JOB DESCRIPTION

DEFINITION:

Under direction, leads, oversees, reviews, and performs complex professional land use and urban planning work, including current and advanced planning, implementation of the City's General Plan, environmental review and coordination, development review, and management of the citywide pre-application review; provides work direction and lead supervision, including allotting duties, providing training, and assisting with reviewing work performance; performs other related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

TheSenior Planner is the lead/advanced journey level classification in the professional planning series, in which incumbents are expected to independently perform the full scope of assigned duties. Incumbents in this position work independently in the research and analysis of planning issues, in the preparation of planning reports, studies, and recommendations, and in the supervision and coordination of assigned planning functions and processes. The Senior Planner differs from the Principal Planner in that the latter is the full supervisory level in the Planner series.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED:

Receives direction from the Planning Manager. Exercises direct and indirect supervision over assigned staff.

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

• Leads, oversees, reviews, and performs the work of professional, technical, and office support staff in assigned functional areas, including professional land use and urban planning; instructs staff in work procedures and reviews and evaluates work performed; confers with personnel from other departments and agencies in coordinating work activities; meets with representatives of community organizations and other groups to encourage cooperative action or to resolve problems.
• Develops and implements goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned functional areas; plans, coordinates, directs, and processes complex projects and conducts research studies, including phases of the General Plan, current plans, and special studies; negotiates, prepares and administers consultant services contracts; prepares reports and recommendations regarding land use, zoning, urban design, population trends, transportation, community needs, housing and environmental issues; recommends the use of land for residential, commercial, industrial, and community uses.
• Coordinates and participates in 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.
• Supervises, coordinates, and participates in the update and implementation of the General Plan, environmental review and compliance, development review and citywide pre-application review; serves as staff to committees, commissions, and the Council; manages complex and controversial current and advanced planning projects.
• Writes and edits reports and agendas for committees, commissions, 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; makes presentations and prepares material for the City Council, commissions, boards, and community groups.
• Serves as technical advisor to City staff and officials, public agencies, and members of the public.
• Establishes 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. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. Additionally, the incumbent in this position works outdoors in all weather conditions, including wet, hot, and cold. The nature of the work also requires the incumbent to drive motorized vehicles. The need 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:

Any combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for a Senior Planner. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is to possess four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in urban or regional planning, including one (1) year in a lead capacity, and a bachelor's degree in urban or regional planning, or a related field. A master's degree in urban or regional planning is desirable.

License:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid class C California driver's license.