Associate Planner

Salary : $7,469.00 - $9,326.00 Monthly
Location : City of Cerritos, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: FT062425
Department: Community Development
Division: Current Planning
Opening Date: 03/28/2025

Description
See what current employees have to say about their experience in Cerritos!

Under direction of the Planning Supervisor (Senior Planner) or Planning Manager, performs a variety of professional-level planning functions related to development projects, planning approvals/building permits, transportation, housing, and economic development; plans, prepares, and proposes appropriate usage of land, buildings, facilities, and infrastructures affecting and serving the City of Cerritos; conducts inspections; prepares and sends correspondence related to development projects, housing, transportation, business licenses, and zoning; implements and reviews proposed projects or transactions to ensure compliance with applicable codes, policies, and guidelines; develops and presents to the Planning Commission, City Council, and other organizations; monitors state legislation for application to planning processes and practices; performs related work as required.

Examples of Duties

• Prepares and presents advanced and complex analysis and recommendations for a variety of the City's planning functions and activities; drafts, plans, and evaluates planning projects at design and construction phases.
• Conducts and implements design review and entitlement processing for a variety of projects, including residential, commercial, wireless telecommunications, and industrial developments.
• Processes and reviews specifications and plans, conditional use permits, subdivisions, business licenses, lot line adjustments, lot mergers, certificates of compliance, building permit applications, and administrative approvals.
• Develops and delivers agenda reports, ordinances, resolutions, and presentations to the Cerritos Planning Commission and City Council; develops and drafts staff reports and corresponding exhibits.
• Monitors and coordinates activities for the City's affordable senior housing program; conducts compliance review of resale transactions at senior housing developments; provides case management for pending resale cases; updates affordable housing reports and records; drafts correspondence and documents for housing cases.
• Reviews and evaluates development proposals for conformance with City ordinances, policies, codes, building plans, architectural designs, landscape plans, parcels, tract maps, and other related documents.
• Prepares and reviews documents related to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines.
• Conducts site inspections at residential, commercial and industrial properties; ensures sites are in compliance with zoning and related ordinances, policies, guidelines, and criteria.
• Responds to inquiries and requests for information at planning counter.
• Processes occupancy requests for commercial and industrial developments; inspects to evaluate on-site improvements that may be required by the City's development code; researches, compiles information, and conducts site visits for preparation of special reports related to general planning work.
• Responds to information, applications, and requests for information regarding the City's housing and transportation programs; guides and advises residents with information via phone, email, or in person at counter.
• Coordinates with City Clerk's Office to notarize and record affordable housing program documents for resale cases.
• Oversees and monitors the City's transportation programs.
• Manages and supports City's Title VI and Transit Asset Management programs; processes sales transactions for bus passes.
• Reviews and compiles Cerritos on Wheels (COW) and Dial-A-Ride monthly reports; receives and processes Dial-A-Ride applications; documents complaints in the COW/Dial-A-Ride Customer Complaint Form.
• Gathers and compiles list of businesses qualifying for Business Spotlight Award; prepares nomination letters for businesses that qualify for the award; edits and proofreads biographies of recipient of the Business Spotlight Award.
• Serves as the City's Business Ombudsman; addresses questions from the public regarding available commercial properties in the City.
• Manages business retention and attraction efforts in furtherance of economic development goals and objectives of the City.
• Assists in the preparation of General Plan, Development Map, and Municipal Code amendments.
• In conjunction with the Tree Division, the Associate Planner processes, implements, and manages the City's Residential and Commercial Tree Removal and Replacement Program

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs related work as required.
• This position may require occasional evening or weekend work for public meetings, community events, and other special projects.

Typical Qualifications
Knowledge of:

• Symbols, techniques and instruments used in plan review.
• California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
• Methods of research and analysis.
• Interpreting zoning and code requirements.
• Computer software programs, including permitting and graphic design programs.
• Laws governing land development, subdivision, general plans, zoning, and environmental planning.
• General concepts of architecture, landscaping, grading, drainage, traffic engineering, and acoustical analysis to interpret and communicate with these professions as they relate to the planning process.
• Local, regional, and state legislation impacting the City from various fields, including planning, housing, economic development, transportation, etc.
• Economic development best practices and tools for business retention and expansion, as well as attraction.

