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It’s a great time to join the City of Belmont’s Community Development Department as an Assistant or Associate Planner!

 

The Community Development Department includes the Planning and Building divisions and works closely with the Housing and Economic Development team in the City Manager’s office. We are a dynamic staff of twelve, including several team members that have many years of service and bring deep institutional knowledge and experience working alongside newer team members who bring fresh perspective and ideas. Together, we are working on a wide range of projects and programs to provide great customer service, encourage housing development, diversify the City’s employment base, and plan for a resilient future for Belmont. We approach our work with a commitment to public service and belief that what we do helps shape the community and peoples’ lives.

 

This position is ideal for a planner that wants to apply their skills and experience to provide customer service, manage projects, help develop policy, and improve process in a collegial environment where humor is appreciated. The Assistant or Associate Planner will focus on current planning and will also have opportunities to work on advance planning and policy development. The Community Development leadership team is committed to providing training and growth opportunities for staff. This position will be filled at the Assistant Planner or Associate Planner level dependent on candidate qualifications.

 

 

Recruitment Timeline

First Review of Applications - January 12, 2026

First Round Interviews - Week of January 26, 2026

Department Interviews - Week of February 2, 2026

*Dates may be subject to change

The City of Brisbane is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Associate Planner to join our dynamic and collaborative Community Development team. This is an excellent opportunity for a fast learner who is passionate about public service and thrives on delivering outstanding customer service. A full classification description is available online at www.brisbaneca.org. 

Example of Duties: (Illustrative Only)

• Responds to inquiries from the public by providing information regarding the General Plan, the Zoning and Subdivisions Ordinances, and statistical data.
• Provides content for Department website.
• Reviews building permit applications for compliance with applicable planning regulations.
• Receives and reviews land use permits, design review applications, zoning, and General Plan amendments for conformance with the General Plan, Zoning, and Subdivision Ordinances and other requirements; and prepares staff reports recommending appropriate action.
• Conducts environmental review including preparation of initial studies and negative declarations, technical and administrative support on the preparation of Environmental Impact Reports and staff reports on all phases of environmental review.
• Performs detailed planning studies, research, and analysis to support development of long-range policies and plans, as well as implementation ordinances for the City’s growth and development.
• Prepares and analyzes various professional planning studies including, but not limited to, demographics, traffic, and historic resources.
• Prepares General Plan elements such as the Housing Element by drafting and finalizing plan documents; researching materials and making presentations to committees, the Planning Commission, and the City Council.
• Prepares reports and studies and represents the department before the public, other agencies, and developer representatives.
• Attends and participates in meetings of the Planning Commission, City Council, special committees, and neighborhood groups.

The Position

The new Community Development Director is a high-level leader proficient in all areas of community development and will function as a key member of the management team in implementing City Council priorities and shaping the future of the City. The Director plans, organizes, and directs the activities of the Department, working with local and regional partners to ensure the City’s priorities and goals are achieved. Under the direction of a visionary City Manager, this position is responsible for providing excellent leadership and directing and managing overall operations of an efficient and effective Community Development Department. The successful candidate will be well versed in the principles and practices of city planning; governmental administration; Federal, State, and Local laws affecting public planning; uniform building codes; and other codes enforced by the department. They will be responsible and innovative in creating succession planning, providing mentorship, fair supervision, and strategic training, with the ability to manage a budget of approximately $3 million and a team of ten full-time employees.

 

Responsibilities include, but may not be limited to the following:

• Meet with directors, division managers, and other key department staff to collaborate and discuss issues regarding projects, policies, programs, and to determine priorities.

• Make recommendations on planning, zoning enforcement, building inspection, and related issues to the City Manager, Planning Commission, City Council, and various citizen advisory groups.

• Confer with public officials, developers, citizen groups, and the general public on highly sensitive matters related to the City’s development regulations and policies.

• Supervise the administration and enforcement of the City’s environmental impact review procedures.

• Develop policies and procedures designed to improve and provide quality services to the citizens and the community.

• Interpret, enforce, and propose amendments to the City’s General Plan and related ordinances.

• Assist in the development, implementation, and monitoring of long-term plans, goals, and objectives focused on achieving the City’s mission and Council priorities.

• Oversee the operations and activities of assigned divisions and staff

 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, civil engineering, public administration, urban development/design, or a related field.

• A Master’s degree in a related field is highly desirable.

• Six (6) years of responsible experience in planning, community development, urban design, development, and review, or related field with a background in planning, redevelopment, building operations, or related field.

• Three (3) years of increasingly responsible management experience.

