The City of Rancho Palos Verdes' Community Development Department is seeking a motivated team player who is passionate about serving the public.
This recruitment will be open on a continuous basis until filled and can close at any time. The first review of applications will be the week of September 2, 2024.

DEPARTMENT
The Community Development Department has four divisions that are comprised of Planning & Zoning, Building & Safety, Code Enforcement, and View Restoration & Preservation. The Department is focused on upholding exceptional customer service and delivering efficient and timely review of proposed development projects.

POSITION
This non-exempt position is covered by Rancho Palos Verdes Employees Association. The Assistant Planner will provide customer service at the public counter, over the phone, or via video conferencing or email, to address concerns and inquiries regarding the City's Municipal code and/or department policies. The incumbent will process and review multi-faceted planning applications involving site plan review, neighborhood compatibility analysis, height variations, grading permits, fence/wall permits, etc. Additional duties include preparing public notices and presenting staff reports to elected and appointed officials often on a weekly basis, requiring attendance at evening City Council and Planning Commission meetings; performing research on properties, policies, and procedures; and updating and maintaining property address files.

IDEAL CANDIDATE
In addition to a strong technical background, the ideal candidate shall have the ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented, professional environment and possess a strong work ethic. The ideal candidate is a well-organized, self-starter with an eye for detail, who completes tasks with minimal supervision and handles multiple priorities within specified deadlines. The Assistant Planner has excellent interpersonal and communication skills to foster effective working and creative relations with citizens, business owners, contractors, community leaders, City staff, and other public/private agencies. Experience with design software (Bluebeam), permitting system, and GIS software is highly desirable.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in urban planning, community development, business or public administration, or a related field and one (1) year of professional experience in planning, zoning and related community development activities.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to inspect City development sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary or construction access points; to operate a motor vehicle, and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Reviews routine commercial, institutional, and residential development proposals, plans, and applications for issuance of zoning clearance and for compliance with appropriate codes, ordinances, standards, laws, rules, regulations, and policies.
Reviews permit applications and building plans for completeness and compliance with current City codes and regulations; provides interpretations of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Subdivision Map Act, and local environmental guidelines; identifies corrective actions to be taken by owners; conducts follow-up and re-check, and approves or denies submittals.
Assists in gathering data for environmental impact reports; assists in preparing written initial studies, negative declarations, and staff reports related to development projects or City projects.
Assists, when assigned, in the administration of the view preservation and restoration ordinances related to the impact by foliage growth.
Conducts site inspections, makes referrals for mediation services, and recommendations to the Department Director, Planning Commission, and City Council to reach mutually acceptable solutions related to view permit applications.
Prepares, as assigned, draft staff reports on less complex projects involving site plan reviews, height variations, grading applications, minor exemption permits and variances.
Assists the public at the front counter and on the phone, answering questions and providing information regarding zoning, land use, development standards, approved development proposals, and the City's entitlement process.
Assists with planning and development projects, including application and plan review, coordination with project applicants and other City departments, preparation and posting of legal notices, background research, and environmental review.
Compiles information for a variety of studies and reports; researches, analyzes, and interprets social, economic, population, and land use data and trends; researches and reviews previous entitlements and City records.
Researches, collects, records, analyzes, interprets, and summarizes statistical and demographic information; prepares spreadsheets and establishes and maintains a comprehensive database.
Researches and assists in preparing ordinances for review.
Assists with City planning and development related activities with other City departments and with outside agencies.
Refers to and applies numerous documents including the General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, California Environmental Quality Act, Subdivision Map Act, State Planning laws, Municipal Code, Specific Plans, Redevelopment Guidelines, emergency operations manual, historical preservation guidelines, County tax assessor's maps and records, building and architecture plans, etc.
Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions; urban planning and other types of public services as they relate to the area of assignment.
May provide technical direction and training to other planning and technical staff.
Performs other duties as assigned.

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ASSISTANT PLANNER