Location
Description
About the Role
The Town of Los Altos Hills is seeking an experienced, motivated, and community-oriented Associate Planner to join our small but dynamic Planning team. Under the supervision of the Director, the Associate Planner will work on a wide variety of current and long-range planning efforts. This is a mid-level professional planning role ideal for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and enjoys managing projects with autonomy while serving a unique, rural-residential community.
The Associate Planner conducts research and analysis related to the Town’s General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and other land use regulations. This position also plays a key role in community engagement and customer service, preparing reports and presenting to citizen committees, the Planning Commission, and the Town Council on projects of moderate to considerable complexity.
Key Responsibilities
- Reviews and makes recommendations on development proposals, including site development permits, variances, conditional development permits, conditional use permits, and lot line adjustments.
- Prepares staff reports and recommendations for the Planning Commission, City Council, and Site Development hearings; attends meetings and delivers presentations as needed.
- Conducts field investigations to assist with project evaluation.
- Coordinates plan reviews with internal departments (e.g., Building, Public Works), Town consultants, and other public agencies.
- Inspects development projects for compliance with approved plans and conditions of approval.
- Conducts research and analysis on planning topics such as land use trends, General Plan updates, Census data, and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) participation.
- Evaluates and approves administrative-level development permits and checks building plans for consistency with Town codes and conditions.
- Interprets and explains planning and zoning regulations and land use principles to the public, architects, builders, and developers.
- Conducts site analysis meetings with design professionals and residents.
- Investigates zoning and code compliance complaints and conducts follow-up as necessary.
- Prepares informational handouts and public materials related to Town policies and development procedures.
- Evaluates projects for compliance with CEQA, the Subdivision Map Act, and applicable State planning and zoning laws.
- Prepares findings for CEQA exemptions, Initial Studies, Negative Declarations, Mitigated Negative Declarations, and coordinates Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) as needed.
- Provides occasional training, technical support, and direction to interns, Assistant Planners, and consultants.
- Participates in interdepartmental coordination with the Public Works Manager, City Engineer, Finance Director, and Building Official.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be a well-rounded planning professional with strong technical knowledge, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to high-quality public service. They will demonstrate the following:
Knowledge and Abilities
- Strong working knowledge of land use planning principles, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and the Subdivision Map Act.
- Ability to quickly learn and apply the Town’s General Plan, zoning regulations, and development review processes.
- Ability to gather and analyze planning data, read and interpret architectural and site plans, and conduct thorough project evaluations.
- Ability to conduct environmental assessments and prepare CEQA-related documents, including Initial Studies, Negative Declarations, and findings for exemptions.
- Ability to prepare clear, accurate, and well-organized staff reports and present complex information effectively at public meetings.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to a wide range of audiences, including residents, applicants, architects, and contractors.
- Proven ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, Town officials, and community members.
- Proficiency in using planning-related software and tools, including GIS and standard office applications.
- Ability to perform technical and mathematical computations and prepare basic maps and exhibits as needed.
- Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex planning issues and propose appropriate solutions.
- Willingness to work occasional evening hours to attend public meetings.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in urban planning, urban design, landscape architecture, environmental studies, or a closely related field.
- At least three (3) years of professional experience in urban or environmental planning. A Master’s degree may be substituted for one year of experience.
- Public sector experience is strongly preferred.
Licenses and Certifications
- Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license.
- Certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable.
Benefits
- CalPERS Retirement
- New employees with no prior CalPERS service or have a break in CalPERS service of 6 months or more: 2% @ 62. Employees are required by law to pay 50% of the normal cost, or 6.5%.
- New employees who are classic CalPERS member and did not have a break in service for more than 6 months: 2% @ 60. Employees are responsible for CalPERS member contribution, currenlty set at 7.0%.
- Health Insurance – Town provides a generous flexible spending allowance to employees at a rate that currently covers up to the Kaiser premium cost.
- Dental Insurance – Town paid insurance through Assurant Employee Benefits for employee and eligible dependents.
- Vision Insurance – Town paid insurance through VSP for employee and eligible dependents.
- Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (ADD) Insurance – Town paid Life and ADD insurance for active employees to receive a lump sum amount up to the employee’s annual salary in the event of a qualified loss while employed by the Town.
Special Instructions
To be considered for this position, applicants must submit a complete online application through the Town of Los Altos Hills’ recruitment portal. Please include the following with your application:
- A resume detailing your relevant experience
- A cover letter highlighting your qualifications and interest in the position
- Responses to the required supplemental questions
Incomplete applications may not be considered. Applications must be submitted no later than Sunday, June 29, 2025, at 11:59 PM (PST). Only the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next phase of the selection process.