PRINCIPAL PLANNER

Salary : $123,013.60 - $149,523.80 Annually

Location : City of Coachella City Hall - 53990 Enterprise Way Coachella CA 92236, CA

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: 2024-00027

Department: Community Development

Division: Planning

Opening Date: 08/27/2024

Closing Date: 10/8/2024 6:00 PM Pacific

Description

***DISCLAMER: The City Reserves the right to accelerate or extend the "Closing Date" of open positions at any time, dependent upon the number of applications received.
The finalist must pass a pre-employment physical, drug screen, and background check.

Reporting to the Development Services Director, the Principal Planner plans, organizes, supervises, coordinates, and reviews the work of professional, technical, and administrative staff performing difficult and complex professional and technical support related to all activities of all areas in the planning function within the Development Services Department, such as current and advanced planning; manages the effective use of the City's planning resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service; oversees and manages the work of contract employees and outside consultants; provides highly complex and responsible support to the Development Services Director, City Council, Planning Commission, and others in areas of expertise; oversees, reviews and performs a variety of studies and prepares and presents staff reports; and performs related work as required. It is expected that the Principal Planner actively engage residents, property owners, and business owners in the City's planning initiatives.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from the Development Services Director. Exercises direct and general supervision over professional and technical staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the full supervisory class in the professional planning series responsible for organizing and overseeing the day-to-day administrative and technical activities of all major areas, including advance planning, current planning and/or special projects, in addition to providing professional-level support to the Development Services Director in a variety of areas. Responsibilities include performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibility. Successful performance of the work requires an extensive professional background, critical judgment and decision-making, project management and skill in coordinating departmental work with that of other City departments and public agencies. This class is distinguished from Development Services Director in that the latter has overall responsibility for all planning, code enforcement, and building functions and for developing, implementing and interpreting public policy.

Examples of Essential Functions

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Plans, manages, and oversees the daily activities of all areas within the City's planning function, including the advance planning, current planning, and/or special projects.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the assigned function; recommends within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned services, projects, and activities; assesses and monitors workload; identifies opportunities for improvement and recommends to the Director.
• Participates in the development and administration of and oversees assigned budgets.
• Participates in selection, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees on performance issues; reviews staff reports and other work products prepared by professional planning staff; assigns work and provides guidance and direction to staff regarding work plans and methods.
• Provides highly complex staff assistance to the Director; develops and reviews staff reports related to assigned activities, projects, and services; under direction, presents reports to and advises the City Council, Planning Commission, and other commissions, committees, and boards related to a wide variety of planning and zoning matters; participates in regional planning committee meetings and responds to issues via written correspondence or demographic data review.
• Serves as project manager for multiple complex current and/or long-range planning projects and special planning studies, including in-depth application and plan review, preparing legal notices, posting notices on sites, attending public hearings and making presentations, monitoring implementation measures and conditions of approval.
• Manages, directs, and participates in highly complex planning projects and activities in the areas of General Plan and project specific plan updates and amendments, the preparation of ordinances, and other projects as assigned; designs and conducts studies to develop policies, guidelines, action plans, and City codes; conducts field inspections of assigned planning and development projects to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Subdivision Map Act, Public Resource Code, City of Coachella General Plan, Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances, Specific Plans, Design Specifications, and Local Guidelines and procedures.
• Serves as source of information for developers, engineers, property owners, and contractors regarding land use applications and general municipal planning programs, projects, and functions; represents the department and City to outside agencies, public and private groups, and the general public; facilitates community participation through a continual dialogue with residents on major projects.
• Negotiates, administers, and manages contracts for services; reviews documents, reports, and other work products prepared by consultants and provides feedback and corrections; reviews and oversees consultant invoices and progress payments.
• Oversees and administers various grants related to the area of assignment; prepares grant applications; prepares and submits invoices for grant reimbursement.
• Conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures, as appropriate.
• Participates as City liaison to regional and sub-regional governmental associations and provides mapping and demographic information to said agencies; attends meetings and advocates for services and resource allocation on behalf of the City.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in planning; researches emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to City needs.
• Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.
• Receives, investigates, and responds to problems and complaints in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action.
• Assists the Development Services Director with special projects, as needed.
• Performs duties of a disaster services worker in event of an emergency.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, work plan development, implementation, and evaluation, and project management.
• Basic principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including employee motivation, work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations concerning the operation of the assigned function.
• Modern principles and practices, professional code of ethics, technical and legal issues of urban and regional planning, zoning, housing, historic preservation, subdivisions, urban economics, demographics, and environmental planning and program management.
• Basic geographic, socio-economic, transportation, political, environmental, and other factors related to city planning. Knowledge and experience in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is desired.
• Comprehensive plans and current planning processes and the development process.
• General concepts of architecture, landscaping, grading, drainage, traffic and transportation engineering and utility infrastructure as they relate to the process of urban planning.
• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a comprehensive environmental planning program.
• Project management and contract administration principles and techniques.
• Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to planning, zoning, and environmental review.
• Practices of researching planning and land use issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
• Principles of advanced mathematics and their application to planning work.
• Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.
• Modern office methods, practices, procedures, and equipment, including computer hardware and software necessary for graphic presentation, mapping, and database management.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, educational and regulatory organizations, and with property owners, developers, contractors, and the public.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors and City staff.

