Planning Manager (Climate Resilience Officer)

DESCRIPTION

Recruitments posted as "Continuous" are subject to close at any time following an initial two-week posting period. Upon closing, the applications received will be screened and notices will be sent to the applicants regarding the status of their application.

Under the general supervision of the Chief Planning Manager and Director of Community Development, the Planning Manager (Climate Resilience Officer) performs professional current and long-range planning duties, with a principal specialization in climate mitigation, adaptation, and resiliency planning; develops and progresses ordinances to fulfill the intent of the 2040 General Plan (2022), Climate Action Plan (2025), and other related planning efforts; conducts analysis on existing planning documents, future trends, and hazards to drive municipal adaptation pathways; sources, secures, and manages grant funding and other federal and state funding programs in support of various City projects and programs; and performs related duties as assigned.

This is a management-level classification responsible for a range of current and long-range planning efforts with specialization in climate mitigation, adaptation, and resiliency planning, and related grants management activities. The duties performed require considerable discretion and latitude of judgment, including development of strategy, policy, and programs across the City and sourcing and managing grant funding to achieve resilience goals. The incumbent may exercise lead direction to Departmental and other City staff on related program, planning, and grants activities.

This position is based on a limited-term, grant-funded assignment. In 2023, the City of Ukiah was awarded a “Prepare California Jumpstart Initiative” grant of $921,031 from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to strengthen the City’s climate resilience efforts, which included the creation and funding of the Climate Resilience Officer position. The anticipated end date of this grant program is currently June 2028.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The examples of work performed are neither restricted to nor all-encompassing of the duties to be performed under this job title.

• Oversees and may serve as City principal on the development and implementation of major long-term plans, projects, and grants, as assigned.
• Analyzes, develops, implements, and reconciles City planning documents, community resilience goals, policies, and strategic plans that reduce long-term disaster impacts and improve the City’s resilience.
• Researches, analyses, identifies, applies for, and manages grant funding resources to ensure the efficacy of municipal and regional goals and objectives.
• Assesses and identifies community needs and opportunities and develops strategic initiatives.
• Improves local capacity to mitigate, respond to, and recover from disasters and improve resilience, as well as opportunities to minimize or avoid the risks associated with catastrophic displacement from natural disasters.
• Processes regulatory documentation, responds to inquiries from internal and external sources, and presents written and oral reports on administrative and policy subjects.
• Develops public informational and/or educational materials. Collaborates, engages, and coordinates meetings with City officials and department heads, community groups, businesses and stakeholders, academic institutions, and other Local Tribal, State, Federal, and specialized agencies regarding ongoing resilience initiatives and preparedness planning.
• Updates databases and tracking systems related to the Department and City.
• Makes presentations to executive staff and the City Council.
• Works across Departments and Divisions to drive City-wide planning efforts related to climate adaptation.
• Respects the value of diversity in the workplace and the community.
• Maintains confidentiality and integrity.
• Operates in a political environment while remaining apolitical.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of climate mitigation, resilience, and adaptation planning, as well as disaster risk management . .
• Types of adaptation strategies appropriate for rural communities.
• Role of Climate Action Plans and Climate Vulnerability Strategies.
• Principles and practices of public administration in a Council-Manager form of government.
• Budgeting, with ability to read and analyze a variety of budgets and financial reports.
• Principles and practices of public relations and public information, program development and administrations, and public/private negotiations.
• Organization and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and geospatial data analysis as applied to climate vulnerability mapping, hazard identification, and resilience planning.
• Research techniques and methods of report presentation.
• Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Principles and practices of federal and state grants administration and planning.
• Applicable federal, state, and local legislation and grant regulations and requirements.

Ability to:

• Effectively represent the City with individual citizens, community groups, and other governmental agencies.
• Provide advice and consultation to City boards and commissions, City Council, and/or other City staff on the development of ordinances, regulations, programs, plans, and policies.
• Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships.
• Communicate and present ideas clearly and concisely with excellent grammar, both orally and in writing to the public and other departments of the City.
• Properly interpret and make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations, and policies.
• Evaluate extensive data effectively and objectively, and prepare oral and written reports, planning documents, and recommendations clearly, logically, and concisely.
• Apply critical thinking to analyze funding needs and identify appropriate funding sources.
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
• Develop, manage and maintain actions plans and supporting programs and projects and associated grants and budgetary and financial management requirements.
• Relate and work effectively with various communities, intentionally centering cultural humility in their work.
• Respond to abrupt changes in priorities.
• Work flexible hours when necessary.

Education and Experience:
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain these qualifications would be:

At least two years of increasingly responsible experience performing varied and complex municipal and/or regional planning work, including familiarity with mitigation, adaptation, and resiliency planning, and a bachelor’s degree in Planning, Architecture, Public Administration, Urban Studies, or a closely related field is preferred. A master’s degree in one of these fields or a related field and/or AICP certification is also desirable and may be substituted for one year of experience.

Language Skills

English (read, write, and the use of proper grammar).

Spanish bilingual preferred.

Necessary Special Requirement:

Possession of a valid Class C California Driver License.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Applications must be filled out completely. Resumes submitted in lieu of completing an application will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed by a screening committee and those applicants who appear to be among the best qualified will be selected for the examination process. This process may include a variety of techniques designed to test applicants’ knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the job. An eligibility list will be established by ranking candidates by their overall score and a selection will be made from the candidates on this list. All employment offers are subject to a City-paid physical examination and a thorough reference and background check.

In accordance with the Immigration Reform Act of 1986, the City must verify, once an employment offer has been made, that all persons have written proof of their right to work in the United States.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if special accommodations are necessary at any stage of the testing process, please notify the Human Resources Department in advance at (707) 463-6244 so your request may be reviewed prior to the occurrence of the test.

The City of Ukiah is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse workforce.

Continually working to promote diversity, equity, transparency, and justice through the adoption and implementation of City practices, policies, and procedures.

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• City of Ukiah

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