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Senior Planner
City of Arcadia / Arcadia, CA
Posted on: August 8, 2024
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Job Description
Description
The City of Arcadia’s award-winning Development Services Department is in search of an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to serve as its next Senior Planner. The ideal candidate will have knowledge in urban planning, architectural design, subdivision, and environmental analysis (CEQA). This individual will have excellent customer service skills, value a collaborative team environment, and strive for excellence.
The position will appeal to individuals who are inspired by the challenges and great opportunities presented in working in this first-class City that is home to a regional shopping center, The Shops at Santa Anita, the renowned Santa Anita racetrack, state-of-the-art USC Arcadia Hospital, and a downtown area that is in transition with new mixed-use developments near the Metro station.
If you enjoy working with the public and want to join a team that inspires you to “Go Above and Beyond,” then this will be a great opportunity for you!
Key Qualities
- Forward thinking with analytical skills
- Great communication and interpersonal skills
- Strong work ethic accompanied by good judgment
- Independent thinking with the ability to work on complex projects
- Familiarity with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
What We Offer:
- CalPERS retirement plan
- Tuition Reimbursement/Advancement upon successful completion of probation
- Bilingual pay
- City paid vision plan for employee and family
- City paid Life Insurance and AD&D
- Dental and Medical benefit allowance
- Note regarding salary range: A Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) of 7% is expected to take effect pending Council adoption.
***Opportunity to occasionally work from home may be granted based on the department’s approval.***
RECRUITMENT PROCESS:
Apply Online – Submit a detailed, thorough application
Application Filing Deadline – Open until filled (First review of applications to be conducted on Monday, August 26, 2024)
Qualifications Appraisal Interviews (100%) – Wednesday September 11, 2024 (Tentative)
DEFINITION
Under general direction, to perform advanced level professional planning; to serve as a subject matter expert on environmental review, and urban design; to act as project manager on complex projects; and to provide highly technical assistance to the Community Development Administrator.
Examples of Duties
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Exercises technical and functional supervision over Assistant and Associate Planners as well as professional, technical, and administrative support staff.
EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Assist in the preparation and administration of the City’s General Plan and Zoning Ordinance.
Organize, review and participate in completing urban planning assignments; personally perform the most complex and sensitive planning work in advance planning, current planning, or zoning.
Perform research and analysis of the most difficult planning problems; lay the ground work in developing and implementing new programs; coordinate the development of new programs with other governmental agencies and public groups; represent the division in situations requiring a high level of public contact.
Develop requests for proposals; manage consultant contracts associated with assigned planning and policy studies; develop work programs and methodologies; establish and maintain project schedules.
Develop staff reports related to planning; present reports to the Planning Commission, other commissions, committees and boards as necessary; perform a variety of public relations and outreach work related to planning activities.
Conduct a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommend modifications to planning programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
Review and analyze development plans for compliance with the general plan, zoning and other City regulations and policies; direct the review of use permits, subdivisions, rezoning requests, variances, and other land use entitlements.
Check plans for grading, slope, and other engineering plan check items.
Research and draft covenants, resolutions, and ordinances for review.
Monitor and evaluate the effects and implications of regional planning and development issues on the City of Arcadia; coordinate with SCAG and the SGVCOG.
Manage Assistant and Associate Planners and Planning Interns in the execution of their duties, including public counter, customer service, and oversee staff reports for the Planning Commission, City Council, and the Modification Committee.
Prepare and present complex staff reports for Planning Commission, City Council and the Modification Committee.
Check commercial, industrial, and residential development plans for issuance of zone clearance; process permit applications and calculate appropriate fees.
Research and draft ordinances for review by the Community Development Administrator and Planning Commission.
Investigate complaints of zoning violations and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints concerning the City’s planning function.
Administer provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and various other environmental planning activities.
Confer with engineers, developers, architects, a variety of agencies, and the general public in acquiring information and coordinating planning and zoning matters; provide information regarding City development requirements.
Attend public hearings; advise the Planning Commission on planning activities; confer with City officials as well as the public on City planning activities.
Participate on a variety of boards and commissions; attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of urban planning.
Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES
Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
JOB RELATED AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Theory, principles and practices of advance planning, development review, and zoning.
Site planning, grading/drainage and architectural design.
Principles of lead supervision and training.
Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Subdivision Map Act.
Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.
Quantitative and statistical analysis.
Recent developments, current literature and sources of information related to urban planning and administration.
Principles and practices of customer service.
Safe driving principles and practices.
Skill to:
Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment.
Operate a motor vehicle safely.
Ability to:
Organize and direct the collection and analysis of economic and statistical data basic to the interpretation of planning problems.
Provide lead supervision and training to assigned staff.
Present information to the Planning Commission, Modification Commission, the City Council, and the general public.
Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
Analyze site design, terrain constraints, circulation parameters, land use compatibility, utilities, and other urban services.
Ensure program compliance with Federal, State and local rules, laws and regulations.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Required Experience / Skills / Education
Minimum Qualifications:
Experience:
Five years of increasingly responsible professional urban planning experience including some lead supervisory experience.
Training:
Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, geography, or a related field.
License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver’s license.
Supplemental Information
Special Requirements:
Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:
Ability to work in a standard office environment; ability to travel to different sites and locations.
Application Instructions
Application:
Apply online: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/arcadiaca/jobs/4601502/senior-planner?page=2&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
A fully completed online application is required to be submitted. Incomplete, late, emailed, faxed and hard copy applications are not accepted. Resumes are not considered in lieu of the required online employment application. All certificates, resumes, cover letters, and other documents requested by the City for the position advertised, must be uploaded with your online application.
The Selection Process:
All applications will be reviewed and evaluated. Those candidates who are determined to be best qualified based upon the information presented on the application materials will be invited to continue in the selection process which may include a qualifying written or performance evaluation and will include an interview weighted 100%. The City reserves the right to limit the number of interviews conducted. Candidates will be notified via e-mail or telephone if they qualify to move to the next step in the selection process. The interview score will determine ranking on the eligibility list and will remain in effect for one year.
Pre-employment background and medical examinations are additional requirements for hire. Failure on any part of the selection process will result in removal from the recruitment process.
Please Note: If you have a disability that may require an accommodation in the selection process, please notify Human Resources in writing when you submit your application.
