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CITY OF EL CERRITO ASSISTANT, ASSOCIATE AND SENIOR PLANNER Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job. DEFINITION To perform professional level work in the field of current planning, advanced planning and environmental analysis. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS Assistant Planner This is the entry-level class in the professional planning series. Work involves the responsibility for assignments in the fields of current or advanced planning or environmental analysis which require the application of fundamental planning principles. Assignments are generally limited in scope and without the design and procedural framework established by higher level employees, however, as experience is acquired, the employee performs with increasing independence. Assistant Planners are normally considered to be in a training status and as assigned responsibilities and breadth of knowledge increase with experience, may reasonably expect their positions to be reassigned to the next higher class of Associate Planner if the minimum requirements are met for each level. Associate Planner This is the journey-level class in the professional planning series. Positions in this class are normally filled by advancement from the lower class of Assistant Planner. When filled from the outside, prior professional planning work experience is required. Work involves responsibility for the application of professional knowledge and skills to various municipal planning, zoning and environmental problems. Responsibilities include the preparation of specific reports and plans with opportunity for independent judgment in planning work details and making technical determinations. Work in this class is distinguished from that of the Assistant Planner class by the greater complexity of the assignments received and by the greater independence with which the incumbent is expected to operate. Senior Planner This is the advanced level in the professional planning series. Incumbents provide lead direction for individual community planning activities or perform highly specialized and difficult planning functions. The work may include either advanced or current planning projects and requires considerable technical knowledge and independent judgment. Incumbents have responsibility for training, supervision and oversight of work of assigned staff and consultants. NOTE: Depending on experience, incumbents in each class may progress to the next classification level provided that the assigned Department can certify that the employee is working at the required level and possesses the required skills, experience, knowledge and abilities, and provided that budgetary constraints allow for promotion to the next class. Reassignment subject to approval by Planning Manager and Community Development Director. SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Assistant Planner Receives general supervision from Planning Manager and, when applicable, Senior Planner. Associate Planner ---PAGE BREAK--- CITY OF EL CERRITO Page 2 Assistant, Associate and Senior Planner Receives general supervision from Planning Manager and, when applicable, Senior Planner. Senior Planner Receives general supervision from Planning Manager. ESSENTIAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS Essential responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Essential Functions: Assistant Planner Research, analyze and interpret social, economic, population and land use data and trends; prepare written reports on various planning matters and elements of the General Plan. Staffs planning counter to answer questions with public and provide information and documents. Review development proposals for consistency with City policies and standards. Compile information for and make recommendations on special studies and prepare planning reports. Prepare staff reports for the City Council, committees, community groups, boards and commissions and other governmental bodies as required;. Check commercial, industrial, and residential development plans for issuance of zone clearance; process permit applications. Liaison with State agencies as directed Associate Planner In addition to duties of Assistant Planner: Supervises long term and complex assignments with responsibility for project development, establishing priorities, developing time lines, evaluating work assigned to staff and assuring quality and accuracy of departmental output; Review development proposals and work with developers to reach agreement on acceptable site plans; review building plans, parcel maps, and subdivision proposals for compliance with appropriate regulations, and prepare reports of recommendations, and confer with and advise architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, engineers and the general public regarding City development policies and standards. Prepare initial studies, conduct environmental reviews and assessments and prepare documents Prepare zoning code and general plan amendment studies. Research and draft ordinances for review. Prepare complex planning reports and studies. Senior Planner In addition to duties of Assistant Planner and Associate Planner: ---PAGE BREAK--- CITY OF EL CERRITO Page 3 Assistant, Associate and Senior Planner Participates in planning, organizing and coordinating aspects of the City planning function, including program planning, budgeting, setting priorities and scheduling projects; Insures the accuracy, completeness and timely submittal of reports and analyses prepared by staff planners for various boards or commissions and others; Monitors complex projects as they proceed through the permit process; Assists in selecting, training, supervising and evaluating the work of journey level professional planners and other support personnel; Advises planning officials on issues regarding land use policy, zoning, transportation and other community issues; provides staff and technical support to assigned boards and commissions; may act as