Principal Planner

City of San Clemente•San Clemente, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of San Clemente is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and solutions-oriented planning professional to join our Community Development team as Principal Planner. This position plays a key leadership role in the Planning Division and supports complex current and advanced planning projects, development review, environmental review, land use policy, public hearings, staff supervision, and coordination with applicants, residents, consultants, City departments, the Planning Commission, and City Council. This is a great opportunity for a seasoned planning professional who is ready to lead complex projects, mentor staff, provide high-quality technical analysis, and help guide thoughtful development and long-range planning efforts in one of Southern California's most beautiful coastal communities.

Requirements

Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in urban planning, regional planning or urban design.
Equivalent to a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, geography, architecture, public administration, business management or a related field.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California Class C driver's license, by date of appointment.

Nice To Haves

Strong knowledge of current planning, advanced planning, zoning, land use, environmental review, design review, and municipal development processes
Prepare clear, well-organized staff reports, findings, conditions of approval, ordinances, resolutions, and public hearing materials
Effectively present complex planning information to the Planning Commission, City Council, community groups, applicants, and the public
Manage complex development applications, planning studies, consultant contracts, schedules, and competing priorities
Supervise, mentor, train, and review the work of professional, technical, and support staff
Communicate professionally with applicants, residents, developers, architects, engineers, consultants, staff, commissioners, and elected officials
Exercise good judgment when responding to difficult, sensitive, or high--visibility planning issues
Support consistency, fairness, transparency, and defensible decision-making in the development review process
Bring a collaborative and thoughtful approach to supporting the City's planning goals, community character, and long-term vision.

Responsibilities

Oversee, coordinate and perform current and advanced professional planning functions, including preparing environmental impact reports, conducting planning studies on complex development projects, and coordinating capital improvement projects.
Serve as project manager for large and complex current and advanced planning projects involving city land use policy; manage multiple contracts.
Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise and review the work of staff responsible for planning and development projects.
Oversee and participate in assisting the public at the front counter; receive, review and process development applications and proposals; confer with and advise contractors, developers, architects, engineers and the general public; prepare reports on recommendations.
Oversee and conduct field inspections; review development sites to ensure code compliance related to sign, landscape, screening, irrigation and parking; recommend improvement and rehabilitation programs; follow-up to ensure compliance.
Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives; implement approved policies and procedures.
Assist in administering the City's General Plan; recommend historical preservation and archaeological goals, policies and standards; prepare General Plan Amendments for the Council.
Establish schedules and methods for providing planning and development services; identify resource needs; review needs with appropriate management staff; allocate resources accordingly.
Participate in the selection of planning staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures.
Participate in contract bidding process; assist in preparing requests for proposals, evaluating bids and conducting interviews; negotiate and monitor contract agreements.
Draft new city ordinances governing land use and development.
Provide staff assistance on the Planning Commission; prepare reports and recommendations on planning and development projects.
Participate in the preparation and administration of the Planning Division budget; submit budget recommendations; monitor expenditures.