What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal Planner position at City of Westminster?
3% Salary Increase effective July 2025
The Principal Planner is a pivotal leadership position within the Community Development Department, directly reporting to the Department Director and serving as the staff liaison to the Planning Commission. This role is instrumental in shaping the City’s future development by expertly interpreting and applying Zoning Ordinances, guiding General Plan Updates, and ensuring compliance with State regulations and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). As the Principal Planner, you will lead the resolution of complex planning challenges that surpass the expertise of other planners and senior planners, playing a key role in driving innovative solutions for the community.
In this capacity, you will also mentor and develop a team of experienced department planners and administrative staff, fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration that benefits the entire community. Additionally, you will oversee the dissemination of crucial planning and zoning information, ensuring that the public, developers, engineers, property owners, and contractors are well-informed and aligned with the city's land use regulations.
This role requires a robust understanding of urban planning, exceptional problem-solving skills, and the ability to navigate and resolve intricate planning issues. As such, the Principal Planner is integral to the success and sustainability of the city’s planning initiatives. This recruitment is open continuous, with a first review of applications scheduled for October 15, 2024. Apply now!
DEFINITION
Under general direction, plans, organizes, oversees, coordinates, and reviews the work of professional, technical, and administrative staff performing difficult and complex professional and technical support related to all programs and activities of the Planning Division; manages the effective use of the City's planning resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service; provides highly complex and responsible support to the Community Development Director in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general direction from the Community Development Director. Exercises general direction and supervision over supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff through subordinate levels of supervision.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is a management classification that manages all current and advanced planning programs, projects, and activities of the Planning Division. Responsibilities include performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibility. The Principal Planner organizes and oversees day-to-day current planning activities and is responsible for providing professional-level support to the Community Development Director in a variety of areas.
Successful performance of the work requires an extensive professional background as well as skill in coordinating departmental work with that of other City departments and public agencies. This class is distinguished from the Community Development Director in that the latter has overall responsibility for all functions of the department and for developing, implementing, and interpreting public policy. This class is also distinguished from the Senior Planners in that the latter focuses on either current or advanced planning while the Principal Planner oversees all aspects of planning including operational efficiencies and management of supervisory staff, with indirect supervision of technical and administrative functions.
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.
- The Principal Planner is responsible for planning, prioritizing, assigning, supervising, reviewing, and actively participating in the work of staff members involved in providing services and activities within a designated section or functional area of the Planning Division. These areas may include both current and advanced planning, zoning administration, affordable housing, and special projects. They will provide technical analysis related to the application of planning and zoning laws, municipal codes, the general plan, and other technical documents. They will contribute to the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the assigned programs and projects.
- The Principal Planner plays a significant role in the selection, training, motivation, and evaluation of division personnel. This includes coordinating staff training, addressing performance issues, and reviewing staff reports and other work products prepared by professional planning staff. They will assign tasks, offer guidance, and provide direction to staff regarding work plans and methods.
- The Principal Planner offers highly complex staff assistance to the Director, developing and reviewing staff reports related to planning activities, projects, and services. This may involve presenting reports and advising the City Council, Planning Commission, and other commissions, committees, and boards on a variety of planning and zoning matters. Additionally, the role includes public relations and outreach work related to assigned activities. They provide input to the Director and current planning staff regarding the General Plan or other long-range planning policy documents that require consideration during the review of development applications. Budget development and administration for the department is also part of their responsibilities.
- The Principal Planner manages and directs complex planning projects, such as General Plan and specific plan updates, ordinance preparation, and other assigned projects. They will design and conduct studies to develop policies, plans, and codes, to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local laws, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Subdivision Map Act, and various other regulations. They meet and consult with City officials, other jurisdictions, major developers, and the public to address planning projects, taking the lead on interpreting zoning ordinances, the General Plan, Municipal Code, and state planning laws, as well as resolve complex issues that surpass the authority of the professional planning staff.
- The Principal Planner represents the planning division, department, and City in disputes and litigation. They will facilitate community participation through ongoing dialogue with residents on major projects. Additionally, they act as a liaison and perform necessary functions in support of the Planning Commission and oversee the dissemination of planning and zoning information to the public.
- The Principal Planner oversees and administers grants related to the assigned area, overseeing preparation of grant applications, preparing documentation, and submitting invoices for reimbursement. They will attend and participate in professional group meetings to stay up to date on trends and innovations in planning, evaluating their applicability to City needs. They also assist the Community Development Director with special projects, handle sensitive personnel matters, and perform other duties as assigned.
Knowledge of:
- Comprehensive understanding of administrative principles and practices is essential, including expertise in goal setting, program development, implementation, evaluation, and project management. The ability to supervise staff is also crucial, whether directly or through subordinate levels of supervision. This includes skills in work planning, assignment, review, and evaluation, as well as training staff in appropriate work procedures.
- Knowledge of principles and practices of municipal budget administration, alongside an understanding of applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, ordinances, and organizational policies relevant to the area of responsibility. Familiarity with organizational and management practices as they apply to program development, analysis, and operational needs is vital for the effective functioning of the division.
- Expertise in city and regional planning, development, and zoning administration is required, as well as a thorough understanding of geographic, socio-economic, transportation, and political factors related to city planning. This includes knowledge of comprehensive plans, current planning processes, and the overall development process, including site planning and architectural design principles.
- An awareness of recent developments, current literature, and available information sources relevant to planning services and projects is important. A solid grasp of the methods, materials, and techniques used in project planning, including land use, transportation, natural resources, parks, and historic preservation, is also essential.
- This role demands advanced mathematical knowledge and its application to planning work, as well as expertise in researching planning and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making recommendations, and preparing and presenting reports. Proficiency in preparing and presenting technical reports is necessary, along with knowledge of record-keeping principles and procedures.
- Familiarity with modern office practices, computer equipment, and related applications is also required. Additionally, proper use of English, including grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation, is required.
- The role also requires the ability to represent the city in dealings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations. Providing excellent customer service and effectively working with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff are key to maintaining high standards in communication and service delivery.
Education and Experience:
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:
Graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in urban planning, geography, architecture, environmental design, or public or business administration, or a related field and five (5) years of increasingly responsible management and/or administrative experience in professional urban planning, including three (3) years of supervisory experience.
Licenses and Certifications:
- Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment.
Institute of Certified Planners Certification is desirable but not required.
Physical Demands
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to inspect various construction sites; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various 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 the job involves field inspection work requiring frequent walking at inspection sites to monitor performance and to identify problems or hazards; standing and walking between work areas may be 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 and controlled temperature conditions; but may 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.
Salary : $112,968 - $144,168
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