Summary DEFINITION Under direction, provides professional planning services to City staff, developers, contractors, and the general public; performs professional, technical, statistical, and analytical duties involving land use or other planning studies for a variety of public or private development projects; conducts project management work, land use studies, policy development recommendations, revisions, or implementation; prepares a variety of documents for compliance with state or federal environmental laws; and performs related work as required. SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Receives direction from the Director of Community and Economic Development. Exercises technical and functional direction over and provides training to lower-level staff. CLASS CHARACTERISTICS This is the fully qualified journey-level class in the professional Planner series. Positions at this level are distinguished from the Assistant Planner level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from the Senior Planner in that the latter is the advanced journey-level class in the series and is responsible for organizing, assigning, and reviewing the work of departmental and/or contract staff involved in a major area of the Planning Division, in addition to performing the more complex planning and project management activities. Essential Functions / Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only) 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 and analyzes proposed development projects for conformance with adopted City plans, design/architectural guidelines and standards, applicable codes and ordinances, and other regulations; prepares recommendations on approval of such projects. * Manages entitlement applications for major development projects including commercial, industrial, residential, mixed-use, and City code amendments by performing CEQA review; interfaces with different City divisions, departments, and local agencies; prepares related staff reports and presentations to the Planning Commission and City Council. * Reviews proposed tentative subdivision and parcel maps and recommends necessary revisions to meet City requirements. * Reviews landscape and irrigation plans for private property developments for compliance with the municipal code's landscape requirements, tree protection, and the state's water efficiency standards; reviews and makes recommendations to enhance the plant palette and irrigation as needed. * Conducts assessments of environmental issues in accordance with state and federal guidelines; prepares or assists in preparing and reviewing environmental impact reports; prepares written initial studies, negative declarations, and staff reports related to development projects or City projects. * Serves as initial contact and provides information and assistance at the public counter and over the telephone to the public, developers, property owners, other departments, and outside agencies regarding planning and land use inquiries, specific properties, development policies, and processing procedures; troubleshoots and resolves issues; provides customers with a better understanding of City policies and codes; provides decisive code interpretations and solutions. * Conducts research for land use, zoning, code amendments, advanced planning, urban design, population trends, transportation, housing, economic, and environmental issues; prepares statistical tabulations, computations, charts, and graphs to illustrate studies these areas. * Makes decisions and recommendations regarding the site design, aesthetics, and architecture for certain projects. * Oversees the work of part-time staff and contract planners; oversees and creates the counter schedule for planners; reviews and edits reports and other documents prepared by other planners prior to publication. * Gathers, analyzes, and presents data on a range of urban planning matters in the form of written, graphic, and/or oral reports for the Director, Planning Commission, City Council, or special committees. * Coordinates, schedules, prepares materials, and mediates committee and project meetings for planning entitlement projects with applicants and property owners for project updates; meets and discusses projects with other department/divisions. * Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions; attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of urban planning and other types of public services as they relate to the area of assignment. * Performs site inspections for entitlement projects and zoning compliance. * Prepares and updates files and records. * Observes and complies with City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols. * Performs other duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of: * Principles of providing functional direction and training. * Modern principles, practices, and techniques of current and advanced planning, architecture, and urban design, historic preservation, and landscaping. * Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility. * Geographic, socio-economic, transportation, political, and other elements related to city planning. * Project management and contract administration principles and techniques. * Researching and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures. * Site planning and architectural design principles. * Current trends in federal, state, regional, and local planning. * Geographic Information Systems and their application to planning. * State mandated water efficiency requirements. * Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly. * Record keeping principles and procedures. * City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols. * Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff. * The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. * Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed. Ability to: * Plan, organize, and coordinate the work of assigned staff. * Perform a wide range of professional planning work. * Organize, conduct, and present major planning research studies. * Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed. * Coordinate assigned activities with other City departments and agencies as required. * Evaluate architectural proposals and urban design/site plans. * Write and review complex CEQA documents. * Perform plan checks. * Assist the public with answers to planning questions. * Make presentations to City Council, boards, and commissions. * Perform mathematical calculations. * Read, interpret, and record data. * Conduct onsite inspections of various properties. * Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports. * Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems. * Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with City staff, governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, and regulatory organizations, and with customers. * Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments. * Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines. * Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks. * Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax. * Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Minimum Qualifications 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: Education: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, regional planning, geography, architecture, or related field. Experience: Two (2) years of professional experience in planning, zoning, architecture, or a related field. Licenses and Certifications: * Possession of a valid California Driver's License to be maintained throughout employment. Additional Information PHYSICAL DEMANDS When assigned to an office environment, must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; ability to stand and walk 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. When assigned to field inspection, must possess mobility to work in changing site conditions; possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend, to climb and descend ladders; and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress. The job involves some fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 40 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees also work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, hazardous physical substances and fumes, dust and air contaminants. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. E-Verify: The City of El Monte is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of newly hired employees in the United States. Please see the webpage for Employee Bargaining Units. 01 Do you possess a valid California driver's license? * Yes * No 02 Please list your level of education: * Did not graduate high school/did not obtain GED * Graduated high school / obtained GED * Some college-level coursework * Associate degree * Bachelor's degree * Graduate degree * General Education Equivalency (GED) 03 Do you possess two (2) years of experience in planning, zoning, architecture, or a related field? * Yes * No 04 Please describe your two (2) years of experience in planning, zoning, architecture, or a related field. Required Question Agency City of El Monte Address 11333 Valley Boulevard El Monte, California, 91731 Phone (626) 580-2040 Website http://www.ci.el-monte.ca.us/