Job Information
Job Category
Environmental, Land Use, Rural Planning, Urban Design
Company Name
City of San Marcos Planning Division
Position Level
Supervisory
Job Description
The City of San Marcos Development Services Department has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Planner in the Planning Division. Under general direction, this position coordinates, supervises, oversees, and participates in the more complex and difficult work of staff responsible for providing planning and environmental related services and activities in an assigned unit or functional area; manages multiple complex projects in the areas of assignment; reviews, interprets, analyzes environmental issues and policies; provides technical and functional supervision to professional planning staff; and provides responsible staff assistance to the Planning Director and Principal Planner. This is the advanced journey level class in the professional planning series. Positions assigned to this class can be distinguished from lower-level planning classes by performance of the more complex planning tasks requiring a high degree of knowledge related to various areas of current and advanced planning, including serving as project manager on a variety of difficult projects. Positions assigned to this class can be further distinguished by the performance of supervisory activities such as assigning work, monitoring project progress, and providing technical assistance and training to staff. REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices. Coordinates and performs the more complex and difficult planning and environmental work on a variety of projects including the review of revisions to the General Plan, Specific Plans, other land use plans and policy documents, regional issues, environmental issues, site development, building and grading plans, subdivision and parcel maps, environmental analysis and similar applications. Prepares and presents complex staff reports, formal presentations, and recommendations at community meetings, advisory boards, and public hearings including to the Planning Commission, City Council, local committees, and neighborhood groups. Reviews development proposals for conformance with General Plan and Zoning/development regulations; prepares reports, recommendations, and presentations; performs highly technical research related to discretionary planning projects and other planning matters including populations, housing, transportation, land use, and economic studies. Reviews and analyzes civil engineering, architectural, landscaping, and other development plans for conformance with the City's Zoning and General Plan, conditions of approval, and mitigation requirements. Researches, reviews, and analyzes information and data for the preparation of comprehensive planning and environmental reports on both current and long-range planning matters; plans, organizes, and conducts research studies regarding land use, community design, and environmental issues. Reviews environmental technical studies and evaluates findings with consultants, internal departments, and public agencies. Coordinates environmental review and permitting for discretionary planning projects, City projects, and City Capital Improvement Projects; advises other departments of environmental and permitting requirements in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA): and recommends a course of action; prepares environmental documents including Initial Studies, Mitigated Negative Declarations, Negative Declarations, Addenda, Exemptions , Mitigation Monitoring Reports, Notices of Exemption, and related documents in compliance with CEQA; manages consultants contracts or Task Orders, coordinates public notice requirements; coordinates with local, state, and federal agencies to prepare appropriate environmental clearances and to secure regulatory permits; coordinates public information workshops; documents and ensures compliance with Mitigation Monitoring Programs and regulatory agency permit obligations. Reviews and manages the preparation of Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs), including screen check documents; responds to comments and quality control; prepares pre- and post-EIR documentation including Notices of Preparation, Notices of Determination, Request for Proposals, Request for Qualifications, Scope of Work, and related documentation; reviews and prepares responses of referrals from other agencies and/or organizations regarding proposed policies, environmental documents, or development applications that may affect the City. Manages and administers consultant contracts; develops and negotiates scope of work; establishes timeframes; ensures adequate funding; prepares contracts; authorizes invoices and maintains developer deposit accounts for contracts/task orders; provides direction and supervision to consultant; reviews technical studies, reports, and environmental documents prepared by consultants. Coordinates, provides direction and supervises third-party environmental document reviewers. Reviews proposed legislation, provides comments and recommendations to Principal Planner/Planning Director. Acts as project manager for complex departmental assignments and projects which may include Specific Plans, implementing projects within Specific Plans, and/or special planning or development projects; coordinates assigned activities with other departments, divisions, and outside agencies. Develops detailed schedules and sets project management expectation for project task and completion. Communicates clearly and concisely to project applicants regarding City codes and ordinances, compliance requirements, and project timelines. Conducts highly technical research; consults with other Divisions and outside