SENIOR PLANNER

Description

In Huntington Beach, we believe passionately that the key to becoming the best beach City in the world starts and ends with finding the right people to join our team. At this time, we have an outstanding career opportunity available, as we're looking for the "right person" to serve as Senior Planner in our Community Development Department.

This position may work a 9/80 or 4/10 work schedule.

Community Development Department
The Community Development Department is comprised of two primary areas: Development Services and Community Enhancement. Development Services is comprised of the following divisions: Planning, Building and Safety and the Permit Center. Community Enhancement is comprised of the Housing, Code Enforcement and Economic Development divisions. Inspection Services is responsible for ensuring projects are constructed pursuant to the approved plans, confirming they are compliant with the California Building Code, once a permit has been issued. The purpose of inspections is to safeguard construction in town from shoddy and unsafe work protecting the owners and occupants of buildings. Once a construction project has passed all inspections and is complete a Certificate of Occupancy is issued, in the case of non-residential buildings or the permit is finalized for residential construction. Building Inspectors most often deal directly with contractors but occasionally will interact directly with owners on an owner-builder situation.

The Position
The Senior Planner is responsible for planning, leading and coordinating complex planning activities, in a lead role. This position performs advanced journey level professional planning activities.

The appointee will process complex entitlements, complete staff reports, and respond to requests for planning and zoning information in a timely manner. These complex entitlements are generally longer term projects that require Planning Commission and/or City Council approval, extensive public outreach and more robust analysis. The selected individual will assist in training other staff and represent the City and department at meetings with City Council committees and outside agencies and organizations.

Examples of Essential Duties

• Plans, leads, coordinates and reviews the planning activities of professional staff and consultants
• Researches, prepares, and presents reports on a wide variety of planning projects and issues
• Develops recommendations on planning or land development topics based on research findings, field observations, and public contact
• Administers general plan programs such as updates of the general plan or elements and regional planning efforts
• Applies federal, state and local laws, ordinances, regulations, and policies related to municipal planning and land development
• Interprets and applies the provisions of the Huntington Beach Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance, state planning and zoning laws, California Environmental Quality Act, Subdivision Map Act, local coastal program, Huntington Beach General Plan, Design Guidelines and various specific plans, ordinances and policies
• Assists in the development of policies and procedures
• Addresses and mediates competing interests
• Interacts effectively with City staff, City Council, Commissioners, the general public, consultants, land developers and representatives from public and private agencies
• Contributes to the success of the City’s planning effort as a team member
• Reviews written work of other staff planners
• Provides guidance to junior level staff
• Represents the Planning Division at various meetings, for example: Planning Commission, City Council, advisory board, neighborhood, Chamber of Commerce, and Board of Realtors meetings

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Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education, training, and experience that would likely provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position is qualifying. A typical combination includes:

Education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in planning, urban planning, landscape architecture or other closely related field. A master’s degree in planning or a closely related field may substitute for one year of required experience.

Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible urban planning or directly related experience performing professional planning work including two (2) years’ supervisory or lead experience.

Licenses/Certifications: Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license and an acceptable driving record are required at the time of appointment and throughout employment .

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Employees regularly assigned/required to drive a city or personal vehicle in the course and scope of work shall be required to participate in the DMV Employer Pull Notice program.

Public Employee Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all Huntington Beach city employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.

Please click here to review the full job description

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

• Application Review
• Examination(s) - Applicants who BEST meet the City's needs will be invited to participate in the assessment process, which includes a virtual oral exam (weighted 100%) .
• Selection Interview
• Background
• Appointment

The City of Huntington Beach offers a comprehensive benefit package to Management Employees' Organization members including:

The SALARY RANGE is composed of seven steps. Merit step increases are based on satisfactory performance.

PROMOTIONS within the City are based upon the merit system principles emphasizing individual ability and utilizing competitive examinations.

TWELVE PAID HOLIDAYS provided per year.

GENERAL LEAVE with pay of 176 hours is granted to regular employees. After four years' service additional general leave hours are earned, up to 256 hours after fifteen years' service.

ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE with pay is granted in the amount of 60 hours per calendar year.

EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE PLANS are available for eligible employees to develop their knowledge and abilities.

GROUP INSURANCE PROGRAMS are available to eligible City employees. These programs include medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurances.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS are available where employees use pre-tax salary to pay for regular child care, adult dependent care and/or medical expenses.

RETIREMENT BENEFITS are provided by the California Public Employee's Retirement System. Every regular employee becomes a member immediately upon employment. Effective January 1, 2013, the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act will apply to new members of CalPERS. A new member is defined as a new hire who is brought into CalPERS membership for the first time on or after 1/1/13 and has no prior membership in a California public retirement system; is not eligible for reciprocity with another California public retirement system; or is rehired by a different CalPERS employer after a break in service of greater than six (6) months. All employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 will be subject to CalPERS membership review for applicability of PEPRA. Employees enrolled in CalPERS prior to January 1, 2013 are considered classic members.

The benefit formula, final compensation period, and member contribution rate is as represented below:

Classic Miscellaneous Members:
Benefit Formula Miscellaneous 2.5% at age 55
Final Compensation Period 1-year Final Compensation
Member Contribution Rate 9.0% of Reportable Compensation

New Miscellaneous Members under PEPRA:
Benefit Formula Miscellaneous 2% at age 62
Final Compensation Period 3-year Final Compensation
Member Contribution Rate 8.25% of Reportable Compensation (eff. 7/1/23)

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Two voluntary deferred compensation 457 plans are available.

CREDIT UNION membership is available to all City employees and provides access to low interest loans.

FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULES: Employees will have the option of working a 5/40 or 9/80 work schedule with Supervisor and Department Head approval. Employees assigned to the Police Department shall retain the option of working the 4/10 work schedule with Supervisor and Department Head approval. In order to maintain service to the public, departmental effectiveness, productivity and/or efficiency, a Department Head may assign an employee a different work schedule that is in compliance with the requirements of FLSA with City Manager approval.

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract expressed or implied, and any provisions contained herein may be modified or revoked without notice.

For a more detailed overview of the benefits, review the Memorandum of Understanding and Side Letters at: MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDINGS Click on the links under "Management Employees' Organization".

Closing Date/Time: 7/21/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

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• City of Huntington Beach

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