PRINCIPAL PLANNER

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, manages, oversees, coordinates, and participates in the most complex and difficult work of staff responsible for providing planning related services and activities in assigned program areas; manages multiple sensitive and complex projects in the areas of assignment requiring highly independent coordination with other City staff as well as outside agencies and groups; provides direct supervision to professional planning staff; and provides responsible administrative and highly complex technical staff assistance to the Planning Director.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey/technical expert level in the professional planning series performing duties requiring the highest level of technical expertise. Positions assigned to this class can be distinguished from lower level planning classes by performance of the most complex and sensitive planning tasks requiring a high degree of technical expertise and knowledge related to assigned areas of planning including serving as project manager on multiple complex and sensitive projects and studies involving a high level of independent coordination with other City staff and elected officials as well as outside agencies and groups. Positions assigned to this class can be further distinguished by the performance of a full range of supervisory activities such as assigning work, monitoring project progress, and providing technical expertise and training to other professional and technical staff.

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.

• Prepares and presents complex and technical staff reports, formal presentations, and recommendations at community meetings, advisory boards, and public hearings including to the City Council, Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, DRB, Environmental Advisory Board, 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 and federal studies and evaluates findings with consultants, internal departments, and public agencies.
• Prepares environmental documents including Mitigated Negative Declarations, Negative Declarations, Categorical Exemptions, Mitigation Monitoring Reports, Notices of Exemptions, and related documents.
• Prepares pre and post-EIR documentation including Notices of Preparation, Notices of Determination, Request for Proposal, Request for Qualifications, Scope of Work, and related documentation.
• Reviews and manages EIRs including screencheck documents; responds to comments and quality control.
• 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.
• Plans, prioritizes, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of staff responsible for providing planning related services and activities in assigned program areas; establishes schedules and methods for providing assigned services; identifies resource needs; reviews needs with appropriate management staff; participates in developing the department budget; allocates resources accordingly.
• Participates in selecting, training, motivating, and evaluating assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; conducts performance evaluations; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Manages and/or staffs assigned boards, commissions, and committees involved in the development, adoption, and implementation of City plans and planning regulations including the Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Design Review Board, Environmental Advisory Board, and local committees and commissions; schedules meetings; coordinates future agenda scheduling; manages the agenda development process including compiling and reviewing pertinent agenda items appearing before public hearings and various committee and commission meetings.
• Coordinates activities with, confers with, advises, and provides information and assistance to City staff, applicants, architects, builders, developers, attorneys, contractors, engineers, consultants, the general public, elected officials 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 and/or reviews and edits legal documents including resolutions, ordinances, lot tie agreements, improvement agreements, development agreements, deed restrictions, and conservation easements; prepares drafts of official correspondence for department head or elected official signature.
• Prepares annual reports including Certified Local Government, Office of Planning & Research, and Development Agreement Status.
• As assigned, supervises the Public Hearing Group/Public Counter of the Planning Department; oversees and reviews the work of public information counter staff and staff planners responsible for the processing of development proposals through the public hearing process before the Planning Commission and/or City Council; manages assigned case load of development projects.
• 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, designs landscaping and area amenities for street and district improvements, median enhancements, and various other City enhancement projects.
• 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 federal and 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, regional land use, transportation, housing and environmental issues 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 the management of the Daley Ranch Conservation Bank; processes credit purchase transactions; monitors availability and pricing of conservation credits; coordinates with City departments regarding special use activities, maintenance and management responsibilities, enforcement, fire protection, and brush clearing policies; coordinates with wildlife agencies regarding implementation of the Master Plan, management, biological monitoring, land use issues, and credit sales; evaluates research requests and determines conditions of approval; serves as City liaison to the non-profit Friends of Daley Ranch group; conducts special studies implementing Master Plan requirements or Council direction including coordination of management plans, biological surveys, and access studies; identifies new revenue generating and recreational opportunities and provides recommendations.
• 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.
• Assists in the development and implementation of planning policies and procedures including those to streamline the planning process.
• 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

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.
• Advanced principles and practices of zoning, community planning, and site planning.
• Development practices and development review procedures and requirements.
• Project management principles and practices.
• City General Plan policies and implementation and City ordinances.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Organization and functions of various agencies involved in the planning processes.
• Permitting requirements for state and federal agencies.
• 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 including for complex development proposals.
• 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.
• 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 the most complex and sensitive planning duties in the development, implementation, and modification of City plans and regulations requiring the highest level of technical expertise.
• Recommend and implement goals, objectives, policies and procedures for providing assigned services, activities, and operations.
• Prepare and interpret codes and policies and apply to specific situations.
• Coordinate and direct assigned sections and/or functional areas within the City’s Planning Department.
• Supervise, organize, and review the work of staff involved in assigned program areas.
• Select, train, and evaluate staff.
• Serve as project manager on multiple complex and sensitive projects involving coordination with other departments and outside groups and organizations.
• Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
• Staff and manage assigned commissions and committees.
• 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.
• 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.
• Independently coordinate necessary communication between staff, developers, and other agencies.
• Understand, evaluate, and interpret complex technical engineering, architectural, structural, landscape, and topographical plans, maps, legal documents, and related documents.
• Utilize engineering and architectural scale to read plans.
• Prepare and analyze highly technical and administrative reports, statements, and correspondence.
• Effectively present technical information and respond to questions from groups of managers, council members, committee and commission members, and the general public.
• Effectively represent the City to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the unit.
• Work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies.
• 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.

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, or a related field. A Master’s degree is desirable.

Experience: Six years of increasingly responsible professional urban planning experience in local government including project management experience.

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

Revised: October 2006
Johnson & Associates