departments or agencies; prepares reports, letters, Municipal Code Ordinances, resolutions; develops recommendations to Planning Director/Principal Planner and other management staff. Provides supervision of junior staff as assigned and provides technical assistance to professional and technical planning staff; assigns work activities and projects; monitors workflow; reviews and evaluates work product quality, methods, and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems; and provides technical assistance, training, and coaching. Participates in the selection and training of new hires, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; works with employees on performance issues in coordination with Human Resources; implements discipline in consultation with Human Resources; responds to staff questions and concerns. Conducts meetings and public workshops as City’s assigned staff and makes presentations to committees, commissions, professional and community groups. Attends and presents projects during both City Council and Planning Commission public hearings and provides technical support to various agencies and community groups as required. Provides written and oral information and assistance to City staff, applicants, architects, builders, developers, attorneys, contractors, engineers, consultants, the general public, and outside organizations and agencies regarding a wide variety of planning and environmental issues, including current planning, long range planning and capital improvement projects; explains the City's development and public hearing process to design and development professionals, property owners, and the general public. Manages multiple complex development proposals involving research, site visits, analysis, department coordination, scheduling and report writing; identifies problems and assesses alternatives for projects; recommends project approval or denial. Develops and prepares new ordinances and amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, General Plan, and Specific Plans, including preparation of resolutions. Prepares and/or reviews and edits legal documents including resolutions, ordinances, improvement agreements, development agreements, deed restrictions, and conservation easements; prepares drafts of official correspondence for department head or elected official review and signature. Attends and participates in professional associations and group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of urban and environmental planning. Provides support at the public counter as necessary. Performs other related duties as required.Required Skills / Experience / Education
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties. Knowledge of: Operations, services, and activities of a community planning and development program; advanced principles and practices of zoning, community planning, and site planning; development practices and development review procedures and requirements; pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations related to general plans, land use planning, zoning, and land divisions; the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), and other governmental, environmental, and local regulatory agency policies, rules, regulations, and requirements; project management principles and practices; research methods as applied to the collection, tabulation, and analysis of statistics and information affecting public planning; engineering drawing and topographic mapping; principles of supervision and training; organization and functions of various agencies involved in the planning processes; recent developments, current literature, research methods, and sources of information related to municipal planning, urban growth, and development; methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation; methods and techniques of eliciting community participation in planning and development issues; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation; modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and supporting software applications. Ability to: Independently perform advanced professional level planning duties in the development, implementation, and modification of City plans and regulations; provide supervision and training to assigned staff; serve as project manager on multiple complex projects; prioritize multiple projects; develop and implement appropriate compliance procedures; interpret, analyze, apply, implement, and explain pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including City codes and departmental policies and administrative directives; read and interpret complex policies, rules, and regulations; analyze projects and potential projects for consistency with zoning ordinance standards, planning and environmental regulations, general planning principles, General Plan policies, and architectural quality; analyze site design, terrain constraints, circulation, land use compatibility, utilities, and other urban services; ensure project compliance with state, federal, and local rules, laws, and regulations; participate in coordinating necessary communication between staff, developers, and other agencies; understand, evaluate, and interpret complex technical engineering, architectural, structural, landscape, and topographical plans, maps and related documents; utilize engineering and architectural scale to read plans; prepare and analyze technical and administrative reports, studies, statements, and correspondence; present technical data in verbal, written, graphic, and map form to City Management staff, citizen groups, and variety of boards and commissions; interpret planning and zoning programs to the general public; collect, tabulate, and compute planning statistics; organize and conduct various planning