Senior Planner

City of Watsonville; Watsonville (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a dynamic planning professional to lead and streamline planning efforts in a vibrant community. This role involves overseeing the implementation of innovative housing plans and fostering economic development. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in municipal and environmental planning, with a proven ability to manage complex projects and lead professional staff. Join a forward-thinking organization committed to enhancing community development and ensuring compliance with planning regulations. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a growing city.

Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of municipal planning principles.
• Experience in leading complex planning projects and staff.

Responsibilities

• Supervise preparation of the General Plan and Environmental Impact Reports.
• Review major development projects for compliance with laws.

Skills

Municipal Planning

Environmental Planning

Zoning Law

Project Coordination

Data Analysis

Public Speaking

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Planning

Master's Degree in Planning

Tools

GIS Software

Planning Applications

Job description

Description

The City of Watsonville is looking for a dynamic and experienced planning professional to administer and streamline current planning efforts and implement the newly adopted Downtown Watsonville Specific Plan and the 6th Cycle Housing Element to provide more infill housing and foster economic development.

DESCRIPTION OF BASIC FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To provide lead supervision to professional planning staff; and to coordinate and participate in the most complex and large scale planning projects such as development of the General Plan and major development proposals. Employees in this classification receive minimal supervision within a broad framework of policies and procedures. Employees in this job class direct, coordinate, and monitor the work of others in a lead capacity. This job class requires comprehensive mastery of the principles and practices of professional municipal and environmental planning and functions at an advanced journey/lead level of classification.

Typical Duties:

• Plans, organizes, coordinates and provides lead supervision for the preparation and administration of the General Plan, General Plan Amendments, and Environmental Impact Reports
• Plans, organizes, assigns, monitors and reviews the work of professional planning staff; provides staff training and development
• Reviews and analyzes major development projects for conformance with state and local laws and standards
• Assigns advance planning projects and supervises preparation of reports
• Oversees and participates in the preparation of the General Plan Environmental review
• Directs environmental review of public and private projects for the City including consultant selection and preparation and monitoring of contracts for private consultants
• Coordinates assigned planning activities with other City departments through the Development Processing Committee
• Coordinates and processes tentative map applications with other City departments
• Reviews and analyzes planning projects proposed by other agencies
• Makes presentations of proposals, analyses, issues, and facts to elected and appointed officials, commissions, and others
• Provides interpretations of the general plan and environmental, zoning, encroachment, flood protection, land use and related laws, codes, regulations and ordinances to the public, developers and other interested parties
• Prepares comprehensive reports, technical studies and correspondence related to areas of responsibility using a variety of planning concepts and techniques
• Conducts special studies as directed by the Planning Director, Planning commission or as issues require
• Reviews local ordinances for consistency with state and Federal law and initiates changes to ensure conformance
• Coordinates and performs research, administrative, and technical activities necessary to achieve project objectives and to maintain departmental programs
• Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Possession of:

• a valid and appropriate California Driver’s license including a safe driving record

Knowledge of:

• objectives, principles, procedures, standards, practices, information services, and trends in the field of municipal planning
• land use law, zoning law, and the California Environmental Quality Act
• land use, physical design, demographic, environmental, and social/economic concepts applied to municipal planning
• application, modification, and interrelationships between ordinances, policies, standards, procedures, and practices associated with the planning function
• mathematical and statistical concepts and techniques used in the planning process
• laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances affecting zoning and land use
• terminology, symbols, methods, and techniques used in planning and map drafting
• purposes, roles, and authorities of councils, commissions, and others involved in the planning process
• computerized applications for planning uses

Ability to:

• provide lead direction, project coordination, and instruction to professional staff
  conduct the most complex planning studies and activities
• formulate, evaluate, and make recommendations regarding zoning policies, land use ordinances, and environmental review
• coordinate and participate in major projects including collection and analysis of data, and preparation of reports and recommendations pertaining to the planning process
• interpret and apply laws, policies, procedures, regulations, specifications, site and building plans, environmental impact reports, data, and maps
• make effective and persuasive oral presentations to elected and appointed officials, the general public, developers, vendors, and others
• analyze complex planning issues and problems, evaluate alternatives, and recommend effective courses of action
• prepare clear, concise, and complete technical documents, reports, correspondence, and other written materials
• effectively and tactfully communicate in both oral and written forms
• establish and maintain effective work relationships with those in the performance of required duties

Typical Qualifications

Training and Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with academic course work in planning, geography, architecture, landscape architecture, economics, environmental studies or closely related courses. A master’s degree in planning is desirable and three years of professional planning experience in city, county or regional planning at the Associate Planner level.

Supplemental Information

The candidate selected will be appointed for a 12-month probationary period. Names of successful candidates who do not receive a job offer will be placed on an employment list that normally remains effective for one year. The Human Resources Department may abolish an Employment list at any time the needs of the City so require. This position is represented by the Mid Management bargaining group.

Prior to appointment to the position of Mid Management, a medical examination and Department of Justice Livescan fingerprinting will be required.

The City of Watsonville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages workplace diversity. The City of Watsonville is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act by including people with disabilities in all of its programs and activities.