Associate Planner

Distinguishing Characteristics

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.

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 — The class is distinguished from Associate Planner by less complex to moderately difficult project management work. Incumbents may work independently but typically do not supervise a team. Positions are flexibly staffed and usually filled by advancement from the Junior Planner class.

Associate Planner — The class is distinguished from Assistant Planner by greater complexity of assignments and advanced project management work. Associate Planners manage projects with greater independence and lead project teams with members from various technical disciplines. Positions are flexibly staffed and typically 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 technicians, planners, or interns. The Assistant Planner usually does not supervise staff.

Depending upon assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to:

• 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; prepare recommendations on approval.
• Review tentative subdivision and parcels maps; recommend necessary revisions to meet City requirements.
• Evaluate environmental effects of proposed projects and prepare or supervise environmental documents.
• Conduct onsite investigations of proposed development projects or community areas.
• Provide information to the public on City planning requirements, policies, and procedures.
• Prepare and present data in written, graphic, or oral form for use by elected and appointed officials, committees, or community organizations involved in planning matters.
• Assist in coordinating departmental activities with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies.
• Participate in special projects and perform related duties as assigned.
• Negotiate, prepare and manage consultant contracts.
• Facilitate discussion groups to build consensus and resolve conflicts on projects and policy matters, under supervision of a Planning Manager.
• Other related duties may be performed; not all duties listed may be performed by every individual.

Depending upon assignment, additional duties may include:

• Compile and analyze data and make recommendations on complex planning matters related to land use, traffic, parking, aesthetics, environment, landscaping, energy and preservation.
• Review and analyze major development projects for conformance with City plans and guidelines; prepare recommendations.
• Review criteria for various Federal and State grants and prepare reports.
• Develop work programs, budgets, scope of work, and time estimates.
• Program, coordinate, and oversee work of other planners and interdisciplinary teams.
• Supervise and train staff; provide technical advice to subordinate staff.
• Prepare, analyze, and interpret revisions to City regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Assist in developing goals, objectives, policies and priorities.
• Confer with officials, other City departments, the public, neighborhood organizations and developers to explain…