Senior Planner

APWA Inland Empire Branch; Corona (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The APWA Inland Empire Branch is seeking a Senior Planner to join the City of Corona's Planning and Development Department. This role involves managing complex planning projects, ensuring compliance with various regulations, and producing annual reports for state agencies.

The ideal candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree in urban planning or related fields and have significant experience in professional planning, including supervisory roles. The position is FLSA Non‑Exempt and eligible for overtime compensation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in urban planning, architecture, environmental design, or public administration.
• Five years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience with one year in a lead capacity.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex planning projects including site and architectural plan analysis.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Prepare reports for state agencies.
• Oversee annual surface mining inspections.
• Monitor the city’s Commercial Cannabis Program.
• Make recommendations for permits and development applications.
• Gather and present data for urban planning matters.
• Provide guidance and training to assigned staff.
• Represent the department at public meetings.

Skills

Project management for planning projects

Technical review of plans and applications

Understanding of federal and state regulations

Data analysis and presentation

Staff training and direction

Education

Bachelor’s degree in urban planning or related field

Job description

Senior Planner

The City of Corona has an exciting opportunity to join our Planning and Development Department as a Senior Planner.

Education, Training, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in urban planning, architecture, environmental design, public administration, or a related field.
• Five years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience, including one year of experience in a lead or supervisory capacity.

Skills and Abilities

• Serves as project manager for complex planning projects, including analyzing and evaluating site and architectural plans, performing technical review for project plans and applications, and making recommendations.
• Interprets and applies federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations to ensure public and private projects are in compliance, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Subdivision Map Act, Public Resource Code, General Plan, Specific Plans, Design Specifications, and Local Guidelines.
• Prepares annual reports for state agencies including but not limited to Annual Progress Reports (APR), Model Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) reports, and Housing Unit Surveys.
• Coordinates with city consultants to oversee annual surface mining inspections for compliance with local regulations and the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA).
• Monitors and manages the city’s Commercial Cannabis Program under the direction of the Planning Manager.
• Make recommendations on development permits, special use permits, variances, tentative tract maps, planned development permits, and other zoning applications; identifies appropriate land use policy, design issues, and environmental requirements; and recommends action.
• Gathers, analyzes, and presents data on a varied range of urban planning matters in the form of written, graphic, or oral reports for use by the Director, Planning Commission, City Council, or special committees.
• Provides technical and functional direction and training to assigned staff; reviews and controls quality of work; inspects and evaluates work in progress and upon completion to ensure work is performed in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and City policies and procedures.
• Represents the Planning and Development Department at public meetings and presents planning and zoning matters to the Planning Commission and citizen committees; advises and assists Planning regarding community planning issues and problems, pending cases, and the application of established City policies and ordinances.

Characteristics

• Has an upbeat attitude and eagerness to participate.
• Passionate about producing outstanding quality of work.
• High performing, genuine, authentic individual with a good sense of humor.
• Capable of building and maintaining trust with coworkers, subordinates, and city staff.
• Shows a genuine interest in supporting employees.

This position is FLSA Non‑Exempt, eligible for overtime compensation.