Principal Planner

City of Concord • Concord, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Concord is seeking to fill one Principal Planner vacancy in the Community Development Department. This role involves overseeing or directly managing current development and long-range planning projects, public policy development, and implementation of various policies and programs. The Principal Planner reports to the Planning Manager and provides management-level supervision to assigned staff. Specific responsibilities may include overseeing the implementation of Housing Element programs, Development Code updates for state law conformance, and implementation of cannabis regulations. The Community Development Department works to maintain and improve the quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors by implementing the policy direction of the City Council and addressing community needs regarding the built environment, development, and growth. The Planning Division provides information on development and use regulations, develops long-range planning policies, evaluates development projects, implements housing programs, and assists with the Concord Reuse Project.

Requirements

• Possesses extensive experience in either current development projects, long range planning projects, or both.
• Experience managing complex development projects and creating and/or implementing policies for public agencies, particularly housing policy.
• Specific experience with General Plan amendments and rezoning.
• Ability to manage multiple projects while concurrently adhering to established budgets and timeframes.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including active listening skills, clear articulation, and the ability to adapt communication style when engaging with the public, community stakeholders, developers, and elected officials.
• Sensitivity to and ability to address potential concerns of elected and appointed officials when presenting projects.
• Supervisory experience and ability to mentor, coach, and motivate less experienced staff.
• Completion of a Bachelor's Degree in City Planning or a closely related field.
• Eight years professional planning experience involving general plan, zoning or development services.
• A California driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record are conditions of initial and continued employment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in Specific Plan development/implementation and General Plan amendments/updates, including Housing Element updates and implementation is highly desired.
• A Master's degree is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversees or directly manages current development and long range planning projects, public policy development, and implementation of various polices and programs.
• Provides management-level supervision to assigned staff on current development and long range/policy projects.
• Provides general assistance in day-to-day management of the Planning Division.
• Oversees the implementation of Housing Element programs (e.g. amending the City's Affordable Housing Incentive Program).
• Oversees Development Code updates for conformance with state law (e.g., SB 9 ordinance) or general "clean-up."
• Oversees implementation of cannabis regulations and agreements.
• Coordinates the duties of assigned planning staff and performs activities pertaining to the processing of applications for consideration by the City Council, Planning Commission, Design Review Board, Zoning Administrator, and other bodies, as assigned.
• May act as Zoning Administrator and conduct hearings on applications as well as take action on applications under the jurisdiction of the Zoning Administrator which do not require hearings.
• Supervises professional Planners on assigned projects.
• Coordinates and provides lead direction to consultants.
• Coordinates and reviews the preparation of reports and correspondence.
• Participates in the coordination of the Permit Center.
• Coordinates and participates in meetings to provide and receive information regarding applications and proposed plans and ordinances.
• Makes presentations before authoritative bodies such as the City Council, Planning Commission, Design Review Board, and other agencies, as assigned.
• Performs complex project management duties.
• Promotes the City's Mission to make Concord a city of the highest quality by providing responsive, cost-effective, and innovative government services; understands and subscribes to the Vision and Values statement adopted by the City.

Benefits

• Participation in CalPERS pension, tiered based on date of hire
• A variety of health care plans or a cash-in-lieu benefit of $200 if waiving coverage
• City-paid dental insurance; employee-paid vision insurance
• Vacation accruals starting at 15 days per year
• 12 days of sick leave per year
• 11 paid holidays per year
• 80 hours of administrative leave per year
• Generous tuition reimbursement program
• 401(k) and 457 deferred compensation plans, including an employer paid contribution of 3% plus $2000 annually
• Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for healthcare, dependent care and commuting costs
• Life insurance in the amount of twice the annual salary (up to $400,000 max)
• Disability insurance
• A wellness program that offers annual health expos, health and nutrition education, as well as a variety of mental health resources

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal