Assistant Planner Trainee/Assistant Planner/Associate Planner (Current Planning)

$80,226 - $97,531/Yr

Stanislaus County

Full-time - Entry Level

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Planning and Community Development Department is seeking qualified candidates for the positions of Assistant Planner Trainee, Assistant Planner, or Associate Planner. These roles involve processing land use entitlements, subdivisions, and preparing initial studies in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act. The ideal candidates will possess strong organizational, communication, and teamwork skills, and will be dedicated to providing excellent customer service. The positions may involve various tasks as departmental needs shift, and there is potential for promotion based on performance and experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist the public at the front counter, on the phone, and in writing by answering questions and providing detailed information regarding zoning, development standards, and development proposals.
• Review entitlement and building permit applications for completeness and accuracy and compliance with applicable ordinances and guidelines.
• Prepare initial studies and environmental determinations in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
• Review development proposals, subdivision proposals, and building plans for consistency and conformance with appropriate regulations.
• Research, collect, analyze, summarize, and present data related to entitlement applications for land use studies and related environmental studies.
• Assist in the compilation, analysis, and presentation of data for elements of the General Plan or other County projects such as capital improvement and conservation programs.
• Assist in the drafting and administration of ordinances relating to the County's planning program.
• Confer with and advise architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, engineers, outside agencies, and the general public regarding County development policies and standards.
• Coordinate project review with other County departments and outside agencies.
• Prepare all project-related written correspondence in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and customer service standards.
• Prepare graphics, charts, and other illustrative materials.
• Prepare Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors Agenda reports containing findings and recommendations.
• Present and explain projects and problems at public meetings and conferences.
• Assist with grant management, including competitive grant funding, or state or federal entitlement grant funded programs such as Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Programs administered by the Department.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in City or Regional Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Public Administration, Economics, Geography, or a similar degree; or a combination of four years of related education and/or planning experience.
• One year of progressively responsible related professional experience in governmental or similar land use planning work for the Assistant Planner position.
• For the Associate Planner position, two years of progressively responsible professional experience in governmental or similar land use planning work is required.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in applying the principles and practices of California Land Use Planning and Zoning Laws, Subdivision Map Act, and California Environmental Quality Act in the review of land use entitlement applications.
• Experience in processing environmental assessments in accordance with CEQA or NEPA.
• Experience working with a Geographic Information System (GIS) to review, analyze, and develop geographical data.
• Experience with grant management, including competitive grants or entitlement grants such as Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Programs.

Benefits

• Employee bonus worth up to $10,000.
• Health insurance coverage.
• Paid holidays and vacation time.
• Retirement savings plan options.