Senior Planner

Definition

The City of Poway organization is known for its professionalism and excellent customer service provided by talented and top-notch employees. Staff members in the Planning Division of the Development Services Department administer and implement the City's land use and zoning functions, process discretionary land use applications, and assure compliance with conditions of approval through various reviews and inspections. This division also ensures compliance with the Poway Municipal Code, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and other state and federal regulations.

If you have municipal experience and are interested in advancing your career as a Senior Planner overseeing a team of passionate, creative and enthusiastic employees in the City of Poway's Development Services Department, then we encourage you to apply for this position.

The City's Management/Confidential group will receive the following City Council approved future salary increases:

7/1/2025 - 5% wage increase

7/1/2026 - 5% wage increase

Under general direction, plans, schedules, assigns, and reviews the work of planning staff in one or more functional area within the Planning Division; supervises, plans, and coordinates highly complex professional planning activities including current, long-range, and/or environmental planning activities; ensures that functions meet all applicable laws, regulations, and City policies; provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Planner.

Key Responsibilities

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.

• Plans, organizes, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of assigned staff;meets with staff to identify and resolve problems, assigns work activities, projects and programs; monitors work flow; reviews and evaluates work products, methods and procedures.

• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.

• Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors work load, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and reviews with the City Planner; directs the implementation of improvements.

• Participates in the selection, training, motivation, and evaluation of assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees on performance issues in coordination with Human Resources;effectively recommends initial disciplinary action.

• Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan for the assigned area; oversees and administers all services and activities of the assigned area, including current, long-range, and/or environmental planning activities.

• Participates in the development and administration of the assigned division's annual budget.

• Assists in the administration and implementation of the City's General Plan and zoning ordinances, including providing staff direction regarding department policy interpretation and conducting meetings with the public regarding related issues.

• Participates in advanced-level land use and planning activities, including analyzing and reviewing complex development proposals; negotiates and manages consultant contracts for planning projects as well as development agreements.

• Provides project management for complex planning studies; analyzes site design, terrain constraints, circulation, land use compatibility, utilities, and other urban services for all planning applications; performs field inspections to gather data relevant to the development review process; ensures compliance with federal, state, local laws, rules, and regulations.

• Implements and administers the City's Habitat Conservation Plan, including preserving large corridors of lands to protect wildlife, setting limitations on how much, if any, of this land can be used for developments, establishing the grading and clearing criteria for these lands, and preparing the annual regulatory reporting.

• Confers with engineers, developers, architects, and a variety of agencies and the general public in acquiring information and coordination of planning, zoning, subdivision, building, environmental, and related matters; provides information regarding City development.

• Provides technical information and instruction regarding applicable procedures and methods; interprets and explains rules, regulations and procedures; answers questions and resolves concerns.

• Serves as a liaison for the Planning Division with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; attends meetings, as necessary; provides staff support to commissions, committees and task forces, as necessary; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.

• Provides highly complex staff assistance to the City Planner; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.

• Conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommends modifications to planning programs, policies, and procedures, as appropriate.

• Prepares a variety of environment documents and reports; determines technical studies required for projects.

• Develops and reviews staff reports related to planning activities and services; may present information to the City Council and various commissions, committees and boards; performs a variety of public relations and outreach work related to assigned activities.

• Participates on a variety of boards, commissions, committees, and task forces; attends and participates in professional groups and committees; stays abreast of new trends and innovations.

• Receives, investigates, and responds to problems and complaints from citizens in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action.

• Maintains attendance and punctuality that is observant of scheduled hours on a regular basis.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements/License or Certificates Required

Any combination of the following education and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of this classification.

Experience:

Five years of responsible municipal planning experience including one year of supervisory experience.

Education/Training:

A Bachelor's Degree or equivalent education (i.e., minimum completed California units = 120 semester/180 quarter) from an accredited educational institution with major coursework in urban planning, community development, business or public administration, or a related field.

Licenses and Certifications:

• A valid class C driver's license or the ability to arrange alternate and timely means of transportation in the performance of assigned duties.

• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification, desired.

Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to inspect City development sites, to operate a motor vehicle, and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Environmental Elements

Employees work in an office environment or occasional outdoor environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Examination Process

A completed NeoGov application, including supplemental questions, must be submitted through NeoGov for consideration by the application deadline. Application materials will not be accepted separate from NeoGov or after the deadline.

AFULLY COMPLETED APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND PART OF THE REVIEW AND QUALIFYING PROCESS. QUESTIONS MUST BE ANSWERED COMPLETELY; REFERENCING YOUR RESUME IN LIEU OF ANSWERING A QUESTION WILL BE CAUSE FOR DISQUALIFICATION.

Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of relevant training, education, experience and writing skills as presented in the application, cover letter and resume. The process may include interviews and/or performance tests. Successful candidates will be placed on the eligibility list established, which will be in effect for a period of up to six months. A background investigation including LIVESCAN fingerprinting and a verification of a valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles are required. All appointments are also subject to the successful completion of a pre-placement physical examination that includes a drug screening. Applicants will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States. The City of Poway participates in E-Verify. All employees are required by law to sign a loyalty oath to the United States and the State of California Constitution at time of hire.