time; to stand at the counter for long periods of time; talk or listen, in person, in meetings and by telephone; use hands and fingers to handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms. Intermittently, twist to reach equipment, surrounding desk; walk to observe construction activities; bend and squat to perform file searches; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; operate an automobile, and frequently enter and exit an automobile, to attend various meetings and go on inspections. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception, the ability to adjust focus.

Work environment
Characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job indoors, the work environment is generally in a temperature-controlled office. Noise levels in the work environment is usually moderate but the employee may occasionally be exposed to high level noises including but not limited to emergency vehicle sirens, telephones and other office equipment. The employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; analyze planning and building services, and technical reports; research and write staff reports and other documents; knows laws, regulations and codes; explain and interpret codes, policies and while performing duties, procedures; interact with City management, other governmental officials, contractors, vendors, employees and the public.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee spends 80% working in an office environment and is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; analyze planning and building services, and technical reports; research and write staff reports and other documents; knows laws, regulations and codes; explain and interpret codes, policies and procedures; interact with City management, other governmental officials, contractors, vendors, employees and the public. The work environment is generally in a temperature-controlled office. Noise levels in the work environment is usually moderate but the employee may occasionally be exposed to high level noises including but not limited to emergency vehicle sirens, telephones and other office equipment.