Assistant Planner

City of El Monte; El Monte (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

City of El Monte seeks an entry‑level planner to provide professional planning services to staff, property owners, developers, and the public. You will assist with land use studies, entitlements, zoning, and compliance with the General Plan and CEQA.

Under supervision, you will learn to prepare staff reports, coordinate meetings, review development plans, and conduct site visits. Qualifications include a bachelor’s in urban planning or related field and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; field: urban planning, geography, architecture, or related.
• Experience with land use, zoning, CEQA understanding.
• Ability to read plans and maps; knowledge of GIS.
• Knowledge of CEQA, zoning codes, General Plan.

Responsibilities

• Assist public counter and respond to planning inquiries.
• Manage entitlement projects and ensure deadlines.
• Review landscape and irrigation plans for compliance.
• Prepare staff reports for Planning Commission.
• Conduct site visits and field inspections.

Skills

GIS software

Urban planning knowledge

Data analysis

Customer service

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in urban planning or related field

Tools

GIS software

Job description

This recruitment may close before the deadline listed above or upon receipt of the first 75 application, whichever comes first.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, provides professional planning services for City staff, property owners, developers, contractors, and the general public; performs professional, technical, statistical, and analytical duties involving land use or other planning studies for a variety of public or private development projects; prepares and adheres to a variety of documents for compliance with federal, state, and local environmental and planning laws including the City’s General Plan, Zoning Code, and Design Guidelines; completes planning tasks and assignments with other staff; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from assigned management and supervisory personnel. Exercises no supervision of staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the first experienced level classification in the professional Planner series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn and perform basic and routine professional and technical planning work in current planning. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied, complex, and difficult; close supervision and frequent review of work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform the work independently. Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the Associate Planner level but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Provides information and assistance at the public counter, over the telephone, and via e-mail to the public, developers, property owners, business tenants, contractors, other departments, and outside agencies regarding land use, entitlements, planning inquiries, business occupancy, new construction, development policies, and processing procedures; interfaces with other departments and divisions including building, code enforcement, and engineering to address issues and answer inquiries; ensures submitted plans comply with zoning ordinances and the General Plan.
• Manages entitlement projects for commercial, industrial, and residential properties, zoning clearances, California Environmental Quality Act environmental studies, and documents for projects; ensures applicants understand the planning process; meets multiple deadlines to ensure projects are completed in a timely fashion.
• Reviews landscape and irrigation plans for private property developments for compliance with the municipal code’s landscape requirements, tree protection, and the state's water efficiency standards; reviews and makes recommendations to enhance the plant palette and irrigation as needed.
• Reviews and analyzes proposed minor development projects for conformance with adopted City plans, design/architectural guidelines and standards, applicable codes and ordinances, and other regulations; prepares recommendations on approval of such projects.
• Reviews and makes recommendations for tree removal permits and tree preservation plans on private property.
• Prepares staff reports and presentations for the Planning Commission and committee meetings.
• Schedules and coordinates project meetings for planning entitlement projects with applicants, developers, and property owners for project updates; meets and discusses projects with other department/divisions; schedules and coordinates other meetings as required.
• Reviews proposed tentative subdivision and parcel maps and recommends necessary revisions to meet City requirements.
• Conducts site visits and field inspections of proposed development projects, community areas, and entitlement projects to verify the appropriate construction of approved plans.
• Conducts research for land use, zoning, advanced planning, urban design, population trends, transportation, housing, economic, and environmental issues.
• Prepares maps using GIS software for division specific zoning and general plan; prepares maps for other departments and divisions, such as Public Works Engineering, Parks and Recreation, and Housing; collects data through U.S. Census or other databases to prepare maps.
• Prepares statistical tabulations, computations, charts, and graphs to illustrate planning studies in areas of population, transportation, traffic, land use, zoning, and subdivisions.
• Prepares and updates files and records.
• Observes and complies with City and mandated safety rules, regulations and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Modern principles, practices, and techniques of current and advanced planning, architecture, urban design, and landscaping.
• Applicable California laws related to general plans, subdivisions, zoning and development codes, building/housing codes, and environmental laws including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Permit Streamlining Act.
• Landscaping for specific plans and tree removal permits.
• Geographic Information Systems and their application to planning.
• State mandated water efficiency requirements.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Read and understand architectural plans.
• Perform mathematical calculations.
• Create graphics, either hand drawn and/or through use of computer software.
• Create maps utilizing GIS software.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Conduct inspections and make determinations of the general condition of a tree's health and structure.
• Identify and make recommendations based on plant and tree types in plans and out in the field.
• Conduct presentations at public hearings; present ideas and information in public and to internal and external customers.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems; read, interpret, and record data.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow‑up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience

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 a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, geography, architecture, or a closely related field.

Experience:

A minimum of one (1) year of professional experience in planning, zoning, architecture, or a related field.

Licenses and Certifications:

None

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

When assigned to an office environment, must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen and color vision to create and interpret color‑coded reports and spreadsheets; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; ability to stand and walk between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.

When assigned to field inspection, must possess mobility to work in changing site conditions; possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend, to climb and descend ladders; and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress. The job involves some fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 40 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees also work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, hazardous physical substances and fumes, dust and air contaminants. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

E-Verify

The City of El Monte is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of newly hired employees in the United States.