Principal Planner

Principal Planner

The City of Concord is currently seeking to fill one Principal Planner vacancy in the Community Development Department. Ideal candidates possess extensive experience in current development and long range planning projects, both as project managers and as supervisors or team leaders.

The City of Concord’s Community Development Department, or CDD, is home to the Planning, Building, Engineering, and Housing and Community Services divisions, which work together to maintain and improve the quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors.

The Planning Division implements and administers the policy direction of the City Council and addresses the community's needs regarding its built environment, development and growth. To this end, the Planning Division provides the public with information about development and use regulations, develops long-range planning policies and plans, evaluates development projects, implements housing programs, and assists with the Concord Reuse Project to develop the former Concord Naval Weapons Station.

The Principal Planner oversees or directly manages current development and long range planning projects, public policy development, and implementation of various polices and programs. The Principal Planner reports to the Planning Manager and provides management-level supervision to assigned staff on current development and long range/policy projects, as well as general assistance in day-to-day management of the Planning Division.

More specifically, this position may oversee the implementation of Housing Element programs (e.g. amending the City's Affordable Housing Incentive Program), Development Code updates for conformance with state law (e.g., SB 9 ordinance) or general "clean-up," and implementation of cannabis regulations and agreements.

• Possesses extensive experience in either current development projects, long range planning projects, or both. This includes experience managing complex development projects and creating and/or implementing policies for public agencies, particularly housing policy.
• Has specific experience with General Plan amendments and rezoning. Experience in Specific Plan development/implementation and General Plan amendments/updates, including Housing Element updates and implementation is highly desired.
• Has the ability to manage multiple projects while concurrently adhering to established budgets and time frames.
• Possesses exceptional oral and written communication skills, including active listening skills, clear articulation, and the ability to adapt communication style when engaging with the public, community stakeholders, developers, and elected officials. Is sensitive to and addresses potential concerns of elected and appointed officials when presenting projects.
• Has supervisory experience and excels at mentoring, coaching, and motivating less experienced staff.
• Embraces and is guided by the City’s Mission, Vision and Values.

• Participation in CalPERS pension, tiered based on date of hire
• A variety of health care plans or a cash-in-lieu benefit of $200 if waiving coverage
• City-paid dental insurance; employee-paid vision insurance
• Vacation accruals starting at 15 days per year, 12 days of sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, plus 80 hours of administrative leave per year
• Generous tuition reimbursement program
• 401(k) and 457 deferred compensation plans, including an employer paid contribution of 3% plus $2000 annually
• Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for healthcare, dependent care and commuting costs
• Life insurance in the amount of twice the annual salary (up to $400,000 max) and disability insurance
• A wellness program that offers annual health expos, health and nutrition education, as well as a variety of mental health resources
• Salary is negotiable within the advertised range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found yofconcord.org

Nestled in the foothills of Mt. Diablo, Concord is a major East Bay community located 29 miles east…