Principal Planner

Job Description

A Principal Planner is assigned to direct the activities of the two major divisions in the Planning Department:

Current Planning Section involves all aspects of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) land development, from dispensing information regarding land use, zoning regulations and subdivisions to processing of zoning permits, Design Review, and inspecting for compliance with conditions of approval, and enforces building and zoning codes.

Advanced Planning Section involves future planning, as required by state law, maintenance of an updated local coastal program and Redevelopment plan, sign ordinance, annexations, and specific area plans.

• Supervises, trains, and evaluates employees; recommends the selection, promotion and discipline of employees
• Develops and implements goals, priorities, policies and procedures; assists in developing and implementing department-wide goals, policies and procedures
• Staffs various council-appointed boards, commissions and committees as assigned
• Researches federal and state grant funding sources; prepares or directs the preparation of grant and permit applications; represents the City before various state and federal agencies in regards to permit and grant applications; assures compliance with grant or permit regulations
• Represents City to other agencies and the public
• Negotiates, prepares and administers contracts and agreements
• Coordinates departmental activities with other sections and City departments
• Represents the City in relations with other local, state and federal agencies
• sits as City representative on interagency and intergovernmental working groups
• Supervises the work of professional planning and engineering consultants retained for the development of plans, specifications, studies and reports
• Prepares or supervises the preparation of staff reports, resolutions, research reports, environmental documents and other material for presentation and use by City departments and advisory bodies and to meet state and federal agencies' requirements
• Meets with and advises developers and the general public regarding complex development applications and processes
• Serves as technical advisor to the Planning Director and other City staff, City advisory bodies and the City Council on land use, redevelopment and other technical areas pertaining to development and other community development activities
• In the absence of the Director, assumes department head responsibility including personnel and budget administration
• Performs other related work as required
  
  

As Manager Of The Current Planning Section

• Supervises the interpretation of the City's zoning ordinance by departmental personnel
• Directs the administration of the zoning and subdivision ordinances in connection with development applications
• Supervises staff engaged in review of permit applications and plans for compliance with applicable ordinances
• Supervises the implementation of CEQA guidelines for City and private projects
• Advises other City departments in regards to CEQA guideline requirements
• Drafts ordinance amendments for the zoning ordinance and subdivision ordinance
  
  

As Manager Of The Advanced Planning Section

• Directs the implementation of the local coastal program and related coastal policies and prepares necessary amendments
• Supervises administration of the City's future planning program and maintenance of the general plan and its elements in conformance with state law requirements
• Directs the development of related information systems on land use, economics and demographics
  
  

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge Of

• applicable laws and regulations pertaining to zoning, subdivision, coastal regulations, CEQA, the general plan and associated land use activities
• principles and practices of local government administration, including employee supervision, training and appraisal; budget preparation and control; contract administration; ordinance enforcement; and legal procedures
  
  

Ability To

• coordinate and manage effectively all aspects of a multifunctional division
• develop and control operational and project budgets
• prepare complex plans, reports and analyses
• plan, organize, supervise and evaluate the work of others
• research and analyze operational and technical issues and develop appropriate recommendations for actions
• interpret, apply and explain laws, regulations, standards, policies, procedures and programs
• communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing
• develop and maintain accurate recordkeeping systems
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with developers, contractors, consultants, advisory bodies, City staff, other governmental agencies, and the general public
• develop consensus and resolve conflict between various groups and individuals
  
  

Typical Qualifications

Special Requirement:

• possession of an appropriate California Driver's license and safe driving record
  
  

Training And Experience

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in planning or a closely related field, and four (4) years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience (at least two (2) years of which must have been in a public agency), including experience in current planning, environmental law, and zoning, and two (2) years supervisory experience.