Senior Planner

About the Position

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

The deadline for the first review of applications is Wednesday, April 3, 2024.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Applicants that apply after the first review are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review date.

DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision of the Principal Planner or the Planning Manager, performs complex administrative, professional, and technical planning and research assignments involving advance planning, transit, redevelopment projects and environmental issues; provides information and assistance to developers, the business community, and the public on planning, housing, zooning, and development-related matters; performs related duties as required.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

The Senior Planner is the advanced journey level class in the planning series and performs the higher level, more complex and difficult, comprehensive planning functions. The Senior level works with a greater degree of independence and responsibility and may provide technical oversight to Associate and/or Assistant Planners assigned on projects.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the direct supervision of the Planning Manager.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May exercise technical supervision to Associate and/or Assistant Planners.

Examples of Essential Functions

Essential functions may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Organizes, reviews and participates in urban planning assignments; performs complex and sensitive planning work in advanced planning, current planning, redevelopment, design and zoning; makes recommendations on development permits, special use and variance permits and design standards.

Oversee, coordinate, and review work of Associate and Assistant Planners engaged in the General Plan effort.

Assists in conducing the General Plan program; oversees or prepares environmental impact analysis on General Plan elements, zoning and other code revisions, specific plans or land use entitlement; prepares and processes amendments to the General Plan in accordance with state laws; supervise or personally perform the preparation of General Plan exhibits and land use maps.

Conducts research and analysis of planning problems related to environmental impact, zoning, variances, conditional use permits and planned developments. Confers with applicants and agency representatives to identify problems; analyzes data with respect to relevant laws, ordinances, regulations, and policies; formulates conclusions and presents recommendations to resolve issues with zoning requirements and state environmental law; reviews development proposals and applications for compliance with the City's Zoning Ordinance and consistency with the General Plan.

Prepares comprehensive technical reports related to current and proposed projects concerning zoning, subdivisions, variances, redevelopment and other planning activities; prepares a variety of written staff reports, materials and correspondence; proposes and drafts revisions to the zoning ordinance and City planning regulations. Reviews commercial, industrial and development plans for issuance of zone, clearance and compliance with related regulations; reviews building plans, parcel maps and subdivision proposals for compliance; reviews and processes land use entitlements, including the site plan reviews, conditional use permits, variance, subdivisions, General Plan amendments, and zoning code amendments; may perform field surveys to identify problems and ensure conformance with project conditions and development standards.

Responds to inquiries from the public, developers and other City staff related to zone changes, variances, tract and parcel maps, site plans, design reviews and development permits; interprets planning policies, state laws and local ordinances and explains procedures. Assists and advises the public in preparation and filing of applications related to a variety of planning issues.

Prepared CEQA documentation to evaluate environmental impacts. Confers and provides consultative advice to architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, engineers, and the general public regarding City development policies and standards.

May attend meetings of the City Council, Planning Commission, Housing Authority and other meetings when necessary for the specific purpose of presenting the details and answering questions regarding a project to which the incumbent has been assigned; ; may assist with City redevelopment programs and projects; maintain cooperative working relationships with other divisions, departments, agencies, civic and professional organizations and the general public.

Receives and answers public inquiries regarding zoning, legal descriptions, and other related planning matters, either on the phone, through email, or in person over the counter.

Minimum & Desirable Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Training and Experience

Any combination of education and/or experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary. A bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in planning or closely related field and three (3) years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience involving local governmental/urban planning is required.

A master's degree in planning is desirable. Possession of or ability to obtain a California Class C driver's license and a satisfactory driving record is required at the time of hire and throughout employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: theory, principles and trends of public planning and zoning; applicable state and federal statutes, rules and regulations related to development, zoning and environmental redevelopment; municipal principles and practices in land use regulation; physical design, economic, environmental and social concepts to the planning process; research methods and report preparation; statistical methods and their use; and computer systems, programs and applications.

Ability to: conduct research and identify economic and demographic trends; compile and analyze complex technical and statistical planning information and make sound recommendations; interpret and apply related codes, laws and policies; interpret maps, site and building plans and specifications, graphs and statistical data; work independently with little direction; present technical information effectively to associate and the public both orally and in writing; prepare clear, concise technical reports; plan and organize workload; deal constructively with conflict and develop effective resolutions; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with City staff, representatives of other governmental agencies, organized community and business groups and the public.

Other Important Information

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLE (DMV) PULL NOTICE SYSTEM

An incumbent appointed to this position is subject to enrollment in the California DMV Pull Notice Program. The Pull Notice program provides information on the incumbent's driving record and Driver's License status on a periodic basis to the City of South Gate. An employee assigned a City vehicle must acknowledge receipt and understanding of City Administrative Regulations covering the use of City vehicles.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed mostly in office settings. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, crouch and reach with hands and arms.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, ability to adjust focus and perform office machine operations. Incumbents are not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS:

Selection Process: All application materials received by the application deadline will be reviewed and evaluated. All information supplied by applicants is subject to verification.

• Application Review: The first phase will be a detailed review and appraisal of each candidate's application.
  
  This phase is for qualifying purposes only. There is no weight assigned to this phase. Those candidates who meet the minimum qualifications may be invited to the next phase.

• Written Examination: If a written exam is given, a minimum of 70% must be obtained on the written exam in order to be eligible to continue to the next phase of the selection process which will consist of an oral appraisal interview.

• Oral Appraisal Interview: A minimum of 70% must be obtained to pass the oral appraisal interview.

• Employment Eligibility List: The Employment Eligibility List will be established after completion of the examination process.
  
  Current and future vacancies will be filled from this list. Lists typically last for 12 months, but may be extended or abolished in accordance with the City's Civil Service rules and regulations.

Pre-employment Process

• The City supports a Drug-Free Workplace.

• All potential employees are required to successfully complete a thorough background investigation, fingerprinting, and pass a post-offer pre-employment medical examination (which will include a drug/alcohol screening).

• New employees must complete a verification form designated by the United States Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services, that certifies eligibility for employment in the United States of America.

Hiring of Relatives: Relatives of existing employees by blood or marriage will not be eligible for employment with the City if potential supervision, safety, security, or morale problems exist; or if potential conflicts of interest exist. Relatives include an employee's parents, children, spouse, brothers, sisters, in-laws, and step relationships.

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of South Gate is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws, it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, religion, disability (mental or physical), medical condition, genetic characteristic or information, sex (including gender, gender identity, gender expression, or pregnancy), sexual orientation (including homosexuality, bisexuality, or heterosexuality), or military or veteran status in its employment actions, policies, procedures, or practices.

The City of South Gate

The City of South Gate is a busy urban community consisting of residential, commercial, and industrial development, spread over 7.41 square miles. It is currently ranked the 79th largest city in California with a population of approximately 97,000. Strategically located along the 710 freeway, the City is just 12 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.