Senior Planner (Two-year Limited Term)

City of Pacifica; Pacifica (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Pacifica seeks a dedicated planning professional to lead sea level rise shoreline adaptation and coastal resiliency projects. The ideal candidate manages multiple current and long-range planning initiatives, oversees permit reviews, and coordinates with City departments and external agencies, including the Coastal Commission.

You will guide staff, prepare reports, present to the Planning Commission, and engage with the public to address questions and concerns on development policies and

Qualifications

• Experience in planning law, zoning, and land development processes.
• Knowledge of CEQA, California Coastal Act, and related planning regulations.
• Ability to supervise staff and manage consultants.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex current and long-range planning projects for the City of Pacifica.
• Oversee discretionary review processes from preliminary to permit approval.
• Coordinate with City departments and external agencies including the Coastal Commission.
• Prepare staff reports, conduct presentations to the Planning Commission and City Council.
• Provide community outreach and respond to public inquiries on planning matters.

Skills

Project management

Public meetings & presentations

Staff liaison

Interdepartmental coordination

Communication skills

GIS knowledge

Code and policy interpretation

Contract administration

Education

Master's degree in urban planning or related field

Bachelor's degree in urban planning or related field

AICP certification desirable

Tools

GIS

Job description

Ideal Candidate

The current opening is a two-year, term-limited, fully benefited position funded by an SB 1 Seal Level Rise Planning grant. Coastal and/or sea-level rise planning experience is strongly preferred. The City of Pacifica has a highly developed and hazard-prone coastline where sea level rise, coastal erosion, flooding, and bluff instability threaten neighborhoods, public access, beaches, transportation, and critical infrastructure. Building on substantial prior sea level rise planning, Pacifica's certified 2025 Local Coastal Land Use Plan establishes specific requirements and timelines for the City to complete additional shoreline adaptation planning, including development of a Shoreline Adaptation Program and Coastal Access and Resiliency Program, to advance long-term coastal resilience and consistency with SB 272. The successful candidate will provide expertise, project management, and oversight of Pacifica's Sea Level Rise Shoreline Adaptation and Coastal Resiliency Planning Project.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE
FOLLOWING:

• Performs complex professional planning duties in support of the City’s planning programs
  including project management and staff liaison with the Planning Commission and other
  Commissions and Committees.
• Serves as project manager for multiple complex current and/or long-range planning and
  development projects and special planning projects.
• Oversees discretionary review process for a range of projects, from modest architectural
  updates to single-family residential applications, to mixed-used development proposals and
  long-range planning studies and including California Environmental Quality Act review.
• Participates in interdepartmental pre-application review group to provide feedback to
  prospective applicants.
• Reviews applications for consistency with the City’s General Plan, codes and ordinances, and
  coordinates review with relevant City Departments and applicable external agencies.
• Interprets federal, state and City laws, codes, and ordinances associated with current and
  advanced planning activities.
• Confers with and advises architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, engineers, and the
  general public regarding City development policies and standards.
• Provides and clarifies information relative to land use, zoning, code interpretation, general plan
  compliance, signage, and other issues.
• Manages consultant services for various technical and special services, assists with
  monitoring contracts, compliance with contract requirements and project payments.
• Provides assistance in conducting outreach to the community on development projects and
  long-range planning activities which impact the City and its neighborhoods. Prepares meeting
  flyers and informational materials. Assists in facilitating meetings and responding to
  community questions and concerns on project operations and impact, and on proposed plan
  policies and standards.
• Coordinates meetings including department employees and stakeholders from other
  departments.
• Provides technical and functional supervision to lower-level planning staff in the performance
  of their duties in such areas of rules and regulations interpretations, project priorities.
• Collects, researches, reviews, and organizes field and office data for the development of staff
  reports, analysis of planning elements, and/or development or modification of current land use
  policies. Compiles findings and prepares recommendations in written form for projects,
  including project analysis and conditions for permit approval; makes presentations at Planning
  Commission and City Council.
• Participates in coordinating City planning and development-related activities with other City
  departments and with outside agencies, including the California Coastal Commission.
• Provides assistance to members of the public at the planning counter. Performs a preliminary
  review of permit applications, documents, and plans submittals to ensure accuracy and
  compliance with pertinent laws and established criteria. Identifies missing or incomplete
  information and provides guidance to the applicant on requirements to complete the
  application.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions. Attends and participates in
  professional group meetings.
• Seeks and maintains knowledge of new trends and innovations in the field of urban planning
  and other types of public services as they relate to the area of assignment.
• Represents the Community Development Department and City of Pacifica in regional planning
  working groups, including countywide storm water and housing working groups.
• Assign and review planning work of subordinates or review work of consultants to assure
  overall quality of professional planning.
• Assist in the management, review, development, revision, and maintenance of General Plan
  elements, plans, ordinances, and other policies and procedures.
• Maintain budget control on projects or division activities.
• Serves in an acting capacity in the absence of the Community Development Deputy Director or
  Director.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of

• Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive planning program including current and long-range planning.
• Modern principles, practices, theories, and trends of technical and legal issues of urban and regional planning, zoning, urban economics, demographics, and environmental planning and program management.
• Geographic, socio-economic, transportation, political, and other elements related to planning including environmental issues and analysis using geographic information systems (GIS).
• Comprehensive plans, specific plans, and current planning processes and the development process.
• Federal, state and City laws, codes, rules, regulations, and standards affecting planning, zoning, land development and other planning programs, including but not limited to California Planning and Zoning Law, the Subdivision Map Act, the Coastal Act, and the California Environmental Quality Act.
• City and department planning process related policies and procedures.
• Principles and practices of project management.
• Principles and practices of personnel management.
• Principles and practices of contract administration.
• Methods and techniques of conducting public meetings and presentations.
• Authority and role of the Planning Commission in approving planning related projects.
• Provisions of the Brown Act as they relate to the conduct of public meetings.
• Site planning and architectural design principles.
• General concepts of architecture, landscaping, grading, drainage, and traffic and transportation engineering as they relate to the process of urban planning.
• Practices of researching planning and land use issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
• Planning terminology and technical report writing techniques.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, educational, and regulatory organizations, and with property owners, developers, contractors, and the public.
• Skill/Ability to:
• Perform complex current and long-range planning duties.
• Manage assigned projects in an efficient and effective manner and prepare deliverables and work products.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations, policies and procedures pertaining to division programs and services.
• Assess, monitor, and report environmental impact on and of various City programs and service; conduct and facilitate presentations before the Planning Commission, City Council, and community groups.
• Interpret planning and zoning programs to the general public; identify and respond to issues and concerns of the public, Planning Commission and City Council.
• Analyze site design, terrain constraints, land use compatibility, utilities, and other urban services; read and understand architectural and civil plans and drawings.
• Perform calculations and measures to confirm project compliance with development standards.
• Interpret land use maps and legal descriptions of property.
• Conduct complex research projects, synthesize data, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations; coordinate assigned activities with other City departments and agencies as required.
• Prepare and present clear, concise, and logical written and oral reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, regional planning organizations, community groups and various business, professional, and regulatory organizations and individuals.
• Coordinate assigned activities with other City departments and agencies as required.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs. Use English effectively to communicate in person, on the telephone and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Experience and Training Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying.
• A typical way to qualify is:
• Experience Four (4) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in planning, zoning, and related community development activities. A master's degree in a field as listed above may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
• Training Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in urban planning, environmental studies, or a closely related field; and Certification
• Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable.
• License: Possession of a valid California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.