Associate Planner

About the Department

Position Duties

• The Associate Planner assists in both the overall coordination of the City’s long-range planning and its implementation of guiding policies and current development efforts in project review; evaluation of application proposals and understanding of technical information; prepares written correspondence and detailed technical reports; develops and conducts research and investigations on planning problems; compiles and analyzes land use, economic, social, and environmental data; prepares written recommendations and supervises the preparation of graphic displays; processes use permits, development plans and coastal permits; provides assistance to citizen regarding zoning and land use issues; serves as staff to various City and citizen committees as assigned; presents items to Planning Commission and City Council; may coordinate and assign duties to others in the department.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of: Modern principles, practices and techniques of City planning, zoning and community development. Research methods as applied to the collection and analysis of data pertinent to planning, zoning and community development. The legal background of zoning and community development. Principles and practices of site design and review, geography, basic architecture and statistics. Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations. Modern office procedures, methods and equipment including computers and applicable software applications. Principles and procedures of record keeping. Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation. Ability to: Analyze and systematically compile technical and statistical information and prepare reports. Meet and deal effectively with other public officials, developers, landowners, contractors, the public and staff. Interpret land use, topographic, population distribution, physical and natural features maps. Negotiate solutions to complex development problems. Work with and serve as a City liaison with outside consultants. Prepare clear, concise and logical verbal and written reports. Effectively lead the work of other Planners. Maintain and update accurate records and files. Perform basic arithmetic calculations accurately. Work independently and efficiently to carry out assignments. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Understand and carry out oral and written instructions. Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Experience and Training Experience: Three years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience. One (1) year of professional experience in a related field (e.g, environmental, geologic, or GIS) may be substituted for one year of planning experience. Training: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning, geography or a related field. Note: Master’s degree in planning is desirable. Full membership in American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable.
• Modern principles, practices and techniques of City planning, zoning and community development.
• Research methods as applied to the collection and analysis of data pertinent to planning, zoning and community development.
• The legal background of zoning and community development.
• Principles and practices of site design and review, geography, basic architecture and statistics.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations.
• Modern office procedures, methods and equipment including computers and applicable software applications.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• Analyze and systematically compile technical and statistical information and prepare reports.
• Meet and deal effectively with other public officials, developers, landowners, contractors, the public and staff.
• Interpret land use, topographic, population distribution, physical and natural features maps.
• Negotiate solutions to complex development problems.
• Work with and serve as a City liaison with outside consultants.
• Prepare clear, concise and logical verbal and written reports.
• Effectively lead the work of other Planners.
• Maintain and update accurate records and files.
• Perform basic arithmetic calculations accurately.
• Work independently and efficiently to carry out assignments.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Other Qualifications

• Environmental Conditions: Office environment; exposure to computer screens; extensive public contact. Physical Conditions: Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting and standing for prolonged periods of time; speaking and hearing to exchange information; visual acuity to read and interpret specifications and drawings. Selection Process: All properly completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. Failure to provide all required application material will result in disqualification from the selection process. The process may include any combination of a written exam, oral exam, application appraisal based on training and experience, and/or skills assessment to further evaluate job related experience and skills. Candidates who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on an eligibility list and will remain eligible for employment consideration for a minimum of six months. RESUMES ARE NOT ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS, BUT MAY BE ATTACHED. CANDIDATES WHO REQUIRE A RESONABLE ACCOMMODATION IN THE SELECTION PROCESS SHOULD STATE THEIR NEEDS IN WRITING WHEN SUBMITTINIG AN APPLICATION. THE PROVISIONS IN THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. ANY PROVISION CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.

RESUMES ARE NOT ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS, BUT MAY BE ATTACHED.

• CANDIDATES WHO REQUIRE A RESONABLE ACCOMMODATION IN THE SELECTION PROCESS SHOULD STATE THEIR NEEDS IN WRITING WHEN SUBMITTINIG AN APPLICATION.
• THE PROVISIONS IN THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. ANY PROVISION CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.

