Assistant Planner

JOB SUMMARY

Are you ready to gain planning experience in residential and commercial projects for a beautiful beach city? Come and join our team! The City of Manhattan Beach seeks an ambitious, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable Assistant Planner with great customer service skills to join the Community Development Department.

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under general direction, prepares reports on current and advanced planning projects; conducts environmental impact assessments in accordance with CEQA; reviews and analyzes proposals for conformance with Coastal requirements; reviews development plans for compliance with zoning and related requirements; conducts code amendment and general planning studies as necessary; and performs other related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Assistant Planner is an entry-level position in the professional planning series of Assistant Planner, Associate Planner, Senior Planner, and Planning Manager. Assistant Planner is distinguished from Associate Planner in that the incumbent performs less complex professional planning and related assignments.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.

1. Gathers information and objectively analyzes development proposals for use permits, variances, subdivisions, coastal permits and other development proposals and conducts physical inspection of job sites.

2. Performs graphic illustration work, prepares planning studies and reports, and conducts detailed review of development plans and projects for compliance with Municipal and related Codes.

3. Provides information to project applicants and prepares or assists in preparing environmental assessment reports under the California Environmental Quality Act.

4. Performs periodic reviews of projects for compliance with conditions of approval.

5. Provides assistance to the public via the telephone, email and at the service counter; interprets zoning, coastal, state and other mandated regulations.

6. Prepares and presents reports to boards, commissions, and committees.

7. May be required to work evenings, shifts, weekends, and/or holidays.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES

Education/Training/Experience:

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major work in urban planning, architecture, engineering or related field is required. At least six (6) months of experience in planning or a related field is required.

Licenses/Certificates/Special Requirements:

A valid California driver’s license is required at the time of employment.

In accordance with California Government Code Section 3100, City of Manhattan Beach employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to protect the health, safety, lives, and property of the people of the State.

Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of urban planning, land use and zoning regulations, application of municipal codes, and the development process; proper administrative procedures for handling complaints, resolving conflicts; and record-keeping procedures.

Ability to:

Understand and visualize how development projects may impact the community including understanding and interpreting architectural and construction development plans for development; conduct proper analysis of collective data input, arrive at reasonable conclusions, and prepare comprehensive and analytical reports; drive to various part of the City and conduct site visits; communicate effectively orally and in writing; make clear and concise presentations; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; operate computer hardware and standard office equipment; and use word processing, spreadsheet, and plan checking and permits software.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this class, the employee is constantly required to sit, and occasionally to stand and walk. The employee must be able to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate computer hardware and standard office equipment; and reach above and below shoulder level with hands and arms. The employee occasionally lifts and carries records and documents typically weighing less than 25 pounds.
Sensory demands include the ability to see, talk, and hear.

Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use oral and written communication skills; read and interpret data; thoroughly analyze and solve problems; exercise sound judgment in the absence of specific guidelines; use math and mathematical reasoning; establish priorities and work on multiple assignments and projects concurrently; meet project deadlines given interruptions; and interact appropriately with staff, management, developers, contractors, architects, the general public, and others in the course of work.

Work Environment
The employee frequently works in office conditions with controlled temperature settings.

The employee occasionally works in a field environment and is required to drive in traffic to various project and meeting sites and may encounter dust, debris, and variable weather conditions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may frequently drive to specific locations, may occasionally work outside, and may be exposed to variable weather conditions. The employee sits or stands for prolonged periods of time; uses a telephone and a personal computer with a VDT screen; and uses back, arms, and legs to reach for and lift and/or move objects.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS

Application filing deadline is Wednesday, August 14, 2024.

All applicants will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this job announcement. Candidates will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience, training and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process. Meeting the minimum requirements listed in this job announcement does not guarantee advancement in subsequent phases of the selection process. The selection process may be changed as deemed necessary by the City Human Resources Department.

The selection process will consist of the following component and weight: Oral Interview (100%) * The oral interview exam is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, August 29, 2024.

If you need special assistance in the recruitment process please contact the Human Resources Department at (310) 802-5258.

NOTE: The provisions of this brochure do not constitute a contract, express or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

The City of Manhattan Beach offers a generous benefits package to full-time and eligible employees including PERS medical plans, dental, vision, long-term and short-term disability, tuition reimbursement, and more.
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To see detailed information about Teamsters bargaining unit benefits, please visit our benefit page on the City's official website.

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Part-time employees are enrolled in PARS (Public Alternate Retirement System). All part-time and seasonal employees contribute 7.5% each pay period on a pre-tax basis. If an employee reaches 1,000 hours within a fiscal year (July 1st to June 30th) or is already a CalPERS member, then they are enrolled in CalPERS (Public Employees Retirement System).

The City complies with California Labor Code 245-249 by providing paid sick leave for part-time hourly employees accordingly.

The City of Manhattan Beach does not provide medical/dental/vision benefits to part-time employees. Eligible employees enrolled in CalPERS may opt into a CalPERS medical plan.

Closing Date/Time: 8/14/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

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Manhattan Beach, California United States View Map