Senior Planner

Senior Planner

Under general supervision, 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, redevelopment, housing, advance planning, and environmental impact studies, protection, and compliance, as well as the capital improvement program (CIP); provides information and assistance to property owners, developers, contractors and the public;

provides complex professional assistance to the Development Services Director, Planning Manager, and others in areas of expertise; oversees, reviews and performs a variety of studies and prepares and presents staff reports; and performs related work as required.

Receives general supervision from the Community Development Director or his/her designee. Exercises technical and functional direction over and provides training to planning division lower-level professional, technical, and office support staff.

This is the advanced journey-level class in the professional planning series with responsibilities spanning the entire spectrum of the planning function, with a primary emphasis on current and advance planning and environmental impact, protection, and compliance issues. Successful performance of the work requires a broad professional background as well as skill in coordinating assigned work with that of other City departments and public agencies.

Performance of the work also requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within established guidelines. This class is distinguished from Planning Manager in that the latter is the highest-level class in the professional planning series and may provide supervisory review to staff in addition to handling the most complex and sensitive planning projects.

Knowledge of: modern principles and practices, 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, codes, and requirements and related reports. 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 methods, practices, procedures, and equipment, 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. Spanish usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation is desirable. 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.

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. Read, interpret, apply, and explain technical written material and complex Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, regulations, ordinances, 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 business, professional, and regulatory organizations and individuals.

Coordinate assigned…