Address
Form of work
SalaryPosition
The Junior Planner position presents an excellent opportunity for a recent college graduate looking to kickstart their career in urban planning and community development. This role involves conducting introductory research, analysis, and report writing for various planning and zoning related projects under close supervision. Junior Planners are tasked with offering guidance on planning-related issues to the public and colleagues within the City. Successful candidates will engage in a spectrum of planning projects, covering tasks of varying complexity, and undertake associated responsibilities to support these endeavors. This position serves as a steppingstone for individuals eager to gain hands-on experience in the field and make a meaningful contribution to urban development within the City of Vista.
***2.5% increase effective with the 2024/2025 Fiscal Year***
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the entry level class in the planning series, designed to develop the incumbent to perform more responsible municipal planning assignments. Work is closely supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Incumbents work on projects with limited scope and are exposed to many of the professional planner level duties but are given limited independent discretion in matters related to work procedures and methods.
This classification differs from the Assistant Planner where the latter is a journey level classification in the professional planner series and performs work which has some variation and allows or requires a limited range of choice in the application of defined methods or procedures.
Examples of Essential Functions
- Assist in gathering and tabulating data on population, land use, subdivision and community design.
- Answer questions from the public, meet and correspond with property owners regarding zoning requirements.
- Provide planning and zoning information to the general public at the development services counter and over the telephone and email.
- Process permit applications, such as home occupation permits, temporary use permits, minor use permits for alcohol related establishments among others over the counter.
- Review business license applications for zoning compliance, over the counter and those received via regular mail.
- Process zoning verification letters.
- Works with applicants in designing development projects which conform to City planning policies and ordinances.
- Assist public in completing applications for use in discretionary type permits, such as special use permits, site development plans, minor use permits, and tentative maps among others.
- Participate in the processing of use permits, variances, site development/plot plans and minor zoning applications.
- Check building, grading, and minor subdivisions plans for appropriateness of site, of lot size and setback.
- Conduct field inspections for permit approvals and compliance with zoning regulations and codes.
- Obtain names and addresses of property owners from county assessor’s records for public hearing notices.
- Design and draw a variety of maps, charts, and other graphic representations.
- Check final maps and construction documents to see if all conditions for the development are being met.
- Prepare written staff reports for Zoning Administrator and Planning Commission consideration.
- Work with staff on updates to the Community Development Department website and digital handouts as needed.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
KNOWLEDGE OF:
- The theory, principles and practices of land use planning and community development zoning and subdivision regulations.
- Applicable Federal, State, and Local laws, ordinances, codes, rules, and regulations including basic CEQA principles.
- Basic subdivision regulations, development standards, and zoning regulations.
- General building practices as they relate to plan review.
- Property description and requirements pertaining to preparation and maintenance of property maps.
- Appropriate City criteria for acceptable plans such as levels for noise, soils, grading, drainage, and landscape.
- Mathematical concepts.
- Site planning and architectural design principles.
- Mapping techniques and graphic design.
- Research methods used to collect and analyze land use planning data.
- Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
- Principles and procedures of record keeping.
- Customer service principles and practices.
- Modern office procedures, methods and equipment, including computers and applicable software applications.
ABILITY TO:
- Properly interpret and make decisions in accordance with state, federal and municipal planning laws, and department policies and procedures.
- Ability to read and interpret maps, engineering, and architectural drawings.
- Collect, tabulate and compute planning statistics.
- Organize and conduct basic simple planning research studies, prepare related reports and recommendations.
- Assist in preparation of comprehensive reports.
- Interpret site plans, maps, plot plans, street measurements, and related documents.
- Operate a computer and use applicable software applications.
- Maintain accurate records.
- Establish record keeping systems.
- Effectively communicate in writing and orally.
- Operate a vehicle observing legal and defensive driving practices.
- Understand and carry-out oral and written instructions.
- Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of training, education and experience which demonstrates an ability to perform the duties of the position. A typical combination would include graduation from a four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in planning, geography, public administration, architecture, or a related field. Directly related work experience is not required.
License or Certificate: A valid Class C California Driver’s License.
Other Information
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to sit; talk or hear, in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; and reach with hands or arms. The employee occasionally walks and stands and lifts and moves records and documents weighing 20 pounds or less.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use oral and written communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret data and situations; use math and mathematical reasoning; learn and apply new skills or information; perform highly detailed work on multiple concurrent tasks; work under changing and intensive deadlines with frequent interruptions; and interact with City officials, media, citizens groups, employees and others encountered in the course of work.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee works under typical office conditions, and the noise level is usually quiet.
The City of Vista is an Equal Opportunity and ADA compliant employer. All qualified candidates and veterans are welcome to apply!
- SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Week of May 13, 2024 - Initial Interview Panel
- Please note, all dates and/or timeframes are subject to change.
VACATION
85 Hrs. - 1-5 years of continuous service
125 Hrs. - 6-10 years
149 Hrs. - 11-15 years
165 Hrs. - 16-20 years
178 Hrs. - 20+ years
SICK LEAVE
Full time employees receive 96 hours per year.
HOLIDAYS
Full time employees working the 9/80 flex schedule receive 99 hours of holiday leave per fiscal year to cover scheduled holidays as wells as one floating holiday
INSURANCE
Excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance programs. A portion of the employee's and dependent's premiums are paid by the City.
WELLNESS PROGRAMMING
The City offers comprehensive wellness programming to its employees including onsite wellness facilities and onsite wellness sessions.
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT
The City's Tuition Reimbursement Plan can assist employees in paying the cost of books and tuition for pre-approved classes which relate to their job.
RETIREMENT
Depending on eligibility, based on CalPERS criteria, new employees will be provided the 3% @ 60 Plan or newly established 2% @ 62 Plan. Employees currently contribute the entire employee contribution amount of 8%.
The City does not participate in Social Security, but employees must be enrolled in the Medicare portion.
- Actual benefits will depend on date of hire and may differ from the information listed. Part-time employee benefits may be prorated.
