Principal Planner

The Principal Planner is responsible for supervising and performing professional planning work; assuming responsibility for major planning programs as assigned; providing highly responsible technical support to the Director of Development Services and assigned division manager; and performing related work. The position performs full, first-line supervisory responsibilities including planning, assigning and evaluating the work of subordinates and is responsible for work unit within a section or department.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: perform highly complex and difficult professional planning work; assume responsibility for major planning programs as assigned; and assist the Director of Development Services and assigned division manager in various administrative activities; plan, prioritize, assign, supervise and review the work of staff performing professional planning work on various projects including, the review of and revisions to the General Plan, specific plans, General Development plan, Sectional Planning Area plans and other land use and zoning documents, environmental documents, site development, building and grading plans, parcel maps, tentative and final maps, adjustment plans, environmental analysis and similar applications; resolve issues; oversee section functions; evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities; assist in the preparation and administration of the department budget; monitor expenditures; participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures; recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods; implement policies and procedures; supervise the preparation, assembly, dissemination and implementation of city codes, ordinances, rules and regulations in accordance with the City's General Plan; research and analyze complex planning department, general plan, legal and administrative issues and make recommendations; prepare drafts of new city planning department ordinances, amendments and general plan elements; manage, prepare, and review environmental documents and reports; provide responsible, professional, and positive public relations; resolve planning problems including those of a technical nature; compile data for administrative and public reports: collect and analyze basic physical, economic and social data for planning purposes; participate in technical work and control of the planning department by designing resources for data collection, evaluation, and analysis; prepare general program guidelines; respond to requests for research and information from the City Council, City staff and the public regarding all phases of the City's General Plan, zoning codes, and ordinances and established polices and procedures; attend City Council, Planning Commission, Redevelopment Agency, boards and other boards and commissions meetings; prepare reports and recommendations; make presentations as necessary; answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints; build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service; perform other related duties as assigned.

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

Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in planning involving complex city and/or regional planning programs or projects, including two years of lead or supervisory experience AND training equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning, geography, urban studies, or a closely related field.

Knowledge of: Federal, State and local laws governing planning and zoning; municipal planning policies and procedures; principles and practices of city planning; Planning Division objectives and programs, including knowledge of the City General Plan, zoning codes and ordinances; redevelopment law; California environmental laws, including the California Environmental Quality Act; budgeting procedures and techniques; applicable statistics and research methods as applied to collection and tabulation; statistics affecting public planning; principles and practices of supervision, training, and performance evaluations; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation; computer equipment and software applications related to assignment.  

Ability to: perform a wide variety of highly complex planning duties; collect and analyze data and develop comprehensive plans and reports; develop and implement work plans for complex projects and programs; designate and oversee section work involving planning, organizing and directing various planning programs and projects; understand, interpret, explain, and apply planning department policies and procedures, related laws, codes, ordinances, zoning regulations, and subdivision design; use computer software programs and hardware and other technology pertinent to area of planning section specialization; supervise, train and evaluate staff; use initiative and sound independent judgment within established guidelines; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; work with various citizen groups and community organizations in a tactful and effective manner.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: On a continuous basis, sit at desk for long periods of time; intermittently stand and walk. Intermittently twist and reach office equipment above and below shoulders; use telephone, write or use keyboard to communicate through written means; use a computer keyboard on a regular and continuing basis; lift or carry up to 10 pounds. See in the normal vision range with or without correction to read typical business documents and computer screens; hear in the normal range with or without correction. Primary work is in performed indoors in a carpeted and air-conditioned office environment with fluorescent lighting and moderate noise level. There is some exposure to the external environment when going to outlying offices. Work is frequently disrupted by the need to respond to in-person and telephone inquiries.

To be considered, applicants must submit an online City application and supplemental questionnaire by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date listed. Candidates whose applications indicate education and experience most directly related to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. All notices will be sent via email.
 

Unless otherwise noted, a passing score must be achieved at each step of the selection process in order to have your name placed on the eligibility list for hiring consideration. Note that the examination materials for this recruitment are validated, copyrighted and/or inappropriate for review. The eligibility lists established as a result of this recruitment will be for a duration of six (6) months, unless otherwise extended.