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Senior Planner
City of Whittier / Whittier, CA
Posted on: August 25, 2022
Application Deadline: 09/25/2022
Job Description
***PLEASE APPLY ON OUR CITY WEBSITE***
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/whittier
Class specifications are only intended to present a descriptive summary of the range of duties and responsibilities associated with specified positions. Therefore, specifications may not include all duties performed by individuals within a classification. In addition, specifications are intended to outline the minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the class and do not necessarily convey the qualifications of incumbents within the position.
DEFINITION:
Under direction, leads, oversees, reviews, and performs complex professional land use and urban planning work, including current and advance planning, and implementation of the City’s General Plan and Zoning Code; reviews the more complex zoning and development applications; performs complex research; prepares maps, graphs, models, and reports; presents projects to the Planning Commission, Design Review Board, and Historic Resources Commission; supervises special projects; provides supervision, including allotting duties, providing training and assisting with reviewing work performance; performs other related duties as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
The Senior Planner is the class in the professional planning series in which incumbents are expected to perform the more complex and advanced level professional planning work. Incumbents in this position work independently in the research and analysis of complex planning issues and the preparation of planning reports, studies, and recommendations and in the supervision and coordination of assigned planning functions, processes and staff. This classification is distinguished from the next higher classification of Principal Planner in that the latter performs the more complex planning assignments and higher level management responsibilities.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED:
Receives direction from the Principal Planner and Assistant Director of Community Development. Exercises direct and indirect supervision over training assigned personnel.
Required Experience / Skills / Education
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (include but are not limited to the following)
Develops and implements goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned functional areas; performs complex professional land use and urban planning work, including current and advance planning, and implementation of the City’s General Plan and Zoning Code; reviews the more complex zoning and development applications.
Provides supervision to professional, technical, and office support staff in assigned functional areas; instructs staff in work procedures and reviews and evaluates work performed; confers with personnel from other departments and agencies in coordinating work activities; meets with representatives of community organizations and other groups to encourage cooperative action or to resolve problems.
Performs the more complex research and analyses; performs major planning and zoning studies for development; investigates planning problems while considering legal and public relations aspects, as well as planning and makes presentations of findings; confers with developers, building designers, contractors, architects, and the general public on planning and zoning related matters; interprets planning policies, state laws, and local ordinances or explains procedures.
Provides information and assistance to developers, property owners and the public regarding laws, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures related to the submission of plans, processing of applications and implementation requirements; performs field inspections; communicates and coordinates with other City departments and outside agencies.
Prepares maps, graphs, charts, models, and reports; plans, organizes, and executes projects or surveys; prepares staff reports, resolutions, reports, letters, zoning ordinance changes, and CEQA environmental review documents.
Supervises coordinates and participates in advanced planning activities, including major General Plan updates and amendments; monitors the effectiveness of the General Plan implementation, zoning, and design guidelines; recommends action or petitions for general planning, zoning, and development.
Provides technical assistance to the Principal Planner, other City personnel, and the public regarding current or long range planning issues; plans and organizes work, and may alter work methods and schedules to meet operational needs and ensure achievement of work objectives.
Receives and reviews applications, including for conditional use permits, tentative tract and parcel maps, zone changes, and planned developments; establishes conditions for project approval by analyzing projects with respect to relevant laws, ordinances, regulations, and city policy; determines methods to reconcile project conflicts with zoning requirements and state environmental laws; reviews final working drawings to ensure compliance with approved projects.
Supervises and coordinates various planning studies and related matters with consultants; responds to public inquiries at the public counter, on the phone and through email; coordinates with regional and sub-regional agencies to address certain regional and inter-jurisdictional issues.
Makes presentations to the City Council, Planning Commission, Historic Resources Commission, Design Review Board, and Zoning Administrator; provides information to homeowners and architects regarding Historic Resources Ordinance, CEQA, California State Historic Building Code, and the U.S. Department of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
Establishes positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, state/local agencies and associations, City management and staff, and the public.
OTHER DUTIES: (include but are not limited to the following)
Assists in the interpretation of planning and zoning policies and local ordinances; may draft policy statements and ordinances according to general instructions.
May represent the City by serving on various planning committees, commissions, and task forces, in an advisory capacity and/or as a voting member.
May be exposed to confidential and privileged information during the course of duties, which should be maintained as such.
Performs other related duties as required.
QUALIFICATIONS: (The following are minimal qualifications necessary for entry into the classification.)
Education and/or Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for a Senior Planner. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is to possess the equivalent of three years of increasingly responsible experience in urban or regional planning comparable to that of an Associate Planner for the City of Whittier, some experience in a lead or Supervisory capacity, a bachelor’s degree in urban or regional planning, or a related field. A Master’s Degree and/or AICP designation or similar Professional Certification is highly desirable.
License/Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver’s license.
Application Instructions
