City Planner

PURPOSE:
Under general administrative direction to plan, manage and oversee general land use planning, redevelopment, low and moderate income housing assistance and related work; to serve as lead planner on specific projects; and to provide highly responsible staff assistance to the Deputy City Manager. Serves as staff advisor to the Planning Commission.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Receives general direction from the Deputy City Manager. Exercises supervision over assigned staff and/or contract consultants on a project basis.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:
The duties and responsibilities listed below are meant to serve as a sample of the duties and responsibilities associated with this classification. This list is neither inclusive nor exclusive, but indicative of several typical types of duties performed.

• Assume management responsibility for planning and redevelopment.
• Manage the development and implementation of planning and redevelopment goals, objectives, policies and priorities; establish, within City policy, appropriate services and staffing levels; allocates resources accordingly.
• Represents the Planning Division to other City departments, elected officials and outside agencies; explain and interpret Community Development Department programs, policies and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive, significant and controversial issues.
• Research, collect and analyze date; conduct research; prepare reports and present recommendations on land use, transportation, population, housing goals and regulations, housing rehabilitation and assistance, and other factors related to urban planning, low and moderate income housing programs and redevelopment.
• Prepare designs, maps and other graphic material.
• Conduct environmental studies; prepare environmental impact assessments.
• Enforce zoning and other City ordinances.
• Assist architects, engineers, contractors, developers and the general public in application of City codes and procedures including the General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinances and related regulations and procedures; apply pertinent Federal and State laws.
• Assist in field studies and in the collection, tabulation and interpretation of land use, redevelopment and housing data.
• Prepare legal notices and project descriptions; check advertising copy of noticed hearing and legal advertisements; check information submitted by project applicants; prepare and present staff reports for variances, conditional use permits, zone changes, subdivisions, parcel maps and other project applications.
• Answer inquiries concerning urban planning, housing, housing assistance and redevelopment activities.
• Prepare responses to routine correspondence; develop basics date; maintain schedules, records and files.
• Implement housing assistance programs including dwelling rehabilitation and new constructions; work with property owners requesting housing assistance; performs eligibility screening; evaluate housing structures for rehabilitation assistance; assist property owners in developing cost estimates and work specifications; review bids, contract documents, inspection reports and construction contract for compliance; participate in the formulation of housing rehabilitation policies, plans and programs.
• Coordinate Planning Division activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.
• Provide staff assistance to the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, City Council and Planning Commission; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Prioritize, assign and manage all research projects including gathering demographic data and preparing special land use studies.
• Serve as professional and technical advisor and provide staff support to the Planning Commission, and the Local Agency Formation Commission on matters related to planning, zoning and subdivisions; establish items to be placed on the Planning Commission agenda; review drafts of agenda for accuracy and completeness.
• Conduct comprehensive reviews of the General Plan and interpret General Plan relationships; initiate General Plan amendments.
• Perform field inspections of sites, building and construction to validate compliance with local planning laws.
• Recommend action on requests for variances, conditional use permits, zone changes and other special requests.
• Ensure complete compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
• May monitor budget as assigned.

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California’s driver’s license.
• Membership in the American Institute of Certified Planners (A.I.C.P.) is highly desirable.