POSITION PURPOSE / IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION City Equity Statement: It is a priority for the City of Westminster to welcome diverse, qualified candidates from the broadest base possible. We are interested in finding the best candidates for our positions, not just to fit in but to belong. We value life and professional experiences, equivalent combination of knowledge, skill set and education. Pursuant to city values, the successful candidate will have a passion and commitment to serving a diverse population and must respect and uphold the tenets of justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion and belonging. We encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role and urge those with less traditional backgrounds to apply. POSITION PURPOSE The Associate Planner position is an entry level planning position involving the provision of technical assistance to the Planning Division for both long-range and current planning activities. Duties of the position include but are not limited to assistance to the general public regarding general zoning information, entry level development review, including site plan review, architecture, landscape review, etc.; preparation of graphic illustrations, maps and photographic materials; conducting research as directed; and collecting and maintaining demographic and economic data. The full salary range for this position is stated above. The starting range of pay is dependent on qualifications and experience of each individual candidate. The City of Westminster has a Multilingual Stipend Program to encourage and reward benefited employees who are conversationally fluent in languages other than English. Benefited employees have the opportunity to test their language proficiency skills and qualify for a bi-weekly stipend that will vary based on the employee's level of proficiency and usage. ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES AND CULTURAL VALUES/GENERAL COMPETENCIES The City's work culture encourages passionate, positive and enthusiastic employees who, along with our City Council and City Manager, are strong supporters of our mission:The City of Westminster provides high-quality core services and fosters resilience in order to promote a safe and thriving community.Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained neighborhoods and destinations with a vibrant, diverse economy, rich and resilient environment and a strong sense of community belonging. Our core values are embodied in our SPIRIT (Service - People - Integrity - Respect - Innovation - Teamwork). This position supports the goals of the Community Services Department, which plans, promotes and sustains an attractive and high-quality living and working environment by facilitating appropriate land use and infrastructure decisions, ensuring that the community is developed in a safe, aesthetically pleasing and sustainable manner. Every employee is accountable to: * Demonstrate a high level of customer service; encourage others to focus on the customer; foster an environment where customer service is a priority * Communicate with customers to ensure that, where possible, they are satisfied, and that their needs are being addressed; solicit and evaluate customer feedback * Act as an ambassador by understanding and fostering the organization's mission and vision * Exhibit pride in self, the department, the city, and the community; conduct self in a professional manner * Demonstrate integrity and builds trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, loyalty, and ethical behavior * Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner * Support/promote change; demonstrate flexibility, and take calculated risks when appropriate * Participate in personal growth opportunities, and attend trainings designed to enhance capacity to bring new skills and ideas to the job and the organization * Work to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service or product being delivered * Demonstrate support for team efforts by accepting new roles and responsibilities, and helping others achieve objectives * Value diversity; demonstrate an awareness of differences; demonstrate sensitivity, and adapt behaviors and communication to accommodate these differences GENERAL COMPETENCIES Citywide- Every employee in this position is accountable to: * Establish effective interpersonal relationships through honest, open communication and follow-through on commitments * Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses, and target areas for personal self-development * Demonstrate initiative in performing job tasks * Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions * Achieve goals, and handle assigned workload and new assignments effectively; demonstrate an ability to work independently * Communicate effectively with individuals and groups using clear and concise verbal and written communications * Demonstrate accountability for work, and take ownership in job performance * Demonstrate concern for the accuracy and quality of work; take steps to correct mistakes and improve the overall product Job Specific- Every employee in this position must be able to: * Demonstrate design, graphic and photographic skills * Demonstrate general knowledge of planning, zoning, real estate terminology, research methods, and statistical techniques * Communicate the City's planning programs and ordinances to the general public * Establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, the development community, and the general public * Demonstrate working knowledge of GIS, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and be able to quickly learn new software * Demonstrate ability to understand urban planning principles regarding site design, architecture and landscape architecture * Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously JOB SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS Essential Job Functions, Duties, Responsibilities, and Tasks 1. Teamwork and Communication: Work in close collaboration with all teammates, utilizing cordial, professional, and timely verbal, written, and electronic communication forms, and maintaining a positive and courteous attitude; provide professional and timely responses to all internal and external customers; related responsibilities include but are not limited to: * Provide assistance to internal and external customers in answering general zoning, sign code, building setback, address- and development-related questions * Reproduce documents for internal and external customers * Provide updates to the City Planning website/web pages 2. Daily Responsibilities: Timely completion of day-to-day Planning Division tasks, including but not limited to: * Review sign permits, building permits, and business licenses for zoning code compliance * Process and review minor ODP, ODP Amendment, and ODP Waiver submittals, and perform general planning work * Prepare documents for recordation as needed * Process and review telecommunication submittals for compliance with local, state, and federal laws 3. Planning Division Operations and Support: * Assist with preparing presentations and reports for the Special Permits and License Board, Planning Commission, and City Council meetings, including but not limited to illustrations, maps, charts, graphics, and PowerPoint presentations * Assist with collecting and maintaining demographic and economic data utilizing Federal Census Bureau data and other sources * Perform technical research on selected planning matters relative to modifications in land use, housing, zoning, ownership, and other factors of physical development * Other duties as needed or assigned 4. Maintains regular and punctual attendance POSITION REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS/PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS Education, Experience, Skills, Formal Training, Licenses, and Certifications Required: * Four (4)-year college degree with a major in planning, architecture, landscape architecture, public administration, or related field; OR * Two (2)-year associate degree in a related field OR at least one (1) year experience in this area of work Preferred: * Experience in a public sector planning division/department Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and skills, may be considered. Physical Requirements Work is sedentary in nature and requires sufficient physical stamina and strength for: * Constant sitting to perform daily tasks; occasional walking through a multilevel facility to retrieve information; frequent standing, sometimes for extended periods * Frequent squatting, reaching above shoulder, and twisting to file documents and lift supplies and material; occasional bending, kneeling, climbing, balancing, and reaching below shoulder to store documents, material, and supplies * Constant light grasp, fine manipulation, and handling to perform daily duties; occasional firm grasp to safely use equipment * Frequent lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling of up to ten (10) pounds to move material and supplies; occasional pushing/pulling of up to twenty-five (25) pounds with dollies and carts WORKING CONDITIONS Work is constantly performed indoors and is primarily sedentary office work. Must demonstrate the ability to meet the physical demands of the job including the ability to retrieve information from various locations in the office when needed. Exposure to periods of high activity and high stress under demanding conditions. The position requires a great deal of communication with City employees, the public, and outside agencies. Required Materials and Equipment Digital cameras, copy machines, scanners, personal computers and keyboards, telephones, fax machines, and other standard office equipment. PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENT * Background checks will include employment references and criminal history, and when applicable, credit check, driver license record, and education verification * Drug screen * Must be legally entitled to work in the United States