Assistant Planner
City of Sacramento
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Job summary
City of Sacramento requires an Assistant Planner in the Design Review Section to evaluate development projects against Design Review Guidelines, the General Plan, and Zoning Code citywide. You will prepare staff reports, review site plans, and communicate with public stakeholders.
The ideal candidate has an eye for design, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines while contributing to urban planning and policy initiatives.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in urban planning or related field.
- Master's degree may substitute for required experience.
- Two years of professional planning experience.
- Ability to use GIS, spreadsheets, databases and word processors.
Responsibilities
- Review and analyze proposed development projects for conformance with city plans and guidelines.
- Prepare recommendations on approval of projects.
- Coordinate with other departments and agencies.
- Present data in reports for officials and committees.
- Assist in developing goals and coordinating department activities.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
With supervisor approval, incumbents may be eligible for intermittent remote work; however, they must physically reside within the Sacramento region or have the ability to regularly report to a City of Sacramento physical worksite with little notice.
The Community Development Department is seeking an Assistant Planner with an interest in design and the built environment by joining the Design Review Section. This is a dynamic, fast-paced position that will review a variety of projects for conformance with Design Review Guidelines and Standards, General Plan and Zoning Code requirements citywide. The position will work with multiple departments and disciplines, community members, and neighborhood groups to achieve successful developments. This position performs a variety of tasks related to researching and writing staff reports; processes site development plans and designs; and provides planning information to the public. This position will require a California Class C Driver's License.
The ideal candidate will have an eye for design, pays attention to detail, and is development oriented. They will have good interpersonal skills that can integrate into our positive team dynamics, supporting common Planning Division goals. The candidate should have a fundamental understanding of principles and practices of architectural design, site layout, and planning within urban environments. They will have the ability to demonstrate strong organizational skills, manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously, establish and maintain schedules, and contribute effectively as a collaborative team member.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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:
Equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning or a closely related field.
One year of professional planning. A Master's degree in Urban Planning or a closely related field may substitute for the required experience.
Additional years of professional planning experience beyond the minimum may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
Should education be used to qualify for this position, then proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.
An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential's evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.
- 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.
- 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.
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:
Equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning or a closely related field.
Two years of professional planning experience performing duties comparable to those of an Assistant Planner in the City of Sacramento,
- OR -
One year of experience performing duties comparable to those of an Assistant Planner in the City of Sacramento AND a Master's degree in Urban Planning or a closely related field.
Additional years of professional planning experience beyond the minimum may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
- Driver License: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License at the time of appointment
Employees must complete twelve (12) months of probation at a satisfactory performance level prior to gaining permanent status.
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