Benefits

• CITY OF OCEANSIDE Western Council of Engineers Benefit Summary The following is a highlight of benefits Retirement Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) Employees hired after January 1, 2013 are subject to the State laws of the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) in regard to retirement benefits. Each individual's benefits may differ. Consult with Employee Benefits for further details. Third Level 1959 Survivor Credit Survivor Continuation option Additional Retirement Credit Purchase Options Buy additional Service Retirement Credit Service Credit for unused Sick Leave Buy additional Military Service Credit Health Insurance Medical: Kaiser HMO Blue Shield HMO Blue Shield PPO Dental: Delta Preferred Option (DPO) Delta Care USA (DHMO) Vision: Vision Service Plan (VSP) Pre-Tax Benefits Health benefits are offered on a pre-tax basis and employees cannot add or delete coverage or benefits unless a qualifying event has occurred. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) The Anthem EAP is paid for by the City. Available to all members of your household 6 free confidential counseling visits per incident Self-service support online or by phone Disability and Life Insurances The STD/LTD/LIFE and AD&D Lincoln Financial premiums are paid for by City. Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance: First 90 days - benefits paid at 55% of weekly salary to a maximum weekly benefit of $700 for non-work related disability only Seven day waiting period unless hospitalized All sick leave must be exhausted before STD is used Long-Term Disability Insurance: After 90 days - benefits paid at 66.7% of monthly salary to a maximum monthly benefit of $6,000 for any disability Life and AD&D Insurance: 1 times annual base salary; minimum of $30,000 and maximum of $200,000 of Basic Life & AD&D Voluntary Benefits Benefits are employee paid. Supplemental Life Insurance through Lincoln: Premiums are determined by age Purchased up to a maximum $500,000 for employees Spousal coverage up to half the employee amount Dependent coverage up to $10,000 Flexible Spending Accounts through BCC: Utilizes a debit card as a form of payment Health Care Spending Account – maximum annual deferral is $3,400 Dependent Care Spending Account – maximum annual deferral is $7,500 Deferred Compensation - 457 through Empower : 457 - Maximum annual pre/post-taxed amount is $24,500 for 2026; over age 50 may contribute an additional $8,000 Metlife Legal Telephone and office consultations are available for an unlimited number for personal legal matters with an attorney of your choice. GotZoom Student Loan Relief Provides a no-obligation benefit analysis for federal student loans to identify, maximize and enroll employees into Federal Loan Repayment and Forgiveness Programs. ScholarShare 529 An easy to manage plan that helps make the most of your or a designated beneficiary’s college savings with tax benefits. Leave Benefits Vacation: All accruals are based on 80 hours in a paid status 1 - 5 years: 3.58 hours 6 - 10 years: 5.12 hours 11 - 15 years: 6.65 hours 16 + years: 8.19 hours Maximum accrual: 360 hours for those hired before 7/1/95 300 hours for those hired 7/1/95 or after Holidays: New Years' Day Martin Luther King Jr Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Veterans' Day Thanksgiving Day Friday after Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day 48 hours Floating Holidays per fiscal year Sick Leave: 12 days per year Max accrual: Unlimited Annual Sick Leave Pay Off: Each calendar year an employee may elect to receive a 50% payment in lieu of sick leave provided such employee has used 32 hours or less of sick leave during the calendar year. Sick Leave pay off at separation: Sick leave paid out depends on years of service and whether an employee retires or terminates Bereavement Leave: Three days for death of employee's immediate family member Two additional days may be charged to sick leave upon approval Tuition Reimbursement $2,000 per fiscal year Certification Pay Provides certification pay of $2.00 per hour for employees utilizing designated certifications in the performance of their duties. Professional Association Membership: The City will pay for one professional association membership per employee if it provides a benefit to the member and the City. Professional License or Registration Upon obtaining a AICP or PTP certification, the City will reimburse employees for the cost of the certification or renewal of the certification. Safety Shoes The City will provide reimbursement up to $200 towards the purchase price of safety shoes to employees who are required to wear such shoes on the job. Bilingual and Notary Pay $1.73 per hour bilingual pay for eligible employees $.58 per hour notary pay for eligible employees Term of Memorandum of Understanding Effective July 1 2024 - June 30, 2026 This is a summary of available benefits. It is not intended to provide full details of all programs. The appropriate Memorandum of Understanding, Compensation Plan and/or Benefit Plan Documents will govern any discrepancies and provide program specifics.
• Employees hired after January 1, 2013 are subject to the State laws of the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) in regard to retirement benefits. Each individual's benefits may differ. Consult with Employee Benefits for further details.
• Third Level 1959 Survivor Credit
• Survivor Continuation option
• Buy additional Service Retirement Credit
• Service Credit for unused Sick Leave
• Buy additional Military Service Credit
• Kaiser HMO
• Blue Shield HMO
• Blue Shield PPO
• Delta Preferred Option (DPO)
• Delta Care USA (DHMO)
• Vision Service Plan (VSP)
• Available to all members of your household
• 6 free confidential counseling visits per incident
• Self-service support online or by phone
• First 90 days - benefits paid at 55% of weekly salary to a maximum weekly benefit of $700 for non-work related disability only
• Seven day waiting period unless hospitalized
• All sick leave must be exhausted before STD is used
• After 90 days - benefits paid at 66.7% of monthly salary to a maximum monthly benefit of $6,000 for any disability
• 1 times annual base salary; minimum of $30,000 and maximum of $200,000 of Basic Life & AD&D
• Premiums are determined by age
• Purchased up to a maximum $500,000 for employees
• Spousal coverage up to half the employee amount
• Dependent coverage up to $10,000
• Utilizes a debit card as a form of payment
• Health Care Spending Account – maximum annual deferral is $3,400
• Dependent Care Spending Account – maximum annual deferral is $7,500
• Deferred Compensation - 457 through Empower :
• 457 - Maximum annual pre/post-taxed amount is $24,500 for 2026; over age 50 may contribute an additional $8,000
• Telephone and office consultations are available for an unlimited number for personal legal matters with an attorney of your choice.
• Provides a no-obligation benefit analysis for federal student loans to identify, maximize and enroll employees into Federal Loan Repayment and Forgiveness Programs.
• An easy to manage plan that helps make the most of your or a designated beneficiary’s college savings with tax benefits.
• 360 hours for those hired before 7/1/95
• 300 hours for those hired 7/1/95 or after
• New Years' Day
• Martin Luther King Jr Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans' Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday after Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day
• 48 hours Floating Holidays per fiscal year
• 12 days per year
• Three days for death of employee's immediate family member
• Two additional days may be charged to sick leave upon approval

Safety Shoes

Supplemental Questions