Principal Planner

DESCRIPTION

The Principal Planner plans, supervises, coordinates, assigns, and participates in complex and difficult planning services related to advanced and current planning activities; oversees and manages contract service in these areas; performs the most complex planning work; performs a variety of professional duties relative to assigned area of responsibility.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is the supervisory level in the professional planning class series. Principal Planners receive direction from the Planning Manager and are responsible for performing the most complex professional planning work and supervising lower level professional and technical planning staff. This classification level requires considerable knowledge of the development process and advanced planning.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Essential and other important responsibilities and functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Coordinate, supervise staff, and perform responsible planning work in the review of development proposals and long-range planning studies.
• Recommend and implement section goals and objectives; establish performance standards and methods for planning activities including preparation of a variety of planning reports and special studies including environmental impact reports and traffic studies.
• Serve as chair of the City's Development Advisory Board; attend meetings and facilitate the resolution of differences addressed by developers.
• Prepare complex reports on a wide range of planning issues; make presentations to the City Council, Planning Commission, developers, community groups, and outside agencies.
• Assign work to staff and participate in the review of complex development proposals for conformance to City standards; resolve disputes between the City and developers/property owners.
• Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitor and control expenditures.
• Exercise direct supervision over professional, technical, and clerical staff; participate in the selection of staff; coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; recommend discipline; and implement progressive discipline as directed.
• Interpret and apply environmental quality laws and regulations to ensure that development, City projects, and Municipal Code amendments are in compliance.
• Oversee the preparation of comprehensive plans, master plans, specific plans, and related plan components including utility plans, finance plans, environmental documents, annexations, and related activities.
• Review and analyze development plans for compliance with the General Plan and zoning and City regulations and policies; direct the review of use permits, subdivision, rezoning requests, variance, and other land use entitlements.
• Develop and recommend changes regarding zoning and the General Plan; prepare and present reports; advise the City Council and Planning Commission on zoning and planning matters; and oversee the preparation of amendments to the text of the Zoning Code.
• Perform related work as required

EXPERIENCE & TRAINING / LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATE

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

Education:

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in urban planning or a closely related field.

Experience:

Five years of progressively responsible professional level experience in urban planning/design including one year in a responsible lead or supervisory capacity.

Licenses/Certifications/Other Requirements:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California State Driver's License by the time of appointment.
Possession of Certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Practical and modern planning methodology, urban development and operations, urban design, and basic land economics.
• Current land use and urban design implementation.
• Principles and techniques of project management, supervision, and leadership.
• Principles and practices of human resources administration.
• Techniques of management and administration.
• Development process, economics, practices, and procedures.
• California development law, City planning and zoning codes, and other applicable federal, state, and local legislation.
• Budgeting techniques.
• Techniques of negotiation.

Ability to:

• Assume responsibility for planning activities on multiple, diverse, and complex projects.
• Supervise, lead, evaluate, and train staff effectively.
• Demonstrate community relations concepts; speak publicly and explain/interpret City practices and objectives to individuals and representatives of diverse public and private agencies and organizations.
• Analyze data and information, and make key decisions and determinations in a sound, logical, and objective manner.
• Prepare reports, proposals, and written materials of an analytical, budgetary, financial, technical, and evaluative nature.
• Lead and actively engage in performing complex planning design work.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical Demands:

Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional climbing, bending, and squatting.

Lifting: frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 40 pounds.

Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision.

Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.

Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone.

Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone.

Environmental: frequent exposure to noise.

Work Environment:

Work is performed in a typical temperature-controlled office environment subject to typical office noise.

The incumbents in this class may be required to work during irregular business hours, including evenings and weekends on an occasional basis. Travel may be required on an occasional basis.

The City of Palmdale is noted for its highly skilled workforce, with a large concentration of aerospace firms located at Air Force Plant 42 and nearby Edwards Air Force Base. Its family-oriented and culturally enhancing venues, such as the Palmdale Playhouse, DryTown Water Park and Palmdale Amphitheater, make Palmdale "a place to call home."

Palmdale is located approximately one hour north of Los Angeles off the Antelope Valley Freeway (SR-14). It encompasses 106.6 square miles and has a population of approximately 165,450. The City is served by several school districts and has a growing retail and commercial base. For more information, visit www.CityOfPalmdaleCA.gov.

BUSINESS HOURS: Normal operating hours are from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday - Thursday. CLOSED on Friday.

UNION: The Teamsters Local 911 represents certain positions in the City's Public Works Maintenance division.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

APPLICATION MATERIALS must be submitted by the closing date listed in the job bulletin. Resumes cannot be accepted in lieu of a City online application.

RESIDENCE within the City is not required.

AN ELIGIBILITY LIST of the most qualified applicants will be compiled based on the results of the selection process. The list will remain in place for a period to be determined by Human Resources.

The benefits listed here apply to full-time and benefited part-time positions, not to unbenefited part-time employees unless described.

A PROBATION PERIOD of six months minimum applies to initial employment with the City.

VACATION, HOLIDAYS AND LEAVE: The City provides 15 paid holidays per year and 80 hours vacation (years one through four) with a maximum accrual of 240 hours (160 hours for benefited part-time employees). Administrative employees accrue 80 hours of administrative leave per year with a maximum accrual of 240 hours.

SICK LEAVE: Employees accrue 96 hours per year with a maximum accrual of 800 hours (400 hours for benefited part-time employees). Unbenefited part-time employees receive 28 hours of paid sick leave per fiscal year.

RETIREMENT: The City is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Full-time and benefited part-time employees will be enrolled in either the New Member or Classic plan, as defined by CalPERS. New Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 62 formula and pay the full 7.75% employee contribution. Classic Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 60 formula and pay the full 7% employee contribution.

All other part-time employees are covered under the Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS).

WELLNESS PROGRAM: The program includes gym membership discounts, healthy eating programs, exercise classes & other programs.

DIRECT DEPOSIT: Direct Deposit is mandatory for all new employees.

CREDIT UNION: F&A Federal Credit Union & Logix Federal Credit Union (formerly Lockheed) are available options.

INSURANCE: The City offers group health, dental/vision, long term and short term disability, and a $50,000 life insurance policy for full-time employees. The City contributes towards the employee's health insurance.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: The City participates in the ICMA-RC Deferred Compensation Plan, which enables benefited part-time and full-time employees to contribute on a tax deferred basis.

OVERTIME COMPENSATION: Overtime is accrued at time-and-a-half for eligible employees for time physically worked in excess of the regular 40-hour work week.

PART-TIME EMPLOYEES: Unbenefited part-time employees are reviewed for merit salary advancement but are not eligible for any other benefits listed. Benefited part-time employees are eligible for CalPERS retirement, sick leave, holidays, and vacation on a prorated basis.

MILEAGE PAY: Any employee may be reimbursed for work related mileage at 54 cents per mile when assigned to use their private vehicle on City business.

SOCIAL SECURITY: The City does not participate in Social Security and does not deduct Social Security payments from any employee's salary. The City deducts 1.45% of salary for Medicare and makes a 1.45% matching contribution.

*Benefits can change at any time.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

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• City of Palmdale

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