ASSISTANT PLANNING DIRECTOR

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under administrative direction, directs, manages, supervises, and coordinates the activities and operations of the Planning Division within the Community Development Department including the Planning Resource, Public Hearing/Public Counter, Project Processing, Graphics/Technology, and Administrative groups and units; coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Director of Community Development.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

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.

• Assumes management responsibility for identifying workload needs and directing assigned services and activities of the Planning Division including Planning Resource, Public Hearing/Public Counter, Project Processing, Graphics/Technology, and Administrative groups and units.
• Oversees the provision of Planning Division services and activities including advising City committees, commissions, and the City Council on land use, design, and environmental matters, conducting environmental and other technical reviews, preparing demographic information, amending City Boundaries, reviewing and preparing environmental documentation for CDBG proposals, coordinating various approvals with state, federal, and local agencies, coordinating all types of development entitlements including General Plan Amendments, Specific Plans, Subdivision, Planned Developments, and related documents, providing technical assistance on Capital Improvement Projects, preparing and implementing the City’s habitat preservation sub-area plan, and related programs, services, and activities.
• Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels.
• Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan for assigned staff; assigns work activities, projects, and programs; reviews and evaluates work methods, procedures, and products including staff reports, actions, conclusions, and related documents; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training;
• works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the Planning Division’s annual budget; participates in the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors and approves expenditures; implements adjustments.
• Provides technical and professional assistance to City committees, commissions, and the City Council; oversees the scheduling and preparation of agendas for the Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Design Review Board, and the Environmental Advisory Board and the scheduling of all planning related matters for the City Council; prepares reports and makes public presentations to the Planning Commission, City Council, and other public groups as necessary; provides staffing at meetings; responds to issues and questions; performs special planning studies as assigned.
• Provides responsible staff assistance and complex policy analysis to the Director of Community Development; conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommends modifications to planning programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Serves as the liaison for the Planning Division to other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; provides status reports on pending projects; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues; provides technical advice and code interpretations.
• Contributes to interdisciplinary work groups including economic development groups and project teams involving high profile projects.
• Directs and oversees the development and implementation of public outreach activities; oversees and participates in a variety of public relations, outreach, and education work related to planning activities; participates in public meetings; gives formal presentations on planning matters.
• Directs and oversees grant writing and administration of grants for planning activities.
• Directs and oversees staff in the preparation and management of consultant service contracts and other agreements related to planning activities.
• Attends and participates in professional associations and group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of urban planning.
• May act in the absence of the Director of Community Development as assigned.
• Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services, and activities of a community planning and development program and familiarity with redevelopment programs.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Organization and functions of the various agencies involved in the planning, redevelopment, and related processes.
• Advanced principles and practices of urban planning, zoning, and land development methods.
• Development review procedures and requirements.
• Principles and practice of project management.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including planning and redevelopment laws, zoning code, California Environmental Quality Act, and Subdivision Map Act requirements.
• State and federal permitting procedures.
• Site planning and architecture design principles.
• 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.
• Principles and practices of grant funding and contract administration.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and supporting software applications.

Ability to:

• Oversee and participate in the management of a comprehensive planning program.
• Oversee, direct, and coordinate the work of lower level staff.
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
• Participate in the development and administration of division goals, objectives, and procedures.
• Prepare and administer large program budgets.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Interpret, analyze, apply, implement, and explain pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including City codes and departmental policies and administrative directives.
• Provide staff support to and manage assigned commissions and committees.
• Prepare and interpret ordinances and formulate land use, zoning, and related policies.
• Identify, coordinate, and resolve a wide variety of interests in the development of land use policy.
• Identify and suggest needed changes to City codes, standards, and procedures.
• Serve as project manager on the most complex and sensitive projects involving coordination with other departments and outside groups and organizations.
• Analyze projects and potential projects for consistency with planning regulations, general planning principles, and architectural quality.
• Ensure project compliance with state, federal, and local rules, laws, and regulations.
• Prepare and analyze technical and administrative reports, statements, and correspondence.
• Operate modern office equipment and computers including specialized computer applications.
• Effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, council members,
• committee and commission members, outside agencies and groups, and the general public.
• Effectively represent the City to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and
• objectives of the division.
• Work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies.
• 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.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, regional planning, environmental studies, architecture, public or business administration, or a related field. A Master’s degree is desirable.

Experience: Seven years of increasingly responsible professional experience in urban planning, regional planning, community development, or a related field including two years of administrative and supervisory responsibility.

License or Certificate - Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver’s license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Standard office setting with some travel to various locations; incumbents may be exposed to noise, dust, inclement weather conditions, and potentially hostile environments. Work schedule is 9/80 with alternating Fridays off in a biweekly period. Overtime may be required including that required to attend at board, commission, and community meetings. Work environment is both formal and informal, team oriented, having variable tasks, pace, and pressure.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an office and field settings and operate equipment and vehicles; walks on uneven terrain, loose soil, and sloped surfaces; FREQUENT walking, sitting, standing; upward and downward flexion of neck; side-to-side turning of neck; fine finger dexterity; light to moderate finger pressure to manipulate keyboard, equipment controls, and office equipment; pinch grasp to manipulate writing utensils; moderate wrist torque to twist equipment knobs and dials; lifting objects weighing up to 20 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 yards. OCCASIONAL squatting, kneeling, and reaching above and at shoulder height; moderate grasp to manipulate reference books and manuals; lifting objects weighing 20-35 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 feet.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents and to operate equipment.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Date: April 2003
Johnson & Associates