Associate Planner

Job Information

Job Category

Parks Planning

Company Name

Cordova Recreation & Park District

Position Level

Entry

Job Description

The Cordova Recreation & Park District (CRPD) is seeking an Associate Planner to join our Planning and Development team!  Our ideal candidate embodies our core values of communication, creativity, accountability, leadership, service, and integrity. Consider joining our team if you want to expand your career and make an impact on how the communities we serve will look in the decades to come.

This is a full-time onsite position with a comprehensive benefits package that includes fully paid medical, dental, and vision for the employee and all eligible dependents. CRPD participates in the CalPERS Retirement System. Employees in this classification have the option of working a 9/80 schedule. (a two-workweek schedule of eight 9-hour days, one 8-hour day, and one day off)

Summary Description Under general direction of the Park Planning and Development Manager, performs a variety of professional level duties and responsibilities in support of the District’s planning functions including long range planning services for parks and recreation facilities; participates in the land development process, including development application review and providing conditions of approval; provides project management for assigned projects; and provides information and assistance to applicants, developers, consultants, the general public, and outside agencies and organizations regarding codes, policies, standards, and processes related to planning related matters.

Who We Are

Established in 1958, Cordova Recreation & Park District (CRPD) is an independent special district governed by an elected Board of Directors. We provide quality recreational programs, parks and services for our diverse and growing region. We currently operate over 50 parks and facilities across more than 600 acres of urban and open space. We also operate Cordova Golf Course which is a full-service 18-Hole course with a lighted driving range, pro-shop and lessons from PGA professionals. We host dozens of events throughout the year and provide athletic, educational and creative outlets for children and adults of all ages. Who We Serve We proudly serve communities within Sacramento County including the City of Rancho Cordova and the communities of Gold River, Larchmont, Mather, Riviera East, Rosemont and additional unincorporated portions of Sacramento County. Learn more about Who We Are at cordovarpd.gov/about-us/! The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.  Planning
  • Participates in the land development process related to park and other landscape improvements, including review of development applications, writing and implementation of conditions of approval, review of vesting tentative maps and final maps, public facilities finance plans, nexus studies, reviewing and processing of grant deeds and easements, and participate in the negotiation and the execution of park development agreements.
  • Analyzes proposed development projects for conformance with District park standards and suggests revisions or alternatives to conform with District Standards.
  • Confers and advises developer representatives and their consultants and responds to the general public regarding proposed developments.
  • Represents the District at meetings with other public agencies, organizations, professional groups, and developer representatives.
  • Responds to complex citizen complaints and requests for information.
  • Conducts special studies and other research related to long range facilities and environmental planning.
  • Assists with updates to the Capital Improvement Program, Master Plan, Design Construction and Maintenance Standards and Guidelines, and other District guiding documents.
  • Produces and/or oversees consultants producing necessary environmental documents for District projects, including both CEQA and NEPA.
  • Reviews and responds to environmental documents produced by others.
  • Prepares and responds to feasibility studies concerning park acquisitions and development.
Project Management
  • Develops work plans for capital improvement projects and major renovation projects.
  • Coordinates planning activities with other District departments and outside agencies.
  • Prepares and/or oversees consultants preparing bid document and technical specifications.
  • Oversees project budget preparation and control of assigned projects.
  • Assists with the evaluation and selection of consultants and contractor.
  • Prepares grant proposals and administers grant-funded projects.
General
  • Prepares staff reports and presents to the Board of Directors and other elected or appointed bodies as necessary.
  • Prepares and maintains written documents conforming to District standards and filing protocols.
  • Participates in the selection of assigned staff; supervises, trains, assigns work, disciplines, and evaluates performance of assigned full-time and part-time staff.
  • Assignments for this position will vary between planning related assignments, project management and other assignments as needed by the District. This position requires flexibility, willingness and ability to take on various work assignments.
  • Performs other or related duties as assigned.
 

Required Skills / Experience / Education

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 preform the assigned duties. Knowledge of: Operations, services, and activities of a planning program Pertinent federal, state, and local planning laws and regulations State of California Land Use Laws, CEQA, NEPA, and the Subdivision Map Act. Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office, Suite PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat projects; familiarity with graphic programs such as Auto CAD, GIS, and Adobe Photoshop Development review procedures and requirements Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation. Principles and practices of supervision, training, and performance evaluations Occupational hazards and standard safety procedures District policies and procedures Ability to: Perform professional level planning duties in the development, implementation, and modification of District plans and regulations Recognize and analyze potential environmental and policy impacts Develop planning policies and implementation strategies Persuade, negotiate, and develop alternatives and resolve conflict among competing interests Represent the District in meetings with other jurisdictional departments, organizations, professional groups, and developer representatives on matters pertaining to development applications Make presentations before large and small groups Organize and lead meetings to facilitate public participation Prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports, correspondence, and policy documents Perform technical research on planning including environmental, economic, and transportation problems Analyze data and present recommendations on complex planning projects Be highly organized, detail-oriented and possess the ability to prioritize a number of projects Must meet customer service and teamwork guidelines as defined in the performance standards Operate office equipment including computers Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work Education and Experience Guidelines – Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in planning, landscape architecture, engineering, geography, urban studies, construction administration, environmental planning, public administration, political science, economics, or a closely related field and two years of experience in urban planning, development review, or a related field. License or Certificate: American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Planning Certificate or Landscape Architect's license preferred.

US Citizenship Required?

Yes

Will security clearance be required?

No

Salary Range

$81,556.88 - $104,089.53 Annually

Other Benefits

Fully paid medical, dental, and vision for employee and all eligible dependents. CalPERS Retirement Plan CalPERS 457 Deferred Compensation Plan Life Insurance Long term Disability Insurance Paid vacation, sick, and administrative leave Eleven (11) paid Holidays and two (2) floating holidays.

Job Start Date

03/03/2025

Position Type

Permanent Full-Time

Travel

10%

Primary Language Required

English

Industry

Parks

Job Location

Location Address

11070 White Rock Road
Suite 130
Rancho Cordova, California
95670

Contact Information

Hiring Contact Name

Shannon Burke-Walker

Email

[email protected]

Phone Number

(916) 842-3313

Website

https://cordovarpd.gov/