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DESCRIPTION The Associate Planner performs professional level work in the field of current or advanced planning; conducts special projects and research as assigned; and prepares reports and recommendations relative to assigned area of responsibility. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS This is the journey level classification in the professional planning series. Positions at this level perform the full range of planner duties and tasks. The Associate Planner class is distinguished from the Assistant Planner by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned with only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise. Incumbents work independently under direction. Incumbents typically perform the more complex duties and tasks. SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED The Associate Planner receives direction from higher level professional or his/her designee. This position exercises no supervision. EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Perform professional level work in the field of current or advanced planning. Gather and maintain demographic data and other related statistics. Research, analyze, and interpret complex social, economic, population, and land use data and trends. Compile information and make recommendations on special studies; prepare technical and complex reports. Make presentations to the Planning Commission, developers, community groups, and outside agencies. Review development proposals and other requests made to the Planning Department for conformance with appropriate regulations; prepare reports of recommendations. Check commercial, industrial, and residential development plans for issuance of zone clearance; process permit applications. Act as project or program leader for general plan elements, environmental impact reports, comprehensive plans, and other special planning studies involving utilization of planning disciplines such as transportation, urban design, capital facilities, environmental analysis, growth management, zoning, and land use regulation. Interpret and apply environmental quality laws and regulations to ensure that development proposals, City projects, and municipal code amendments are in compliance with State and Federal laws. Prepare general plan elements and amendments; make recommendations concerning long-range planning projects including annexations, specific plans, specific plan amendments, precise plans, or complex subdivisions. Perform extensive research regarding implementation of policies established by the general plan, zoning ordinance, or other land use and development ordinances. Confer with and advise architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, engineers, and the general public regarding City development policies and standards. Prepare staff reports and graphic displays. Research and draft ordinances for review. Perform related duties as assigned. EXPERIENCE & TRAINING / LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATE Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be: Experience: Two years of responsible planning experience comparable to that of an Assistant Planner. Training: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning or a closely related field. LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver license and legally required vehicle insurance. Must also be able to meet driving record standards set by the city's driving policy. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of: Land use, general planning, and code enforcement. Research and investigation procedures. Business English, spelling, and grammar. Advanced principles and practices of urban planning. Statistical and research methods as applied to the collection, analysis, and presentation of planning data. Applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations. Current literature, information sources, and research techniques in the field of urban planning. Ability to: Speak publicly and explain/interpret City practices and objectives. Demonstrate tact and diplomacy with the public. Prepare reports and graphic presentations. Perform technical research and give reliable advice on planning issues. Interpret planning and zoning programs to the general public. Prepare accurate maps, plans, charts, and tables. Interpret or explain statistical analysis applied to land use, transportation, communications, and public utility systems. Understand laws underlying general plans, zoning, and land divisions. Understand applicable environmental laws and regulations. Supervise and train personnel. Analyze and compile technical and statistical information and prepare reports. Lay out work and guide subordinate personnel. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional climbing, bending, and squatting. Lifting: frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 40 pounds. Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision. Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching. Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone. Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone. Environmental: frequent exposure to noise. WORKING CONDITIONS Work is performed in a typical temperature controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and environment. Positions may require occasional overtime; weekend work and travel is rare. The City of Palmdale is noted for its highly skilled work force with a large concentration of aerospace firms located at Air Force Plant 42 and nearby Edwards Air Force Base. Its family oriented and culturally enhancing venues such as the Palmdale Playhouse, DryTown Water Park and Starlight Amphitheater make Palmdale "a place to call home." The city is located approximately one hour north of Los Angeles off the Antelope Valley Freeway (14). Palmdale encompasses about 104 square miles and has a population of approximately 153,000. The City is served by several school districts and has a growing retail and commercial base. For more information visit www.cityofpalmdale.org. BUSINESS HOURS: Normal operating hours are from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday - Thursday. CLOSED on Friday. UNION: The Teamsters Local 911 represents certain positions in the City's Maintenance Division of Public Works. EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION APPLICATION MATERIALS must be submitted by the closing date listed in the job bulletin. Resumes cannot be accepted in lieu of a City online application. RESIDENCE within the City is not required. AN ELIGIBILITY LIST of the most qualified applicants will be compiled based on the results of the selection process. The list will remain in place for a period to be determined by Human Resources. BENEFITS listed here apply to full-time and benefited part-time positions; not to unbenefited part-time employees unless so described. A PROBATION PERIOD of six months minimum applies to initial employment with the City. VACATION, HOLIDAYS AND LEAVE: The City provides 14 paid holidays per year and 80 hours vacation (years one through four) with a maximum accrual of 240 hours (160 hours for benefited part-time employees). Administrative employees accrue 80 hours of administrative leave per year with a maximum accrual of 240 hours. SICK LEAVE: Employees accrue 96 hours per year with a maximum accrual of 800 hours (400 hours for benefited part-time employees). Unbenefited part-time employees receive 28 hours of paid sick leave per fiscal year. RETIREMENT: The City is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (Cal-PERS). Full-time and benefited part-time employees will be enrolled in either the New Member or Classic plan, as defined by CalPERS. New Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 62 formula and pay the full 6.25% employee contribution. Classic Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 60 formula and pay the full 7% employee contribution. All other part-time employees are covered under the Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS). WELLNESS PROGRAM: The program includes gym membership discounts, healthy eating programs, exercise classes & other programs. DIRECT DEPOSIT: Direct Deposit is mandatory for all new employees. CREDIT UNION: F&A Federal Credit Union & Logix Federal Credit Union (formerly Lockheed) are available options. INSURANCE: The City offers group health, dental/vision, long term and short term disability, and a $50,000 life insurance policy for full-time employees. The City contributes towards the employee's health insurance. DEFERRED COMPENSATION: The City participates in the ICMA-RC Deferred Compensation Plan, which enables benefited part-time and full-time employees to contribute on a tax deferred basis. OVERTIME COMPENSATION: Over time is accrued at time-and-a-half for eligible employees for time physically worked in excess of the regular forty (40) hour work week. PART-TIME EMPLOYEES: Unbenefited part-time employees are reviewed for merit salary advancement, but are not eligible for any other benefits listed. Benefited part-time employees are eligible for CalPERS retirement, sick leave, holidays, & vacation on a prorated basis. MILEAGE PAY: Any employee may be reimbursed for work related mileage at 54 cents per mile when assigned to use their private vehicle on City business. SOCIAL SECURITY: The City does not participate in Social Security, and does not deduct Social Security payments from any employee's salary. The City does deduct 1.45% of salary for Medicare & makes a 1.45% matching contribution *Benefits can change at any time. Closing Date/Time: Continuous