Associate Planner

Overview

THE POSITION

With supervisor approval, incumbents may be eligible for intermittent remote work; however, they must physically reside within the Sacramento region or have the ability to regularly report to a City of Sacramento physical worksite with little notice. The Community Development Department is seeking an Associate Planner to join the Long Range Planning Section. This position will specialize in land use planning with a focus on implementing the City’s 2040 General Plan, including the new Environmental Justice Element, as well as supporting an update of the Planning and Development Code.

This position will manage projects and collaborate with interdepartmental staff, outside agencies, and members of the community to meet project objectives.

IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Experience working well both independently and collaboratively.
• Communication skills pertaining to project objectives, needs, and challenges in a timely manner.
• Familiarity effectively writing for staff reports, community engagement materials, and inter-office communication.
• Skills communicating clearly, honestly, and empathetically.
• Experience being innovative and resourceful.
• Commitment to sustainable and equitable land use planning in Sacramento.

ASSISTANT PLANNER / ASSOCIATE PLANNER

To perform professional, technical, statistical and analytical duties involving land use or other planning studies for a variety of public or private development projects. The scope of assignments includes project management work, land use studies, policy development recommendation, revision or implementation, and preparation of a variety of documents for compliance with state or federal environmental laws.

Assistant Planner is distinguished from Associate Planner by the level of complexity and responsibility in project management. Assistant Planner incumbents may work independently but generally do not supervise; positions are flexibly staffed and normally filled by advancement from the Junior Planner class.

Associate Planner is distinguished from Assistant Planner by greater complexity of assignments, advanced planning project management, independence, and team leadership responsibilities. Positions are flexibly staffed and normally filled from the Assistant Planner class.

General direction is provided by a manager who is usually a Senior Planner. Associate Planners may provide direct or indirect supervision and training of other subordinate staff. The Assistant Planner usually does not supervise staff.

Depending upon assignment, duties performed by the Assistant Planner may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Review and analyze proposed minor development projects for conformance with adopted City plans, design/architectural guidelines and standards, applicable codes and ordinances and other regulations, and prepares recommendations on approval of such projects.
• Review proposed tentative subdivision and parcels maps, and recommend necessary revisions to meet City requirements.
• Evaluate the environmental effects of proposed projects and prepare, or supervise the preparation of environmental documents.
• Conduct onsite investigations of proposed development projects or community areas.
• Provide information to the public on City of Sacramento requirements related to City planning, policies, and procedures.
• Prepare and present data in the form of written, graphic, or oral reports for use by elected and appointed officials, special committees, or community organizations involved in planning matters.
• Assist in the coordination of departmental activities with other City departments and divisions, and with outside agencies.
• Participate in special projects and perform related duties as assigned.
• Negotiate, prepare and manage consultant contracts.
• Facilitate discussion groups to aid in building consensus, and resolve conflicts on projects and policy matters, under supervision of a Planning Manager.
• Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed may necessarily be performed by each individual holding this classification.

Additional duties for the Associate Planner may include:

• Compile and analyze data and make recommendations on complex planning matters, involving issues related to land use, traffic, parking, aesthetics, environment, landscaping, energy and preservation.
• Review and analyze proposed major development projects for conformance with adopted City plans, City design/architectural guidelines and standards, applicable codes and ordinances and other regulations; prepare recommendations on approval of such projects.
• Review criteria for various Federal and State grants and prepare necessary reports.
• Develop work programs, budgets, scope of work, and time estimates.
• Program, coordinate, and oversee the work of other planners and individuals from other disciplines and sectors as their work relates to…