Associate/Senior Planner with the City of Soledad

Job Description:

Associate/Senior Planner with the City of Soledad

Description

Position Description

Associate Planner

$6 ,079.39 - $7 ,249.79/ month DOE/DOQ

Senior Planner

$7,783.33 - $9,281.77 /month DOE/DOQ

Are you a planning professional who is ready to make meaningful impact s long - range planning decisions ?

Are you excited about the opportunity to guide the development of a growing community while delivering solution-oriented results and top-notch customer service?

If you're a self-starter who thrives when working both independently and as pa rt of a dynamic group, we want to hear from you.

Currently, the City of Soledad is conducting a recruitment for an Associate/Senior Planner and we encourage you to apply to become the next p lanner!

Regional Government Services and its staff are conducting the recruitment on behalf of the City of Soledad .

The Position

Associate Planner:

This is the journey-level class in the professional planning series. Incumbents may be assigned the full range of routine and complex planning, zoning, and related functions encountered by the City . Responsibilities include prov iding a r ange of routine and complex customer services to the public at the front counter and on the telephone rega rding pol icies and procedures, ongoing projects, zoning regulations, permit requirements, and related building and development issues. This class requires the frequent use of independent judgment as well as a knowledge of departmental and City activities. Thi s class is distinguished from the Senior Planner in that the latter is the advanced-journey level class in the series, providing administrative support and day-to-day supervision to departmental staff in addition to performing the most complex planning and related duties.

Senior Planner:

This is the advanced journey-level class in the professional planning series with responsibilities spanning the entire spectrum of the planning function with a primary emphasis on current and advanced planning and related issues. Successful performance of the work requires a broad professional background as well as skill in coordinating assigned work with that of other City departments and public agencies. Responsibilities include assisting with performing specified departmental day-to-day administrative functions. This class is distinguished from the Community and Economic Development Director in that the latter has overall responsibility for all planning and community development functions and for developing, implementing, and interpreting public policy for the department

The Ideal Candidate will:

• Be motivated by the opportunity for professional growth and satisfaction that comes from working in an environment ripe with challenge and possibility.
  

• Be a self-starter, flexible, reliable, and detail oriented with high standards for work product.
  

• Thrive in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities, high expectations , and a constant influx of work.
  

• Be an effective problem-solver who combines technical expertise with excellent leadership and written and oral communication skills.
  

• Relish the opportunity to engage in work autonomously while also effectively collaborating with various members of the City .
  

• Have familiarity with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) , the California Coastal Act , and experience with updating ordinances, writing staff reports, and working with various state agencies.
  

• Work strategically and collaboratively to solve problems with team members, contractors, consultants, other government agencies, and individuals at all levels of the organization.
  

• Have the ability to innovate, learn new ideas, and develop strategies that focus on successful implementation.
  

• Confidently articulate their viewpoints while being open to different professional perspectives .
  

COMPETENCIES

• Adaptability and Flexibility - Respon ds effectively to multiple demands, ambiguity, shifting of priorities, emerging situations, and rapid change .
  

• Attention to Detail - Accomplishes tasks with thoroughness and accuracy .
  

• Analytical Thinking - Identifies and defines problems, extracts key information from data, and develops workable solutions for the problems identified .
  

• Communication - Shares information with and receives information from constituents using oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills .
  

• Decisions Making - Takes action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences .
  

• Interpersonal Relations and Skills - Builds relationships based on mutual trust and respect .
  

• Influence - Exerts a positive effect on other’s views, attitudes, decisions, perceptions , or beliefs .
  

• Initiative - Assesses and initiates things independently .
  

• Results Orientation and Execution - Manages time and priorities effectively .
  

• Teamwork - Works collaboratively with others to achieve a goal .
  
• Time Management and Organization - Manages and prioritizes both everyday responsibilities and high-level, longer-term objectives .
  
  

About the City

Soledad is a city in Monterey County with a population of approximately 19,000. Nestled between the beautiful Santa Lucia Mountains to the west and the picturesque Gabilan Mountains to the east, Soledad’s origins started with Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad which was founded in 1791. Development and growth continued its rich history until eventually incorporating as a city in 1921. Today, Soledad is a notable tourist destination, owing to its proximity to Pinnacles National Park, a California Mission, and the Santa Lucia Highlands wine country. Soledad is surrounded by the Salinas Valley’s booming agricultural community, home to fields of lettuce, broccoli, and asparagus, as well as row upon row on some of the finest wine grapes in the state.

