Associate Planner or Senior Planner (Based on qualifications)

The Town of Los Gatos is recruiting for

Associate Planner or Senior Planner

Filing Deadline: October 20, 2024

$113,992.30 - $146,686.40 Annual Salary (Associate Planner)

$131,295.01 - $168,769.30 Annual Salary (Senior Planner)

**Plus excellent benefits and 3% salary increases scheduled for July 2025 and July 2026.**

The Opportunity: The Town of Los Gatos is recruiting for a Planner at the Associate or Senior level to perform a variety of professional planning work, research and analysis related to the Town’s Planning and Zoning Ordinances and assignments associated with land use, infrastructure, economic development, and the environment. Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of planning, as well as the physical, social, and economic concepts underlying planning functions, and the ability to present and explain these concepts to the public, is required. Planners are required to attend evening meetings and make public presentations to the Planning Commission, Town Council, and other stakeholders.

The Town offers career growth opportunities for professionals starting their career and for those with more work experience. Grow your career with us!
Typical Planner Career Path:

• Assistant Planner
• Associate Planner
• Senior Planner
• Planning Manager
• Community Development Director

• Associate Planner is the experienced journey level of the Planner series. Incumbents are assigned increasingly complex tasks, including planning projects of moderate complexity and scope. Work is performed in accordance with policies established by the Department Director, but considerable scope exists in which professional judgment may be exercised and technical decisions made. Incumbents are responsible for planning work that is technically difficult and requires the ability to independently interpret policies and to exercise sensitivity to public concerns.
  
  
• Senior Planner is the advanced and supervisory classification of the Planner series. Incumbents are responsible for difficult planning work. Work is performed in accordance with policies established by the Department Director, but a great degree of latitude is given to exercise professional judgment and to make technical decisions. The Senior Planner supervises technical staff and manages large and complex planning projects involving difficult and sensitive policy issues. Senior Planners s upervise and coordinate the work of assistant planners, planning technicians, and/or interns.

Schedule: The normal workweek for this position is Monday through Friday, with evening meetings. This position is not eligible for a remote or hybrid work schedule.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for the Associate or Senior Planner position is an individual who values customer service, and has an interest in both current and advanced planning. The ideal candidate will bring collaborative, team-centered qualities to the Department; be self-mot ivated, detail-oriented, and self-assured with the ability to exercise a high degree of common sense and sound judgment. Possession of a Master's Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Architecture or Urban Design and Historic Preservation experience is desirable. Possession of a valid driver’s license may be required for some assignments or responsibilities.

The candidate will possess:

• Knowledge of planning and zoning functions and California State laws, CEQA, and architectural and site design review;
• Effective communication skills with all project members, including contractors, architects, special consultants, applicants, and coworkers;
• Effective presentation skills;
• Basic to advanced computer skills, and,
• A proven ability to navigate land use conflicts.

About the Department
The Community Development Department is comprised of Planning, Code Compliance, and Building Divisions. The Department works collaboratively with elected and appointed officials, other Departments, and the community to guide the physical growth of the Town and maintain the character and vitality of the community. The services provided by the Department include current and advanced planning; affordable housing; code compliance; building permits and inspections; and other land use services. In coordination with the Town Manager’s Office, the Department also supports the Town’s Economic Vitality Program.

About the Town
The Town of Los Gatos is a general law city operating under the Council/Manager form of government. The Town Manager and Town Attorney are appointed and directly report to the Town Council. The Town’s 150 full- and part-time employees are organized into the following departments: Parks & Public Works, Community Development; Police; Library; and Administrative Services. The Town’s fiscal year 2024/2025 General Fund budget is $56.9 million.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions
As assigned, review proposed land use permit applications (including permits not requiring public hearings as well as those scheduled for public hearings.)

• Assess the feasibility of proposals and identify necessary changes.
• Recommend approval, denial, or conditional approval of proposals.
• Determine the effects of regulatory limitations on projects and provide advice on feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, and possible resolutions.
• Review and evaluate environmental impact reports pertaining to private and public planning projects and programs.
• Conduct meetings with stakeholders and consultants, including developers, the public, and special interest groups to formulate, develop or address issues regarding land use or projects.
• Research and write special studies including General Plan review and policy study issues.
• Coordinate project reviews with other departments and other agencies.
• Discuss with other staff the purpose of land use projects such as transportation, conservation, residential, commercial, industrial, and community use.
• Design, promote and administer plans and policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, and transportation.
• Conduct field investigations, surveys, impact studies or other research to compile and analyze data on economic, regulatory and physical factors affecting land use.
• Create, prepare, or requisition graphic and narrative reports on land use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables such as population density.
• Coordinate work with consultants and architects during the formulation of plans and the design of projects.
• Keep informed about economic and legal issues involved in the Town’s Municipal Code, zoning codes, building codes, and environmental regulations.
• Mediate community disputes and assist in developing alternative plans and recommendations for programs or projects.
• Attends meetings of the Town Council, the Planning Commission, and the Development Review Committee.
• Prepares notification letters on behalf of the Planning Commission.
• Supervise and coordinate the work of assistant planners, planning technicians, and/or interns. (Senior Planner)
• Investigate the availability of certain property.
• Represent the Community Development Department at regional meetings and conferences.
• Publish information to the internet including the Departmental web page.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience is qualifying and may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

• Associate Planner: Bachelor’s Degree in Planning or a related field and two years of experience in city planning.
  
  
• Senior Planner: Bachelor’s Degree in Planning or a related field and five years of experience in city planning.

Desirable Qualifications

• Membership in the American Institute of Certified Planners.
• Completion of a certificate program in land use, transportation, geographic information systems, public policy, or related area from an accredited institution.
• State licensing or registration in a related field such as architecture or landscape architecture.

Application and Selection Process

To be considered for this career opportunity, click on the "Apply" button to complete the online application and supplemental questionnaire. Resumes may be attached, but not accepted in place of a complete online application. Only complete applications will be accepted.
Applications will be screened in relation to the criteria in this job announcement. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee continuation in the process. Only the most qualified applicants with the most relevant experience and education will be invited to continue in the selection process.

The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

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The Town of Los Gatos is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against qualified employees or applicants because of race, color, religion, medical, physical or mental disability, or any other basis protected by law. Qualified individuals with a disability will receive reasonable accommodation, as required by the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), and federal laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504, during any phase of the selection process, providing such request is made to Human Resources at least five working days in advance. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation. Under federal law, all employees must provide documents that authorize the right to work in the United States.

This classification is represented by the Town Employees' Association (T.E.A.).

Please refer to the Benefit Summaries postedon theTown of Los Gatos Human Resources Department Webpage.

Closing Date/Time: 10/20/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

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• Town of Los Gatos

• 408-399-6829

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