Associate Planner

City of Monterey Park; Monterey Park (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Monterey Park is seeking an Associate Planner to support current and long-range planning efforts under the Planning Manager. The role involves developing land use plans, reviewing applications, and presenting findings to boards and the public.

The ideal candidate holds a bachelor's degree in planning or related field with several years of professional planning experience, plus knowledge of California planning laws and GIS. A valid CA driver’s license is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in planning, public administration, urban design or related field; plus three years of professional planning experience.
• Thorough knowledge of planning, zoning and subdivision administration; federal, state and local laws; and code enforcement procedures.
• Drafting and designing skills; proficiency with personal computers and GIS applications; and word processing/graphic design tools.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; ability to prepare reports, explain procedures, and build consensus; and project planning/organization skills.
• Valid California driver’s license required at appointment and as a condition of employment.

Responsibilities

• Develops short and long range plans.
• Provides technical and professional advice to staff and the public.
• Gives presentations to boards, commissions and community groups.
• Reviews land use applications, ordinances and plans for conformity with laws and policies.
• Gathers and analyzes data for planning studies and recommendations.
• Assists in field investigations and plan checks for zoning compliance.
• Prepares graphics, maps and grant applications related to planning.
• Keeps abreast of trends through professional development.

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

Duties include, but is 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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.