Summary
This position is open until filled.A first review of applications will take place during the week of May 19, 2024. Applicants that apply after the first review are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review date. The Senior Planner position would work on development projects that include annexations; implementation of the City’s newly adopted East Valley Specific Plan (housing element rezoning effort) which includes high density mixed-use projects, density bonus projects, and transit-oriented developments; as well as long-range policy implementation of the City’s adopted Housing Element and Climate Action Plan. (Please note that operational needs may dictate modifications to the assigned duties, in line with those identified in the job description). If you want to join a hardworking team that shares a commitment to provide top-quality municipal services in a prime North County location, consider a career with the City of Escondido. We have an opening for the position of Senior Planner in our Development Services Department/Planning Division. For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's website.
Under general direction, coordinates, supervises, oversees, and participates in the more complex and difficult work of staff responsible for providing planning related services and activities in an assigned unit or functional area; manages multiple complex projects in the areas of assignment; provides technical and functional supervision to professional planning staff; and provides responsible staff assistance to the City Planner and Director of Development Services.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS This is the advanced journey level class in the professional planning series. Positions assigned to this class can be distinguished from lower level planning classes by performance of the more complex planning tasks requiring a high degree of knowledge related to various areas of current and advanced planning including serving as project manager on multiple difficult projects. Positions at this level are typically assigned responsibility of an assigned area or group. Positions assigned to this class can be further distinguished by the performance of supervisory activities such as assigning work, monitoring project progress, and providing technical assistance and training to other professional and technical staff.
Key Responsibilities
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
Prepares and presents complex staff reports, formal presentations, and recommendations at community meetings, advisory boards, and public hearings including to the City Council, Planning Commission, and other advisory boards, local committees, and neighborhood groups.
Reviews and analyzes civil engineering, architectural, landscaping, and other development plans for conformance with the City’s Zoning and General Plan, conditions of approval, and mitigation requirements.
Reviews environmental technical studies and evaluates findings with consultants, internal departments, and public agencies.
Manages the preparation of environmental documents pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) including Mitigated Negative Declarations, Environmental Impact Reports, and related documents; reviews the work of consultants responsible for preparation of same.
Prepares CEQA pre- and post-Environmental Impact Report (EIR) documentation including Notices of Preparation, Notices of Determination, Requests for Proposal, Request for Qualifications, Scopes of Work, and related documentation.
Manages and administers consultant contracts; develops and negotiates scope of work; establishes timeframes; ensures adequate funding; prepares contracts; verifies insurance; authorizes invoices; provides direction to consultant; reviews technical studies and environmental documents prepared by consultants.
Provides supervision and technical assistance to professional and technical planning staff in an assigned group or unit; assigns work activities and projects; monitors work flow; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems; and provides technical assistance and training.
Participates in selecting, training, motivating, and evaluating assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; participates in the conduct of performance evaluations; implements discipline and termination procedures.
Confers with, advises, and provides information and assistance to City staff, applicants, architects, builders, developers, attorneys, contractors, engineers, consultants, the general public, and outside organizations and agencies; explains the City’s development and public hearing process to design and development professional, property owners, and the general public.
Manages multiple complex development proposals involving research, site visits, analysis, department coordination, scheduling, and report writing.
Develops and prepares amendments to the Zoning Code, General Plan, Specific Plans, and Area Plans.
Serves as planning representative for various City project teams.
Prepares drafts of official correspondence for department head or elected official signature.
Prepares annual reports related to local, state, and federal program compliance.
As assigned, supervises the Project Processing Group; coordinates all activities related to the review of development projects and applications that do not require public hearings including appropriate environmental review and post approval plan checks.
As assigned, assumes responsibility for the preparation of long range plans and policy documents associated with housing, climate planning, and other state-mandated programs; manages the work of consultants or staff involved in the preparation of assigned documents; manages the implementation of various long-range plans and policy documents.
As assigned, supervises the Planning Resource Group (advanced planning) of the Planning Department; oversees staff and projects including those related to Annexations, General Plan Implementation Programs, Specific Plans, Master Plans, overseeing the Census program, large-scale development projects, Historic Preservation Program, Zoning Code Amendments, and Capital Improvement Projects.
As assigned, coordinates environmental review and permitting for City Capital Improvement Projects; advises other departments of environmental and permitting requirements and recommends a course of action; prepares environmental documents; coordinates public notice requirements; coordinates with local, state, and federal agencies to prepare appropriate environmental clearances and to secure regulatory permits; coordinates public informational workshops; documents compliance with Mitigation Monitoring Program; participates in contractor preconstruction meetings to brief contractors on environmental requirements.
As assigned, manages Special Planning Projects; conducts research; coordinates preparation of supporting materials from other departments or agencies; prepares reports, letters, ordinances, resolutions, and presentations; develops recommendations; attends public hearings and neighborhood meetings and makes presentations; reviews and prepares responses to referrals from other agencies or organizations regarding proposed policies and development applications affecting the City; monitors status of proposed projects and coordinates City input.
As assigned, serves as City project manager for the Multiple Habitat Conservation Program (MHCP); participates in meetings with MHCP Advisory Committee, Elected Officials Committee; and Coalition of Environmental Organizations; negotiates proposed policies and agreements with wildlife agencies; coordinates strategies with SANDAG and other participating cities; negotiates with property owners regarding conservation opportunities, conservation easement requirements, Property Analysis Reports, Habitat Management Plans, and open space management agreements; prepares and administers grant function applications for open space conservation efforts; provides updates to management, City Council, Environmental Advisory Board, CEO, and other interest groups; evaluates financing alternatives to implement MHCP; processes and tracks Habitat Loss permits.
