Senior Planner - Promotional

City of Ventura•Ventura, CA

About The Position

The City of Ventura is seeking a Senior Planner for its Community Development Department. Under general direction, this position leads and coordinates the day-to-day activities of a unit or program and performs advanced professional planning work. Areas of work may include current and advance planning, environmental analysis, historic preservation, design review, affordable housing, CDBG/HOME grant administration, and economic development. Depending on the assignment, the Senior Planner may lead programs or major initiatives involving land use planning, community and federal grant programs, economic development, or other departmental priorities. The Community Development Department guides the City’s growth to be safe, sustainable, and responsive to community needs. It oversees planning and zoning, permit services, building and safety, code enforcement, housing, and redevelopment activities, working with City leadership, commissions, and the public to support economic vitality, neighborhood quality, affordable housing, and long-term planning goals. This recruitment is open only to current regular City of Ventura employees. Applications must be submitted through the City of Ventura Career Site by the stated deadline. Selected candidates may be required to complete a background screening. A California Class C driver license may be required depending on assignment.

Requirements

Education, training, and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Economics, Architecture, Public Administration, Affordable Housing, or a closely related field.
Four years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience, including at least two years of professional experience in the assigned specialty with some lead responsibility.
A valid California Class C driver license may be required depending on assignment.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree in a related area is desirable.
AICP certification is desirable.

Responsibilities

Manage multiple complex projects and programs related to land use planning, CDBG/HOME, community revitalization, affordable housing, and economic development; coordinate with consultants and ensure compliance with City regulations, ordinances, and policies.
Coordinate, review, and direct professional and technical staff on assigned projects; establish project scopes, provide guidance and training, and monitor progress.
Support the development and implementation of programs, policies, and procedures, and lead special task forces or initiatives as assigned.
Provide project and program updates, identify challenges, and make recommendations to the Community Development Director, Planning Manager, or Principal Planner.
Build and maintain working relationships with developers, neighborhood groups, community stakeholders, business representatives, governmental agencies, and other partners.
Conduct research, investigations, and analysis; evaluate proposals for programs, services, and equipment; use maps and GIS for spatial analysis; and perform surveys and statistical analyses of regulatory, administrative, fiscal, and operational issues.
Prepare and deliver oral presentations, reports, and visual materials to the City Council, Planning Commission, City-appointed boards and committees, the California Coastal Commission, public agencies, and stakeholders.
Plan and facilitate neighborhood meetings, public hearings, and community engagement activities to share project information, gather public input, and address community concerns.
Prepare comprehensive reports, technical analyses, findings, conclusions, and recommendations on complex and sensitive planning, economic development, affordable housing, and community development issues.
Meet with and advise developers, neighborhood groups, community stakeholders, businesses, and governmental agencies regarding planning, economic development, CDBG/HOME programs, project proposals, application requirements, and regulatory processes.
Assist with preparing and administering budgets for assigned units, major projects, or program areas.
Perform other related duties as assigned.