Position Type: Full-Time (40 hours per week)

Department: Planning Division
Casc Engineering and Consulting, Inc. (“Casc”) is seeking an Associate Planner to be a part of our diverse group of planners, environmental specialists, designers, and entitlement specialists with extensive experience supporting a wide variety of private and public clients throughout Southern California. Our team possesses a wide-range of technical knowledge and skills in both the planning and environmental fields with a proven track-record of successfully completing small to large-scale projects.

Office Locations: Corporate Headquarters (Colton, CA), Temecula/San Diego, Irvine, Glendora, and Palm Desert. The ideal Candidate would be based at our Corporate Headquarters in Colton; however, Casc recognizes the value of a diverse and flexible workplace. Thus, we are open to considering candidates who may prefer to work from our other office locations, including Temecula/San Diego, Irvine, Glendora, and Palm Desert.

• Please note that regardless of the chosen office location, the Associate Planner role requires a minimum of 2 visits per month to our Corporate Headquarters in Colton, CA. This travel is essential for effective collaboration, team meetings, and project coordination. The willingness and ability to travel as needed is an integral part of this role, ensuring seamless communication and engagement across our various office locations.

Salary Range: $65,000 - $90,000 per year (depending on qualifications and desired office location)

Job Description: Casc Engineering and Consulting, Inc. (“Casc”) is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Associate Planner with a minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in planning and/or environmental fields. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of California state planning laws, CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act), OPR (Office of Planning and Research) State Guidelines, and possess a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
As an Associate Planner, you will play a crucial role in assisting with the preparation of planning and environmental documents, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and providing expertise in land use and environmental planning. Typical private projects may include preparing planning/environmental documents for residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use developments. Typical public projects may include preparing General Plan, Community Plan, and Specific Plan updates, environmental documents, and peer review related services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Under general supervision, conduct professional planning and environmental research, gather data and prepare reports for private and public clients involving land use, zoning regulations, demographics, economic trends, and environmental factors to support planning and environmental projects.
• Assist in the preparation, revision, and review of land use plans, zoning codes, comprehensive development plans, and other planning documents.
• Review development proposals, building permits, and site plans to ensure compliance with zoning codes and land use regulations.
• Ensure compliance with California state planning laws, CEQA, OPR State Guidelines, and other relevant environmental regulations.
• Assist with the preparation of environmental documents (EIRs, ND/MNDs, and Categorical Exemptions), review environmental documents, and make recommendations for mitigating potential environmental impacts.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, such as government agencies, community groups, and developers, to gather input, address concerns, and promote effective communication.
• Attend public meetings/hearings, workshops, and presentations to inform and engage stakeholders in the planning process as well as answer questions from agency staff, decision makers and the general public.
• Stay up-to-date with changes in planning laws, regulations, and policies at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Analyze and interpret planning policies and develop recommendations for their implementation in accordance with project goals and objectives.
• Train and mentor junior staff.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in urban planning, environmental planning, geography, or a related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in planning and/or environmental fields.
• Strong organizational and time management skills to handle multiple tasks and meet project deadlines.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and train junior staff simultaneously.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a keen attention to detail.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear and concise reports and deliver engaging presentations.
• Professional certifications or memberships related to planning or environmental fields are desirable.