research studies; maintain records and prepare reports; read, analyze, and interpret information from professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations; conduct site inspections; operate modern office equipment and computers including specialized computer applications; understand and carry out oral and written instructions; use English to communicate clearly and concisely in person, over the telephone, and in writing; use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within the general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines; demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Core Values and Expectations At the City of San Marcos, we uphold a set of core values that guide our work culture and decision-making processes. In this role, you will be expected to demonstrate the following values: Be Problem Solvers (Customer Service): Actively identify and resolve issues to exceed customer expectations. Anticipate and address problems quickly to provide effective solutions. Be Good Partners (Teamwork): Collaborate across departments and with external partners to create mutually beneficial solutions that meet the needs of all stakeholders. Fiscal Responsibility (Operate like an Efficient Business): Make informed decisions with an emphasis on efficiency, always considering the financial impact to ensure the City’s long-term fiscal health. Build to Last (Professionalism): Maintain a high standard of work, ensuring that decisions and actions are sustainable and beneficial for the City in the long run. These values are critical to our mission and will be reflected in your day-to-day duties. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is considered qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: Education/Training: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, community development, geography, public administration, regional planning, or a closely related field is preferred. A Master’s degree is highly desirable. However, equivalent experience, certification, licensure and/or education from an accredited college or university will be considered in lieu of a degree. Experience Four years of increasingly responsible professional land development or planning experience at a level comparable to an Associate Planner within a local government including project management experience. LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license with satisfactory driving record.US Citizenship Required?
Yes
Will security clearance be required?
No
Salary Range
$94,173.47 - $122,875.04 Annually
Other Benefits
Holidays – The City observes fourteen (14) paid holidays that include eleven (11) specifically designated days and three (3) floating holidays. Vacation Leave – A new employee will accrue eighty (80) hours of vacation per calendar year for the first five years of service (one hundred, twenty (120) hours for years five through ten, one hundred, sixty (160) hours for years eleven through fifteen and two hundred (200) hours after fifteen years). Vacation accrual begins immediately; however, a new employee is not eligible to take vacation leave until the completion of six (6) months of service with the City. Sick Leave – A new employee will earn ninety-six (96) hours of sick leave each year. Bereavement Leave - Employees are eligible to use up to 40 hours of bereavement leave per fiscal year. Group Health Insurance Program – A new employee will become a member of one of the City's group health plans (Aetna HMO, Aetna AVN HMO, Aetna PPO, or Kaiser HMO) effective the first day of the month following their date of hire. Per current MOU the City will pay 90% of the health care premium and employees will pick up 10% of the premiums of the plan they select. Voluntary Dental/Vision Insurance Programs – The City offers two voluntary dental insurance programs, an HMO program and a PPO Program, as well as a voluntary vision insurance program. Section 125 Flexible Spending Account – All employees are eligible to participate in the City's Section 125 Flexible Spending Account plan administered by Benefit Coordinators Corporation (BCC). This is an IRS-approved plan which enables you to have withheld from your paycheck an amount to cover eligible dependent care, and certain eligible medical expenses without being subject to federal income or social security tax on the income used to pay for these benefits. Retirement - The City participates in both the Social Security (FICA) and the California Public Employees' Retirement Systems (CalPERS). The City currently contracts with CalPERS for the 2% at 55 benefit formula, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, and 3 year average final pay for CLASSIC members and 2% at 62, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, and 3 year average final pay for PEPRA (new) members. Employees will contribute 7% or 6.5% towards CalPERS, depending whether a classic or new member Retiree Health Savings (RHS) – All employees participate in a Retiree Health Savings plan through the ICMA Retirement Corporation. Additional Benefits – The City offers additional benefits such as short and long-term disability, group life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, employee benefit allocation program and workers' compensation insurance.Job Start Date
04/02/2025
Position Type
Permanent Full-Time
Travel
None
Primary Language Required
English
Industry
Public Sector Planning and Community Development
Job Location
Location Address
1 Civic Center Drive
San Marcos, California
92069
Contact Information
Hiring Contact Name
Scott Nightingale
Phone Number
(760) 744-1050
Website
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sanmarcos/jobs/4850349/senior-planner?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs