Planning Director

The City of Sebastopol is seeking a dynamic, professional leader who is a collaborative problem-solver to serve as the next Planning Director. The Planning Director will direct, oversee, and materially participate in the work of the City’s Planning Department, including current and long-range planning, maintenance of the General Plan, Housing Element, and zoning codes, and review of proposals for construction and development within the City of Sebastopol.

The selected candidate will coordinate activities, permits, and projects with other City departments. In addition to reviewing and preparing recommendations to the Planning Commission on development proposals, and serve as the official secretary and officer of the Planning Commission.

The Planning Director performs professional planning duties in the fields of long-range planning, current planning, and building permitting, including a variety of diverse professional planning assignments. The incumbent will oversee technical reviews and evaluations of land use and permit applications, handle the most complex customer service issues, environmental impact documents, and construction projects, and provide supervision or lead direction to professional and support staff.

The director will ensure compliance with all aspects of the City’s General Plan and related ordinances and laws, and perform related work as assigned.

The Planning Director will demonstrate cultural competency working with all community members regardless of cultural differences or circumstances, including race, ethnicity, religion, language, gender identity, age, marital and familial status, sexual orientation, diverse physical and learning abilities, socioeconomic status, and other identities.

This position is exempt from the overtime regulations of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is an “at will” classification serving at the pleasure of and receiving administrative direction from the City Manager.

• Be a proactive leader directing the day-to-day operations and projects for the Planning Department.
• Be skilled in delegation and active involvement, problem-solving, and a commitment to driving progress.
• Possess a deep understanding of municipal planning, design, construction, and maintenance, along with a thorough knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and safety standards.
• Provide leadership and mentoring that inspires and encourages others to develop skills, be prepared for advancement, and achieve their best.
• Ensure that projects are completed efficiently, on time, and within budget.
• Be able to communicate effectively, demonstrate emotional intelligence and political understanding, and have a desire to improve customer service experience.
• Be able to adjust quickly to changing priorities and conditions, and establish positive relationships with colleagues, employees, the public, and other stakeholders.

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education: Equivalent of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in planning, environmental design, urban design, or development, project management, or another field of study applicable to the responsibilities and requirements of this job class. Possession of a master’s degree is desirable.

Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible planning experience,…