Associate Planner I

Position Description

The City of Temecula is hiring a full-time benefited Associate Planner I in the Community Development Department. The ideal candidate for the Associate Planner (long range planning and current planning hybrid) position is a motivated self-starter, a detail-oriented professional with understanding of long range (advanced) planning principles and current planning project management experience. This individual should be a competent and experienced project manager able to balance competing priorities and shifting deadlines. They should be comfortable analyzing housing laws and other legislation while working collaboratively across departments. This individual should have experience with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This position is a hybrid position that will serve long range and current planning, including working the public counter on a rotating schedule with other staff and answering phone calls from the public. Our team works in a fast-paced environment and organization, to support our community. The Associate Planner will bring strong analytical and communication skills to a collaborative team of dedicated professionals committed to ensuring Temecula’s bright future.

This position may be filled as an Assistant Planner or Associate Planner I based upon the candidate’s education and experience.

Salary Range:

Assistant Planner: $37.51 - $48.03 Hourly

Associate Planner I: $43.51 - $55.69 Hourly

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, performs a variety of increasingly specialized, professional and technical planning duties.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Associate Planner I is the Advanced Journey level classification in the Professional Planner series. The employee applies specialized knowledge and skills to perform moderately difficult professional planning work. The employee possesses an in-depth knowledge of planning principles, laws and the environmental process. The Associate Planner I is distinguished from the Assistant Planner by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from the Director of Community Development or his/her designee.

May provide lead supervision to assigned staff.

Examples of Duties

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

• Prepares and presents staff reports on development proposals to the Planning Commission, City Council, or other committees; makes presentations in staff meetings and at public workshops.
• Performs environmental impact review of projects in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); prepares initial studies and CEQA documents of increasing complexity.
• Prepares RFP documents and works closely with outside consultants.
• Prepares and coordinates special planning, zoning, and environmental studies; assembles and drafts reports and findings.
• Develops planning studies and reports in support of new and updated plans, programs and regulations.
• Initiates actions necessary to correct deficiencies or violations of regulations.
• Assists with updates and maintenance of Comprehensive Plan, and land development regulations.
• Conducts review of various, increasingly complex development applications, which may involve projects with some public controversy, including. Development Plans, Variances, Subdivision Maps, zoning changes, etc.
• Conducts extensive research in specific or general project areas.
• Writes and presents formal and technical reports, working papers, and correspondence.
• Identifies community problems, issues, and opportunities in particular neighborhoods that could be mitigated through better community planning.
• Writes, or assists in writing, a variety of ordinances and regulations relating to development controls.
• Tracks expenditures and invoices from consultants.
• Assists with special projects as needed.
• Assists with performing the duties of lower level staff.
• Prepares and writes a variety of reports and documentation, including detailed Risk Management incident reports.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature.

Minimum Qualifications

A combination of education, experience, and training that has provided the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities is required for entry into the classification.The City of Temecula utilizes equivalencies to substitute two years of applicable experience and similar responsibility for one year of college in order for a candidate to meet Minimum Qualifications. A typical combination of education, experience, and training for this classification includes:

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college/university in Urban Planning, Architecture, Public Policy or closely related field; and a minimum of three (3) years professional planning experience, preferably in a municipal government environment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Substantial planning principles and practices, site planning, and architectural design practice.
• Planning laws and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.
• Methodology, practices and research of data collection.
• Effective writing techniques.
• Statistical, algebraic or geometrics to apply in practical situations.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations related to planning, building, and zoning procedures.
• Recent developments, current literature, sources of information, and research techniques related to the field of urban planning and historic preservation.
• Project management practices and techniques.
• Public presentation methods and techniques.
• Modern office methods, practices and technology.
• Occupational hazards and safety measures appropriate to work performed.

Skill to:

• Operate various types of standard office equipment, including a personal computer and related software.
• Operate a motor vehicle in a safe manner.

Ability to:

• Interpret and apply the policies, procedures, laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to planning, zoning and building functions.
• Analyze and compile technical and statistical information and prepare detailed technical reports and recommendations, and analyze and solve problems.
• Explain rules and procedures clearly to the public.
• Gather relevant information to solve vaguely defined practical problems.
• Read and interpret plans, and apply provisions of the ordinances and codes to determine compliance, and to apply regulations to field conditions.
• Work on several projects or issues simultaneously.
• Work independently or in a team environment as needed.
• Attend to details while keeping goals in mind.
• Apply policies, procedures, laws, codes and regulations pertaining to planning, zoning and building functions.
• Manage project development and implementation.
• Plan, organize and prioritize projects and tasks in order to meet deadlines.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Make public presentations and prepare comprehensive written reports.
• Establish and maintain courteous, cooperative, and effective working relationships with those encountered in the course of work.
• Use proper English, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Serve as emergency services worker in the event of an emergency.

LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATES

Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and an acceptable driving record.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Satisfactory results from a background investigation and administrative screening. The administrative screening may include a pre-employment drug screening for positions which are designated as safety sensitive or security sensitive, including but not limited to being responsible for the care and custody of children and operating heavy equipment.

