Principal Planner

The City has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated professional to fill the position of Principal Planner to manage and supervise the operations and staff in the Land Development Division of the Department of Development Services.

• Supervises professional, technical and clerical level employees to include: prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff are trained; and making hiring, termination and disciplinary recommendations.
• Provides code interpretation to the public, City staff, and other interested parties during meetings, over the counter, over the telephone, via e-mail, or through written correspondence; provides complex staff support to various City Council subcommittees and advisory committees; manages and supervises administrative staff in support of functions listed above.
• Reviews and authorizes written reports developed by subordinate staff; prepares reports for the City Council and the Planning Commission; reviews and authorizes Notices of Decisions relative to development projects; writes staff reports to the Planning Commission and City Council for projects or policy interpretation.
• Represents the City on various regional planning committees and task forces; attends Planning Commission and/or City Council meetings as the primary staff representative or as presenting staff member; provides guidance relative to code interpretation and procedures to staff during presentation and/or deliberation; provides support to City Attorney, Assistant City Manager, City Manager, and/or City Council when legal issues arise related to land development projects;
  
  attends closed sessions to discuss legal options during real or anticipated litigation; testifies during depositions or at trial when land development questions are raised.
• Provides policy direction, coordination, and supervision of assigned programs and/or projects; may serve as the Hearing Officer for Zoning Administration.
• Assists in developing and administering division budget; provides budget oversight of expenditures for assigned division, including consultant payments, payments for legal notices, conferences and training, and supplies and materials.
• Completes, submits, and processes grant applications in support of various City programs.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Bachelor’s Degree in planning or closely related field, seven years of increasingly responsible professional planning, including three years of supervisory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. Master’s Degree in related field is desirable.

A completed application with an attached resume and cover letter is required.

Open until filled

*** incomplete application packets will not be reviewed ***

The City of Encinitas and the San Dieguito Water District provide equal opportunity employment for all persons without regard to race, color, religion/religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, age, physical disability, ancestry, genetic information, medical condition, political affiliations, veteran status, Family Leave Act status, AB60 CA Driver's License status or status with pregnancy, child birth or breastfeeding.

The City and Water District encourage minorities, disabled persons and women to apply. Qualified applicants who move to the next level of the selection process must notify the Human Resources Office if accommodation is needed. A thorough background check will be conducted for the candidate(s) seriously considered for the position including fingerprinting and reference checking. A contingent job offer may be given pending the results of medical evaluation, which includes a physical, TB test and drug and alcohol screening.

Applicants will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.