Senior Planner

Job Information

Job Category

Land Use

Company Name

City of Tracy

Position Level

Managerial

Job Description

Visit our website to view the full job description and to apply. Applications will be accepted until April 26, 2024, at 5:00 pm. THE IDEAL CANDIDATE  The City is looking for a team player who can collaborate effectively and has a good grasp of city planning and zoning dynamics. This role entails a fast-paced environment with numerous thrilling projects, as Tracy is a rapidly expanding community! The chosen individual will lead as a project manager for various intricate current and long-term planning projects. The ideal candidate should be a seasoned professional with a keen eye for detail, a passion for problem-solving, and a drive to create a meaningful difference. DEFINITION Under general direction, administers complex current and advance planning activities, including serving as project manager for complex development applications and special projects; administers specified activities in such areas as zoning, advance planning, and environmental impact studies, protection, and compliance, as well as the capital improvement program (CIP); provides information and assistance to property owners, developers, contractors, and the public; provides complex professional assistance to management staff, City Council, and the Planning Commission, and others in areas of expertise; oversees, reviews, and performs a variety of studies and prepares and presents staff reports; and performs related duties, as assigned. SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises direct or general supervision over assigned staff. CLASS CHARACTERISTICS This is an advanced journey-level classification in the Planner series. Incumbents work under general supervision and exercise a high level of discretion and independent judgment in performing the full range of routine to complex planning functions with a primary emphasis on current and advance planning and environmental impact, protection, and compliance issues.  Incumbents also provide lead direction to clerical, technical and professional level staff. Successful performance of the work requires a broad professional background as well as skill in coordinating assigned work with that of other City departments and public agencies. Responsibilities may include assisting with performing specified departmental day-to-day administrative functions. EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only) Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
  • Serves as project manager for multiple complex current and/or long-range planning projects and special planning studies, including in-depth application and plan review, coordination with applicants to obtain additional information and project changes, preparing legal notices, posting notices on sites, background research, preparing staff reports, attending public hearings and making presentations, monitoring implementation measures and conditions of approval, checking submittals for building plan check, and inspecting development and capital improvement sites at the beginning and upon completion of the project; reviews project applications and plans submitted for Planning Commission, and City Council considerations at public hearings.
  • Interprets and applies Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations to ensure that 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 and procedures.
  • Interacts and communicates with a variety of individuals and groups at the public service counter, in the field, over the telephone, at public hearings, and in discussion forums, including other City departments and public agencies, elected and appointed City officials, developers, consultants, architects, engineers, attorneys, appraisers, real estate agents, property owners, and the general public for the purpose of obtaining or providing information, coordinating activities, processing projects, negotiating plan changes, and formulating recommendations.
  • Conducts site and policy background research to obtain information for the preparation of staff reports, correspondence, memoranda, policy documents, procedure documents, and presentations to supervisory, inter-departmental staff, or governing bodies; reads, interprets, analyzes, and explains a wide variety of technical documents, studies, and practices related to traffic, noise, plant and animal resources, archaeological resources, paleontological resources, cultural resources, geotechnics, water quality, air quality, and legislation that may impact the City’s planning projects.
  • Prepares and releases requests for proposals for technical consultant services; establishes selection criteria; evaluates proposals and conducts interviews in conformance with City policy; coordinates with and recommends needed contract management provisions and controls; manages and oversees technical consultants’ work products to ensure adherence to City standards and legal provisions; ensures that deliverables are submitted on time and budget and that progress and payment requests are consistent with City policy and contract provisions.
  • Conducts plan check of building permit-level plan submittals associated with complex projects to verify compliance with project approvals and zoning requirements; conducts over-the-counter plan check of less complex development proposals and land uses; approves minor development plans.
  • Coordinates project reviews by other City departments and outside agencies and consultants.
  • Evaluates the conclusions of initial studies, mitigated negative declarations, environmental impact reports, and uses the evaluation to formulate a recommendation on projects; monitors project compliance with environmental document mitigation measures and conditions of approval.
  • Performs specialized planning functions such as environmental review.
  • Conducts and supervises planning studies in the community; gathers data for implementing or evaluating current and advance planning projects; makes recommendations.
  • Participates in General Plan amendments and updates; participates in and makes recommendations regarding policy development; observes, identifies, and responds to policy and procedure-related questions and concerns; communicates any observed deficiencies to management; participates in creating new policies and procedures as necessary.
  • Represents the City and presents oral reports at public meetings and hearings as necessary.
  • Provides staff support to a variety of boards and commissions; attends and participates in professional groups and committees; provides technical and professional support to departmental management staff and other City departments and the public; advises other departments regarding planning and/or environmental review requirements, budgets, and timelines to facilitate adequate project planning.
  • Assists in the development and administration of goals, objectives, policies, and procedures related to the division; drafts formalized policies and procedures with supervisory confirmation.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge of:
  • Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
  • Modern principles, practices, and technical and legal issues of urban and regional planning, zoning, urban economics, demographics, and environmental planning and program management.
  • Geographic, socio-economic, transportation, political, environmental, and other elements related to city planning.
  • Comprehensive plans and current planning processes and the development process.
  • Site planning and architectural design principles.
  • General concepts of architecture, landscaping, grading, drainage, traffic, and transportation engineering as they relate to the process of urban planning.
  • Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a comprehensive environmental planning program.
  • Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and organizational policies and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
  • Project management and contract administration principles and techniques.
  • Research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
  • Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to planning, zoning, and environmental review.
  • Practices of researching planning and land use issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
  • Principles of advanced mathematics and their application to planning work.
  • Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.
  • Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
  • The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination.
  • Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software packages) to conduct, compile, and/or generate documentation.
Ability to:
  • Supervise staff, provide training, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
  • Effectively provide staff leadership and work direction.
  • Assess, monitor, and report environmental impact on and of various City programs and services.
  • Analyze site design, terrain constraints, land use compatibility, utilities, and other urban services.
  • Conduct complex planning research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
  • Manage a diverse range of planning and development projects.
  • Conduct zoning studies and interpret City zoning laws, regulations, and codes.
  • Read blueprints and site plans and conduct site inspections.
  • Evaluate architectural proposals and urban design/site plans.
  • Perform plan checks.
  • Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
  • Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with City staff, governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, and regulatory organizations, and with customers.
  • Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
  • Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems; read, interpret, and record data.
  • Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
  • Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
  • Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Required Skills / Experience / Education

