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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11 PRIN. PLNR POSITION 03-15-99DATE' Inter-Com NO. 11 3-15-99 MARCH 15,1999 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AMENDMENT TO THE CITY'S CLASSIFICATION PLAN TO ADD A PRINCIPAL PLANNER POSITION SUMMARY: The Community Development Department has a vacant Senior Planner mattagemettt position. Prior to commencing recruitment, the department is requesting to upgrade the position to a Principal Planner to reflect increased duties attd responsibilities that will be assigned to this position. The City's Classification Plan does not include a Prbt'cipal Planner. A Class Specification for the position has been developed attd the Classification Platt will need to be antended. RECOMMENDATION The City Council approve Resolution 99-04 to amend the Classification Plan to create the Principal Planner classification and approve the new class specifications. FISCAL IMPACT The Principal Planner will be a new management classification for the Commtmity Development Department. The Senior Planner, also a management position, is currently unfilled but budgeted. The Principal Planner salary is recommended to be approximately six (6) percent higher than the Senior Planner commensurate with the increased responsibilities. DISCUSSION The Senior Planner is a mid-management level position in the Planning Division of the Community Development Department. Although this position has been vacant for the past three months, an Associate Planner has been assuming the duties in an acting capacity. Due to the number of personnel this position manages, the level of planning activity and the experience and knowledge necessary to fulfill this function, process plans for MCAF, Tustin reuse, the Community Development Department is requesting that the Principal Planner position be created and filled. Commensurate with the additional duties, responsibilities and experience of this position, the Community Development Department is recommending a salary range comparable to a Senior PRINCIPAL PLANNER DEFINITION Under general direction from the Community Development Director, this position assigns, organizes, directs and prioritizes the daily work of either the Current or Advanced Planning section staffed by professional planners and clerical support. The Principal Planner performs or manages controversial and complex private development and public land use projects; negotiates solutions to project problems; coordinates planning activities with other sections and departments; performs a variety of technical tasks; presents and justifies staff recommendations to management, Commission, Council and the community. EXAMPLE OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES These functions are provided as examples of the type of work and assignments performed by this job classification. 1. Manage planning activities of the division; develop departmental policies, priorities, objectives and goals. 2. Serve as Project Manager on complex and controversial development projects; negotiate solutions for major development projects; suggests improved designs for developments. 3o Administer the California Environmental Quality Act; advise other departments on compliance and prepare or supervise preparation of environmental documents as necessary for Department projects and projects of other departments. Review and comment on environmental documents from other agencies. 4. Analyze and develop recommendations on development permits, use permits, variances, tract maps and other zoning applications. 5. Coordinate staff work; review and edit staff reports to Planning Commission, Zoning Administrator and City Council; attend and participate in public meeting as required. 6. Supervise the administration of'the city's Community DeveloPment Block Grant (CDBG) program; business license and code enforcement functions. 7. Maintain the City's demographic data. 8. Participate in the Comprehensive Zoning Code update. 9. Conduct legal research of recent land use case law; prepare Legislative Position Papers. 10. Draft City ordinances and text amendments. 11. Manage the General Plan and process amendments to elements as necessary. 12. Act as liaison to the City's Cultural Resources Advisory Committee; oversee the preparation of agendas, reports, research, training, grant preparation and coordination. 13. Prepare operational budget for division; monitor and track division budget appropriations and expenditures; forecast division revenues. 14. Prepare Request for Proposals and draft scope of work for required consultant support on public/private development projects; manage consultant contracts; review work for compliance. 15. Develop and/or update long-range fiscal and economic models and analysis. Principal Planner Page 2 16. Evaluate personnel; recommend training opportunities; establish work standards based on management priorities. 17. Monitor and ensure City compliance with State and Federal laws, guidelines and standards governing planning activity. 18. Maintain expert knowledge of urban design, city codes, ordinances, planning principals/practices, management principles. EXPERIENCE/TRAINING/EDUCATION Any combination of experience and training which demonstrates possession of the required duties, responsibilities, skills andknowledge. Bachelor's degree in Urban or Regional Planning, Urban Design, Public Administration or related field. A Master's degree is preferred. Progressively responsible professional planning experience encompassing both advanced and current planning; minimum five (5) years professional planning experience with a municipal planning agency with minimum two (2)years experience supervising professional planning staff. KNOWLEDGE Modem principles and practices of urban planning and development, including extensive knowledge of municipal planning, zoning, environmental issues, permit procedures, site planning, architectural design, statistics, graphic presentations, engineering drawings, landscape review, historic preservation, Community Development Block Grant, code amendment process, demographics, business license regulations, legislative review and Air Quality District regulations. Extensive knowledge of Federal and State planning and zoning laws, including CEQA and Subdivision Map Act. Knowledge and application of principles of effective personnel management and supervision. SKILLS/ABILITIES Independently perform complex research,' analysis and report writing. Communicate effectively and persuasively, both orally and in _writing and present technical information succinctly with clarity and poise. Make presentations to elected and appointed bodies. Follow written and oral instructions with minimum supervision. Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with staff, city officials, other agencies, community leaders and the general public. Make sound policy and procedural decisions, identify and choose appropriate actions. Anticipate problems and take steps to alleviate problems, adapt to changing circumstances. Exhibit strong leadership skills by guiding and motivating staff, optimizing utilization of staff and training and developing staff to improve their skills and performance. Possess strong computer skills including working experience with a GIS system. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/CERTIFICATION Possession of a valid Class 3 California Drivers License ·