Orinda is a delightful place in which to live, work and play!
The City of Orinda seeks a talented individual with strong technical, writing and interpersonal skills to serve in the capacity of Assistant or Associate Planner. This position performs professional work in all areas of the Planning Department including development review, long-range planning, economic activities, housing and code enforcement. Additionally, this position provides planning staff assistance to the City Council and other City commissions and committees and provides technical assistance to the Director of Planning. This position reports to the Director of Planning.
The City of Orinda Planning Department's mission is to maintain and enhance the semi-rural residential character and the downtown village character of Orinda through responsive and solution-oriented services to all segments of the beautiful community or Orinda.
Primary duties of this position include:
- Conduct assigned complex planning projects involving land use, zoning, housing and related subjects; conduct basic research and confer with applicants and agency representatives to identify problems; perform site inspections for project applications, landscaping and other planning conditions; monitor mitigation measures;
- Receive and review permit applications; assess fees; establish conditions for project approval by analyzing projects with respect to relevant laws, ordinances, regulations and City policies; determine methods to reconcile project conflicts with zoning requirements and State environmental laws; approve home occupation permits by determining appropriate zoning and by inspecting residence and property for code compliance;
- Prepare or coordinate preparation of environmental documents in accordance with State and Federal laws;
- Draft ordinances and ordinance amendments; prepare professional staff reports of summarized data, conclusions and recommendations; present reports at Planning Commission and City Council meetings;
- Organize and prepare agenda for Planning Commission meetings; compose and prepare action letters for Planning Commission and City Council; prepare notices of public hearings ensuring timeliness of notices;
- Develop program policies and procedures; monitor and evaluate ongoing projects;
- Administer contracts including directing, evaluating and monitoring work performed; prepare or draft related proposals, reports and records; develop and monitor program budget; maintain and monitor development application trust fund deposits;
- Confer with engineers, attorneys, contractors, architects and the general public on planning and zoning related matters; interpret planning policies, State laws and local ordinances; explain procedures; coordinate planning projects with other departments and outside agencies;
- Represent the City in relations with community, advisory committees, authorities, other local, County, State, and Federal agencies, other cities and professional organizations; serve on committees as assigned and represent the City in discussions regarding municipal operations;
- Respond to inquiries and provide information regarding City operations, policies and procedures; refer inquiries to appropriate authority as necessary; receive complaints regarding assigned programs; determine alternative methods to achieve compliance involving application of related laws, ordinances and regulations; and
- Associate Planner may provide technical and functional supervision over lower level staff.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Candidates with the following qualifications are encouraged to apply:
Assistant Planner - Salary Range: $8062 - $9,837
- Experience: One year of directly related municipal planning experience is desirable, and
- Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning or a related field; and
- License: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a California driver's license; and
- Special Requirement: Ability to work in a standard office environment; ability to travel to different sites and locations.
Associate Planner - Salary: $8,627 - $10,527
- Experience: Three (3) years of professional planning experience; and
- Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning or a related field; and
- License or Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a California driver's license; and
- Special Requirement: Ability to work in a standard office environment; ability to travel to different sites and locations.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
To be considered for this position, qualified job applicants are required to submit the following by the closing date of this announcement:
- Apply Online through CalOpps.org.
- Please submit a cover letter explaining your interest in the position and a resume along with your completed application for the Planner position.
A limited number of applicants with the most desirable qualifications as determined by initial screening of application and other submitted documents will be invited to participate in an interview and testing process that will consist of a practical test and oral board interview. All applicants will be notified by phone or email if they are invited to participate further in the selection process.
Completed application materials must be submitted on the CalOpps.org website by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 8, 2024.
Any candidate selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a background history check, conviction history check, as well as a medical exam including a pre-placement drug screen before hire.
The City of Orinda is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates with a disability which may require special assistance in any phase of the application or testing process should submit a request for accommodation with the application. Documentation of the need for accommodation must accompany the request.