Assistant Planner/Associate Planner (Community Development)

About the Opportunity

The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment with ongoing deadlines and demonstrate:

The work is community-focused, and the successful candidate will play a key role in advancing programs that make a meaningful impact on the community.

With experience, an Assistant Planner may transition to an Associate Planner by demonstrating the ability to manage complex tasks independently.

Unless otherwise provided, the Assistant Planner is part of the Classified Service of the County and is assigned to the Technical Services Bargaining Unit for labor relations purposes.

Unless otherwise provided, the Associate Planner is part of the Classified Service of the County and is assigned to the Mid-Management/Supervisory Bargaining Unit for labor relations purposes.

Typical Tasks

• Analyze and interpret federal, state, and local program regulations and requirements;

• Research and apply locally adopted policies and procedures in conjunction with state and federal program regulations;

• Ensure accurate and timely programmatic and financial reporting of data in compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

• Evaluate studies and data to identify opportunities for improved outcomes and effective practices;

• Maintain accurate records and protect confidential information in accordance with legal standards;

• Manage housing program activities, including contracts for housing development, rehabilitation, and down payment assistance;

• Monitor infrastructure projects for compliance, progress, and adherence to budgets;

• Oversee public service programs by reviewing funding requests, tracking performance metrics, and ensuring grantee compliance;

• Conduct on-site and desk monitoring visits at project and program locations throughout the County;

• Prepare clear written reports, correspondence, presentations, and supporting materials such as charts and graphics;

• Develop agenda reports with findings and recommendations; present information at meetings and community events, including occasional evenings and weekends;

• Prepare and review environmental assessment documents and oversee consultant-prepared assessments to ensure accuracy and compliance with applicable regulations;

• Draft, monitor, and update contracts; assist with contract renewals and amendments;

• Process and reconcile grant reimbursement claims and payment files;

• Compile, analyze and maintain contract-related data to monitor services and ensure timely renewals;

• Maintain and share program data to support budgeting, monitoring, and reporting;

• Communicate effectively with County staff, partner agencies, and stakeholders at all levels;

• Collaborate with external partners such as non-profit agencies, affordable housing developers, federal and state agencies, and city jurisdictions, as well as internal County departments;

• Provide technical assistance and support to staff and partners;

• Coordinate projects and special assignments to meet program objectives; and

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Independently and with minimal assistance and supervision, conduct all tasks listed above; and
• Plans, assigns, trains, and supervises work of subordinate personnel.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education/Experience)

• Principle and practices of land use planning and zoning;
• Principle and practices applying to governmental planning;
• Local, State and Federal laws relating to planning procedures;
• State and Federal environmental laws;
• Current trends in local, State and Federal Planning;
• Trend and statistics affecting public planning; and
• Engineering and building drawing and topographic mapping.

• Review, collect, analyze, and interpret data pertaining to planning, demographic and zoning situations;
• Prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive written and oral reports;
• Provide project reports at public meetings such as the Planning Commission;
• Work on and coordinate several complex planning projects simultaneously, often as part of a team;
• Effectively communicate and maintain harmonious relations with subordinates, governmental officials, fellow employees and the public;
• Complete work assignments in a timely and accurate manner;
• Read site and plot plans and blueprints;
• Understand governmental structures and current policy issues in Stanislaus County;
• Review current legislation and identify the impact on current programs; and
• Use PC's, including word processing, spreadsheet and GIS applications.

• Plan, assign, and supervise the work of others.

• Related education and/or experience, which would lead to the acquisition of the required knowledge and abilities listed above. This would typically be acquired by possession of a Bachelor's Degree in City or Regional Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Public Administration, Economics, Geography or a similar degree or a combination of four (4) years of related education and/or planning experience; OR
• A Bachelor's Degree in an unrelated field may be substituted for one (1) year experience within the above pattern or four (4) years of non-professional planning experience with a local government land-use planning agency and completion or commitment to complete an approved land-use certification program may be substituted for a Bachelor's Degree; AND
• One (1) year of progressively responsible related professional experience in governmental or similar land use planning work.

• Related education and/or experience, which would lead to the acquisition of the required knowledge and abilities listed above. This would typically be acquired by possession of a Bachelor's Degree in City or Regional Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Public Administration, Economics, Geography or a similar degree or a combination of four years (4) of related education and/or planning experience. A Bachelor's Degree in an unrelated field may be substituted for one (1) year of experience within the above pattern; AND
• Two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience in governmental or similar land use planning work.

• One (1) year of progressively responsible experience working with grant management, including competitive grants or entitlement grants such as Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Programs or similar federal and state grants; OR
• One (1) year of progressively responsible experience working with loan processing/underwriting; OR
• One (1) year of progressively responsible experience working with project and/or construction management.

Application and Selection Procedures

• 
  Application Review and Screening. Applications are carefully screened based on information provided. Those who submit incomplete applications that lack relevant qualifications or do not submit all required documents will not be invited to move on.
• Written Examination. Applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in a written exam that tests knowledge for the position.
• Oral Examination. Applicants passing the written examination will be invited to a panel interview in which they will be evaluated by County subject matter experts.
• Eligible Lists. Candidates who pass the examinations will be placed on an eligible list for the classification. Eligible lists are effective for six months but may be extended up to eighteen months.