Senior Planner

DEFINITION:

Under general direction, to plan, organize, supervise, review, and participate in the work of professional and technical planning personnel engaged in all planning functions of the City and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

Senior Planner is an advanced journey-level class in the professional planning series. Positions in this class perform complex professional planning work and may supervise the work of lower-level professional and technical planning staff. Appointment to this level requires considerable knowledge in any of the following assigned areas: development process, housing programs and legislation, applicable Federal and State grant programs, redevelopment, and/or advance planning. Receives general direction from the Community Development Director. May exercise indirect supervision over other professional, technical, and clerical staff.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED:

Receives general direction from the Community Development Director.  Exercises direct and indirect supervision over assigned staff.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:   (include but are not limited to the following)

• Direct, coordinate, review, and participate in the work of professional and other planning staff in data collection, analysis, and implementation of a wide variety of planning, zoning, and environmental review activities.
• Perform the most complex and sensitive planning work.
• Confers with personnel from other departments and external agencies in coordinating work activities; meets with representatives of community organizations and other groups to encourage cooperative action or to resolve problems.
• Initiate recommendations for changes in codes, plans and policies.
• Utilize expert knowledge in specific technical areas to serve as staff resource.
• Prepare MND and ND in compliance with CEQA.
• Coordinates, participates in, and supervises the review and processing of various plans and applications for subdivision, housing, and commercial developments; reviews and processes variances and other development permits and applications; collects and evaluates information related to the application process and determines conformity with laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; recommends approval or alternative approaches; conducts project site inspections.
• Provides information and assistance to developers, property owners, and the public regarding laws, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures related to the submission of plans, processing of applications, and implementation requirements; investigates and answers the more complex questions from the public regarding planning, zoning, and environmental issues; interprets and enforces a variety of laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and standards, including the Grover Beach Municipal Code.
• May supervise, coordinate, and participate in the update and implementation of the General Plan, environmental review and compliance, and development review; serves as staff to committees, commissions, and the Council as assigned by the Community Development Director and/or the City Manager; manages complex and controversial current and advanced planning projects.
• Provides input on the budget process; monitors and controls expenditures.
• Writes and edits reports and agendas for the Planning Commission, and the Council; coordinates, prepares, and provides meeting support services to the groups, including reviewing draft materials and preparing comments; drafts hearing notices, organizes meetings, and work sessions ensuring timely notification of appropriate parties; attends day and/or evening meetings; prepares material and makes presentations for the City Council, Planning Commission, and community groups.
• Serves as technical advisor to City staff and officials, public agencies, and members of the public; serves as acting Director of Community Development in his or her absence.
• Coordinate planning activities with other City divisions and departments, and with outside local, regional, Federal and State agencies and provide assistance as needed.
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, state/local agencies and associations, City management and staff, and the public.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking on slippery, level, and uneven surfaces, kneeling, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily activities.  The position also requires repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in preparing reports using a computer keyboard.  Additionally, the position requires both near and far vision in reading written reports and work related documents.   Hearing sufficient to provide telephone and personal service is required.  Additionally, the incumbent in this position may work outdoors in all weather conditions, including wet, hot, and cold.  The nature of the work also requires the incumbent to drive motorized vehicles.  The ability to lift, drag, and push files, paper, and documents weighing up to 25 pounds is also required.  Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

QUALIFICATIONS:   (The following are minimal qualifications necessary for entry into the classification.)

Education and/or Experience:

Education/Training

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning or related field.

Experience

Five years of increasingly responsible experience in urban or regional planning. One year in a management or supervisory role is desired, but not required.

License/Certificate

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver’s license prior to appointment.

KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES/SKILLS:   (The following are a representative sample of the KAS’s necessary to perform essential duties of the position.)

Knowledge of:

• Modern principles, practices, and techniques of current and advanced planning;
• Land use, physical design, demographic, environmental, economic, and social concepts as applied to municipal planning;
• Statistical methods and research techniques applicable to the preparation of municipal planning studies;
• Techniques and methods for making effective public presentations of complex information;
• Contract negotiation and administration;
• Methods and techniques of supervision, training, and motivation;
• Basic principles of mathematics;
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes, and regulations, including the City Municipal Code, California Environmental Quality Act, the Coastal Act, and California laws relating to subdivisions, annexations, zoning, and land use;
• Methods and techniques of scheduling work assignments;
• Standard office procedures, practices, and equipment;
• Modern office equipment, including a computer and applicable software;
• Methods and techniques for record keeping and report preparation and writing;
• Proper English, spelling, and grammar;
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.

Ability to:

• Lead, oversee, review, and perform complex professional planning work in assigned program areas;
• Apply policies, procedures, and standards pertaining to the municipal planning process;
• Review complex project plans and concepts to determine compliance with the General Plan and plan principles;
• Read and interpret maps, sketches, drawings and specifications;
• Read, interpret, and record a variety of planning, modeling, and statistical data accurately;
• Coordinate and/or participate in community planning and information sessions;
• Research, collect, and analyze a variety of information relative to planning activities and project details;
• Conduct project inspections;
• Attend evening meetings as required;
• Keep accurate records;
• Interpret, apply, and explain applicable laws, codes, and regulations;
• Train, supervise, and motivate assigned staff;
• Make adjustments to standard operating procedures to improve effectiveness and comply with regulatory changes as appropriate;
• Read, interpret, and record data accurately;
• Organize, prioritize, and follow-up on work assignments;
• Work independently and as part of a team;
• Make sound decisions within established guidelines;
• Analyze a complex issue, and develop and implement an appropriate response;
• Follow written and oral directions;
• Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner;
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Skill to:

Operate an office computer and a variety of word processing and software applications.