Principal Planner

City of Claremont • Claremont, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Claremont is hiring one Principal Planner for its Planning Division. The position works in current and advanced planning, depending on qualifications, and conducts special projects and research while preparing reports and recommendations. The Planner handles complex projects and directs them to completion with support from the Division Manager (City Planner) and Department Director. The position may supervise employees and provide technical direction.

The role spans development review, long-range planning, state and federal compliance planning, and historic preservation. Projects include implementing the Village South Specific Plan, reviewing institutional and college projects, implementing the City’s Housing Element and preparing its upcoming 7th Cycle Housing Element, completing the General Plan Safety Element, reviewing market-rate and affordable housing proposals, implementing Citywide Design Guidelines and developing Objective Design Standards, and implementing the Cultural Resources Ordinance.

Claremont is a fully in-person organization with no remote-work opportunities. Hours are generally Monday through Thursday, within 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., for a 38-hour work week. The Principal Planner attends evening Commission meetings and other evening or weekend meetings and special events as required. The City describes this as an opportunity to contribute to community development and preservation while growing into a leadership role in a collaborative Planning Division.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in urban planning or a related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in urban planning, including one year in a responsible lead or supervisory capacity.
• Valid California driver’s license and good driving record.
• Attach a sample staff report to the application; the posting recommends two reports, one on a technical planning issue and one including design or aesthetics analysis.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree and/or AOCP certification; either may count as one year of experience.
• Strong planning judgment and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage projects and work across disciplines.
• Clear communication with colleagues, applicants, and the public.
• Valuing both preservation of distinctive places and planning for their future.
• Strong working knowledge of planning principles and state regulations.

Responsibilities

• Work in current and advanced planning, depending on qualifications.
• Conduct special projects and research as assigned.
• Prepare reports and recommendations related to the assigned area of responsibility.
• Manage complex projects and direct them to completion with assistance from the Division Manager (City Planner) and Department Director.
• Contribute to development review, long-range planning, state and federal compliance planning, and historic preservation.
• Support implementation of the Village South Specific Plan, the City’s Housing Element, Citywide Design Guidelines, and Cultural Resources Ordinance.
• Contribute to preparation of the upcoming 7th Cycle Housing Element and completion of the General Plan Safety Element.
• Assist with Objective Design Standards for new multifamily development applications.
• Attend Commission meetings in the evenings and other evening or weekend meetings or special events as required.
• May supervise employees and provide technical direction.

What This Job Offers

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