As assigned, coordinates grant funding applications; researches grant funding opportunities; prepares staff reports, applications, and supporting documentation; solicits support from community groups, public agencies, and elected officials; administers grant funds in accordance with contracts including preparation of invoices and preparation of reporting forms documenting compliance.
Attends and participates in professional associations and group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of urban planning.
Performs related duties as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of: Operations, services, and activities of a community planning and development program.
Advanced principles and practices of zoning, community planning, and site planning.
Development practices and development review procedures and requirements.
Project management principles and practices.
Basic principles of supervision and training.
Organization and functions of various agencies involved in the planning processes.
Recent developments, current literature, research methods, and sources of information related to municipal planning, urban growth, and development.
Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.
Methods and techniques of eliciting community participation in planning and development issues.
Basic principles and practices of grant funding and contract administration.
Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and supporting software applications.
Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including laws underlying general plans, land use planning, zoning, and land divisions including applicable environmental laws and regulations.
Ability to: Independently perform advanced professional level planning duties in the development, implementation, and modification of City plans and regulations.
Provide supervision and training to assigned staff.
Serve as project manager on multiple complex projects.
Prioritize multiple projects.
Staff and manage assigned commissions and committees.
Interpret, analyze, apply, implement, and explain pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including City codes and departmental policies and administrative directives.
Analyze projects and potential projects for consistency with zoning ordinance standards, planning and environmental regulations, general planning principles, General Plan policies, and architectural quality.
Analyze site design, terrain constraints, circulation, land use compatibility, utilities, and other urban services.
Ensure project compliance with state, federal, and local rules, laws, and regulations.
Participate in coordinating necessary communication between staff, developers, and other agencies.
Understand, evaluate, and interpret complex technical engineering, architectural, landscape, and topographical plans, maps, and related documents.
Utilize engineering and architectural scale to read plans.
Prepare and analyze technical and administrative reports, statements, and correspondence.
Present technical data in verbal, written, graphic, and map form to City management staff, citizen groups, and variety of boards and commissions.
Interpret planning and zoning programs to the general public.
Read, analyze, and interpret information from professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
Operate modern office equipment and computers including specialized computer applications.
Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Minimum Requirements
Education/Training: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, regional planning, or a related field
Experience: Five years (full-time equivalent) of increasingly responsible professional urban planning experience in local government including some project management experience.
License or Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.
Supplemental Information
NOTE: For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's web site. The City of Escondido is committed to a drug and alcohol free workplace. All applicants will be subject to fingerprint investigation before a conditional offer of employment is extended. A pre-employment medical examination will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment for all positions. Safety sensitive positions will include a pre-employment drug screen. Positions subject to the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations will be subject to DOT pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing.
SELECTION PROCEDUREApplications will be screened and the most qualified candidates will be invited to appear for testing. All positions require the ability to read, write and speak English. Types of tests may include written and/or oral examination, physical agility, practical exam or other appropriate job-related selection process. When testing is completed, candidates will be ranked on an eligibility list in the order of their test score. Selection for appointments is made from names certified on the eligibility list.
All appointments are subject to the successful completion of background investigation including LIVESCAN fingerprinting, and will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States. Qualification by a medical examination will be required at the time of appointment. After appointment, classified employees must satisfactorily complete a probationary period to be eligible for regular status. In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, all new employees must produce proof of eligibility to work in the United States within the first three days of their employment. The City of Escondido participates in E-Verify®.
The Loyalty Oath will be administered to all new employees on their first day of hire. New employees hired into positions that require a driver's license must provide proof of a valid California Driver's License of the appropriate class level on their first day of employment.
Additional information regarding the essential functions and physical, environmental and communication demands of the position may be obtained from the Human Resources Department. If you require reasonable accommodation in the testing process, such as an alternate means of testing, you must contact the Human Resources Department by the final filing date to complete a Request for Reasonable Accommodation form. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.
Note: Pursuant to California Civil Code section 1786.53, the City of Escondido shall provide to all job candidates a copy of any records of arrest, indictment, conviction, civil judicial action, tax lien or outstanding judgment which was obtained in the course of conducting an evaluation for employment, assignment, and/or promotion. A copy of this information, if received by the City, will be given to candidates within seven days of the City's receipt. VETERANS' PREFERENCEEligible individuals are those who meet the following criteria:
- Served in the U.S. armed forces
- Received an honorable discharge
- Did not retire from military service
- Seeking employment with the City of Escondido for the first time.
Guard and Reserve active duty for training purposes
does not qualify for veterans' preference. Proof of eligibility (copy of DD-214) must be submitted at time of application, or later if the promulgation of the eligibility list will not be delayed. Veterans' preference credit will only be applied to eligible applicants who attained a passing grade (total score exclusive of credit) on the final open examination.
ABOUT OUR CITYThe City of Escondido is a prominent agricultural, commercial hub and residential center of North San Diego County. Located a short 30-minute drive from the beach, the mountains or downtown San Diego, Escondido residents enjoy the pleasure of a rural lifestyle with all the benefits of suburban living. Escondido is a diverse, vibrant community with many amenities. The city offers attractive homes in a wide range of prices, two lakes, several parks, a sports center, golf courses, restaurants, wineries, shopping centers, a variety of art galleries, entertainment venues, and a state of the art hospital. Established in 1888, the city's rich past brings charm and stability to the community; yet integrated with Escondido's treasured heritage is a progressive future, bright and brimming with promise.
EOE The City of Escondido does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. We will attempt to reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request
The City of Escondido offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
The Benefits of Choice program offers you a range of benefits. You choose the coverage that is right for you, your family and your budget. Read this e-Guide for an overview of your options, with links to additional details and forms.
For a more detailed overview of this benefits package, please visit the Management Benefit Summary.
Closing Date/Time: Continuous