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in urban planning, community development, business or public administration, or a related field and four (4) years of professional experience in planning, zoning and related community development activities, or two (2) years of experience equivalent to the class of Associate Planner with the City of Tracy.

US Citizenship Required?

Yes

Will security clearance be required?

No

Salary Range

$111,451.86 - $135,470.66 Annually

Other Benefits

The City of Tracy provides a generous benefit package to employees in the Mid-Managers Bargaining Unit. A summary of key benefits is listed below. More information can be found in the Benefit Summary and in the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Tracy and the Tracy Mid-Managers Bargaining Unit. Health Benefits – Choice of Kaiser, HMO, POS and PPO, and Sutter Health Plus HMO health insurance plans available. City contribution fully covers premiums for Kaiser HMO or Sutter HMO with dental and vision and provides a generous contribution towards other plans including Kaiser Point of Service Plan and PPO. Dental and Vision Plans – Choice of Delta Dental or Bright Now Dental plans available. VSP is available as a Vision plan. Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability – Individual coverage of $50,000 is fully paid by the City. Supplemental life insurance may be purchased by the employee at the same premium rate paid by the City. Retirement Program – CalPERS (formula dependent upon hire date and membership status in CalPERS). Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation programs available (MissionSquare & AIG/VALIC). The City participates in Social Security. Paid Leave and Holidays – General vacation accrues at the rate of 96 hours per year the first year and progresses up to 192 hours per year at 16 years of service. Management leave is accrued at 104 hours per year. Maximum accumulation of vacation, management leave, and floating holidays shall be 488 hours. Sick leave is accrued at a rate of 96 hours per year with unlimited accrual. There are 14 paid holidays per year (includes 2 floating holidays). Management Benefit – Fixed allowance of $960 per year to be used at employee's discretion for job related expenses. Dependent Care and Medical Spending Accounts – (IRS Section 125): Available to eligible employees on a voluntary basis. Additional Benefits – Employee Assistance Program, AFLAC, Employee Credit Union, Direct Deposit, Scholareshare529 and Tuition Reimbursement.

Job Start Date

05/27/2024

Position Type

Permanent Full-Time

Travel

None

Primary Language Required

English

Job Location

Location Address

333 Civic Center Plaza
Tracy, California
95376

Contact Information

Hiring Contact Name

Arielle Vanoy

Email

[email protected]

Phone Number

(209) 831-6172

Website

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/tracyca/