Project Planner

City of Santa Barbara•Santa Barbara, CA

About The Position

The City of Santa Barbara is hiring two Project Planners: one in the Public Works Department and one in the Community Development Department. The Public Works Project Planner serves as planning staff on complex projects involving environmental review, technical studies, regulatory review, and recommendations. The role supports the Engineering Division and its Capital Improvement Program, including projects involving the Airport, Waterfront, Streets, and Water/Wastewater infrastructure. Work may include policy and ordinance reviews, implementation programs, annual reports, advanced reports, and special studies. The planner coordinates project team members and consultants, explains regulations and procedures, researches and interprets information, and represents the Engineering Division in work with City departments and agencies. The position requires skills in client and project management, CEQA/NEPA compliance, public outreach, mitigation and monitoring, habitat restoration, regulatory permitting, and local resource areas. The Community Development Project Planner works in the Long Range Planning and Special Studies section. This is the highest professional planner classification and manages complex, sometimes controversial projects and programs involving significant policy considerations and public input. Assignments may include implementing Housing Element programs, researching and developing policies and regulations, General Plan updates, Local Coastal Plan amendments, annual reporting, and special studies. Under minimal supervision, the planner conducts policy analysis, presents and represents the City at public bodies and community meetings, and coordinates project teams, consultants, and other planners. The eligibility list may also be used to fill future vacancies in the Planning Division. The role requires a combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge and abilities. A typical qualifying background includes four to five years of increasingly responsible urban planning experience, including one year of project management responsibility, and education equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid driver’s license is required. Knowledge of the California Coastal Act is desirable. The recruitment may include application screening, written or computer skills examinations, and an oral interview. The position is designated as disaster services work; employees may be required to report to an assigned emergency location during a disaster or other emergency.

Requirements

Four to five years of increasingly responsible urban planning experience, including one year of project management responsibility, or an equivalent combination of experience and training.
Education equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with major coursework in planning, geography, public administration, business administration, or a related field.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid driver’s license.
Knowledge of complex planning project operations and services; urban planning, zoning, and growth management; project planning; applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations; CEQA and NEPA; business correspondence and report preparation; technical research and analysis; and modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
Ability to negotiate and manage complex planning projects with consultants and developers; administer consultant contracts; prepare and conduct presentations; review development proposals; prepare clear and concise reports; organize and correlate statistical data; work independently; communicate effectively; and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to maintain the audio-visual discrimination and perception needed to make observations, communicate, read and write, and operate assigned equipment and vehicles.
Thoroughly complete the application and supplemental questionnaire with relevant education, training, and experience.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the California Coastal Act.
Coursework or a related educational background in fields such as Biology, Archaeology, GIS, or Environmental Studies.

Responsibilities

Manage complex planning projects and programs, including projects involving policy analysis, environmental review, technical studies, and regulatory review.
Prepare or support CEQA and NEPA compliance, public outreach, mitigation and monitoring, habitat restoration, and regulatory permitting.
Support the Public Works Engineering Division’s Capital Improvement Program, including projects involving Airport, Waterfront, Streets, and Water/Wastewater infrastructure.
Review policies and ordinances and develop implementation programs, annual reports, advanced reports, and special studies.
Implement programs from the 2023–2031 Housing Element, including research and development of housing policies and regulations.
Contribute to General Plan updates, Local Coastal Plan amendments, ordinance amendments, annual reporting, and special studies supporting policy changes.
Conduct research, interpret data, organize statistical information, and prepare clear and concise reports.
Coordinate, delegate, and review the work of project team members, professional consultants, and other planners.
Negotiate and manage complex planning projects with consultants and developers and administer outside consultant contracts.
Review development proposals for compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
Explain regulations and procedures and work with other City departments and agencies as a representative of the relevant division.
Prepare and conduct presentations and represent the City at Board, Commission, City Council, and community interest group meetings.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate clearly, orally and in writing.
Perform disaster services duties as a registered disaster services worker when assigned during an emergency.