• Previous municipal experience is highly desirable.

The City of Redwood City Invites Applications for: Associate Planner - Long Range 

WHY JOIN THE REDWOOD CITY TEAM?

We offer a wide range of meaningful career opportunities with potential for growth, training and development, competitive salaries, flexible work schedules, paid time off, and robust benefits. The Redwood City team is guided by core values of excellence, integrity, service, collaboration, inclusion, and innovation.  Inherent in these values is a great organizational culture based on trust, strong and supportive leadership, respect, risk-taking, empowerment, and effective communication.

The community is known for its inclusivity, strong engaged neighborhoods, and civic pride. The City works diligently to maintain positive and productive relationships with community partners, together providing outstanding services, programs and opportunities for residents and businesses. This mix of tradition and progress, community and diversity, makes Redwood City an extraordinary place to work and call home. If you’re looking to grow your career as a part of a hard-working and fun Community Development Department team that fosters innovation, creativity and collaboration, we hope you’ll apply.  

 

ABOUT THE POSITION

The City of Redwood City invites you to apply for the position of Associate Long Range Planner within the Community Development Department’s Planning Division. This position, which will be focused primarily on long range planning activities, is an excellent opportunity for a motivated professional to lead or participate in numerous long range efforts underway including:
 

• Greater Downtown Area Plan, an update of the City’s vision for Downtown and adjacent neighborhoods
• Update to the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance
• Development of objective design standards
• Implementation of the City’s Housing Element
• Research, tracking, and implementation of new State laws
• Development of policies and standards to address climate change risks in coordination with Engineering and Public Works Departments
• Regular maintenance and updates to City’s zoning code and General Plan

In addition to long range planning activities, this position will be assigned a limited number of current planning projects depending on Planning Division needs. The position allows for a hybrid work schedule (3 days in office and 2 days working remotely).

Under general direction from the Assistant Community Development Director, the Associate Long Range Planner performs a variety of complex technical planning activities and completes work related to assigned areas of responsibility.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

• Supports development of City policy related to land use, urban design, housing, transportation, and related topics to support long range planning initiatives;
• Conducts research and analysis supporting planning studies and assists in preparation of planning reports and documents;
• Analyzes and prepares amendments to the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance;
• Provides technical assistance to other City staff and to the public in planning and development matters;
• Evaluates and analyzes small- and medium-sized development projects and proposals for compliance with City goals, policies, and ordinances and, as needed, facilitates environmental analysis;
• Facilitates applications for planning permits and environmental review, project manages their review by City staff, and prepares associated staff reports and presentations for the Zoning Administrator, Planning Commission, City Council, and other boards, commissions, and committees;
• Meets with applicants, professionals, citizens, organizations, etc. related to their projects and/or long range policy;
• Attends meetings of and makes presentations before community groups, the Planning Commission, City Council, boards, commissions, and committees, and other governmental bodies in coordination with supervisory staff, as required;
• Staffs the planning counter as needed;
• May be designated as liaison for the Architectural Advisory Committee or Historic Resources Advisory Committee at the direction of the Planning Manager or Community Development Director;
• Performs related duties as assigned.

 

The Staff Landscape Architect will oversee design elements of all park development/landscape improvement projects, prepare landscape designs, construction documents and specifications, perform construction observation and troubleshooting, provide general project management and administration, and represent the agency at public meetings.

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This is highly technical and professional work for a person at a senior staff/management level. The work performed will support MRCA’s operation of nature parks within greater Los Angeles, land acquisition and capital improvement Workprograms, and other efforts related to public access, open space conservation, habitat restoration, and urban park development. 

Ability to speak Spanish and a current landscape architect license issued by the State of California are required.

