Assistant/Associate Planner

The City of San Mateo Community Development Department is looking for an Assistant/Associate Planner

Why Join our Department?

The Community Development Department, also known as CDD, is organized into four divisions — Planning, Building, Code Enforcement, and Housing.  CDD has broad responsibilities including, but not limited to, long-range planning, review of applications for new developments, and implementation of the City’s housing and code enforcement programs. You will be joining a talented team in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment dedicated to serving the San Mateo community.  The Community Development Department’s core function is to ensure a quality-built environment, healthy neighborhoods, and a strong economic base in the City.  The Assistant/Associate Planner positions are integral to the Planning Division’s team of highly motivated professionals who work closely with internal and external customers to provide comprehensive planning services to the community.  Collaboration, innovation, respect, accountability, creativity, transparency, thoughtfulness, and informed risk-taking are attributes and competencies that we are seeking in the candidate.

What You’ll Do

The Assistant Planner/Associate Planner performs professional level work in the field of current planning and/or advance planning to promote the City’s Mission and Values. The current vacancy may be filled at either level based on experience.

Assistant Planner - is the entry level class in the professional planning series and is distinguished from the Associate Planner by the performance of less complex tasks and duties in the fields of current or advance planning, which require the application of fundamental planning principles. Assignments are generally limited in scope and within the design and procedural framework established by higher level employees. However, as experience is acquired, the employee performs with increasing independence.  Since this class is typically used as a continued training class, employees may have only limited work experience.

Associate Planner - is the journey level class in the professional planning series and employees within this class are distinguished from the Assistant Planner by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, which require the application of professional knowledge and skills to various municipal planning, zoning, and environmental problems and the preparation of specific reports and plans. The position provides opportunity for independent judgment in planning work details and making technical determinations. Work in this class is distinguished from that of Assistant Planner by the greater complexity of assignments including preparing zoning code and general plan amendment studies, and by the greater independence with which the incumbent is expected to operate. Employees 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. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the lower class of Assistant Planner or, when filled from the outside, require prior professional planning work experience.

The Assistant Planner receives general supervision from a Senior Planner or higher level department personnel.  The Associate Planner receives direction from a Senior Planner or higher level department personnel and may exercise technical and functional supervision over lower level staff as assigned.

Who You Are

• Have knowledge of modern principles and practices of zoning and urban planning.
• Have knowledge of site planning and architectural design.
• Be a problem-solver, basing solutions on thoughtful analysis, a collaborative approach, and reasoned conclusions, and be able to present solutions, alternatives, and implications for recommendations and actions.
• Possess the ability to learn laws underlying general plans, zoning, and land divisions and applicable environmental laws, regulations, and methods of assessment.
• Have knowledge of the principles and practices of environmental impact assessment.
• Possess the ability to analyze and compile technical and statistical information and prepare reports.
• Have knowledge of general building and engineering practices as they relate to planning review.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing in a variety of situations and settings, while maintaining poise and calm.
• Value the importance of accountability, quality assurance, and continuous improvement.
• Have an interest in further learning.
• Respond positively to feedback from others.
• Desire to contribute to a positive work environment that fosters motivation, collaboration, coaching, and staff engagement.
• Be passionate about community engagement and providing the highest quality of customer service.

What You Bring

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:

Assistant Planner:

• You possess at least one year of responsible experience in a public or private planning organization.
• You have the equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning, architecture, economics, geography, public administration or a related field.

Associate Planner:

• You possess at least two years of professional planning experience comparable to that of an Assistant Planner in the City of San Mateo.
• You have the equivalent a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning, architecture, economics, geography, public administration or a related field.

Bonus Points (highly desirable)

• A Master’s Degree in Planning
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is desirable at the Associate level.

Salary:  Assistant Planner $7,985-$9,522/month; Associate Planner $8,782-$10,468/month, plus a comprehensive benefits package

To apply, review the complete job announcement, benefits information, etc., please go to https://www.calopps.org/san-mateo/job-20409530

Application Deadline - Recruitment will close by Friday, September 1, 2023 @ 5:00 p.m. or upon receipt of the first 75 applications, résumés, and supplemental questionnaires, whichever occurs first.