Planning Manager

Salary : $178,210.68 - $234,548.76 Annually

Location : West Hollywood, CA

Job Type : Full-time Regular Status

Job Number : 25-20233-01

Department : Community Development

Division : CDD - Current & Historic Preservation Planning

Opening Date : 02 / 12 / 2025

Closing Date : 3 / 12 / 2025 5 : 00 PM Pacific

FLSA : Exempt

Bargaining Unit : WHMA

JOB SUMMARY

The City is seeking a strong Planner with experience supervising staff and strategically managing a dynamic team through a diverse and fast-paced work plan. The Planning Manager (Current and Historic Preservation Planning) has the responsibility for managing the Division budget, personnel, and report preparation, and must be able to make presentations, facilitate meetings, and monitor projects for accuracy, protocol, and on-time completion. The position is responsible for coordinating with other Departments and Divisions throughout the City, including Public Works and Engineering, Building and Safety, Long Range Planning, Housing and Rent Stabilization, Finance, etc.

The successful candidate for Planning Manager (Current and Historic Preservation Planning) will be an innovative and collaborative leader, capable of mentoring and developing staff, skilled at strategically managing the many projects and programs within the different divisions, and adaptable to the ever-evolving environment of the local government stage. The Planning Manager (Current and Historic Preservation Planning) will need to be an effective and articulate communicator, both verbally and in writing. They must be comfortable and confident in making presentations and communicating with elected and appointed officials, City staff, and residents, and facilitating project meetings with consultants and community members. The successful candidate will also possess a strong technical planning background in areas such as : CEQA, Housing Law, plan implementation, and project management.

The position of Planning Manager (Current and Historic Preservation Planning) requires an individual who is effective at visioning, consensus-building, planning, and programming. The successful candidate is a team player, politically intuitive and sensitive, a problem-solver, attentive to timelines, and effective at training and educating personnel.

The ideal candidate will :

• Possess strong ethics, openness, honesty, and responsiveness.

Be attuned to the nuances of factors that affect processes and decisions.

Motivate and mentor Division staff.

Thrive in a team-oriented and collaborative environment.

Serve as a subject matter expert.

Embrace working with the community on issues.

Be organized and mission / goal-focused to maintain scheduled and complete projects on time.

Recognize the City's past and present identity to shape future policies and plans.

Lead presentations to residents, boards, commissions, businesses, and other groups; represent at meetings.

Job Brochure link : Planning Manager (Current and Historic Preservation Planning)

Important Dates / Tentative Schedule

If a sufficient number of qualified applications are received :

Round two, In-person Finalist interviews will be held tentatively on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.

Selected candidates will be notified once the dates are finalized. It is recommended that you plan your calendar accordingly.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

JOB SUMMARY :

Manages staff and performs highly complex technical and professional functions related to urban planning projects and programs, including : responding to inquiries from elected officials and executives; preparing and monitoring the budget and work plans; reviewing staff reports and recommendations; and analyzing planning data and reviewing staff recommendations regarding same.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS : (All responsibilities may not be performed by all incumbents.)

Plans, coordinates, assigns, and monitors performance and coaches, counsels, mentors, trains, and advises employees in department for the dual goals of meeting department goals and employee career development; assists staff in the completion of assigned tasks.

Interacts with a variety of high level individuals, both internally and within the community to provide information, disseminate departmental information and assist in resolving administrative issues.

Develops and administers the division budget and work plans; monitors expenditures.

Plans and directs various planning projects, including : reviewing staff reports; reviewing, revising, administering and coordinating contract services, the General Plan, zoning ordinances and other municipal planning regulations; assisting in the technical review of construction plans; and analyzing plans, data and planning trends.

Represents the City and / or serves as a liaison and / or member of various committees / teams and collaborates, persuades, presents reports to and negotiates with others outside own work area to coordinate efforts and maintain cooperative and efficient relations.

Researches, develops, interprets, communicates, and monitors policies, procedures, codes, standards, etc.; recommends improvement when necessary and writes / revises same.

Plans long-range goals, objectives, management systems, organizational structure, and overall direction for the division; plans and implements short-term or annual goals, objectives, strategies, projects or programs to ensure efficient organization and completion of work.

Coordinates division activities with other departments, divisions and / or outside agencies; responds to citizen inquiries.

Serves as technical resource on division operations.

Develops and implements capital improvement program.

Prepares reports and make presentations to various boards and commissions.

Ensures quality standards and compliance with regulations are maintained.

IMPORTANT JOB FUNCTIONS :

Maintains and upgrades professional knowledge, skills, and development by attending seminars and training programs and reading trade and professional journals and publications.

Follows up on inquiries from various agencies, groups, media, etc., regarding department programs and services.

