11/03

City of San José
PLANNER I (4121)

 CLASS CODE: 4121    
DEPARTMENT:
PBCE		 ACCOUNTABLE TO:
Varies		 FLSA STATUS:
Non-exempt

CLASS SUMMARY:
   Performs beginning and intermediate level professional planning duties and performs work of routine difficulty in the fields of long-range planning, current planning, data analysis and related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: (Level in the series and how distinguished from the other levels; other unique characteristics of the job such as a requirement to work weekends)
   This is the entry level, professional planning class. Initially, this class typically requires considerable supervision and training, but as incumbents become more capable, they work with a greater degree of independence. This class differs from that of Planner II in that an incumbent of the latter class has acquired skills to perform professional level planning duties of moderate difficulty under general supervision. This class is used in flexible staffing of positions allocated to the class of Planner II.

QUALIFICATIONS:
   (These qualifications are typically required. An equivalent combination of education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to satisfactorily perform the duties of the job may be substituted.)

Education and Experience:
   A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in urban or regional planning, urban design, architecture, geography, or environmental studies or a closely related field.

Licensing Requirements (such as driver’s license, certifications, etc.)
   Possession of a valid California driver’s license may be required for some assignments.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (position requirements at entry and depending on area of assignment):

· Basic knowledge of the principles, practices, and purposes of City Planning and the current trends in Federal, State, and local planning.
· Basic knowledge of the nomenclature, symbols, methods, practices, techniques, and instruments used in planning, drafting, mapping, and statistical analysis as applied to land use, transportation and circulation.
· Basic knowledge of zoning and general plan studies.
· Basic knowledge of the organization of local government and basic concepts of public administration.
· Ability to use computer tools such as word processing, spreadsheet, GIS, and database management programs, and other comparable programs.
· Ability to collect, analyze and interpret data pertaining to planning and zoning projects.
· Ability to carry out complex oral and written instructions and prepare comprehensive and precise oral and written reports.
· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Desirable Qualifications (likely to contribute to more successful job performance; can often be learned on the job):

· Basic knowledge of the principles and techniques involved in the development and maintenance of a comprehensive general plan.
· Ability to read, interpret and analyze architectural plans.
· Ability to prepare and interpret maps and legal descriptions.
· Basic knowledge of statistics and statistical analysis as applied to land use.
· Ability to analyze and interpret statistical, economic, and highly technical data pertaining to City planning.

DUTY
NO.		 TYPICAL CLASS ESSENTIAL DUTIES: (These duties and estimated frequency are a representative sample; position assignments may vary depending on the business needs of the department.) Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

FREQUENCY
1. Oversees and coordinates land use entitlements including zonings, development permits, administrative permits and other procedures. Typical duties as part of this work include analysis of projects for conformance with City Policy and Ordinance, meeting and conferring with applicants, preparation of written correspondence, reports and legal documents, oral presentations at community meetings and public hearings and coordination with representatives of other City Departments and outside agencies. 15%
2. Provides information and direction to professionals, developers and the general public concerning zoning code interpretations and status of land development projects. 10%
3. Participates in the review of the General Plan, analyzing land use compatibility issues, economic implications and consistency with other City policies for possible changes to the City’s General Plan initiated by staff, the City Council or private individuals. 15%
4. Participates in the preparation of Specific Plans, special studies, land use policies and updates to the City’s Zoning Ordinance. 15%
5. Conducts research, data management, analysis and reporting in support of other Planning activities. Typical areas addressed include population characteristics, land development patterns, and maintenance of GIS data systems.
 15%
6. Reviews and prepares environmental documents to meet the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) or other governing environmental regulations. Includes the analysis of potential environmental impacts associated with a project, review of technical reports prepared by environmental consultants, research of regulatory and technical issues and other analytical work.  10%
7. Prepares and delivers oral and written reports and recommendations on land use decisions at staff meetings, community meetings and public hearings. Prepares supporting visual presentation materials utilizing a variety of computerized and non-computerized presentation techniques. 10%
8. Performs record keeping activities including maintenance of computerized database systems. 10%
9. Performs other duties of a similar nature or level. As Required

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (Check all that apply to performance of the essential duties of the job)

  Climbing   Kneeling   Crawling
  Balancing   Lifting X Reaching
X Stooping X Fingering X Standing
X Talking   Grasping X Walking
X Hearing   Feeling   Pushing
  Crouching        

 

 

 

 

Select one of the following:

___x__Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

CLASSIFICATION HISTORY
Revised 11/02: s002