Principal Planner

Summary

This position is open until filled.

A first review of applications will take place during the week of March 3, 2025. Applicants that apply after the first review are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review date.

The City of Escondido is seeking highly-motivated candidates to join a team of dynamic, supportive, and collaborative planning professionals as a Principal Planner. Depending on candidate qualification, the position will be responsible for leading complex project management, focusing on entitlement processing, and/or general plan policy implementation related to the City’s certified housing element and qualified climate action plan. All qualified candidates with current and/or long-range planning experience are encouraged to apply.

If you want to join a hardworking team that shares a commitment to provide top-quality municipal services in a prime North County location, consider a career with the City of Escondido. We have an opening for the position of Principal Planner in our Development Services Department. For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's website.

Summary Description

Under administrative direction, manages, oversees, coordinates, and participates in the most complex and difficult work of staff responsible for providing planning related services and activities in assigned program areas; manages multiple sensitive and complex projects in the areas of assignment requiring highly independent coordination with other City staff as well as outside agencies and groups; provides direct supervision to professional planning staff; and provides responsible administrative and highly complex technical staff assistance to the City Planner.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the advanced journey/technical expert level in the professional planning series performing duties requiring the highest level of technical expertise. Positions assigned to this class can be distinguished from lower level planning classes by performance of the most complex and sensitive planning tasks requiring a high degree of technical expertise and knowledge related to assigned areas of planning including serving as project manager on multiple complex and sensitive projects and studies involving a high level of independent coordination with other City staff as well as outside agencies and groups. Positions assigned to this class can be further distinguished by the performance of a full range of supervisory activities such as assigning work, monitoring project progress, providing technical expertise and training to other professional and technical staff, and providing mentorship, coaching, and growth opportunities for direct reports.

Key Responsibilities

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Manages day-to-day operations of Current or Advance Planning sections; ensures efficient and effective provision of services within areas of responsibility.

Regularly makes formal presentations to the City Council, Planning Commission, and other commissions, community groups/organizations, and advisory bodies.

Ensures appropriate environmental review of development projects and policy documents in conformance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); manages the preparation of environmental documents, reviews the work of staff and consultants responsible for preparation CEQA documents; provides guidance and support to other City departments and consultants related to environmental review of City-led projects and plans; ensures required documentation is filed with the County Clerk and State Clearinghouse; documents compliance with Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Programs.

Manages and administers consultant contracts; develops and negotiates scopes of work; establishes timeframes and project schedules; ensures adequate funding, including identification and application for potential grants; prepares contracts; verifies insurance; authorizes invoices; provides direction to consultant; reviews technical studies and documents prepared by consultants.

Identifies resource needs and establishes schedules and methods for providing assigned services, and reviews with appropriate management staff; participates in developing the department operating budget; allocates resources efficiently and effectively.

Participates in selecting, hiring, training, motivating, and evaluating assigned personnel; establishes supportive and collaborative team environment; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; conducts performance evaluations; implements discipline procedures.

Serves as planning representative for various City project teams and committees.

As assigned, coordinates federal and environmental review and permitting for City Capital Improvement Projects and CDBG-funded projects and programs; participates in contractor preconstruction meetings to brief contractors on environmental requirements.

Reviews and prepares responses to referrals from other agencies or organizations regarding proposed policies and development applications affecting the City; monitors status of proposed projects and coordinates City input.

Performs related duties as required.

Current Planning Functions:

Coordinates all activities related to the review of development projects and applications including Annexations, Planned Development Permits, Conditional Use Permits, Plot Plans, and other permits for large-scale development projects; assigns and manages post-entitlement plan review processing; may oversee and review the work of current planning staff; may manage the public counter; supports staff planners in the preparation of reports and presentation materials for public hearings and other community meetings related to application types listed above.

Manages multiple complex development proposals and regularly prepares complex and technical staff reports and other documents.

Reviews and analyzes civil engineering, architectural, landscaping, and other development plans for conformance with the City’s Zoning Code and General Plan, project-specific conditions of approval, and mitigation requirements.

Manages and/or staffs assigned boards, commissions, and committees involved in the development, adoption, and implementation of City plans and planning regulations; schedules meetings; coordinates future agenda scheduling; manages the agenda development process including compiling and reviewing pertinent agenda items appearing before public hearings and various committee and commission meetings.

Administers permit tracking software, coordinates with software consultant and Information Systems Department, and prepares permit tracking reports.

Advance Planning Functions:

Supervises the Advance Planning section of the Planning Division; oversees and manages the preparation and implementation of long-range policy documents including the Escondido General Plan and Climate Action Plan;

Coordinates monitoring and reporting on the City’s progress in the areas of housing and climate resiliency;

Manages preparation of City-initiated specific plans and specific plan amendments; and prepares amendments to the Escondido Zoning Code;

