Assistant/Associate Planner

Are you ready to shape the future of our city? We're seeking a passionate and detail-oriented Planner to join our small dynamic planning team to work on both current planning and long-range planning projects. If you have professional experience in planning, zoning and related community development activities, we want to hear from you! The City is seeking to fill one vacant position at the Assistant or Associate level, depending on the qualifications of the successful candidate.

Under direct and general supervision, performs various professional field and office planning work related to current and advance planning, including review of development, architectural design,  and land use applications, zoning, site plans, and environmental analysis and document review; provides professional support work in managing, implementing, and monitoring environmental and transportation related projects and programs; provides complex professional staff assistance to the Director of Planning, other departments, and the public in areas of expertise; performs a variety of studies and prepares and presents staff reports; and performs related work as required.

Application Due Date:  March 13, 2025.  To obtain the job description in its entirety and apply, please visit: https://piedmont.casellehire.com/jobs/301622

Class Characteristics

Assistant Planner:  This is the first experienced-level class in the professional planning series.  Initially under close supervision, incumbents with basic planning experience perform professional and technical planning work in current, advance, and/or environmental planning activities.  As experience is gained, assignments become more varied and are performed with greater independence.  Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the Associate level, but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods.  Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern.  Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise.

Associate Planner:  This is the full journey-level class in the professional planning series.  Incumbents are expected to perform the full range of professional and technical planning work in all of the following areas: current, advance, and/or environmental planning activities, and daily departmental operations, in addition to providing project management and administration.  Positions at this level are distinguished from the Assistant 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. 

Positions in the professional planner class series are flexibly staffed and positions at the Associate level are normally filled by advancement from the Assistant level requiring two (2) years of experience at the Assistant-level and after gaining the knowledge, skill, experience, licenses, and certifications which meet the qualifications for and after demonstrating the ability to perform the work of the higher-level class.  When filled from the outside, the employee is required to have three (3) years of experience that allows the employee to meet the qualification standards for the Associate level.

Education and Experience:

Assistant and Associate Planner: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in urban planning, community development, architecture, business or public administration, transportation planning, traffic engineering, civil engineering, or a related field.

Assistant Planner: One (1) year of professional experience in planning, zoning and related community development activities, or transportation planning and traffic engineering.

Associate Planner: Three (3) years of professional experience in planning, zoning and related community development activities, or transportation planning and traffic engineering; or two (2) years of experience as Assistant Planner at the City of Piedmont.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California class C driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record.  The City monitors DMV activity over the course of employment.

COMPENSATION                              

Base Salary: Assistant Planner: $7,209 - $8,761

Associate Planner: $7,776 - $9,450

Other: Additional 1% of salary for obtaining and maintaining American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) credentials through the American Planning Association.

Auto Allowance: $200/per month

BENEFITS

The City currently offers the following benefits to its employees:

• Medical, with a generous amount of the premium paid by the City.  In lieu of medical coverage, the employee may elect to receive $500 in cash.
• Delta Dental Premier, with orthodontia @ $5,000 lifetime maximum, premium paid in full by the City.
• Vision, with the ability for an annual exam, premium paid in full by the City.
• Employee Assistance Plan, with up to 10 counseling visits per person, per issue, per year.
• Life insurance with a value of 2X your annual salary, and long-term disability @ 60%, premium paid in full by the City.
• Retirement benefit depends upon membership date: Classic employee CalPERS 2% @ 60, employee share is 7%.  New Members 2% @ 62, employee share is currently 7.75%.  The City also participates in Social Security.
• Medicare:  Employees contribute 1.45% with employer match.
• Vacation: Accrue 11 days per year to start at the rate of 6.875 hours per month.
• Personal Leave: In lieu of overtime, from 4 – 10 days of leave with pay each year.
• Holidays: 13 paid days per calendar year.
• Sick leave accrual @ 9.38 hours per month.
• Flexible Spending Account (Section 125): Set aside pre-tax funds for dependent care and out-of-pocket medical expenses.
• 457 Deferred Compensation, Roth and Commuter Benefits Program available on a voluntary basis.
• Tuition reimbursement available.
• Children of full-time City employees are eligible to attend school in the Piedmont Unified School District.  Employees’ children are eligible to attend the Piedmont Recreation Department (PRD) preschool program, Schoolmates programs and PRD run Summer Camps at no charge.  Eligibility to attend these programs are based upon availability.