The City of Soledad continues to be a model of economic vitality and resilience through the implementation of infrastructure improvements to city parks, roads, schools, and water treatment systems. Renewable energy, water reclamation, and downtown revitalization are at the heart of our mission to provide a sustainable future for our residents, businesses, and visitors.

Since the early 2000’s, the City of Soledad has played a major role in fostering and increasing much-needed units of affordable housing to support the diverse needs of Monterey County’s growing workforce. Since 2015, the city has been working closely with developers to add single family and multi-family housing to areas approved for development before 2008. This housing development boom is increasing economic development opportunities for small businesses, franchise businesses, service providers, medical facilities, entertainment venues, and large retailers who seek to expand to an untapped market.

Examples of Duties

For an overview of the job duties, please review the job description here:

Associate Planner

Senior Planner

Typical Qualifications

Associate Planner

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying . A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in urban planning, community development, business or public administration, or a related field .
  

• Two (2) years of professional experience in planning, zoning, and related community development activities .
  

• A m aster’s degree in a related field may be substituted for one (1) year of experience.
  

License:

• Valid California class C driver's license with satisfactory driving record
  

Senior Planner

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying . A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in urban planning, community development, business or public administration, or a related field.
  

• Four (4) years of professional experience in planning, zoning, and related community development activities.
  

• P osses sion of a master's degree in either urban planning or public administration with an emphasis in urban planning is highly de sirable .
  

License:

• Valid California class C driver's license with satisfactory driving record
  

• Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is highly desirable.
  

Supplemental Information

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary:

Associate Planner

$6 ,079.39 - $7 ,249.79/ month DOE/DOQ

Senior Planner

$7,783.33 - $9,281.77 /month DOE/DOQ

Benefits:

• Modified Work Schedule - City offers 9/80 work schedule.
  

• Vacation - Ten (10) days per calendar year
  

• Sick Leave - Twelve (12) days per calendar year
  

• Holidays - Eleven (11) paid holidays, and one (1) floating holiday
  

• 40 hours of Paid Administrative Leave
  

• Cell phone and/or tablet/laptop offered to employees
  

• Insurance - City provides comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits for the employee and their dependents. Employee participates in premium cost. In addition, City pays the full premium for Long Term Disability, Life and AD&D Insurance.
  

• Retirement - City participates in the CalPERS Retirement System. 2% at 60 for Classic Members and 2% at 62 for New CalPERS Members.
  

• Social Security - City participates in Social Security Program
  

APPLICATION PROCESS AND SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Applications must be submitted on-line through this applicant tracking system. Materials must be complete and clearly indicate the candidate meets the minimum qualifications. Incomplete, late, emailed, and faxed applications are not accepted. Resumes are not considered in lieu of the required employment application.

Certificates, resumes, and/or cover letters must be uploaded with your application through this applicant tracking system .

All statements made on the application, resume, and supplemental materials are subject to verification. False statements may be cause for immediate disqualification, removal from eligibility list, or discharge from employment.

The deadline to apply is November 13 , 2024, at 11:59 PM PST.

LINK TO APPLY HERE

Appraisal Process - (Pass/Fail) After the closing deadline, applications will be screened in relation to the criteria indicated in this announcement.

This process may also include various interviews and/or a skills assessment exam to rank applications, and to prepare a Qualified Candidate List.

Application - Minimum Qualification Assessment - (Pass/Fail) All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and assessed for each applicant's ability to meet the minimum work experience, training, and education qualifications.

Remote Screen Interview Exam - (Pass/Fail) Candidates who pass the application assessment will be invited to a Remote Screen Interview Examination to evaluate training, experience, and other job-related qualifications for the position . The Remote Screen Interview will be conducted via a video conference platform and is tentatively scheduled for mid-November 2024.

Successful candidates will be submitted to the City of Soledad for further consideration.
All communication and notices will be sent via e-mail. Additional inquiries about the position may be directed to dprieto@rgs.ca.gov .

Neither Regional Government Services nor the City of Soledad are responsible for failure of internet forms or email in submitting your application. Candidates who may require special assistance in any phase of the application or selection process should advise Regional Government Services by mailing dprieto@rgs.ca.gov

The City of Soledad is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Closing Date/Time: 11/13/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$72,952.68 - $111,381.24 Annually