Provides policy advice to the City Planner and other City leadership to ensure compliance with state and federal policies and programs.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Operations, services, and activities of a community planning and development program.
Advanced principles and practices of zoning, community planning, and site planning.
Development practices and development review procedures and requirements.
Project management principles and practices.
City General Plan policies and implementation and City ordinances.
Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
Organization and functions of various agencies involved in the planning processes.
Permitting requirements for state and federal agencies.
Recent developments, current literature, research methods, and sources of information related to municipal planning, urban growth, and development.
Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.
Methods and techniques of eliciting community participation in planning and development issues.
Principles and practices of grant funding and contract administration.
Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and supporting software applications.
Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including laws underlying general plans, land use planning, zoning, and land divisions.
CEQA processes and procedures.
Structure and functions of municipal government operations.
Ability to:
Independently perform the most complex and sensitive planning duties in the development, implementation, and modification of City plans and regulations requiring the highest level of technical expertise.
Recommend and implement goals, objectives, policies and procedures for providing assigned services, activities, and operations.
Prepare and interpret codes and policies, including application of same to specific situations.
Coordinate and direct assigned sections and/or functional areas within the City’s Planning Division, including selection, supervision, coaching, and evaluation of assigned staff.
Serve as project manager on multiple complex and sensitive projects involving coordination with other departments and outside groups and organizations.
Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
Staff and manage assigned commissions and committees.
Interpret, analyze, apply, implement, and explain pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including City codes and departmental policies and administrative directives.
Analyze projects and potential projects for consistency with zoning ordinance standards, planning and environmental regulations, general planning principles, General Plan policies, and architectural quality.
Analyze site design, terrain constraints, circulation, land use compatibility, utilities, and other urban services.
Independently coordinate necessary communication between staff, developers, community organizations, and outside agencies.
Understand, evaluate, and interpret complex technical engineering, architectural, landscape, and topographical plans, maps, legal documents, and related documents.
Prepare and analyze highly technical and administrative reports, statements, and correspondence.
Effectively present technical information and respond to questions from groups of managers, council members, committee and commission members, and the general public.
Effectively represent the City to outside individuals and agencies.
Work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies.
Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Minimum Requirements

Education/Training:

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, regional planning, environmental studies, architecture, or a related field. A Master’s degree is desirable.

Experience:

Six years (full-time equivalent) of increasingly responsible professional urban planning experience in local government including project management experience. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) experience is highly desirable, as is experience with historic preservation programs and projects.

License or Certificate:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver’s license.

American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is highly desirable.

Supplemental Information

NOTE: For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's web site. The City of Escondido is committed to a drug and alcohol free workplace. All applicants will be subject to fingerprint investigation before a conditional offer of employment is extended. A pre-employment medical examination will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment for all positions. Safety sensitive positions will include a pre-employment drug screen. Positions subject to the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations will be subject to DOT pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Applications will be screened and the most qualified candidates will be invited to appear for testing. All positions require the ability to read, write and speak English. Types of tests may include written and/or oral examination, physical agility, practical exam or other appropriate job-related selection process. When testing is completed, candidates will be ranked on an eligibility list in the order of their test score. Selection for appointments is made from names certified on the eligibility list.

All appointments are subject to the successful completion of background investigation including LIVESCAN fingerprinting, and will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States. Qualification by a medical examination will be required at the time of appointment. After appointment, classified employees must satisfactorily complete a probationary period to be eligible for regular status. In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, all new employees must produce proof of eligibility to work in the United States within the first three days of their employment. The City of Escondido participates in E-Verify®.

The Loyalty Oath will be administered to all new employees on their first day of hire. New employees hired into positions that require a driver's license must provide proof of a valid California Driver's License of the appropriate class level on their first day of employment.

Additional information regarding the essential functions and physical, environmental and communication demands of the position may be obtained from the Human Resources Department. If you require reasonable accommodation in the testing process, such as an alternate means of testing, you must contact the Human Resources Department by the final filing date to complete a Request for Reasonable Accommodation form. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

Note: Pursuant to California Civil Code section 1786.53, the City of Escondido shall provide to all job candidates a copy of any records of arrest, indictment, conviction, civil judicial action, tax lien or outstanding judgment which was obtained in the course of conducting an evaluation for employment, assignment, and/or promotion. A copy of this information, if received by the City, will be given to candidates within seven days of the City's receipt.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE

Eligible individuals are those who meet the following criteria:

• Served in the U.S. armed forces
• Received an honorable discharge
• Did not retire from military service
• Seeking employment with the City of Escondido for the first time.

Guard and Reserve active duty for training purposes does not qualify for veterans' preference. Proof of eligibility (copy of DD-214) must be submitted at time of application, or later if the promulgation of the eligibility list will not be delayed. Veterans' preference credit will only be applied to eligible applicants who attained a passing grade (total score exclusive of credit) on the final open examination.

ABOUT OUR CITY
The City of Escondido is a prominent agricultural, commercial hub and residential center of North San Diego County. Located a short 30-minute drive from the beach, the mountains or downtown San Diego, Escondido residents enjoy the pleasure of a rural lifestyle with all the benefits of suburban living. Escondido is a diverse, vibrant community with many amenities. The city offers attractive homes in a wide range of prices, two lakes, several parks, a sports center, golf courses, restaurants, wineries, shopping centers, a variety of art galleries, entertainment venues, and a state of the art hospital. Established in 1888, the city's rich past brings charm and stability to the community; yet integrated with Escondido's treasured heritage is a progressive future, bright and brimming with promise.

EOE The City of Escondido does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. We will attempt to reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request.

The City of Escondido offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.

The Benefits of Choice program offers you a range of benefits. You choose the coverage that is right for you, your family and your budget. Read this e-Guide for an overview of your options, with links to additional details and forms.

For a more detailed overview of this benefits package, please visit the Management Benefit Summary.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

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• City of Escondido

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