May be required to occasionally work outside of regular work hours (e.g. evenings) to attend meetings and work events.

Supplemental Information

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS :

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and sit; talk or hear both in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate equipment needed to carry out duties of the position; and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently stands or walks, and lifts and moves records and documents or objects weighing up to 50 pounds alone, and up to 100 pounds with assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data; use math and mathematical reasoning; analyze and solve problems; learn and apply new information; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks; meet intensive and changing deadlines and interact with City staff, developers, architects, vendors, contractors, and the public.

The employee typically works in office conditions; the noise level is frequently quiet or moderately quiet, at or below 50 decibels. The employee occasionally works outdoors when conducting site inspections where construction and traffic noise can be above 70 decibels.

This recruitment will establish an eligibility list which may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification or below in the same classification series for both project and authorized positions.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are a CalPERS annuitant, please be advised that this position does not meet the statutory criteria for post-retirement employment because the incumbent will be performing regular staff duties for an undetermined duration. Employment in this capacity would require you to rescind your retirement and reinstate as a current member of CalPERS.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION :
Flexibly Staffed: No
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Conflict of Interest: Not Required
Department: Community Development
Bonding Required: No

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, mental condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status. If you require a reasonable accommodation to assist with the application, examination or interview process, please contact our Human Resources Department at 951-694-6490 as soon as practicable.

Benefit Summary for Full-Time Represented Employees

Full-time represented employees enjoy a generous allotment of $1,800 per month to purchase a variety of benefit options detailed below.

City Contributions
The City provides a Health Flex Contribution (HFC) of $600 per month that may be used for enrollment in the City’s health, dental, or vision insurance, or a health flexible spending account. Any unused portion of the HFC will be forfeited.

A Cafeteria Allotment of $1,200 per month may be used to pay premiums for health, dental, vision, mandatory group life and disability insurance, and health or dependent care flexible spending accounts. Any unused cafeteria allotment will be paid to the employee as taxable income.

Health Insurance
The City’s health plans are administered by CalPERS. We offer a variety of health plans, including HMOs and PPOs.

Dental Insurance
Dental coverage is offered through MetLife. Employees have the option of HMO or PPO plans with rich benefits at competitive rates.

Vision Insurance
EyeMed provides the City’s vision plan. In addition to extensive coverage at a low rate, EyeMed partners with service providers and retailers throughout the region.

Life and AD&D Insurance
All City employees are required to enroll in a basic life and AD&D group policy in the amount of $50,000. Additional life insurance is also available for employees and their family members.

Short- and Long-Term Disability
All City employees are required to enroll in short- and long-term disability insurance. This insurance pays 2/3 of the employee’s wages if the employee is off work due to an illness or injury outside of work.

Flexible Spending Accounts
The flexible spending accounts provided by the City allow you to pay for certain health and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

Supplemental Plans
Supplemental plans through Aflac can help you bridge the gap in your existing health insurance. Plans include Accident Indemnity, Hospital Indemnity and Critical Illness Protection.

Retirement
Authorized employees are enrolled in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The City offers the following retirement plans depending upon eligibility:

Classic Tier 1 Members:
This category applies to employees hired by the City of Temecula before 9/24/11. The retirement formula is 2.7% @ 55 with an 8% employee contribution; however, the City pays 5% of the employee's contribution.

Classic Tier 2:
This category applies to employees hired by the City of Temecula on or after 9/24/11, and are considered "classic" CalPERS Members . The retirement formula is 2% @ 60 with a 7% employee contribution; however, the City pays 4% of the employee's contribution.

PEPRA Members:
This category applies to employees who are hired by the City of Temecula after 1/1/13 and are new to CalPERS membership. The retirement formula is 2% @ 62 with a 7.25% employee contribution.

Deferred Compensation Plans
The City partners with Voya to provide you with additional options to fund your retirement.

Comprehensive Annual Leave (CAL)
The City encourages work/life balance. We offer paid Comprehensive Annual Leave (CAL) that can be used for rest and relaxation, personal business or personal/family illness.

Holidays
City employees receive a total of 13 paid holidays each calendar year. This includes 12 observed holidays and one floating holiday each year.

Bonding Leave
The City believes bonding with a new child is vitally important for families. Employees are provided up to eight weeks of bonding leave for the purpose of bonding with their child in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement. Bonding leave is paid at the rate of 2/3 of the employee’s base salary and may be used for up to one year following the birth, adoption or foster care placement.

Tuition Reimbursement
The City offers Tuition Reimbursement of up to $1,500 per fiscal year for job related education or training that will benefit the employee in their position.

Computer Loan Program
After one full year of employment, the City provides employees with an interest-free loan of up to $2,000 to purchase a personal computer, iPad, or similar "computer tablet" device.

Closing Date/Time: 4/20/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Temecula

• 951-302-4152

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