secretary to one or more of these commissions; Keeps informed of current trends in planning, including legislation, court rulings and new techniques; undertakes studies and prepares reports and recommendations on anticipated needs and programs; Meets with project representatives, professionals, citizens and organizations to resolve problems related to the division’s activities and projects; Provide responsible staff assistance to the Planning Manager; and Marginal / Non-Essential Functions: All positions: Perform related duties and responsibilities as required QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of: Assistant Planner Principles and practices of urban planning. Principles of development plan review and approval and zoning enforcement. Methods and techniques of planning , zoning and subdivision design. Current literature, information sources and research techniques in the field of urban planning. Technology pertinent to the planning function. Associate Planner In addition to above: Applicable Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations governing zoning, land use, and environmental protection. Laws underlying general plans, zoning and land divisions. Senior Planner In addition to above: Principles and practices of program development and administration. ---PAGE BREAK--- CITY OF EL CERRITO Page 4 Assistant, Associate and Senior Planner Ability to: Assistant Planner Participate in the preparation of zoning and land use regulations and ordinance revisions. Review a variety of planning permits and development plans for conformance with applicable codes and ordinances. Perform site inspections to ensure compliance with codes. Prepare clear and concise administrative reports. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities. Maintain effective audiovisual discrimination and perception needed for making observations, communicating with others, reading, writing and operating assigned equipment. Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities. Associate Planner In addition to above: Identify, coordinate and resolve a wide variety of interests in the development of land use policy. Interpret and apply Federal, State local policies, laws and regulations. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Senior Planner In addition to above: Participate in the management of a comprehensive planning program. Prepare and administer program budgets. Oversee, direct and coordinate the work of lower level staff. Supervise, train and evaluate staff as assigned by Planning Manager. Participate in the development and administration of division goals, objectives and procedures. Experience and Training Guidelines Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: Experience: Assistant Planner: 1-2 years experience in planning activities/work Associate Planner: 3+ years of experience comparable to that of an Assistant Planner in the City of El Cerrito Senior Planner: 4 years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience comparable to that of an Associate Planner in the City of El Cerrito. Training: ---PAGE BREAK--- CITY OF EL CERRITO Page 5 Assistant, Associate and Senior Planner Assistant Planner: Equivalent to a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning or a related field. Associate Planner: Equivalent to a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning or a related field. Masters Degree preferred. Senior Planner: Equivalent to a Masters degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning or a related field. Licenses/Certificates/ Other requirements: Valid California driver’s license. PHYSICAL DEMANDS (may vary depending on area of assignment/program/department.) Sitting: Frequently Lifting: Standing: Occasionally up to 10 lbs: Occasionally to Frequently Walking: Occasionally 11 to 25 lbs: Occasionally Bending: Occasionally 26 to 50 lbs: Occasionally Crouching: Occasionally 51 to 75 lbs: Never Stooping: Occasionally 76 to 100 lbs: Never Kneeling: Never 100 + lbs: Never Crawling: Never Carrying Climbing: Occasionally up to 10 lbs: Occasionally to Frequently Balancing: Never 11 to 25 lbs: Occasionally Running: Never 26 to 50 lbs: Occasionally Twisting: Occasionally 51 to 75 lbs: Never Turning: Occasionally 76 to 100 lbs: Never Jumping: Never 100 + lbs: Never Pushing/Pulling: up to 10 lbs: Occasionally 11 to 25 lbs: Occasionally 26 to 50 lbs: Never 51 to 75 lbs: Never 76 to 100 lbs: Never 100 + lbs: Never Grasping – firm: Occasionally Finger dexterity: Frequently Reaching forward: Frequently Reaching overhead: Occasionally Pinch grasp: Occasionally Grasp – light: Frequently Coordination - Eye-hand: Occasionally Eye-hand-foot: Occasionally Driving: Occasionally PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (continued) Talking - Face-to-face: Frequently Verbal contact: Frequently Public: Occasionally Vision - Acuity far: Required ---PAGE BREAK--- CITY OF EL CERRITO Page 6 Assistant, Associate and Senior Planner Acuity, near: Required Depth perception: Required Field of vision: Required Accommodation: Required Color vision: Required Hearing - Conversation: Frequently Telephone: Frequently Earplugs: Never MENTAL REQUIREMENTS Abstract variables, Interpret instructions, Problems-standard, Detailed, uninvolved instructions, One or two-step instructions, Reading-simple, Reading-complex, Writing-simple, Writing-complex, Math skills- simple, Math skills-complex, Clerical, Coordination, Analyzing, Compiling, Computing, Copying, Comparing, Negotiating, Instructing, Supervising, Persuading, Speaking-signaling, Serving, Taking instructions-helping, Setting-up, Comprehend/follow instructions, Perform simple-repetitive tasks, Maintain work pace, Relate to other people, Influence other people, Perform varied-complex tasks, Generalizations/evaluations, Responsibility for direction. WORK ENVIRONMENT Indoors, Outdoors, Unprotected heights, Moving machinery, slippery/uneven surfaces, below ground, using computer/computer monitor screen, Works around others, Works alone, Works with others. Rev. 4/2003