Senior Planner

Description

Under general direction administers advanced and complex current and advance planning activities including serving as project manager for complex development applications and special projects; administers specified activities in such areas as zoning advance planning and environmental impact studies protection and compliance; performs complex professional planning activities such as serving as project manager for complex development and land use applications; provides professional information and assistance to the Director the Planning Commission the City Council developers contractors and the general public; performs a variety of studies prepares and presents staff reports; serves on review committees; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from the Division Manager. Supervises trains and evaluates assigned technical and / or professional staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This class is the advanced journey-level in the professional planning classification series with responsibilities spanning the full spectrum of planning functions encountered by a developing City. Incumbents may be in charge of either Current Planning / Zoning Administration or Advanced Planning. Successful performance of the work requires an extensive professional background as well as skills in coordinating assignments with those of other City departments and public agencies. The class is distinguished from Division Manager in that the latter is assigned as either an Assistant Department Head in charge of a group of major related operational units or programs in large operational departments or as the manager of professional service with City-wide internal or external impact.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for this position will be a collaborative team-oriented planning professional with a strong customer service focus and excellent interpersonal skills. They will be able to establish and maintain effective relationships with a variety of stakeholders including co-workers management elected officials community members and representatives of public and regulatory agencies.

The ideal candidates will have the following skills and experience :

• Ability to balance current and long-range planning work while providing excellent customer service.
• Strong communication skills both in writing and in person with experience presenting to the Planning Commission City Council and other Boards.
• Experience managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Strong technical skills experience analyzing architectural and landscape plans and familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite GIS graphics / presentation programs and other comparable programs.
• Strong knowledge of CEQA Subdivision Map Act and other state / federal planning regulations.
• Two (2) years of experience processing major housing applications including the implementation of State Density Bonus Law Housing Accountability Act SB 330 and similar State legislation.
• Experience supervising and mentoring lower-level planners to support their professional growth and ensure high-quality work.
• Experience serving as liaison to a board or commission is desirable.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add modify change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of :

Modern principles practices and technical and legal issues of urban and regional planning zoning urban economics demographics and environmental planning and program management; geographic socio-economic transportation political environmental and other elements related to city planning; comprehensive plans and current planning processes and the development process; site planning and architectural design principles; general concepts of architecture landscaping grading drainage traffic and transportation engineering as they relate to the process of urban planning; operational characteristics services and activities of a comprehensive environmental planning program; applicable Federal State and local laws rules regulations ordinances and organizational policies and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility; project management and contract administration principles and techniques; research and reporting methods techniques and procedures; recent developments current literature and sources of information related to planning zoning and environmental review; modern office practices methods and computer equipment and applications including computer hardware and software necessary for graphic presentation mapping and database management; practices of researching planning and land use issues evaluating alternatives making sound recommendations and preparing and presenting effective staff reports; principles of advanced mathematics and their application to planning work; methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation; English usage grammar spelling vocabulary and punctuation; techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies community groups various business professional educational and regulatory organizations and with property owners developers contractors and the public; and techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public vendors contractors and City staff.

Ability to :

Interpret and explain planning and zoning programs to the general public; identify and respond to issues and concerns of the public City Council and other boards and commissions; read plans and specifications and make effective site visits; assess monitor and report environmental impact on and of various City programs and services; analyze site design terrain constraints land use compatibility utilities and other urban services; conduct complex research projects evaluate alternatives and make sound recommendations; interpret apply explain and ensure compliance with applicable Federal State and local laws rules regulations policies and procedures and City planning policies and procedures; read and understand technical drawings and specifications; perform mathematical and planning computations with precision; effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies community groups and various businesses professional and regulatory organizations and individuals; coordinate assigned activities with other City departments and agencies as required; direct the work of contract consultants; prepare and present clear concise and logical written and oral reports correspondence policies procedures and other written materials; establish and maintain a variety of filing record-keeping and tracking systems; organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work set priorities and meet critical time deadlines; operate office equipment including computer applications related to the work; Use English effectively to communicate in person over the telephone and in writing; use tact initiative prudence and independent judgment within general policy procedural and legal guidelines; and establish maintain and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be :

Education

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in city urban or environmental planning architecture or a field related to the area of assignment.

AND

Experience

Five (5) years of planning related experience which must have included two (2) years of project management or supervisory experience.

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job as listed above.

Licenses and Certifications :

Additional Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment including a computer to inspect City development sites including traversing uneven terrain climbing ladders stairs and other temporary or construction access points; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person before groups and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas is required. Finger dexterity is needed to access enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend stoop kneel reach push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift carry push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels cold and hot temperatures inclement weather conditions road hazards vibration mechanical and / or electrical hazards and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and / or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

FLSA : EXEMPT

REVISED : MARCH 2019

Recruitment Process

Resumes cannot be substituted for a completed application.

The most qualified candidates as determined by initial screening of applications will be invited to participate in an oral and / or department panel interview.

The first round of interviews is tentatively scheduled for mid - eligibility list will be established from the interview process. Individuals on the eligibility list may be asked to participate in a second round of interviews based on specific individual qualifications and the Citys needs. The eligibility list will remain in effect for one (1) year for potential future vacancies.

The City of San Ramon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against race color religion national origin age sex origin sexual orientation or accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act should special accommodations be necessary at any stage of the selection process please contact the Human Resources Division at

Information contained herein including the recruitment process is subject to change without notice.

Required Experience :

Senior IC

Key Skills

Presentation Skills,Six Sigma,Construction Estimating,Earned Value Management,Emergency Management,Joint Operations,Production Planning,Project Planning,Strategic Planning,Microsoft Project,Auto Estimating,Exercise Planning

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1

Yearly Salary Salary : 122062 - 162750