Principal Planner - Planning - Public Works Division

Under general supervision, responsible for coordinating and managing complex planning projects and development proposals; conducting planning‑related research and studies; and for formulating creative and responsible recommendations on public policy and complex zoning applications within the scope of applicable local, state, and federal regulations and laws.

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, physical requirements, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics. This list of tasks is illustrative only, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class.

• Manages and coordinates complex planning projects, development proposals, project reviews and special studies which may include, but is not limited to, project feasibility, estimated cost, projected timelines, land use, transportation, urban design, and other planning needs.
• Serves as team leader: formulates project work plan, assigns tasks to team members, monitors task progress, completions, project timelines, and deliverables.
• May serve as a mentor to staff which includes prioritizing and assigning work; training staff on work methods and procedures.
• In the absence of immediate supervisor or senior management, may be assigned duties to support the maintenance of departmental functions.
• Researches, collects, analyzes and interprets data, information and uses geographical information systems (GIS) tool to evaluate, analyze and query planning-related data.
• In partnership with senior management, develops policy, ordinances, regulations, grant applications, requests for proposals and/or technical reports related to land use, transportation, and capital improvements; and incorporates community values and priorities, planning principles and research to formulate recommendations based on findings.
• Reviews zoning and development proposals and prepares findings for Planning Commission(s).
• Interprets adopted plans, codes, and standards; advises engineers, site planners and the public on proper land use in conformance with existing ordinances, laws, and regulations; and responds to related questions and requests for information.
• Creates and updates maps by gathering, reviewing, copying and entering data into the geographical information system.
• Develops and organizes the appropriate public process and public meeting design, methods, presentations, materials, and other written communication tools to facilitate project review, public meetings and community outreach; and serves as lead presenter/facilitator for contentious/complex projects.
• Represents the County and/or the Agency at a variety of internal and/or external meetings, public events, training sessions, on committees and/or other related events in order to receive and convey information.
• Performs field inspections to gather data relevant to the development review process and to verify development projects comply with approved plans.
• Assists in the development of project budgets and verifies contract expenditures and compliance.
• Creates a variety of materials such as maps, reports and brochures, visual presentations, site plans and renderings for presentation in meetings and to facilitate community education and outreach activities with neighborhood associations, advisory boards, and elected officials.
• Attends a substantial number of night and evening meetings.
• Reviews, interprets and applies federal, state and local regulations as they relate to planning projects.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Planning disciplines such as urban design, economic or community development, environmental/natural resources planning, historic preservation or land use.
• Research methods.
• Environmental planning principles.
• Mathematical concepts, including statistical methods.
• Site planning and architectural design principles.
• Planning terminology, methods, materials, practices and techniques.
• Budgeting principles.
• Customer service and public relations principles.
• Mapping software applications.
• Project management principles and practices.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws,…