The Principal Planner is a management level professional who provides leadership to several sections within the Planning Division of the Community Development Department. This position requires a thorough knowledge of physical, social, and economic principles of urban planning and the ability to integrate diverse planning activities with the overall objectives of the community. This position plans, organizes, and manages, planning projects and services of the Long Range Planning Section and is back up support to the City Planner Division Manager. The Principal Planner leads major studies, and policy development involving the interpretation of complex laws and sensitive land use issues (i.e. General Plan and Local Coastal Program Updates, Adaptive Management Plan development and implementation); supervises staff; coordinates work with other planning agencies; makes presentations to the City’s executive team, Planning Commission, City Council and other Boards and Commissions; and performs related duties as assigned.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
Knowledge of: Federal, state and local planning laws and regulations, including the Coastal Act,
California Environment Quality Act, and Local Government Reorganization Act; land use, physical design, demographic, environmental, and social/economic concepts as applied in municipal planning; application, modification, and inter-relationships among ordinances, policies, standards, procedures and practices associated with the Planning function; theories, principles, procedures, standards, practices, information sources and trends in the fields of current and advanced planning; local government organization and the functions and practices of a municipal planning unit; research methods and statistical techniques, geographic information and mappings systems and applications; project management principles and program evaluation practices; contract administrative practices; grant application standards and grant administration; terminology, symbols, methods, and techniques used in planning and planning exhibits such as site plans, grading plans and architectural elevations; principles of management, including staff selection, training, supervision, evaluation and discipline; and budgeting practices.
Ability to: Perform and coordinate technical current, advanced, and project-planning activities, such as the collection, analysis, and preparation of reports and recommendations pertaining to complex issues; make accurate recommendations based on study findings; interpret laws, policies, procedures, regulations, maps, specifications, census data, site and building plans, graphs and other statistical data; exercise sound independent judgment within departmental guidelines; plan, organize and complete projects and lead and motivate employees to meet established deadlines; prepare clear, concise and complete technical planning documents, reports and correspondence; direct the preparation of visual displays, such as maps, graphs, and statistical charts; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with City Council members, other boards and commissions members, staff, supervisors, management, consultants, community groups, general public, applicants, and others; represent the City effectively in meetings with commissions, community groups, governmental bodies, the media, and the public; manage the selection, training, evaluation, and disciplining of departmental staff and resolution of interpersonal conflicts.
Qualifications: A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above is graduation from a four-year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning or a closely related field; and five years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience, two of which included lead or supervisory responsibilites; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. A Master’s degree in Planning, Public Administration or a related field; professional certification through the American Institute of Certified Planners or a similar organization; or additional coursework in Planning or a related field (i.e. architecture, economics, environmental, historic preservation, urban design, etc.) are highly desirable.
COMPENSATION
Salary: Annual salary in a range from $99,514 – $120,961. Appointment will be made at a salary commensurate with the applicant's qualifications.
Benefits: A complete management fringe benefit package is available including fifteen (15) vacation days, up to four (4) personal leave days, ten (10) holidays, and sick leave. Employees have the option to choose other City paid benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, deferred compensation, and medical exam reimbursement up to a total cafeteria plan amount of $20,112 a year. A contribution of 1.45% must be made to Medicare. Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Miscellaneous formula: "Classic" members: 2.7% @ 55; employee contributes 8.556% of salary. "New" members: 2% @ 62; employee contributes 6.75% of salary. The City does not participate in Social Security. A tax deferred savings plan is also available.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE
INSTRUCTIONS: Responses to the following questions are required in addition to a resume and City application. Supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed with each application to determine the most qualified candidates. Responses such as "see application or resume" will not be accepted. Please limit your responses to a maximum of four (4) typed doubled-spaced 8 1/2" x 11" pages, 12 pt font minimum.
1. Describe a major and complex planning project that you were involved in where the City Council (or another governing board) was divided along with varied interests in an actively engaged community. Describe your role and the outcome. Was it successful? Why or why not?
2. Describe how you managed a challenging organizational problem that had personnel implications. What lessons did you learn from the experience?
SELECTION PROCESS
It is important that your application, resume, and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications, resumes, and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and the most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview panel. The successful candidate's employment history and background will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.