Ability to:

• Recommend and implement goals, objectives, and practices for providing effective and efficient services.
• Administer complex, technical, and sensitive planning, development, and related programs in an independent and cooperative manner.
• Plan, manage, organize, assign, review, and evaluate the work of staff; train staff in work procedures.
• Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Interpret and explain planning and zoning programs to the general public; identify and respond to issues and concerns of the public, City Council, and other boards and commissions.
• Assess, monitor, and report environmental impact on and of various City programs and services.
• Analyze site design, terrain constraints, land use compatibility, utilities, and other urban services.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations.
• Read, interpret, apply, and explain technical written material and complex Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, regulations, ordinances, and City planning policies and procedures.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, and regulatory organizations and individuals.
• Coordinate assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies as required.
• Direct the work of contract consultants.
• Prepare and present clear, concise, and logical written and oral reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Prepare detailed environmental assessments, notices, publications and coordinate disclosure procedures for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) guidelines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs; prepare project files and manage telephone services.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing. Use of Spanish to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing is desirable.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

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:

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in urban planning, community development, business or public administration, or a related field and five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in planning, zoning and related community development activities that included the management of multiple complex and sensitive community development projects and programs and the supervision of professional planning staff. A Master's degree in a related field is desirable.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid California class C driver's license with satisfactory driving record and automobile insurance.

Physical Demands/Environmental Elements/Working Conditions

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to inspect City development sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary or construction access points; to operate a motor vehicle, and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

The City of Coachella offers an excellent benefits program for full-time employees that includes:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Retirement plan through CalPERS. Classic Member 2%@60; New Member 2%@62. The City of Coachella does not participate in the Social Security program, except for the mandatory Medicare contribution for all regular positions.
• Life Insurance/Short Term Disability/Long Term Disability
• Employee Paid Supplemental Insurance Programs
• Deferred Compensation Program
• Flexible Spending Account
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Vacation
• Sick
• Holidays
• Administrative Leave
• 4/10 Work Schedule

01

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process, Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in urban planning, community development, business or public administration, or a related field? If so, be sure to include it in the education section of your application.

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have a valid California Class C driver's license with satisfactory driving record and automobile insurance?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have experience using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you posses at least five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in planning, zoning, and related community activities that included the management of multiple complex and sensitive community development projects, programs, and the supervision of professional planning staff?

• Yes
• No

06

Describe your experience providing customer service at a counter in a Planning Department, including assisting customers with inquiries regarding property development and intake of planning applications.

07

Do you have experience in a municipal setting?

• Yes
• No

08

Explain why you are interested in this position and how you believe you can make a positive contribution in this department.

Required Question