Job Information
Company Name
City of Lake Forest
Position Level
Other
Job Description
The City of Lake Forest – “Remember the past, challenge the future!”
If you have a passion for planning, enjoy being challenged, excel under pressure, and want to work with an energetic and capable team toward a more sustainable, approachable, inclusive city and community, we have the job for you!
The City of Lake Forest is currently recruiting to fill one (1) full-time Assistant Planner or Associate Planner position in the Planning Division within the Community Development Department. This is a continuous recruitment that is subject to close at any time. The first review of applications will be on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Prompt application is encouraged.
THE POSITIONS:
Assistant Planner
The ideal candidate will have a great attitude, be a self-starter, detail oriented, collaborative, capable of managing multiple projects and bringing them to completion and serve as a contributing member of the planning team.
- Have several successful Planning internships with a City, County, or government agency or with a private firm specializing in urban planning or other planning related field.
- Have excellent written and verbal skills and be able to produce and present accurate, factual, and compelling reports and presentations for boards and commissions.
- Be bright, energetic, and exude a positive attitude.
- The ability to read, interpret, and create basic plans, drawings, and sketches.
- Enjoy helping people achieve planning project goals and outcomes in a sustainable and compliant manner.
- Work equally well with public, vendors, contractors, City officials, and City staff.
- Understand and be able to interpret and explain in plain language, building and zoning codes, permit application processes, fees, and document requirements.
- Effectively and patiently convey and explain complex rules and regulations in simple terms to a diverse variety of people.
- Excel as a contributing member in a challenging and rewarding team environment.
Associate Planner
The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate and perform the full range of duties including those that require knowledge of performing routine to complex planning duties in the administration of land use regulations, the City’s General Plan, environmental review and design review. Additionally, the following attributes will be desired:
- Has a passion for planning: You’re excited to work on projects that create a sustainable and well-planned city.
- Is detail-oriented and proactive: You are self-driven, capable of managing multiple projects, and committed to bringing them to completion.
- Enjoys teamwork: You work well with internal teams, city officials, vendors, and the community, fostering collaboration and communication.
- Has experience in planning: You have worked with a City, County, or government agency, or a private firm specializing in urban planning or a related field.
- Communicates effectively: You have excellent written and verbal skills and can produce clear and compelling reports and presentations for boards and commissions.
- Understands technical plans: You can read, interpret, and create basic plans, drawings, and sketches.
- Navigates building and zoning codes: You understand and can explain building and zoning codes, permit processes, fees, and required documents.
- Simplifies complexity: You have the ability to break down and explain complex rules and regulations in plain language to diverse audiences.
- Thrives under pressure: You excel in a fast-paced, rewarding team environment where you tackle challenges head-on with a positive attitude.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The annual salary range for the Assistant Planner position is $71,988.00 – $93,588.00. The annual salary range for the Associate Planner position is $81,444.00 – $105,888.00.
Required Skills / Experience / Education
ASSISTANT PLANNER:
Typical Qualifications
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.
Knowledge of:
Operations, services, and activities of a community planning and development program; objectives, principles, procedures, standards, practices, and information sources of municipal urban planning, regional planning, land use, and architectural design and development; implementation of zoning and other municipal ordinances; methods used in developing information for General Plan modifications; research and reporting methods and techniques; application of land use, physical design, economic, environmental, and/or social concepts to the planning process; community trends; mathematic concepts, including statistical analysis techniques and formulae relevant to the planning process; terminology, symbols, methods, techniques and instruments used in planning and map drafting; applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations such as the general requirements of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), California Subdivision Map Act, California Air Quality Management Plan and related planning, zoning, and development laws to include subdivision regulations and development standards and codes; National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES); and project management methods; recent developments, current literature, research methods, and sources of information related to municipal planning, urban growth, and development; methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation; modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and supporting software applications; principles and practices of customer service; methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation; modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and supporting software applications; the use of specialized planning systems and software applications including GIS systems.
Ability to:
Perform professional level planning duties in the development, implementation, and modification of City plans and regulations; operate modern office equipment including personal computer to utilize the internet, GIS systems, word processing, database, spreadsheet software, and specialized computer applications; perform routine to moderately difficult assignments under decreasing degrees of supervision; perform independent research in a variety of planning areas within timeframes established by the Permit Streamlining Act and the Development Services Department; analyze and summarize planning data both manually and with computer programs; understand and apply federal, state and local laws, regulations, policies, procedures and standards pertaining to the planning process; interpret maps, site and building plans and specifications, graphs and statistical data; prepare clear visual displays, such as maps, graphs, and illustrations; make presentations of ideas and recommendations; prepare clear and concise technical documents, reports, correspondence and other written materials; exercise sound judgment within established guidelines and supervisory direction; respond to difficult and sensitive public inquiries; conduct on-site inspections and investigations; present technical data in verbal, written, graphic, and map form to City management staff and a variety of boards and commissions; work under steady pressure with frequent interruptions and a high degree of public contact by phone or in person; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Education/Training/Experience:
A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined above is graduation from a four-year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public administration or a closely related field and one year of professional planning experience; or an equivalent combination of training or experience.
