Senior Planner Current Planning

City of Palo Alto, CA • Palo Alto, CA

70d • Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Palo Alto is seeking an experienced city planner who enjoys working in a dynamic and growing community. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto is a vibrant community and home to many tech companies. In this unique opportunity, the City is looking for a Senior Planner for our Current Planning team. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT  The Palo Alto Planning and Development Services Department provides the City Council and community with creative guidance and effective implementation of land use development, planning, housing and environmental policies and programs in order to maintain and enhance the City's safety, vitality, and attractiveness. For more information on the Planning and Development Services Department, click HERE. SENIOR PLANNER The successful candidate will be a well-seasoned implementation planner serving in the Current Planning team at the senior level. The Current Planning team processes entitlement applications and ensures conformance with applicable code and regulations. This position is represented by SEIU. IDEAL CANDIDATE Ideal candidates for this position will have a strong customer service focus and superior interpersonal skills. They will be able to establish and maintain effective relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including co-workers, management, elected officials, community members, and representatives of public and regulatory agencies.

Requirements

• Ability to write clearly and communicate effectively, both in writing and in person.
• Ability to handle a variety of assignments and adapt quickly to changing priorities.
• Strong experience managing complex projects and competing priorities.
• Strong technical skills, experience analyzing architectural and landscape plans, and familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, GIS, graphics/presentation programs, database management programs and other comparable programs.
• Experience presenting before Planning Commission or other Boards.
• 5 years of experience implementing the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) including EIRs and MNDs.
• Knowledge of accepted practices of local and State laws and regulations relating to California municipal planning and zoning.
• 2 years of experience processing major housing applications, including the implementation of State density bonus, Housing Accountability Act, SB330, and similar State legislation.
• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Historic Preservation or a directly related field from an accredited college or university.
• Five years of suitable professional experience in urban, historic or environmental planning.
• Possession of a valid California Driver's license

Nice To Haves

• Experience serving as liaison to a board or commission.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is desirable.
• An advanced degree is highly desirable.
• Master's degree in planning or a related field can be counted as two years of experience.

Responsibilities

• Supervises preparation of environmental impact reports on projects submitted for City approval.
• Evaluates the design of large, complex projects submitted for Architectural Review Board (ARB) and/or Planning & Transportation Commission review.
• Prepares reports, including coordinating the work of other staff members, on special planning or transportation studies for the Architectural Review Board, Historic Resources Board, Planning & Transportation Commission, City Council, appointed committees and other City staff.
• Makes public presentations before appointed boards, commissions, committees, and the City Council.
• Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees