Senior Planner/Principal Planner

The City of Fairfield is accepting applications for Principal/Senior Planner within the Community Development Department!  This recruitment will fill a Principal Planner opening and create an eligibility list for potential future Senior Planner vacancies.  The deadline to apply is 5:00 PM on Sunday, February 16, 2025.  In-person panel interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of March 3.

Are you passionate about planning with a focus on collaboration and community impact? Do you want to help implement a newly adopted General Plan that emphasizes urbanization, multi-modal transportation, and housing choice? Are you looking for mentorship, opportunities for career growth, and a supportive work environment? If so, we invite you to apply for the Principal or Senior Planner position with the City of Fairfield.

The City of Fairfield's Community Development Department is dedicated to protecting, enhancing, and expanding the community's physical, environmental, economic, and historic resources while improving and increasing housing opportunities. The Planning Division plays a key role in achieving this mission by overseeing land use regulations, development permitting, environmental review, long-range planning, and implementing the City's General Plan, and regional planning efforts. Take this opportunity to make a meaningful difference in Fairfield’s future!

Learn more about the City of Fairfield's Planning Division and featured projects at: City of Fairfield Planning Division 

This position is represented by Fairfield General Management Association (FGMA) and receives an excellent benefits package, including:

• CalPERS pension (Classic 2.5% @ 55 OR 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS member)
• Generous contributions to medical, dental, and vision plans
  • 3 medical carriers to choose from: Kaiser, Sutter Health or Western Health
• 144.86 hours of personal leave (cashable) annually, plus vacation and sick leave
• City paid retirement health savings contributions and life insurance
• 10.40% City paid deferred comp contribution (mandatory employee contribution is 4.10%)
• A 9/80 work schedule with the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month off

These are the advanced journey level classifications in the professional planner series. Employees within these classes perform the full range of duties as assigned, receiving only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise.  The Principal Planner additionally exercises technical and functional supervision of professional planners in the review of development permits and assignment of projects.Experience:
Both Principal and Senior Planner require five (5) years of professional experience in urban planning.  The Principal planner also requires one (1) year of management experience involving planning activities.

Education:
Both classifications require a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major work in planning, landscape architecture, or public administration. A Master's Degree in planning or related field is desired.
 
LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATE:
Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License is required for both classifications.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:
Work is generally performed in an office setting with frequent interruptions, multiple deadlines, complaints, and peak workload periods. Fieldwork is required to inspect property proposed for development, and to inspect developing properties for consistency with approved development conditions. Position requires attendance at night meetings.  Work may include prolonged sitting, as well as light to moderate lifting, reaching, stooping, pulling, pushing, manual dexterity, clear speech, visual and hearing acuity. The need to transport files, paper and documents weighing up to 25 pounds is also required.EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: 
Duties for both the Principal and Senior Planner may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist the Planning Manager/Division Manager in the planning, organizing, and administration of the Division.
• Provide oral and written comments on development applications.
• Prepare CEQA and NEPA documents, staff reports, resolutions, and ordinances.
• Prepare and present PowerPoint presentations to Planning Commission and City Council.
• Provide recommendations and advice to applicants, developers, design professionals, and landowners on how to achieve compliance with land use, design, environmental, and zoning regulations impacting a project.
• Accurately interpret and explain the intent and purpose of city guidelines, policies, and regulations to applicants and the general public.
• Independently manage complex planning projects, including General Plan updates/amendments, Specific Plans, master plans, and major subdivisions.
• Manage consultant contracts for preparation of special studies and Environmental Impact Reports.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

In addition to the above, the Principal Planner's duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Supervise staff performing development entitlement functions, including assigning projects, providing direction and guidance regarding performance of duties, and reviewing work products such as staff reports, resolutions, ordinances, environmental review documents, and similar materials.
• Provide oral and written recommendations to staff leadership, Planning Commission, and City Council.
• Coordinate and lead regularly-scheduled interdepartmental project review meetings.
• Serve as the City Zoning Administrator, conduct public hearings, and issue findings.
• Serve as alternate to the Planning Division Manager as lead staff/secretary for the Planning Commission.
• As assigned, serve as Acting Planning Division Manager.

Desirable Qualifications (both classifications):
Knowledge of:

• Theory, principles, and practices of city/municipal planning, zoning, and urban design.
• Regional, state, and federal laws and regulations applicable to planning and environmental review, including the Subdivision Map Act, CEQA, and NEPA.
• Current trends in urban and municipal planning.
• Principles of urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, and economic and statistical analysis as they apply to municipal planning.
• Principles of employee training, coaching, and supervision.
• Computer software applications related to job tasks such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and GIS.

Ability to:

• Plan, direct, and coordinate the work of other employees.
• Accurately interpret complex architectural plans and specifications, engineering plans and specifications, legal descriptions, General Plan policies, design guidelines, zoning regulations, and department policies.
• Complete complex land use and planning analysis, and prepare comprehensive, long-range municipal planning documents, plans, and codes.
• Work cooperatively and effectively with the public, applicants, and staff from other departments and agencies on controversial matters.
• Prepare and present clear and comprehensive reports using Microsoft Office products.
• Prepare and present effective presentations.
• Prepare and manage consultant contracts.
• Attend to details while keeping big-picture goals in mind.

Additional Desirable Qualifications (Principal Planner):
Knowledge of:

• Computer software applications related to database management.

Ability to:

• Conduct lead staff functions for public bodies such as a Planning Commission or public advisory committee.

THE SELECTION PROCESS: Based on the information provided in the application documents, the best-qualified applicants will be invited for further examination. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. Depending upon the number of applications received, the examination may consist of an application screening, written and/or practical exam, oral interview, or any combination. 

 

HOW TO APPLY:

Candidates must submit an online application via NeoGov/Governmentjobs.com by 5:00 p.m. of the closing date. If you have any difficulties submitting your online application, please call NeoGov's Applicant Support Line at (855) 524-5627.

 

Mac users please note: To ensure compatibility, please use Google Chrome and ensure iOS settings are up-to-date.

 If you feel you will need a reasonable accommodation for any portion of the testing/interview process, please contact Human Resources at (707) 428-7394 at least 1 week prior to the application deadline or examination date.

REFERENCE CHECKS:

The City utilizes an electronic reference check process. Please note that if you include your current supervisor under the “References” section of your application, they may be contacted at any point in the recruitment process without prior notification to you, even if you have marked “do not contact employer” in the Work Experience Section. 

 

When listing references, please identify persons who can assess your professional qualifications in the context of the workplace. Examples include former colleagues/supervisors, mentors, etc. 

 

If you have limited or no work experience, you may identify personal references familiar with your qualifications that would be transferrable in the workplace. Examples include teachers, volunteer coordinators, mentors, etc.

 

The City of Fairfield is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and professionalism.

Salary : $112,112 - $166,026