Associate Planner

Salary : $98,598.86 - $119,847.94 Annually
Location : The City of Pinole, CA
Job Type: Full Time Regular Appointment, 40 hour workweek
Job Number: 2025 (4/17-4/30) Assoc Planner
Department: Community Development Department
Opening Date: 04/17/2025
Closing Date: 4/30/2025 12:00 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: AFSCME

DEFINITION
Performs professional-level current and advanced planning activities, including conducting a variety of studies and preparing staff reports and enforcing zoning and subdivision ordinances for the City; provides information and assistance to property owners, developers, contractors and the public; provides professional assistance to the Planning Director, the City Council and Planning Commission and others in areas of expertise; performs related work as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
This single-position class receives general supervision from the Planning Manager. No direct supervision is exercised, however, technical direction and work instruction and/or review may be provided to staff on a project basis.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
The Associate Planner is an experienced level planning class, with responsibilities spanning the entire spectrum of the planning function, but with a primary emphasis on current planning and issues in a developing City. Successful performance of the work requires an extensive professional background as well as skills in coordinating work with those of other City departments and public agencies. This class is distinguished from other City professional Project Management classes by its emphasis on planning, design review and code and ordinance conformance issues for development projects.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

• Performs professional level work in the field of current and advanced planning, zoning and design review.
• Reviews applications for residential, commercial and industrial development; evaluates alternatives and conformance with City policies, ordinances, the General Plan and state and federal laws; prepares and presents staff reports to the Planning Commission and the City Council regarding such applications.
• Reviews applications for zoning variances, business licenses, use permits and other occupancies for conformance to applicable ordinances and policies.
• Assists the Planning Commission and City Council in the continued maintenance and adaptation of the General Plan for the future development of the City as it relates to area wide planning.
• Confers with and provides information to property owners, contractors, developers, engineers, architects and the public regarding conformance to standards, plans, specifications and codes; explains codes, requirements and procedures and evaluates alternatives.
• Coordinates the development application process and other current planning activities with those of other City departments, outside consultants and regulatory agencies; may administer consultant contracts.
• Evaluates environmental information and recommends mitigation measures to reduce adverse impacts of development.
• Makes presentations to the City Council, Planning Commission, development community, citizen and community groups, outside agencies and other city boards, commissions or staff.
• Conducts research and assists in the preparation of reports and recommendations on land use, housing, open space, circulation, economic development, trip reduction, resource management, and other planning issues.
• Participates in City long- and short-range planning activities; prepares modifications to specific General Plan elements; conducts a variety of special studies, evaluates alternatives, makes recommendations for actions, and prepares narrative and statistical reports.
• Reviews maps and subdivision plans for compliance with zoning, subdivision and grading ordinance and recommends acceptance, modification or rejection.
• Investigates violations, complaints and official reports particularly checking for hazardous conditions and compliance with zoning codes.
• Checks non-structural details of plans for residential, commercial, and industrial developments.
• Prepares a variety of written correspondence, reports, procedures, ordinances and other written materials.
• Directs, as required, the work of support staff on a project or day-to-day basis; instructs staff in work procedures and reviews work as required.
• Maintains accurate records and files.
• Reviews planning documents submitted by other agencies; monitors changes in laws, regulations and technology that may affect office operations; recommends policy and procedural changes as required.
• As assigned, assists with facilitating the attraction, retention, growth, and success of businesses through active engagement, business assistance, provision of information, marketing, and outreach.
• As assigned, assists with developing programs and plans to implement the General Plan Housing Element and produce housing, especially affordable housing, by means of new construction, rehabilitation or acquisition; evaluate housing development and community benefit proposals and make recommendations to the Planning Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices and procedures related to City and regional planning, particularly as related to the current planning and development process.
• Geographic, socio-economic, transportation, political and other elements related to city planning.
• Development and preservation of affordable housing.
• Business and finance principles and strategies that promote economic development potential.
• Concepts of local municipal and zoning codes.
• Computer applications related to the work, including basic GIS concepts and applications.
• Applicable environmental laws, codes and regulations.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, educational and regulatory organizations and with property owners, developers, contractors and the public.
• Practices of researching planning issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
• Techniques for effectively engaging with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, in person, through email, and over the telephone.

Skill in:

• Implementing current and advanced planning, zoning and other ordinance conformance and business application programs in an independent and cooperative manner.
• Conducting complex research projects, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations and preparing effective technical staff reports.
• Interpreting, applying and explaining complex laws, codes, regulations and ordinances.
• Effectively representing the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups and various business, professional, and regulatory organizations and in meetings with individuals.
• Directing and reviewing the work of support staff on a project or day-to-day basis.
• Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures and other written materials.
• Using tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
• Making effective public presentations.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in community or urban development, planning, architecture, engineering or a field related to the work and four years of professional experience in planning, zoning and related community development activities. Possession of a master's degree is desirable and may be substituted for two (2) years of experience.
License: Must possess and maintain a valid California class C driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.

Working Conditions: Works inside and outside. Must be able to attend meetings and other activities outside of normal working hours and work overtime if required. May include travel to sites out of the City.
Physical Demands: Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting, to inspect City development sites, to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various City and meeting sites; strength and stamina to lift and carry materials weighing up to 20 pounds; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups and over the telephone.
The City of Pinole offers a wide range of benefits. To view our Benefit Package, please visit our
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AP: Please select all that apply: four years of professional experience in planning, zoning and related community development activities. Possession of a master's degree is desirable and may be substituted for two (2) years of experience.

• Associate degree in a field unrelated to the work.
• Associate degree in community or urban development, planning, architecture, engineering or a field related to the work.
• Bachelor degree in a field unrelated to the work.
• Bachelor's degree in community or urban development, planning, architecture, engineering or a field related to the work.
• Master's degree in a field unrelated to the work.
• Master's degree in community or urban development, planning, architecture, engineering or a field related to the work.
• I have less than four (4) of professional experience in planning, zoning and related community development activities.
• I have four (4) or more years of professional experience in planning, zoning and related community development activities.
• None of the above.

Required Question