What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Planner position at City of San Ramon?
Under general direction, administers advanced and complex current and advance planning activities, including serving as project manager for complex development applications and special projects; administers specified activities in such areas as zoning, advance planning, and environmental impact studies, protection, and compliance; performs complex professional planning activities, such as serving as project manager for complex development and land use applications; provides professional information and assistance to the Director, the Planning Commission, the City Council, developers, contractors and the general public; performs a variety of studies, prepares and presents staff reports; serves on review committees; and performs related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general direction from the Division Manager. Supervises, trains and evaluates assigned technical and/or professional staff.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This class is the advanced journey-level in the professional planning classification series with responsibilities spanning the full spectrum of planning functions encountered by a developing City. Incumbents may be in charge of either Current Planning/Zoning Administration or Advanced Planning. Successful performance of the work requires an extensive professional background as well as skills in coordinating assignments with those of other City departments and public agencies. The class is distinguished from Division Manager in that the latter is assigned as either an Assistant Department Head in charge of a group of major, related operational units or programs in large operational departments or as the manager of professional service with City-wide internal or external impact.
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
Modern principles, practices, and technical and legal issues of urban and regional planning, zoning, urban economics, demographics, and environmental planning and program management; geographic, socio-economic, transportation, political, environmental, and other elements related to city planning; comprehensive plans and current planning processes and the development process; site planning and architectural design principles; general concepts of architecture, landscaping, grading, drainage, traffic, and transportation engineering as they relate to the process of urban planning; operational characteristics, services, and activities of a comprehensive environmental planning program; applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and organizational policies and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility; project management and contract administration principles and techniques; research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures; recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to planning, zoning, and environmental review; modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications, including computer hardware and software necessary for graphic presentation, mapping, and database management; practices of researching planning and land use issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports; principles of advanced mathematics and their application to planning work; methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation; English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation; techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, educational and regulatory organizations, and with property owners, developers, contractors, and the public; and techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
Ability to:
Interpret and explain planning and zoning programs to the general public; identify and respond to issues and concerns of the public, City Council, and other boards and commissions; read plans and specifications and make effective site visits; assess, monitor, and report environmental impact on and of various City programs and services; analyze site design, terrain constraints, land use compatibility, utilities, and other urban services; conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations; interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, and City planning policies and procedures; read and understand technical drawings and specifications; perform mathematical and planning computations with precision; effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations and individuals; coordinate assigned activities with other City departments and agencies as required; direct the work of contract consultants; prepare and present clear, concise, and logical written and oral reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials; establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems; organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines; operate office equipment including computer applications related to the work; Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing; use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines; and establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Education
Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in city, urban or environmental planning, architecture or a field related to the area of assignment.
AND
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.
Licenses and Certifications:
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to inspect City development sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary or construction access points; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas is required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
FLSA: EXEMPT
REVISED: MARCH 2019
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general direction from the Division Manager. Supervises, trains and evaluates assigned technical and/or professional staff.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This class is the advanced journey-level in the professional planning classification series with responsibilities spanning the full spectrum of planning functions encountered by a developing City. Incumbents may be in charge of either Current Planning/Zoning Administration or Advanced Planning. Successful performance of the work requires an extensive professional background as well as skills in coordinating assignments with those of other City departments and public agencies. The class is distinguished from Division Manager in that the latter is assigned as either an Assistant Department Head in charge of a group of major, related operational units or programs in large operational departments or as the manager of professional service with City-wide internal or external impact.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate for this position will be a collaborative, team-oriented planning professional with a strong customer service focus and excellent interpersonal skills. They will be able to establish and maintain effective relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including co-workers, management, elected officials, community members, and representatives of public and regulatory agencies.
The ideal candidates will have the following skills and experience:
- Ability to balance current and long-range planning work while providing excellent customer service.
- Strong communication skills, both in writing and in person with experience presenting to the Planning Commission, City Council, and other Boards.
- Experience managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
- Strong technical skills, experience analyzing architectural and landscape plans, and familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, GIS, graphics/presentation programs and other comparable programs.
- Strong knowledge of CEQA, Subdivision Map Act, and other state/federal planning regulations.
- Two (2) years of experience processing major housing applications, including the implementation of State Density Bonus Law, Housing Accountability Act, SB 330, and similar State legislation.
- Experience supervising and mentoring lower-level planners to support their professional growth and ensure high-quality work.
- Experience serving as liaison to a board or commission is desirable.