Ability to:

• Write well, demonstrating an organized thought process and a clear articulation of ideas and concepts.
• Analyze and comprehend written and oral statistical reports and correspondence.
• Read, comprehend, and analyze source material on planning, land use, environmental, social, economic or architectural topics. Critique common technical studies, such as those on noise, air quality and traffic.
• Develop logical conclusions based on thorough research of source material, opinions, and laws.
• Formulate sound and supportable staff positions on a variety of technical topics.
• Learn and apply technical terms, legal requirements, established procedures, and organizational policies.
• Respond to questions regarding planning issues; interpret planning and development standards.
• Manage assignments adhering to established timelines.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships and communications with the public, other City personnel, elected, and/or appointed officials and outside agencies.
• Work effectively and independently.
• Assist in the preparation, review, and implementation of long-term planning projects, including comprehensive plans, neighborhood plans, and zoning regulations.
• Evaluate land use proposals, zoning applications, and development projects to ensure compliance with the city's planning policies and regulations.
• Prepare and present planning reports, staff recommendations, and presentations for City Council, Planning Commission, and other boards or committees.
• Conduct research and data collection related to land use, demographic trends, housing, transportation, and environmental impact.
• Collaborate with other departments and stakeholders to address urban development challenges and promote sustainable community growth.
• Assist in processing building permits, subdivision applications, variances, and conditional use permits.
• Review development proposals to ensure adherence to city codes and community standards, offering recommendations for improvements or adjustments.
• Engage with community members, businesses, and local organizations to gather input on planning projects and initiatives.
• Support the city's outreach efforts, attending public meetings, workshops, and hearings to communicate planning strategies and gather public feedback.
• Provide technical support to senior planners in implementing zoning ordinances and development guidelines.

Minimum Qualifications: Education and Experience

• Education: Bachelor's degree in City Planning, Public Administration, Urban and Regional Planning, Geography, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or related field.
• Experience: Three (3) years of progressively responsible planning experience.

Physical and Environmental Condition
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is performed indoors and outdoors.
• Possible exposure to the elements and the incumbent may be exposed to heat and cold.
• Sitting for prolonged periods of time using a computer keyboard and screen.
• Standing, walking, twisting, reaching, bending, crouching, and kneeling.
• Climbing ladders or step stools.
• Driving a vehicle on City business.
• Grasping, pushing, pulling, dragging, and lifting boxes and files weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Mobility, vision, hearing, and dexterity levels appropriate to the duties to be performed.

Required Licenses and Certificates

• Possess a valid California class "C" driver's license.

Supplemental Information
ANNUAL VACATION - After 6 months of continuous services, each employee is eligible for a vacation of 6 days. After five years of continuous services and employee is eligible for a vacation of 17 days, with an annual accrual up to a maximum of 22 days.

HOLIDAYS - The City of Cerritos recognizes 11 holidays, plus one floating holiday designated by the employee.

SICK LEAVE - The City provides all paid sick leave. Sick leave with pay for all non-exempt employee shall accrue at the rate of one working day for each full calendar month of the employee's service and any such leave may accrue without limit. At termination, the City will compensate the employee leaving City service for one-half of all accrued sick leave earned.

HEALTH PLANS - All employees and their dependents are provided with a contribution to a comprehensive group health plan. The City will contribute monthly to active employees the cost of PERS Platinum family coverage which can be applied towards any PERS insurance plan.

DENTAL and VISION PLAN - All employees and their dependents are covered through Delta Dental and Vision Services Program (VSP).

RETIREMENT - Retirement benefits are under the provisions of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). The City does not participate in Social Security. Your PERS benefit may affect your Social Security benefit. For more information please refer to Social Security publications. All employees are subject to the mandatory 1.45% Medicare contribution.

TRAINING AND EDUCATION REIMBURSEMENT - Participation in the City's Educational Reimbursement Program is available to all non-probationary City employees who wish to undertake independent studies to improve their job skills. The City provides $3,500 per year for tuition reimbursement.

LONG-TERM DISABILITY - Employees are provided benefits under a Long-Term Disability Plan after the expiration of an appropriate waiting period.

SHORT-TERM DISABILITY - Employees may purchase benefits under a Short-Term Disability Plan after the expiration of an appropriate waiting period.

CREDIT UNION - Membership with F&A Federal Credit Union is available to all employees.

LIFE INSURANCE - All employees are covered by a term life insurance policy.

NO-SMOKING POLICY - A no-smoking policy has been adopted in all City facilities to promote a health-based, smokeless workplace as part of the City's commitment to a pollution-free environment.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION - The City offers a voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan for an additional tax-deferred savings option incentive as an additional benefit provided and/or available to employees.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - The City of Cerritos is and Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability.

ALTERNATE WORK SCHEDULE - The City of Cerritos is currently negotiating a 9/80 an optional alternate work schedule for certain positions.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK - Applicants will be required as a prerequisite to employment to successfully pass a criminal background check in accordance with City policy, which may include live scan and other job-related criminal background investigation. The cost of the criminal background check will be paid by the City.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION - Applicants will be required as a prerequisite to employment to successfully pass a physical and drug screening examination, the cost of which will be paid by the City.

Note: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.
01

Why are you applying for this position?
02

Do you currently possess a valid California Class C Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have a Bachelor's degree in City Planning, Public Administration, Urban and Regional Planning, Geography, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or a related field.
04

I have attached a copy of my degree.

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have at least three (3) years of progressively responsible City planning experience?
Required Question