Supervision

This position reports to the Deputy Executive Officer. Assorted tasks may be supervised by Executive Staff and may include participation in multi-division teams. The position may supervise other staff at the entry-level or intermediate project manager level. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Produce landscape improvement plans, details, and specifications, at conceptual design, schematic design,  and construction document phases with both hand-drawn graphics and CAD techniques.
• Coordinate with Construction Supervisors to monitor progress of in-house staff (force account) and subcontractors, assure compliance with plans and specifications, and troubleshoot as needed.
• Coordinate with Site Managers to monitor landscape maintenance activities and improvements; troubleshoot as needed. Provide input and guidance on long-term management plans for existing and new facilities.
• Sign/stamp plans. Interpret and apply applicable ordinances, regulations, and standard operating procedures.
• Produce early concept designs for a variety of project types.
• Identify and scope improvement projects for existing facilities.
• Monitor and track project budgets and spending.
• Review and approve landscape plans, details, and specifications prepared by others for park development projects.
• Coordinate the assessment and removal of architectural barriers.
• Make reports about improvement projects to Executive Staff, Governing Board, funders, and the general public.
• Conduct a bi-annual Request for Qualifications for various professional disciplines to maintain a current list of qualified consultants.
• Review proposal submissions from environmental design consultants and make recommendations to project managers.
• Attend senior staff meetings and participate in management discussions.
• Oversee agency design standards. Research new products and technologies.
• Perform Construction Administration tasks and respond to RFIs from contractors and construction management consultants.
• Specify and procure supplies for improvement projects and work closely with vendors.
• Produce written materials including construction specifications, staff reports, text for publication, proposals, progress reports, and a variety of other documents.
• Determine project scope, options, and alternatives to overcome constraints. Revise as often as needed to address unexpected conditions.
• Maintain good habits of answering and responding to incoming telephone calls, correspondence, and when communicating and providing customer service to citizens who seek assistance.
• Maintain positive relationships with coworkers, representatives of other government agencies, non-profit organizations, homeowner’s associations, and the public at large.
• Lead and participate in group hikes, project site tours, and kayak trips with project stakeholders.
• Represent the agency in public forums.
• Perform related duties as required.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Write and coordinate grant proposals and research new funding opportunities for land acquisition, park development, and related planning efforts.
• Perform day-to-day administration of grants, prepare required reports and ensure conformance with grant agreements. 

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required remain in a stationary position, occasionally move about inside the office to access supplies and office machinery, frequently communicate and exchange information, review handwritten, electronic and facsimile documents, and operate a computer and other office productivity machinery. The employee must occasionally move items weighing up to 20 pounds inside the office.

During project site surveys, the employee is regularly required to position self to perform measurement and inventory tasks, frequently move about work sites, operate a mobile system to complete checklists, travel to various park sites, frequently operate measuring tools to record measurements indoors and in outdoor weather conditions, transport tools between vehicles and work sites on a daily basis, and occasionally ascend/descend a ladder to access areas of work.

Required Hours and Location

Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week with some scheduling flexibility. The position will work out of the Los Angeles River Center and Gardens and will be required to travel to various other locations. Offices at the River Center are spread among multiple buildings and floors. Remote working or a hybrid schedule may be allowed, subject to supervisor approval.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Education and Experience

• B.L.A, B.A. or B.S. degree. 
• Completion of Landscape Architecture degree (bachelor or masters). Completion of an approved extension certificate program meeting education requirements for State of California licensure may be substituted.
• Four (4) years of experience with landscape architect duties. 
• Work experience directly managing landscape improvement projects with force account or via design/build relationship. Provide at least three (3) examples of completed projects.
• Experience in the public sector in park planning and design is desired.
• Ability to speak Spanish is required.

Training and Certification

• Current, valid Landscape Architect license with the State of California.

Knowledge of:

• State of California Building Code and ADAS requirements for public facilities.
• Intermediate proficiency with AutoCAD, BlueDAG, and Land F/X software, or ability to learn.
• Construction practices for architecture and landscape improvements.
• California Environmental Quality Act requirements, or ability to learn.
• Basic proficiency in email and Office 365, or ability to learn.
• Office practices and procedures.

Ability to:

• Cooperate with coworkers and revise project approach as needed to accommodate concerns.
• Travel to various park sites to conduct site evaluations and evaluate projects.
• Maintain files and records in an orderly manner.
• Prioritize varying tasks and projects to manage multiple projects at once.
• Work independently to handle multiple tasks under deadlines.
• Revise work approach to address changed conditions.
• Complete projects and follow oral and written directions.
• Consistently follow established procedures.
• Exercise discretion and sensitivity to confidential information.
• Communicate to a variety of audiences about projects and objectives.
• Read maps and navigate through greater Los Angeles, in both urban developed and undeveloped open space areas.

Competencies:

• Accurate use of measuring devices for distance, height, slope and adjacencies. 
• Demonstrated creativity and ability to troubleshoot landscape construction issues
• Spatial analysis.

• Excellent oral and written English language skills. Not required to be a native English speaker, but fluency in English will be required.

• Excellent organizational skills.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the course of work including the general public. 

This job announcement is not intended to, and does not, create an employment contract of any kind and does not create any express or implied contractual obligations. Employment at MRCA is at-will without exception. The employee and MRCA may terminate employment at any time with or without advance notice and with or without cause.

Any provision contained in this job announcement may be modified or revoked at any time without notice.