Associate Planner

Monterey Park City of; Monterey Park (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Monterey Park is seeking an Associate Planner to support the Planning Division and Community Development Department in current and long-range planning efforts. You will work on land use projects, coordinate with boards and the public, and help implement city policies and regulations.

Ideal candidates have a Bachelor's degree in planning or related field and 3 years of professional planning experience, with knowledge of California planning laws, CEQA, and subdivision map act.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in planning, public administration, urban design or related field and three years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience.
• Knowledge of California planning laws, CEQA, Subdivision Map Act, and building and zoning regulations.
• Ability to interpret maps, codes, and ordinances; experience with land use analyses and public outreach is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develops short and long range plans.
• Provides technical and professional advice to staff and the public.
• Makes presentations to Boards and Commissions and community groups.
• Evaluates land use applications for conformity with plans and laws.
• Prepares data for studies, reports and recommendations.

Skills

Planning knowledge

Public relations

GIS

Oral/written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in planning, public administration, urban design or related field

Tools

GIS software

MS Office

Job description

THE POSITION

The Associate Planner, under the direction of the Planning Manager, performs a variety of routine to complex administrative, technical, and professional tasks in the current and long-range planning programs of the City related to the development and implementation of land use and related municipal plans and policies.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Community Development department is composed of three divisions: (1) Planning, (2) Building and Safety, and (3) Economic Development. The Planning Division provides staff support to the City Council and Planning Commission, formulating and administering plans, programs, design guidelines, and legislation for guiding the City’s development in a manner consistent with the community’s social, economic, and environmental goals. Projects currently under Planning review include mixed‑use developments along major commercial corridors, market rate and mixed‑income housing development projects, and business expansion projects furthering local job creation.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE

An ideal candidate is one who is results‑oriented, possesses great attitude, demonstrates creativity and innovation, works efficiently, shows a record of success, and has a passion for public service. Additionally, has knowledge of California planning laws, applicable building, housing, land use, and code enforcement laws, California Environmental Quality Act, and California Subdivision Map Act.

This recruitment is open to both current City employees and external candidates.

Duties Include, But Are Not Limited To The Following

• Develops short and long range plans
• Provides technical and professional advice to staff and the general public
• Makes presentations to Boards and Commissions, community groups and the general public
• Provides information on land use applications, ordinances, codes, plans and related planning programs
• Evaluates parcel maps and applications, variances, conditional use permits and other requests made to the planning division for conformity to established plans and ordinances, and applicable local, state and federal laws
• Evaluates environmental information and recommends mitigation measures to reduce adverse impacts of development
• Assists staff in the enforcement of local ordinances and interpreting City codes and master plans
• Gathers, interprets and prepares data for studies, reports and recommendations for planning and zoning research, surveys and special studies
• Assists in developing and implementing growth management, land use, economic development, utility, housing, transportation, facilities, solid waste or other technical and operational procedures and systems
• May staff commissions and committees as assigned
• Provides public information on planning matters and codes
• Assists in preparation of zoning ordinance amendments and legal matters affecting planning functions
• Conducts field investigations and plan checks to ensure compliance with zoning standards and City policies, ordinances and codes
• Prepares graphic displays and illustrations as necessary
• Writes and prepares grant applications components relating to geographic, maps, plats, site plans, etc.
• Attends professional development meetings, workshops and conferences to keep abreast of trends and developments in the field of municipal planning and zoning
• Performs other related duties as required

QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES

Any combination of experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: A Bachelor's degree in planning, public administration, urban design or related field and three years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience.

Knowledge Skills And Abilities

Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of planning, zoning and subdivision administration; public relations; municipal government functions; organization and functions of the various agencies involved in the planning process; applicable federal, state and county laws regulations; code enforcement procedures and practices; Extensive knowledge of planning programs and processes; Working knowledge of personal computers and GIS applications;

Skill in the area of drafting and designing, in the operation of personal computers, including word processing, various graphic design tools.

Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing; prepare effective reports; gain cooperation of public; determine procedures for handling unique problems; plan and organize work; explain new procedures; interpret written instructions and regulations; prepare graphic presentations; collect and analyze data; establish and maintain effective working relationships.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Possession of or ability to obtain a valid California motor vehicle operator's license is required at the time of appointment and as a continuing condition of employment.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

All applicants are required to submit a complete online City application. Applications must be accompanied by a resume describing experience, education, and training in relation to the requirements of the position; however, resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a City employment application. Applications that are submitted without a resume, or have unanswered supplemental questions, may be deemed incomplete and/or not considered.

The selection process may include but is not limited to the following components: application review and evaluation, written examination or exercise, and interview evaluation.

Tentative interview date is scheduled for September 24, 2026; subject to change.

Following is a summary of the provided benefits. For further information, refer to the unit's Salary Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding.

• HOLIDAYS: 116 hours of paid holidays per year.
• VACATION: 80 hours of vacation each year plus eight additional hours for each year served beginning with the employee's sixth anniversary to a maximum of 200 hours per year.
• SICK LEAVE: 96 hours of sick leave. Cash out and reimbursement options are available with restrictions. Automatic enrollment in catastrophic leave bank.
• MEDICAL INSURANCE: The City contributes up to $1,450/mo toward medical insurance for employees, eligible dependents and retirees. Employees have a variety of medical insurance plans to choose from. Those who waive City-paid medical coverage & present proof of insurance in a non-City employee's health insurance plan will receive $300/mo. cash in lieu.
• DENTAL INSURANCE: The City contributes up to $100/mo toward dental insurance for the employee & eligible dependents.
• VISION INSURANCE: The City contributes up to $30/mo toward vision insurance for employee and eligible dependents.
• LIFE INSURANCE: The City provides a $100,000 life insurance policy. Additional life insurance is available.
• LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE: The City pays the premium for long-term disability insurance for the employee.
• RETIREMENT: Employees are covered by the Public Employees' Retirement System at, 2.7%@55 (Classic), single highest year or 2%@62 (PEPRA), three average years, as determined by PEPRA. Classic members pay the full 8% and new members pay 7.25% of the employee contribution. The City does not participate in the Social Security System, except for the mandatory 1.45% Medicare contribution.
• EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Regular, full-time employees are eligible for participation in the Employee Assistance Program that provides confidential counseling and consultation services for family, stress, financial and legal issues.
• MEDICARE: Employees pay the mandatory 1.45% contribution.
• CREDIT UNION: F & A Credit Union is available to employees.
• DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Available to all employees who wish to participate. The City contributes up to $50 per pay period for enrolled employees.
• BILINGUAL PAY: $50.00/month for the ability to speak a qualified second language. An additional $100.00/month available for the ability to translate documents in a qualified second language.
• TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: Those who have passed probation are eligible for reimbursement up to $3,500 annually for approved courses & books at Cal-State LA University tuition rates.
• DRUG/ALCOHOL FREE WORKPLACE: It is the policy of the City of Monterey Park to maintain a drug and alcohol free workplace. Applicants for City employment are expected to comply.
• IMMIGRATION REFORM AND CONTROL ACT OF 1986: In compliance with IRCA of 1986, all new employees must verify identity and entitlement to work in the United States by providing required documentation.