Associate / Senior Planner - Limited Duration, City of Walnut Creek - Walnut Creek, CA

Associate / Senior Planner - Limited Duration 

City of Walnut Creek

September 22, 2014 

Professional Area: 

Planning Management, Budgeting and Finance

Experience: 

3-5 years

Website: 

http://www.walnut-creek.org

Location: 

Walnut Creek, CA

CLOSING DATE:
10/09/14 05:00 PM

CITY OF WALNUT CREEK POSITION DESCRIPTION:
Associate Planner: $79,079 - $95,484 Annually

Senior Planner: $93,204 - $112,791 Annually

The City of Walnut Creek is seeking to hire two limited-duration, full-time positions: Associate Planner and Senior Planner. Each will be primarily working on current planning projects but work may include some aspects of long-range studies. The professionals hired for these positions will be preparing staff reports; making oral presentations to the public and to elected and appointed decision makers; interpreting planning policies, state laws and local ordinances; explaining City procedures in person, over the phone and in writing; drafting a variety of written documents including letters, reports, ordinances, amendments to ordinances, and California Environmental Quality Act documents; and working extensively on the computer to manage current planning case-loads, prepare maps, analyze data, create graphics, research on the Internet, and communicate with others through e-mail.
There are currently two limited term, full-time vacancies in the City’s Planning Division of the Community and Economic Development Department. These are limited-duration positions that are funded for one year only. These positions are designated as “at-will” under City rules; the incumbent will serve in an exempt status at the pleasure of the City Manager.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:
The ideal candidates will have a zeal for public service, strong current planning skills including zoning and design review, excellent written and verbal communication skills and project management capability. The positions require a strong working knowledge of federal, state and local law as it pertains to city planning; the ability to perform moderate to complex planning studies and project reviews, ability to make effective oral and written presentations using state of the art technology; ability to interpret and apply complex guidelines; and ability and desire to establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships while ensuring quality customer service and efficient project management.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES:

Education and Experience:
The positions require graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in urban planning, architecture, public administration or a related field, and considerable experience (minimum of three to four years for Associate, five to seven years for Senior) in professional municipal planning; or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the knowledge and skills for the position.
Please see the class specification at www.walnut-creek.org for a complete description of this classification's representative duties, requirements, working conditions, and physical requirements.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of urban planning and zoning and skill in applying these principles and practices to local problems.
• Thorough knowledge of federal, state and local laws related to planning, zoning, and design review.
• Thorough knowledge of the California Environmental Quality Act.
• Skill in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data pertaining to planning and zoning situations and studies.
• Knowledge of standard computer software related to the work; knowledge of or capacity to learn to use permit processing software, Geographic Information System software, database software, and graphics software.
• Skill in communicating effectively, orally and in writing.
• Skill in understanding and interpreting maps, plans, building elevations, specifications, and legal descriptions.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with others.
• Skill in creating word processing documents, sending e-mails, and researching topics on the Internet.

Special Requirement: Possession of, or ability to obtain prior to employment, a valid Class C California Driver’s License and a good driving record.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Applications are due no later than 5:00 PM on Thursday, October 9, 2014. All applicants must apply online at www.walnut-creek.org to be eligible for consideration.

Applicants possessing the MOST DESIRABLE qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process, which may include an appraisal interview tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, October 22, 2014. An eligible list will be established as a result of this examination process and will be valid for a period of six months. All applicants will be notified by email as to whether or not they are invited to participate further in the selection process. In addition, applicants can log on to their account and check their current status online.
The successful candidate must successfully pass a thorough background check including DOJ fingerprinting and criminal check. If special accommodations are necessary at any stage of the examination process please provide the Human Resources Division with advance notice and every attempt will be made to consider your request. As required by law, all public employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers. As such, all City of Walnut Creek employees may be called upon to assist in the event of fire, flood, earthquake, or other natural or man-
made disasters.