Chief of Planning

Overview

The City of Salinas is seeking a collaborative, creative, and emotionally intelligent leader to serve as Chief of Planning. The ideal candidate must have the ability to engage and affect action and response as well as manage sensitive situations effectively. This position provides department and Director support through the management of the Advanced Planning and Project Implementation and Current Planning divisions.

The ideal candidate will be a solution‑oriented team leader with extensive experience in strategic planning, organizational development, team building, mentoring, and project management with experience working in a community development division or department with demonstrated experience in managing at least one of the following areas: advanced planning, current planning, plan review, permitting, and community development project implementation.

An additional Educational Achievement premium of 2.5% will be paid for a Bachelor’s degree plus 2.5% for a job-related graduate degree.  for a complete list of benefits.

Under general direction of the Community Development Director plans, organizes, directs, and manages all City planning, permitting, and environmental review programs and activities in the advanced and current planning divisions and serves as technical advisor to the Planning Commission and Historic Resources Board.

The Chief of Planning exercises a broad range of independence within policy parameters while performing responsible and innovative administrative and division management in support of the City’s goals and objectives, under minimal supervision. This classification is distinguished from Division Managers within the Community Development Department by its oversight of, and lead role in, overall department operations. It is further distinguished from the Community Development Director who assumes overall responsibility for all aspects of the Community Development Department.

General direction is received from the Community Development Director. Exercises direct or indirect supervision of divisions, programs and staff within the Community Development Department which may include management, supervisory, professional, technical, and clerical personnel.

• Plans, organizes, and directs assigned staff engaged in the development, administration, and maintenance of the City General Plan and Zoning Code for regional planning, community design, and land use laws and regulations.
• Oversees the preparation, implementation, and amendment of City plans and codes including, but not limited to, the General Plan, Specific Plans, community plans, and Zoning Code as well as the overall Development Review and Commercial Cannabis processes, including all City planning, permitting, and zoning activities and all levels of environmental review.
• Coordinates divisional activities with other City departments, local, state and federal jurisdictions, other related agencies, and the public to promote a uniform and comprehensive approach.
• Directs current and long-range planning resource allocation.
• Represents assigned divisions and Department to the public, other City departments, City Council, Planning Commission, developers, businesses, and others on behalf of Director as assigned; conducts and attends a variety of committee, commission, and staff related meetings.
• Responsible for overseeing and managing Planning Commission and Historic Resources Board, including signing related resolutions.
• Directs large-scale, high impact projects and ensures successful project delivery on time, within budget, and in accordance with quality standards.
• Prepares and implements related divisional policies, procedures, and standards; provides expertise to ensure compliance and enforcement of federal, state, and City codes, ordinances, and regulations.
• Negotiates and develops contractual agreements and memorandums of understanding.
• Builds partnerships to promote viable, livable, and sustainable communities.
• Works collaboratively with property owners, project developers, utility officials, public officials, and other…