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Principal Planner

County of Riverside / Riverside, CA
Posted on: January 13, 2022
Application Deadline: 2/3/2022

Job Description

The County of Riverside’s Planning Department has an opportunity for a Principal Planner who will be assigned to one of the two Divisions within the Department, Advanced Planning or Current Planning. The Advanced Planning Division addresses long-range planning issues; monitors and updates the County’s General Plan, Community Plans; amends and develops local land use regulations and implementing ordinances; and addresses regional planning issues affecting the County. The Current Planning Division is responsible for the review and processing of Land Development applications/entitlements.

The Principal Planner assigned to either Division manages complex and sensitive planning applications and projects, performs research and analysis, oversees the preparation of concept plans, feasibility studies, environmental documents, and other planning-related documents as needed. The incumbent will be involved with making land use decisions and interpretations related to the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance, establishing a clear direction and implementation process.

Competitive candidates will possess knowledge of State laws, guidelines, and local ordinances pertaining to planning and development, and knowledge of environmental protection regulations such as California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) as well as conservation and habitat plans. Candidates with working understanding of thematic mapping tools such as ArcGIS is desired.

An advanced degree, professional certification, or membership in the American Planning Association (APA) and American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), although not a requirement, will receive favorable consideration.

TLMA

The County of Riverside Transportation & Land Management Agency (TLMA) is the umbrella agency for six county departments. They are the Planning Department, Building & Safety Department, Transportation Department, Code Enforcement Department, Aviation Department, and the Administrative Services Department.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates, directly or through subordinate lead personnel, the activities of a major section within a planning division, a combination of smaller planning sections, a district office, or, participates in the development and review of division policies and goals, particularly as they affect his/her assigned section.

• Reviews and evaluates existing programs for overall effectiveness and efficiency in meeting division and section goals, initiating action for operational improvements as necessary.

• Reviews studies of ordinance amendments, policies and staff reports involving exceptional, sensitive or controversial subjects to insure thoroughness of analyses and consistency of recommendations.

• Represents the department on committees and before civic and community groups, before other County Departments, governmental agencies, environmental regulatory and permitting agencies, stakeholders, and the public; confers with property owners, developers, and their representatives regarding the applicability and impact of County policy, ordinances, and other regulations on major property development.

• Confers with staff regarding problems and progress in their functional areas and provides technical and administrative direction; interviews and recommends on the selection of prospective employees.

• Coordinates and assigns personnel within the section; plans and conducts staff development and in-service training programs in operational procedures, and policy; reviews and evaluates the performance of subordinate personnel.

• Works with staff of other departments and regional and state agencies to exchange or clarify information used in developing regional land use and operating work plans and coordinates the design and execution of projects to ensure consistency.

• Compiles data regarding section work loads, staffing levels, and priorities for input in the department’s program budget.

• Prepares, or delegates preparation of, reports and recommendations to the Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission, or the Area Planning Council.

• Makes program presentations to the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, and other local, regional, and state agencies on activities being conducted within the section; responds to difficult public relations problems, investigates complaints or requests and recommends resolutions.

• Drafts new ordinances and reviews existing ordinances pertaining to the Planning Department.

• Participates in the analysis of proposed or adopted legislation to determine the potential or actual impact on the implementation of plans.

• Reviews and comments on proposed development to ensure compliance.

• Directs the application for and administration of grant funding.

• May be involved is special projects, requiring independent research, analysis, and data collection.

Required Experience / Skills / Education

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Planning, Transportation Planning, Public Administration, Geography (with related course concentration), Architecture, Environmental Sciences, Landscape Architecture, or a closely related field.

Experience: Four years of professional environmental planning, land use planning, and/or transportation planning experience which must have included performing at least two kinds of the following planning activities associated with a planning agency: comprehensive, regional, area, or community planning; plan/proposal review; general plan amendments; zoning, land division; information services; urban renewal; planning administration or transportation planning.

Two years of experience must have been in a lead or supervisory capacity. (A master’s degree in planning or transportation planning may be substituted for one year of the required non-supervisory experience. A master’s degree in Public Administration, Geography-with related course concentration, Architecture, Environmental Sciences, Landscape Architecture, or a closely related field may be substituted for six months of the required non-supervisory experience. No more than one master’s degree may be used to substitute for the required non-supervisory experience. Such substitution will not meet the requirement of experience in two kinds of planning activities.)

Knowledge of: The principles of good organization, management and supervision; the principles, methods, and procedures applicable to land use or transportation planning activities; the physical, social, environmental, and economic implications of land use or transportation planning; local, state, and federal legislation governing land use development and transportation planning activities; research methods; mandated general plan elements and factors that must be considered in County evaluating land use or transportation proposals for consistency with these elements; the organizational structure and jurisdiction of governmental agencies involved in the planning process.

Ability to: Manage and coordinate the work of subordinate planners; plan and conduct a training program for subordinate staff; motivate and evaluate the work performance of subordinate personnel; collect and analyze data, generate and evaluate alternatives, reach logical conclusions and formulate consistent recommendations; compose clear and thorough study reports and recommendations; orally present study findings and recommendations to a variety of public groups and governmental bodies; work effectively with the general public and community and governmental boards and commissions; ability to interpret and apply laws and regulations pertaining to planning projects and cases.

Desired Qualifications:

•Five (5) years of progressively responsible, professional experience in planning, including at least two (2) years of responsible project or program management experience.

•Knowledge of State laws, guidelines, and local ordinances pertaining to planning and development. Knowledge of environmental protection regulations such as California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”)

•Knowledge of current housing legislation, State housing trends, and low-income housing development requirements.

• Experience working on Long Range Planning activities.

•Working understanding of thematic mapping tools such as ArcGIS.

•Membership in the American Planning Association (APA) and American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher.

Application Instructions

To apply please visit the following Job Posting on GovernmentJobs.com

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/riverside/jobs/3348145/principal-planner

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