Physical and Mental Demands
The physical and mental demands and work environment 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.
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to work in an office setting and in a field environment; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; walk on uneven terrain, loose soil, and sloped surfaces; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; to travel to other locations; to operate equipment and vehicle; and to verbally communicate to exchange information. Specific hearing abilities required by this job include hearing in the normal audio range with or without correction. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Mental Demands:
While performing the duties of this class, the employee must be able to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; interpret policies and procedures; use math and mathematical reasoning; learn and apply new information or new skills; work under deadlines with constant interruptions; and interact with the general public, outside organizations, business representatives, employees, and others encountered in the course of work, including occasionally dealing with conflict situations.
Work Environment:
The employee primarily works in a standard office setting with extensive public contact and frequent interruptions.
ASSOCIATE PLANNER:
Typical Qualifications
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.
Knowledge of:
Operations, services, and activities of a community planning and development program; modern principles, practices, and techniques of current and advance planning; development review procedures and requirements; objectives, principles, procedures, standards, practices and information sources in the field of urban planning; implementation of zoning and other municipal ordinances; methods used in developing information for General Plan modifications; application of land use, physical design, economic, environmental, architecture and/or social concepts to the planning process; applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations, including the Subdivision Map Act, the California Environmental Quality Act, California Air Quality Management Plan, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), and related planning, zoning, and development laws to include subdivision regulations and development standards and codes; math concepts, including statistical analysis techniques and formulae relevant to the planning process; terminology, symbols, methods, techniques and instruments used in planning and map drafting; local government organization and the functions and practices of a municipal planning unit; methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation; modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and supporting software applications; the use of specialized planning systems and software applications including GIS systems.
Ability to:
Perform professional level planning duties in the development, implementation, and modification of City plans and regulations; operate modern office equipment including personal computer to utilize the internet, GIS systems, word processing, database, spreadsheet software, and specialized computer applications; perform increasingly responsible and varied assignments under decreasing degrees of supervision; understand, interpret, explain, and apply those aspects of federal, state and local laws, regulations, policies, procedures and standards pertaining to the planning process; interpret maps, site and building plans and specifications, graphs and statistical data; analyze and summarize planning data both manually and with computer programs; prepare clear visual displays, such as maps, graphs and illustrations; present ideas persuasively; perform independent research in a variety of areas with minimal supervision within timeframes established by the Permit Streamlining Act and Community Development Department; analyze and systematically compile technical and statistical information to prepare clear and concise technical documents, reports, correspondence and other written materials; organize, coordinate and perform urban and regional planning project review and analyses involving regional, zoning, environmental and demographic issues; exercise sound independent judgment within established guidelines; instruct others in work procedures and provide specific project direction; respond to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and enforcement of ordinances effectively and tactfully; present technical data in verbal, written, graphic, and map form to City management staff and variety of boards and commissions; work under steady pressure with frequent interruptions and a high degree of public contact by phone or in person; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Education/Training/Experience:
A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above is graduation from a four-year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public administration, or a closely related field and three years of professional planning experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Physical and Mental Demands
The physical and mental demands and work environment 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.
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to work in an office setting and in a field environment; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; walk on uneven terrain, loose soil, and sloped surfaces; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; to travel to other locations; to operate equipment and vehicle; and to verbally communicate to exchange information. Specific hearing abilities required by this job include hearing in the normal audio range with or without correction. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Mental Demands:
While performing the duties of this class, the employee must be able to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; interpret policies and procedures; use math and mathematical reasoning; learn and apply new information or new skills; work under deadlines with constant interruptions; and interact with the general public, outside organizations, business representatives, employees, and others encountered in the course of work, including occasionally dealing with conflict situations.
Work Environment:
The employee primarily works in a standard office setting with extensive public contact and frequent interruptions. The employee may also work in outdoor field environment; travel from site to site; exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, solvents, toxic agents, chemicals, gases, electrical currents, and all types of weather and temperature conditions; exposure to hazardous traffic conditions; work and/or walk on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain.
US Citizenship Required?
Yes
Will security clearance be required?
No
Salary Range
$81,444.00 - $105,888.00.
Other Benefits
Please visit the following website to view the summary of comprehensive benefits.
The City’s employee benefit package includes participation in the CalPERS Health medical program, as well as dental and vision insurance, with the City covering a significant portion of the premiums.
The City of Lake Forest utilizes a Pay-for-Performance Compensation Plan, which awards merit increases based on work results achieved against performance targets. These targets are equitably established, fully communicated, and aligned with the City’s high expectations.
Job Start Date
03/24/2025
Position Type
Permanent Full-Time
Travel
None
Primary Language Required
English
Industry
Government
Job Location
Location Address
100 Civic Center Drive
Lake Forest, California
92630
Contact Information
Hiring Contact Name
Mika Toyooka
Phone Number
(949) 461-3566
Website
https://www.lakeforestca.gov/en