DescriptionSan Clemente, the beautiful and historical Spanish Village by the Sea, is seeking a qualified Senior Planner to join our team. The Senior Planner is responsible for both short term and long range planning assignments making San Clemente an ideal place for individuals looking for wide-ranging experience in their planning careers. Under direction from the City Planner and the Principal Planner, the Senior Planner meets and confers with developers regarding the City’s development review process; analyzes development applications for consistency with applicable laws, codes and regulations; responds to questions and inquiries regarding planning rules and regulations; and provides assistance in the amendment of the City’s General Plan, Coastal Element, Housing Element and Zoning Ordinances.
The ideal candidate will have an excellent understanding of the principles, practices, and techniques of urban planning. Additionally, they will have project management, critical thinking, and independent decision-making skills, exemplary customer service skills, and a passion for public service.
Also, the ideal candidate will possess a strong work ethic, the ability to prioritize tasks, the ability to work on a variety of projects with competing deadlines, and will be adaptable and open to new situations, ideas, and challenges. Applicants should also have a strong track record of exercising good judgement, be solution oriented, and have a proven ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of audiences.
First review of applications: Monday, August 12, 2024 DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS Under direction from the City Planner and the Principal Planner, this is the advanced journey level class in the professional Planner series. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series including providing assistance to developers in successful completion of the development review process. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility. Employees at this level may fully supervise lower level staff.
Essential FunctionsEssential and other important functions may include, but are not limited, to the following:
- Meet and confer with developers regarding the City’s development review process; coordinate assigned planning projects including large tract maps, commercial projects, code amendments and general plan amendments.
- Review plans for conformance with land use codes and policies as applied by the Planning Commission and City Council.
- Serve as environmental coordinator; prepare environmental documentation for planning projects; ensure that planning projects are reviewed in a manner consistent with the California Environmental Quality Act; administer contracts for environmental consulting services, and other planning-related extension of staff contracts.
- Receive and respond to questions and inquiries from the general public, local business owners and developers; explain local land use policies and development procedures.
- Conduct research, interpret data and prepare and present reports on development projects or land use policy issues to the City Council, Planning Commission, Design Review Committee and other boards as required.
- Review final plans and conduct field inspections of projects to determine compliance with Planning Commission and City Council actions and land use codes.
- Schedule meetings, prepare agenda items and provide policy interpretations as requested.
- Stay abreast of new trends and practices in the field of urban planning through review of professional journals and through participation in training, conference and/or professional group meetings.
- Make presentations to staff, committees and general public; educate parties on the impacts of planning projects or policy issues.
- Provide supervision to lower level staff to achieve assigned objectives and balance workloads.
- May manage and implement housing and historic preservation programs and oversee both current and long range planning projects.
- Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
Typical Qualifications Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of urban and regional land use planning.
Operations, services and activities of an urban planning program.
Supervisory principles and practices.
Methods and techniques of research and analysis.
Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
Current literature, information sources and research techniques in the field of urban planning.
GIS skills involving using geospatial concepts, data analysis, and mapping principles to solve problems.
Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations underlying general plans, zoning, land divisions and environmental assessment, including but not limited to, California Coastal Act, Mills Act, Secretary of Interior Standards, State housing regulations, and Community Development Block Grants.
Architecture and landscape design.
Ability to:
Independently perform complex research, analysis and report writing.
Review plans for conformance with land use codes and conditions of approval.
Prepare clear and concise analytical reports.
Interpret, explain and enforce local, state and federal laws and regulations.
Interpret planning and zoning programs for the general public.
Analyze and compile technical and statistical information and prepare reports.
Respond to difficult and sensitive public inquiries.
Provide excellent customer service
Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Supervise assigned staff.
Experience and Education/Training Guidelines Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience: Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in urban or regional planning, urban design, public administration or related field.
Education: Equivalent to a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, geography, architecture, public administration or a related field.
License or Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Class C Driver License within 6 months of appointment.
Special Requirements: May be required to attend meetings during the evening or weekend hours.
May be required to travel to to locations within and outside of city limits.
WORKING CONDITIONS Work Environment :The primary work environment takes place indoors within an office setting. Work may involve traveling to locations within and outside of the City of San Clemente. Work may occasionally take place outdoors in the field, including construction sites. May be exposed to varying weather conditions.
Physical Requirements :
- Work is performed in an indoor office environment, requiring extensive sitting, and some standing and walking; work is also performed outdoors in the field on an occasional basis, which involves frequent standing and walking.
- Moderate or light lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of boxes and files.
- Stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling.
- Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment, handle files and documents.
- Operate motorized vehicles.
- Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person or on the telephone.
- Visual acuity to see/read documents and computer screen.
Supplemental Information APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE All applicants must submit a completed City of San Clemente application form and supplemental questionnaire in order to be considered. Applications will not be accepted by fax or email.
Applications must be submitted via the City's web site at http://san-clemente.org/jobs . All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. Examinations for the position may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral exams to evaluate the applicant's skill, training, and experience.
Prior to employment, the prospective candidate must successfully complete a background review, medical examination, including drug screen, and be fingerprinted, all at City expense. If selected, written identification showing entitlement to legally work in the United States will be required.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or age.
In accordance with the ADA, candidates that require accommodation to perform the tasks of this position should contact Human Resources to inform them of the accommodation requested.
NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract and any provisions contained herein may be modified or revoked without notice.
The City of San Clemente provides excellent benefits which include:
FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULE -Most positionswork a 9/80 work schedule.
HOLIDAYS - The City presently recognizes 12 regular holidays, plustwo floating holidays.
VACATION - Employees accumulate vacation at the rate of 120 hours per year increasing to a maximum of 180 hours based on years of service.
ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE - Employees in this position are granted 64 hours per year.
SICK LEAVE - Accrual of 8 hours per month.
INSURANCE - The City provides a comprehensive benefit package including employee medical, dental, vision, short-term,and long-term disability insurance.
LIFE INSURANCE - Value equal to two times annual earnings up to a maximum of $200,000.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION - Employees may defer up to a maximum of $23,000 annually.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT - Employees may participate in either or both of the Health Care or Dependent Care programs.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - The City offers full-time employees and their dependents an EAP program which provides a variety of professional services.
RETIREMENT - The City of San Clemente is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), and is subject to the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA).The retirement formula for new employees is based on the category below that the new employee falls under. Employee contribution rates will be determined by the employee's classification and requirements under PEPRA.
NOTE: The City is also a member of the Social Security system. As such, Full Time employees make contributions to Social Security in addition to their CalPERS contributions.
Classic Member: Retirement Formula: 2% @ 55
Definition:CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the PEPRA definition of a "new member" as "classic members" who are subject to the Public Employees' Retirement Law (PERL). PEPRA allows a member after January 1, 2013, to retain his/her classic member retirement benefit status if the member continues his/her membership in all previous California Public Retirement System(s) by leaving his/her service credit and contributions (if any) on deposit, and the member enters into employment that results in CalPERS membership within six months of separating from the most recent California Public Retirement System. Classic member status also requires the membership date to be on or before December 31, 2012, in a California Public Retirement System in which reciprocity is established.
New Member: Retirement Formula: 2% @ 62
Definition: A new member is defined in PEPRA as any of the following: • A new hire who is brought into CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, who has no prior membership in any California Public Retirement System.
• A new hire who is brought into CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, who has a break in service of greater than six months with another California Public Retirement System that is subject to Reciprocity.
• A member who first established CalPERS membership prior to January 1, 2013, who is rehired by a different CalPERS employer after a break in service of greater than six months.