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
- Serves as project manager for multiple complex current and/or long-range planning projects and special planning studies including: in-depth application and plan review; coordination with applicants to obtain additional information and project changes; preparing legal notices; posting notices on sites; background research; preparing staff reports; attending public hearings and making presentations; monitoring implementation measures and conditions of approval; checking submittals for building plan check; and inspecting development and capital improvement sites at the beginning and upon completion of the project.
- Reviews applications for residential, commercial, and industrial development; evaluates alternatives and conformance with City policies, ordinances, the General Plan, and state and federal laws; prepares and presents staff reports to the Planning Commission and City Council regarding such applications.
- Reviews project applications and plans submitted for Planning Commission, and City Council considerations at public hearings.
- 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.
- Manages consultant contacts including determining scope of work and budgets, tracking budgets, and approving contract payments.
- Supervises professional, technical and support staff, including determining workloads and schedules; developing and interpreting policies and procedures, effectively evaluating staff performance; and making hiring and termination recommendations.
- Updates and creates long-range planning documents such as the City's General Plan and other assigned plans; prepares modifications to specific General Plan elements.
- Reviews applications for zoning variances and other occupancies for conformance to applicable ordinances and policies.
- Prepares written project analysis including identifying appropriate land use policy, design issues, and environmental requirements; makes recommendations for action.
- Serves as staff liaison for review boards, ad-hoc committees and elected officials, including providing technical advice and giving presentations.
- 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.
- Conducts site inspections including determining if projects are in compliance with laws, regulations and ordinances; makes recommendations on changes.
- May plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review the work of assigned staff; train staff, evaluate employee performance, counsel employees, and effectively recommend initial disciplinary action; assists in selection and promotion.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Modern principles, practices, and technical and legal issues of urban and regional planning, zoning, urban economics, demographics, and environmental planning and program management; geographic, socio-economic, transportation, political, environmental, and other elements related to city planning; comprehensive plans and current planning processes and the development process; site planning and architectural design principles; general concepts of architecture, landscaping, grading, drainage, traffic, and transportation engineering as they relate to the process of urban planning; operational characteristics, services, and activities of a comprehensive environmental planning program; applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and organizational policies and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility; project management and contract administration principles and techniques; research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures; recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to planning, zoning, and environmental review; modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications, including computer hardware and software necessary for graphic presentation, mapping, and database management; practices of researching planning and land use issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports; principles of advanced mathematics and their application to planning work; methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation; English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation; techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, educational and regulatory organizations, and with property owners, developers, contractors, and the public; and techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
Ability to:
Interpret and explain planning and zoning programs to the general public; identify and respond to issues and concerns of the public, City Council, and other boards and commissions; read plans and specifications and make effective site visits; assess, monitor, and report environmental impact on and of various City programs and services; analyze site design, terrain constraints, land use compatibility, utilities, and other urban services; conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations; interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, and City planning policies and procedures; read and understand technical drawings and specifications; perform mathematical and planning computations with precision; effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations and individuals; coordinate assigned activities with other City departments and agencies as required; direct the work of contract consultants; prepare and present clear, concise, and logical written and oral reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials; establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems; organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines; operate office equipment including computer applications related to the work; Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing; use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines; and establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Education
Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in city, urban or environmental planning, architecture or a field related to the area of assignment.
AND
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.
Licenses and Certifications:
- Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment. A valid California Driver’s License is not a requirement for this position. However, persons hired into this class who intend to drive their personal vehicle and/or a City vehicle as part of their job duties will be required to possess a valid California Driver’s License; alternatively, persons hired into this class could use alternative means of transportation as part of their job duties.
Additional Information
PHYSICAL DEMANDSMust possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to inspect City development sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary or construction access points; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas is required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
FLSA: EXEMPT
REVISED: MARCH 2019
Resumes cannot be substituted for a completed application.
The most qualified candidates, as determined by initial screening of applications, will be invited to participate in an oral and/or department panel interview.
The first round of interviews is tentatively scheduled for mid - December 2025.The eligibility list will be established from the interview process. Individuals on the eligibility list may be asked to participate in a second round of interviews based on specific individual qualifications and the City's needs. The eligibility list will remain in effect for one (1) year for potential future vacancies.
The City of San Ramon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex origin, sexual orientation or disability. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, should special accommodations be necessary at any stage of the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Division at hr@sanramon.ca.gov.
Information contained herein, including the recruitment process, is subject to change without notice.
Salary : $122,063 - $162,751
