Senior Planner

This position is represented by the General Mid Manager's Unit and is exempt from overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Under general administrative direction of the City Planner and Community & Economic Development Director, the incumbent within this classification; leads, oversees and performs specified planning activities for current and advanced planning including: administering the Zoning Code, Subdivision Ordinance, and General Plan; performing professional planning activities, such as reviewing development and entitlement applications and serving as project manager for development and land use applications; providing technical planning, information and assistance to the Planning Services Manager, the Director, the Planning Commission, the City Council, developers, contractors ad the general public, performing a variety of environmental and technical studies and preparing and presenting staff reports; conducting CEQA reviews and evaluations and making appropriate findings; and performing related duties as assigned within the scope of this classification.

Includes, But Not Limited To The Following

• Confers with and provides information to property owners, contractors, developers, engineers architects and the public regarding conformance to standards, plans specifications and codes; explains codes, requirements and procedures and evaluates alternatives;
• Reviews development applications for residential, commercial and industrial development and identifies appropriate land use policy, design issues and environmental requirements; makes recommendations for action;
• Prepares and presents staff reports to the Planning Commission and City Council;
• Serves as project manager for complex planning projects, including analyzing and evaluating site and architectural plans, performing technical review for project plans and applications and making recommendations;
• Updates and creates long-range planning documents such as the City's General Plan and other assigned plans; prepares modifications to General Plan Elements, the Zoning Code and other applicable ordinances and policies;
• Conducts site inspections, including determining if projects are in compliance with laws, regulations and ordinances; makes recommendations on changes;
• Supervises, mentors and reviews work assignments for professional, technical and support staff;
• Conducts CEQA reviews and evaluations and makes appropriate CEQA findings; and
• May perform other duties within the context of this classification standard.
  
  

Knowledge Of

• Municipal operations, policies and procedures;
• City Code, City Ordinances, Standard Operating Manual, personnel policies and procedures, and applicable Memoranda of Understanding;
• Practices, principles, procedures, regulations, and techniques of City planning, zoning, and land use;
• Modern principles, practices, and techniques of private and public property development including finance, appraisal, market analysis, and property acquisition;
• Community Development process pertaining to housing, capital improvements, redevelopment and other related areas;
• Applicable City, County, State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations affecting City's housing, business, commercial, and industrial development projects and its community and economic development programs;
• Development financing techniques and private sector lending requirements;
• Principles of local government organization and financing;
• Current and proposed legislation and laws of the local, state, and federal government that affects community development programs;
• Community involvement methods and practices;
• Organizational and management practices applicable to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs;
• Principles and practices of organization, administration and personnel management;
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
  
  

Skill To

• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, City departments, elected officials, outside agencies, community groups, local businesses, and the general public;
• Developing and administering budgets and monitoring expenditures;
• Supervising, leading, and delegating tasks and authority;
• Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software;
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers and the public;
• Effective verbal and written communication.
  
  

Ability To

• Administer complex current and advanced planning and zoning conformance activities in an independent and effective manner;
• Conduct complex planning research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations and preparing effective technical staff reports;
• Interpret, apply and explain complex laws, codes, regulations and ordinances;
• Perform and negotiate cost/benefit analysis;
• Manage projects;
• Develop and deploy high quality, compelling presentations;
• Demonstrate effective community relation skills; speak publicly, and explain and interpret City objectives to diverse public and private agencies, organizations, and individuals;
• Conduct zoning studies and interpret City zoning laws, regulations and codes;
• Read blueprints and site plans and conduct site inspections;
• Plan, analyze, and evaluate programs and services, operation needs, and fiscal constraints;
• Resolve conflict;
• Manage staff, and delegate tasks and authority;
• Communicate effectively with officials, co-workers, subordinates, the public, representatives of organizations and others sufficient to exchange or convey information and receive work direction;
• Work under pressure of deadlines, and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with employees, officials, other agencies and the public; and
• Attend City Council meetings and/or make presentations, as required.
  
  

Required

Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledgeable and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

EDUCATION: Possession of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Urban Planning, Geography, Architecture, or a closely related field is required.

EXPERIENCE: Five (5) years of Planning related experience, which must have included two (2) years of project management or supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job as listed above.