Associate Planner

ABOUT THE POSITION

The City of Redwood City invites you to apply for the position of Associate Long Range Planner within the Community Development Department's Planning Division. This position, which will be focused primarily on long range planning activities, is an excellent opportunity for a motivated professional to lead or participate in numerous long range efforts underway including:

• Greater Downtown Area Plan
  , an update of the City's vision for Downtown and adjacent neighborhoods
• Update to the City's Historic Preservation Ordinance
• Development of objective design standards
• Implementation of the City's Housing Element
• Research, tracking, and implementation of new State laws
• Development of policies and standards to address climate change risks in coordination with Engineering and Public Works Departments
• Regular maintenance and updates to City's zoning code and General Plan

In addition to long range planning activities, this position will be assigned a limited number of current planning projects depending on Planning Division needs. The position allows for a hybrid work schedule (3 days in office and 2 days working remotely).

Under general direction from the Assistant Community Development Director, the Associate Long Range Planner performs a variety of complex technical planning activities and completes work related to assigned areas of responsibility.

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

• Supports development of City policy related to land use, urban design, housing, transportation, and related topics to support long range planning initiatives;
• Conducts research and analysis supporting planning studies and assists in preparation of planning reports and documents;
• Analyzes and prepares amendments to the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance;
• Provides technical assistance to other City staff and to the public in planning and development matters;
• Evaluates and analyzes small- and medium-sized development projects and proposals for compliance with City goals, policies, and ordinances and, as needed, facilitates environmental analysis;
• Facilitates applications for planning permits and environmental review, project manages their review by City staff, and prepares associated staff reports and presentations for the Zoning Administrator, Planning Commission, City Council, and other boards, commissions, and committees;
• Meets with applicants, professionals, citizens, organizations, etc. related to their projects and/or long range policy;
• Attends meetings of and makes presentations before community groups, the Planning Commission, City Council, boards, commissions, and committees, and other governmental bodies in coordination with supervisory staff, as required;
• Staffs the planning counter as needed;
• May be designated as liaison for the Architectural Advisory Committee or Historic Resources Advisory Committee at the direction of the Planning Manager or Community Development Director;
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Job PDF:

Associate Planner - Long Range Job Announcement #25A-54

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will embrace the City's emphasis on excellent customer service and have demonstrated experience and/or skills in the following areas:

• Both physical planning and policy development, including formulation of reasoned policy recommendations;
• Project management or assisting in the project management of one or more long range policy/planning projects;
• Design and implementation or, at minimum, coordination of a community engagement process for one or more long range planning/policy projects;
• Excellent analytical skills and strength in synthesizing, summarizing, and clearly communicating complex information;
• Excellent organizational and time management skills and experience managing and meeting multiple, overlapping project timelines and deadlines;
• Excellent writing, presentation, and oral communication skills and experience clearly communicating complex planning concepts to diverse audiences;
• Experience translating regional and State policy into local regulations;
• Working with consultant teams;
• Experience processing development applications.
• Additionally the ideal candidate will be someone who:
• Can see the big picture while remaining detail-oriented;
• Is highly motived, self-directed, accountable, and demonstrates initiative and independent judgment;
• Is a team player with strong interpersonal skills who likes working with a variety of City staff and the public.