Associate Planner

City of Oceanside, CA; Oceanside (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Oceanside is seeking an Associate Planner to assist in long-range planning and its implementation of guiding policies and current development efforts in project review; prepares written reports, conducts research, compiles data, and coordinates with staff and outside consultants on use permits, development plans and coastal permits.

This position offers a fast-paced, supportive environment with opportunities to work on varied entitlements from single to multi-entitlement and

Qualifications

• Three years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience.
• One year in a related field may substitute for planning experience.
• Bachelor's degree in planning, geography or related field.
• Master's degree in planning is desirable; AICP membership desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist in long-range planning and implementation of guiding policies.
• Evaluate application proposals and prepare technical reports.
• Develop and conduct research; compile land use, economic and environmental data.
• Prepare written recommendations and supervise graphic displays.
• Process use permits, development plans and coastal permits; liaise with citizens and committees.
• Present items to Planning Commission and City Council.

Skills

City planning

Zoning knowledge

Data analysis

Report writing

Project coordination

Public engagement

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in planning/geography

Master's in planning (desirable)

Tools

GIS

Job description

THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

The City of Oceanside is accepting applications for the position of Associate Planner. There is currently one vacancy in the Planning Division within the Development Services Department. This position offers the ability to work on a variety of complex development projects ranging in complexity form single entitlement to multi-entitlement with environmental review ranging from categorically exempt to EIR review, in a high pace, supportive environment. The City of Oceanside offers excellent benefits and plenty of time off to rest, and relax.

The Associate Planner assists in both the overall coordination of the City's long-range planning and its implementation of guiding policies and current development efforts in project review; evaluation of application proposals and understanding of technical information; prepares written correspondence and detailed technical reports; develops and conducts research and investigations on planning problems; compiles and analyzes land use, economic, social, and environmental data; prepares written recommendations and supervises the preparation of graphic displays; processes use permits, development plans and coastal permits; provides assistance to citizen regarding zoning and land use issues; serves as staff to various City and citizen committees as assigned; presents items to Planning Commission and City Council; may coordinate and assign duties to others in the department.

Knowledge of:

• Modern principles, practices and techniques of City planning, zoning and community development.
• Research methods as applied to the collection and analysis of data pertinent to planning, zoning and community development.
• The legal background of zoning and community development.
• Principles and practices of site design and review, geography, basic architecture and statistics.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations.
• Modern office procedures, methods and equipment including computers and applicable software applications.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.

Ability to:

• Analyze and systematically compile technical and statistical information and prepare reports.
• Meet and deal effectively with other public officials, developers, landowners, contractors, the public and staff.
• Interpret land use, topographic, population distribution, physical and natural features maps.
• Negotiate solutions to complex development problems.
• Work with and serve as a City liaison with outside consultants.
• Prepare clear, concise and logical verbal and written reports.
• Effectively lead the work of other Planners.
• Maintain and update accurate records and files.
• Perform basic arithmetic calculations accurately.
• Work independently and efficiently to carry out assignments.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Experience and Training

Experience:

Three years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience. One (1) year of professional experience in a related field (e.g, environmental, geologic, or GIS) may be substituted for one year of planning experience.

Training:

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning, geography or a related field.

Master's degree in planning is desirable. Full membership in American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable.

Environmental Conditions:

Office environment; exposure to computer screens; extensive public contact.

Physical Conditions:

Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting and standing for prolonged periods of time; speaking and hearing to exchange information; visual acuity to read and interpret specifications and drawings.

Selection Process:

All properly completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. Failure to provide all required application material will result in disqualification from the selection process. The process may include any combination of a written exam, oral exam, application appraisal based on training and experience, and/or skills assessment to further evaluate job related experience and skills. Candidates who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on an eligibility list and will remain eligible for employment consideration for a minimum of six months.