City of San Rafael

Job class specification

Job title: Assistant/Associate Planner

Summary

Under general supervision performs a variety of professional planning duties to develop, and maintain, the City’s General Plan, and to administer the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances. Performs other professional planning tasks as required.

Distinguishing characteristics:

Assistant Planner is the entry-level class of this series. It is characterized by the responsibility for providing staff support in policy and land use-planning activities under close supervision. Incumbents learn to apply professional principles within a local political environment. As experience and proficiency are gained, incumbents are expected to work with less supervision. Incumbents normally advance to the Associate level after two years of successful performance at the Assistant level and demonstrating proficiency for performing Associate level work.

Associate Planner is the full working level of the series, competent to independently perform the full scope of duties required. Incumbent may be responsible for administration of a specific project or program. This class is distinguished from Senior Planner in that the latter has regular and continuing responsibility to manage complex and sensitive planning projects which may include supervision of a division and/or other planners.

The Planner Series includes Assistant Planner, Associate Planner, and Senior Planner. Depending upon assignments, some positions may be permanently allocated to this level and some positions may be designated as flexibly staffed at various levels in the series.

Essential and important duties:

This list is intended to be illustrative and does not represent an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities. Incumbents may not perform all duties and responsibilities listed. Other duties may be assigned.

• Responds to inquiries from the public by providing information regarding the General Plan, the Zoning and Subdivisions Ordinances and statistical data.
• Receives and reviews land use permits, design review applications, zoning and General Plan amendments for conformance with the General Plan, Zoning, and Subdivision Ordinances and other requirements; and prepares staff reports recommending appropriate action.
• Conducts environmental review including preparation of initial studies and negative declarations, technical and administrative support on the preparation of
• Environmental Impact Reports and staff reports on all phases of environmental review.
• Performs detailed planning studies, research and analysis to support development of long-range policies and plans, as well as implementation ordinances for the City’s growth and development.
• Prepares and analyzes various professional planning studies including, but not limited to, demographics, traffic and historic resources.
• Prepares General Plan elements such as the Housing Element by drafting and finalizing plan documents; researching materials and making presentations to committees, the Planning Commission and the City Council.
• Prepares reports and studies and represents the department before the public, other agencies, and developer representatives.