Principal Planner

The City of Ventura is accepting applications for the position of Principal Planner in the Community Development Department.  We are looking for a leader with passion for mentoring, collaboration, and community.

What You’ll Do

This key role is responsible for supervising staff in the Planning Division of the Community Development Department and performing professional work in development review, updating the general plan and other land use policy programs, environmental analysis, or community housing and economic development programs.

This is the full supervisory classification in the Planner series. The Principal Planner is distinguished from the Senior Planner by supervisory responsibility for professional, technical, and clerical staff as well as supervision of consultant or contract services. This position is further distinguished from the Planning Manager by the latter's overall responsibility for managing all sections in the Planning division.  

Who You Are

The ideal candidate will value innovative approaches to public service, thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, and demonstrate a thorough understanding or desire for a leadership role in a Planning Division.  The candidate has a systems approach for organizational management and modeling the way through effective coaching, training, and accountability within the Division.  The ideal candidate is results-oriented with a proven track record to reach solutions, and working collaboratively with the development community, stakeholders, and the public.  This person is a skilled facilitator and communicator who can represent the City before governing committees, commissions, and councils.   The ideal candidate possesses excellent people skills and is committed to "permit streamlining" and providing superior customer service.

Additionally, the ideal candidate has a thorough understanding of traditional urban and neighborhood design and has experience in successfully managing complex and sensitive projects, including zoning and/or policy, design review, environmental review, and historic preservation.

Position Qualifications
 
A combination of education, training and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in urban planning, urban design, landscape architecture, architecture, environmental studies, public administration, engineering or a closely related field and five years of increasingly responsible professional planning, former redevelopment agency work or related program management experience in the assigned area including two years of first line supervisory experience or three years of lead responsibility or oversight of projects or programs are required.  Professional planning experience in a California public agency is highly desirable. 

License: Depending on assignment, possession of a valid driver license may be required.

Certificate: Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable.

Salary and Benefits

The City offers a total compensation package that includes both a generous salary and other benefits!

• SALARY: $99,927.36 - $133,903.74 Annually DOQ
• BENEFITS: Refer to the benefits tab on the job posting for specific information on City benefits.

How to Apply

To be considered for this exciting opportunity, please complete an online City Job Application and supplemental questionnaire by the filing deadline, Thursday, September 28, 2023, at 5:30 pm.

Go to www.cityofventura.ca.gov/jobs and Apply!  EEO/ADA

salary plus 6 Medical options, CalPers Retirement, Dental, Vision, FSA, 457