Associate Planner

Firm: City of Walnut Creek
Location:
Walnut Creek

Payment: Paid
Category: Community Development
Contact: Apply Online
jobs@ci.walnut-creek.ca.us

Posted: Dec 5, 2013

All applicants must apply online at www.walnut-creek.org to be eligible for consideration.

There is one limited term, full-time vacancy in the City’s Planning Division of the Community Development Department. This benefited limited duration position is funded for one year only. This position is designated as “at-will” under City rules; the incumbent will serve in an exempt status at the pleasure of the City Manager.

The ideal candidate will have a zeal for public service, strong current planning skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills and project management capability. The position requires a strong working knowledge of federal, state and local law as it pertains to city planning; the ability to perform moderate to complex planning studies and proposal reviews, ability to make effective oral and written presentations using state of the art technology; ability to interpret and apply complex guidelines; and to establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships while ensuring quality customer service and efficient project management.

The position will be primarily working on current planning projects but work may include some aspects of long-range studies. The Associate Planner will be preparing professional staff reports; making oral presentations to the public and elected and appointed decision makers; interpreting planning policies, state laws and local ordinances; explaining City procedures in person, over the phone and in writing; drafting a variety of written documents including letters, reports, ordinances, amendments to ordinances, and California Environmental Quality Act documents; working extensively on the computer to manage current planning case-loads, prepare maps, analyze data, create graphics, research on the Internet, and communicate with others through e-mail.

The position requires graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in urban planning, architecture, public administration or a related field, and a minimum of two years of experience in professional municipal planning; or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the knowledge and skills listed below:

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of urban planning and zoning and skill in applying these principles and practices to local problems.
Thorough knowledge of federal, state and local laws related to planning, zoning, housing, transportation planning, environmental planning, and land use control.
Thorough knowledge of the California Environmental Quality Act.
Skill in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data pertaining to planning and zoning situations and studies
Knowledge of standard computer software related to the work; knowledge of or capacity to learn to use permit processing software, Geographic Information System software, database software, and graphics software.
Skill in communicating effectively, orally and in writing.
Skill in understanding and interpreting maps, plans, building elevations, specifications, and legal descriptions.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with others.
Skill in creating word processing documents, sending e-mails, and researching topics on the Internet.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Possession of or ability to obtain, prior to employment, a Class C California Driver’s License and a good driving record.

Apply immediately for consideration. Applicants must apply online by 5:00 p.m. on December 20, 2013 at www.walnut-creek.org to be eligible for consideration. Applicants possessing the MOST DESIRABLE qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process, which will include an oral appraisal interview tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, January 8, 2014. All applicants will be notified by email as to whether or not they are invited to participate further in the selection process. In addition, applicants can log on to their account and check their current status online.

Applicants considered for appointment to this position will be subject to fingerprinting and a thorough criminal background check.

If special accommodations are necessary at any stage of the examination process, please provide the Human Resources Division with advance notice and every attempt will be made to consider your request.

Please see the class specification, Associate Planner, at www.walnut-creek.org for a complete description of this classification's representative duties, requirements, working conditions, and physical requirements.