Planning Intern

The City reserves the right to limit the applications considered to the first 100 applicants.
This recruitment may close at any time; apply immediately.

THE CITY
Located in the gateway to the Los Angeles metropolis, the City of Paramount offers secure quality of life to its residents and a business-friendly environment that has created a growing retail and services sector, with a thriving Downtown.  

Paramount's government is a stable, innovative, and financially conservative organization, and the City has continually invested in its infrastructure and emphasized code enforcement and assistance programs to help residents and businesses upgrade and maintain their properties. For these reasons, the City has a distinctive appearance that appeals to current and potential residents.  

For its employees, Paramount offers a family-friendly organization that places emphasis on lifework balance and flexibility. City leadership highly values the input and impact of each employee. Rather than work from the top-down, Paramount chooses collaboration, fostering a professional, respectful, and fulfilling work environment.  

CITY GOVERNMENT
The City of Paramount is operated by 7 departments: City Manager, Administrative Services; Planning and Building; Public Safety; Public Works; Community Services, and Finance.

With an operating budget of $96.2M, City population of 53,000, and covering 4.7 square miles, the City of Paramount is dedicated to providing fiscally responsible services that maintain a vibrant community that is Safe, Healthy, and Attractive! We value respect and ethical behaviors, adaptability, service excellence, and accountability. The City promotes innovation through teamwork, and providing effective, inclusive, and transparent public information and engagement.

The Position

Under direction, the Planning Intern will perform paraprofessional field and office work involving the review, analysis, interpretation and presentation of land use planning and zoning data. The Planning Intern will review architectural plans to identify routine land use issues and assist internal and external customers with questions pertaining to zoning and short-term planning. Lastly, the Planning Intern will conduct planning-related research and policy analyses and perform other related duties as assigned.

• Assist in interpreting routine planning and zoning regulations and development standards.
• Assist internal and external customers with questions and issues pertaining to zoning and current planning.
• Assist in reviewing architectural plans submitted in person, virtually, by email, and by phone by homeowners and developers to identify zoning and other planning-related issues; conduct site visits as required.
• Assist in preparing and presenting planning reports and recommendations to the Planning Commission.
• Assist in researching parcel information and analyze planning issues and policies.
• Assist in conducting research projects and surveys, compiling and analyzing data.
• Assist in reviewing and making determinations on routine planning applications such as sign and banner permits, business license zoning verification, conditional use permits, and development review applications.
• Provide administrative support for department operations and special projects.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Experience
No previous experience is required.

Training:        
Completion of two years (60 semester or equivalent units) of college coursework including courses in urban planning, sustainability, architecture, or a related field. Graduates within seven months of graduation are also encouraged to apply.

Knowledge of:

• Basic technical planning procedures.
• Basic technical principles of urban planning, land use and zoning.
• Basic technical principles of architecture and landscaping as they relate to urban planning.
• California Environmental Quality Act and Subdivision Map Act regulations. 
• General municipal government functions and services.
• Principles of geographic information system applications.
• Environmental, social, economic and other demographic factors affecting local planning options.
• Basic customer services principles and techniques.

Skill to:

• Effectively utilize modern office equipment, including personal computers and standard business software such as the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Gather accurate information through interviews and inquiries.
• Perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately using addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and percentages.
• Safely operate one or more types of vehicles if required by assignments.

Ability to:

• Apply basic policies, procedures, rules and regulations applicable to urban planning.
• Interact frequently with the public and provide customer service in a calm, courteous and helpful manner in a variety of settings.
• Perform technical research and analysis on planning-related policies and other information.
• Read and understand construction and development plans.
• Prepare technical planning-related reports, charts and tables.
• Present information at public hearings and meetings.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is primarily performed in an outdoor setting and requires:  physical ability to travel to different sites; vision to see and conduct self safely around power tools and machinery; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over telephone; frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing and pulling while performing duties; ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 30 pounds.

Environmental Elements

Primary duties require working from heights, below ground or in cramped or restrictive locations; some exposure to general hazards associated with maintenance activities, including chemicals, fumes, gases and odors; may require interaction with upset staff and/or public and private representatives and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental and City policies and procedures.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Completed application and resume must be submitted by the filing deadline listed above. Application packets will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in the job announcement. Possession of the minimum qualifications does not ensure an invitation to the recruitment process. The selection process will include an oral interview and may include other testing processes designed to predict successful job performance.

Candidates must be specific and complete in describing their qualifications for this position. Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process as you will not receive communications by any other method.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The City of Paramount is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

If you require reasonable accommodation during the examination components due to a qualified disability, you must inform the Human Resources Division at (562) 220-2155 at least 5 days in advance of testing date.