DescriptionThe City of Costa Mesa, renowned as the “City of the Arts”, is offering an exciting career opportunity for a Senior Planner to join our hardworking and talented planning team. If you are passionate about engaging the community and ready to address the City's current and long-range planning needs, this could be the perfect opportunity for you! You will be working in a collaborative and supportive work environment to make a positive impact in the community by playing a key role in implementing City Council priorities and upholding community values.
THE POSITION:Performs advanced journey-level professional planning work in the fields of current and advanced planning; acts as a subject matter expert in a complex area of urban planning; provides functional supervision and training to lower-level staff; and other work as required. Work involves considerable skill in research, analysis, presentation of data, writing, development analysis and oral presentations.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS AND GOALS YOU WILL BE PART OF:- The preparation and implementation of the City's first Inclusionary Housing Ordinance;
- Update of the City's Density Bonus Provisions;
- Preparation and implementation of a short-term rentals program;
- Update of the City's commercial and residential parking standards;
- The redevelopment of an approximate 102-acre property with a new mixed use, mixed income community;
- Update of the City's Specific Plans, Urban Plans, and overlays;
- Development of an affordable senior housing project at the City's Senior Center;
- Update of the City's zoning standards to address opportunities for motel conversions, efficiency units and co-living housing in the City.
THE CITY:The City of Costa Mesa is one of California’s most eclectic and vibrant cities. Located just one mile from the Pacific Ocean and in the heart of Orange County, Costa Mesa is home to a diverse population of over 111,000 residents. As one of the safest and most vibrant communities in Orange County, the City represents expansive and attractive opportunities for jobs, recreation, housing and a quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors. For more information about the City of Costa Mesa, please visit www.costamesaca.gov .
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:
Applications must be completed and submitted online. This recruitment will remain open until filled and may close without prior notice, therefore prompt application is encouraged.
First Application Review Date: July 29, 2024 There is currently one (1) full-time Senior Planner vacancy. The City is also recruiting for a Principal Planner. To apply for that position, please click here: Principal Planner
Candidates are requested to provide specific information regarding their education and experience as it relates to the position by submitting a
complete and comprehensive resume with their application, supplemented with an attachment of a staff report or special project that was prepared for the City Council, Planning Commission, and other boards and commissions . Application packets that do not have a resume and staff report/project attached will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. No additional attachments will be accepted. If selected to proceed further in the recruitment process, an opportunity to provide work samples, letters of recommendation, etc. will be appropriate during the interview process.
Based upon the information presented on the application and resume, a limited number of candidates who possess qualifications most pertinent to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include but is not limited to the following components: application review and evaluation, written examination or exercise, physical examination, practical exercise and interview evaluation. Please notify the Human Resources Division 72 hours in advance of the test date if you have a disability which requires accommodation for the testing process. The eligibility list will be in effect for one (1) year, unless exhausted sooner. The eligibility list from this recruitment may be utilized to fill lower-level vacancies which occur during the life of the list.
All employment offers made by the City are contingent upon establishing proof of a prospective candidate's legal authorization to work in the United States and successfully passing all components of the pre-employment process which may include, but is not limited to: comprehensive background check, criminal history check (Live Scan fingerprint check), polygraph examination, post-offer psychological evaluation and post-offer medical evaluation (may include drug screen).
Note: The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained within may be modified or revoked without notice.
Essential FunctionsTo view the full job description which includes examples of job duties, please click on the following link:
Senior Planner .
Qualification GuidelinesA typical way to obtain the requisite knowledge and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of this classification is as follows:
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in urban planning, public administration, architecture, economics, geography or a related field. A master's degree in a related field is preferred.
Four years of professional experience in urban planning encompassing advanced and/or current planning activities. Municipal planning experience is preferred.
An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience that provides the desired knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform essential functions may also be considered.
LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATE:
Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable. Possession or the ability to obtain a valid Class C California Driver's License by date of appointment is required. Revocation of license during employment may result in disciplinary action or reassignment.
To view Requisite Knowledge, Skills and Abilities, please click on the following link:
Senior Planner . Supplemental InformationPUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISASTER SERVICE WORKER: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100 - all City of Costa Mesa employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.
PHYSICAL TASKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
Please contact Human Resources for a summary of the essential tasks and environmental factors for this classification.
Employee accommodations for physical or mental disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:The City of Costa Mesa is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To view benefit information for all groups, Click Here
New employees contribute 9% of their salary on a pre-tax basis towards the 2%@60 or 2%@62 CalPERS retirement formula depending on eligibility.
Salary Increases:
- Effective July 2024: 3% increase
Employees receive the following health insurance flexible benefits contribution:
- Current: $1,600monthly
- Effective January 2025: $1,650monthly
The City does not participate in the Social Security system; however, federal mandate requires new employees to contribute 1.45% of wages to Medicare. As a condition of employment, all new employees are required to enroll and participate in the direct deposit program.
Closing Date/Time: Continuous