Disseminates a variety of information to various agencies, divisions, or departments via telephone, mail or FAX.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education and Experience :

Five to seven years of progressively responsible related experience; or,

Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Licenses and Certifications :

Certificate requirements depending upon assignment :

American Institute of Certified Transportation Planner (AICP) Certification (desirable)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of :

Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting and implementation.

Management of staff and activities, either directly or through subordinate supervision.

Principles, theories and practices of governmental planning and zoning.

Principles and practices of public administration, including knowledge of government organizations and operations.

Principles and practices of land development, urban planning and transportation planning.

Budget development processes and procedures.

Project management techniques, including contract management.

Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis and report presentation.

Principles, practices, and techniques of effective customer service and collaborative problem solving.

Skills in :

Interpreting laws and legislation.

Public speaking techniques.

Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials.

Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.

Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.

Applying logical thinking to solve problems and accomplish tasks; analyzing, resolving, and / or making recommendations regarding a variety of administrative, financial, and operational issues.

Communicating orally and in writing with staff, the public, and City and government officials in order to give and receive information in a courteous manner.

Using a computer and appropriate computer applications to perform the essential and important functions of the job.

Operation and routine maintenance of general office machines such as copiers, facsimile machines, telephone systems.

Abilities :

Ability to communicate in English both orally and in writing at the appropriate level.

Ability to perform mathematical calculations at the appropriate level.

Ability to learn and follow City and departmental policies and procedures.

Ability to learn the geography of the City.

While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear; and occasionally push, pull and / or lift up to 10 pounds.

Working Conditions :

The incumbent's working conditions are typically moderately quiet, but may be very loud at some locations or during the completion of some functions.

This class specification should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent / applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent / applicant when possible.

Retirement

The City participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement Systems (CalPERS). The retirement formula will be based on appointment date and membership status with CalPERS, e.g. 2% @ 62 for New Members (average of three highest years) or 2.7% @ 55 for Classic Members (single highest year) with less than a six-month break in service from another CalPERS or CalPERS reciprocal agency. New Member employees are responsible for paying the employee contribution of one-half of the total normal cost of the plan (currently at 7.25%), as defined by CalPERS, through a payroll deduction. Classic Members are responsible for paying the employee contribution of 8% through a payroll deduction. The City does not participate in Social Security.

City contribution of $100.00 per month for Retiree Health Savings (RHS).

Health Benefits

Leave Time

196 hours - 10th year of service and beyond.

Holidays : 11 City-paid holidays

Personal Leave / Floating holiday : 36 hours per fiscal year

Administrative Leave : 12 hours per month.

Other Benefits

Disability Insurance : 66 2 / 3% of salary to a cap of $3,077 per week after a 29-day elimination period (for short-term disability).

Technology Allowance : The city pays an allowance of $75 per month for the use of personal technology devices for technology purposes. These allowances provide complete reimbursement to the employee for the use of their private cell phone or other electronic devices for City business. A city-issued laptop will be provided.

Tuition reimbursement at 100% of the fee schedule for the University of California (UC Tuition Resident fee) for job-related courses pre-approved by the Department Director (up to $14,436 for Fiscal Year 2024-2025).

Optional Benefits : AFLAC, Supplemental Life Insurance, Pre-Paid Legal Services, Flexible Benefits Account (FSA) for medical reimbursement and dependent care assistance, and cash out of accrued Vacation and Administrative Leaves.

Copy OF (The following Supplemental Questionnaire is part of the examination for this position and will be used in determining your qualifications. In order to receive every consideration in the selection process, you must complete all questions with concise but detailed answers and provide all requested information. The experience you indicate in your responses to the supplemental questions must also be described, in detail, on the Work History / Experience section of your Employment Application. The hiring department will review each answer to evaluate your qualifications. Responses such as "See Resume" or "See Application" will result in your application not being considered. A lack of a complete and thorough response to each of the supplemental questions in the space provided may negatively impact your eligibility for this part of the examination process. Responses with more than 250 words are ideal for essay questions.

Verification : Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process.

Note : Falsifying one's education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City of West Hollywood.

By continuing in the recruitment process, you are certifying that all information provided in the Supplemental Questionnaire is true to the best of your knowledge. If you are selected to continue in the recruitment process, your qualifications may be evaluated through employment verification, reference checks, and written, skill assessment, and oral examinations.

Select "Yes" to reflect that you have read and understand this statement.)

What is your highest level of education completed?

Please indicate your number of years of professional level supervisory responsibility experience.

Please list any applicable professional planning-related certifications or licenses you currently possess. If you do not possess any, list"N / A."

Please describe your interest in West Hollywood and what motivates you to seek a leadership role here.

Describe your experience in leading a team of planning professionals. How have you ensured alignment with organizational goals while fostering a collaborative work environment?

Required Question

Salary : $178,211 - $234,549