Senior Planner

The Position

With supervisor approval, incumbents may be eligible for intermittent remote work; however, they must physically reside within the Sacramento region or have the ability to regularly report to a City of Sacramento physical worksite with little notice. The Public Works Department, Division of Mobility and Sustainability is seeking a Senior Planner to be part of the Transportation Planning Section to support transportation safety efforts.

This position will support the City's Transportation Planning Section, working on community listening and engagement, data analysis, policy, and staff mentorship. The section's work is long-range transportation planning and includes policy, project and program management. Specific tasks for this position include serving as a leader on a team comprised of transportation planners, as well as leading large high-profile efforts such as the City's Vision Zero program and red-light camera program.

The ideal candidate is an innovative, inquisitive, and resourceful individual who works successfully in a team-oriented environment; has outstanding communication and interpersonal skills; is able to conduct complex transportation studies and research; can independently and effectively work with staff in other City departments, appointed and elected officials, community leaders, school districts, and community groups; and can successfully lead project teams.

Under general direction, the Senior Planner performs responsible administrative and professional planning work; provides lead direction of assigned staff engaged in performing duties in the research, compilation, analysis, and reporting of planning data for a geographical area or a particular project, or by assuming highly complex and critical planning assignments.

Distinguishing Characteristics This classification is populated with multiple incumbents. Senior Planners are responsible for interpreting and administering existing regulations, codes, and policy through the application of knowledge and procedures above normal or standard processing operations. The Senior Planner is distinguished from the next lower level of Associate Planner by degree of difficulty in planning assignments, such as in economic development, air quality, transportation issues, etc.

and because the Senior Planner may provide lead supervision to a limited number of planners and technical staff. The Senior Planner is distinguished from the higher-level classification of Principal Planner in that the latter is responsible for overseeing several teams of staff engaged in planning duties for a large region of the City and participates in the development of the goals, objectives, and policies of the division.

Supervision Received and Exercised General direction is provided by a Principal Planner or a higher-level management position. Incumbents may oversee a project team consisting of professional and technical personnel staff assigned to a project. The Senior Planner does not supervise.

Typical duties - Plans, assigns, coordinates, supervises, and reviews the work of professional planning staff and others in the preparation, revision, and administration of master plans, zoning ordinances, environmental compliance (CEQA/NEPA) and development regulations. Compiles and evaluates data and makes recommendations for the more complex planning projects; manages compliance permits and consultant/contractor contract administration for all City and private development projects.

Manages environmental investigations, remedial actions, and oversight of budgets. Represents the City in public and official meetings with other city departments, organizations, and professional groups on planning matters related to environmental issues, land use entitlements, policy development and development applications. Serves on interdepartmental committees related to land use issues; responds to concerned individuals, developers, community and professional groups related to various planning policies and regulations.

Prepares and presents staff reports for the Planning Commission and City Council; attends and facilitates community meetings and holds public hearings. Interprets and applies applicable regulations, codes, and policies; conducts special studies or projects related to current, long range and environmental planning. Performs other or related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of land use planning, environmental decision-making, and governmental planning. Applicable Federal and State regulations, and local laws, ordinances and guidelines, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), National Environmental Policy Act, Superfund Amendments. General Plan and specific plan preparation. Regulations and procedures affecting local planning agencies. Other disciplines related to city planning such as architecture, urban design, historical preservation, urban studies, environmental studies, land…