***DISCLAIMER: The City reserves the right to accelerate or extend the “Closing Date” of open positions at any time, dependent upon the number of applications received.
The finalist must pass a pre-employment physical, drug screen, and background check.
Under general supervision, administers advanced and complex current and advance planning activities, including serving as project manager for complex development applications and special projects; administers specified activities in such areas as zoning, redevelopment, housing, advance planning, and environmental impact studies, protection, and compliance, as well as the capital improvement program (CIP); provides information and assistance to property owners, developers, contractors and the public; provides complex professional assistance to the Development Services Director, Planning Manager, and others in areas of expertise; oversees, reviews and performs a variety of studies and prepares and presents staff reports; and performs related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from the Community Development Director or his/her designee. Exercises technical and functional direction over and provides training to planning division lower-level professional, technical, and office support staff.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the advanced journey-level class in the professional planning series with responsibilities spanning the entire spectrum of the planning function, with a primary emphasis on current and advance planning and environmental impact, protection, and compliance issues. Successful performance of the work requires a broad professional background as well as skill in coordinating assigned work with that of other City departments and public agencies. Performance of the work also requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within established guidelines. This class is distinguished from Planning Manager in that the latter is the highest-level class in the professional planning series and may provide supervisory review to staff in addition to handling the most complex and sensitive planning projects.
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
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Serves as project manager for multiple complex current and/or long-range planning projects and special planning studies, including in-depth application and plan review, coordination with applicants to obtain additional information and project changes, preparing legal notices, posting notices on sites, background research, preparing staff reports, attending public hearings and making presentations monitoring implementation measures and conditions of approval, checking submittals for building plan check, and inspecting development and capital improvement sites at the beginning and upon completion of the project.
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Interprets and applies Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations to ensure that public and private projects are in compliance, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Subdivision Map Act, City of Coachella General Plan, specific plans, design specifications, and local guidelines and procedures.
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Interacts and communicates with a variety of individuals and groups at the public service counter, in the field, over the telephone, at public hearings, and in discussion forums, including other City departments and public agencies, elected and appointed City officials, developers, consultants, architects, engineers, attorneys, appraisers, real estate agents, property owners, and the general public for the purpose of obtaining or providing information, coordinating activities, processing projects, negotiating plan changes, and formulating recommendations.
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Conducts site and policy background research to obtain information for the preparation of staff reports, correspondence, memoranda, policy documents, procedure documents, and presentations to supervisory, inter-departmental staff, or governing bodies; reads, interprets, analyzes, and explains a wide variety of technical documents, studies, and practices that may impact the City’s planning projects.
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Participates in the development of requests for proposals for technical consultant services; assists in establishing selection criteria and evaluating proposals; conducts interviews in conformance with City policy; coordinates with and recommends needed contract management provisions and controls; manages and oversees technical consultants’ work products to ensure adherence to City standards and legal provisions; ensures that deliverables are submitted on time and budget and that progress and payment requests are consistent with City policy and contract provisions
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Conducts plan check of building permit-level plan submittals associated with complex projects to verify compliance with project approvals and zoning requirements; conducts over-the-counter plan check of less complex development proposals and land uses; approves minor development plans.
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Coordinates project reviews by other City departments and outside agencies and consultants.
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Conducts and supervises planning studies in the community; gathers data for implementing or evaluating current and advance planning projects; makes recommendations.
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Participates in General Plan amendments and updates; participates in and makes recommendations regarding policy development; observes, identifies, and responds to policy and procedure-related questions and concerns; communicates any observed deficiencies to management; participates in creating new policies and procedures as necessary.
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Represents the City and presents oral reports at public meetings and hearings as necessary.
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Provides staff support to a variety of boards and commissions; attends and participates in professional groups and committees; provides technical and professional support to departmental management staff and other City departments and the public; advises other departments regarding planning and/or environmental review requirements, budgets, and timelines to facilitate adequate project planning.
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Performs regular mapping functions of the Development Services department with the use of the City's Geographic Information System (GIS) software.
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Reviews Business Licenses for compliance with Zoning and Municipal Code.
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Provides updates for annual levy of the community Facilities Districts to Law Enforcement and Fire/Paramedic Departments.
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Conducts site inspections of completed projects to ensure compliance with all codes.
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May review project applications and plans submitted to the Planning Commission.
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Provides day-to-day technical support and direction to lower-level planning division professional, technical, and office support staff.
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Performs duties of a disaster services worker in event of an emergency.
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Performs related duties as assigned.
Knowledge of:
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Modern principles and practices, technical and legal issues of urban and regional planning, zoning, urban economics, demographics, and environmental planning and program management.
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Geographic, socio-economic, transportation, political, environmental, and other elements related to city planning.
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Comprehensive plans and current planning processes and the development process.
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Site planning and architectural design principles.
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General concepts of architecture, landscaping, grading, drainage, traffic and transportation engineering as they relate to the process of urban planning.
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Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a comprehensive environmental planning program.
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Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and requirements and related reports.
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Project management and contract administration principles and techniques.
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Research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
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Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to planning, zoning, and environmental review.
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Modern office methods, practices, procedures, and equipment, including computer hardware and software necessary for graphic presentation, mapping, and database management.
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Practices of researching planning and land use issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
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Principles of advanced mathematics and their application to planning work.
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Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.
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English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. Spanish usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation is desirable.
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Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, educational and regulatory organizations, and with property owners, developers, contractors, and the public.
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Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors and City staff.
Ability to:
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Interpret and explain planning and zoning programs to the general public; identify and respond to issues and concerns of the public, City Council, and other boards and commissions.
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Read plans and specifications and make effective site visits.
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Assess, monitor, and report environmental impact on and of various City programs and services.
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Analyze site design, terrain constraints, land use compatibility, utilities, and other urban services.
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Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations.
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Read, interpret, apply, and explain technical written material and complex Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, regulations, ordinances, and City planning policies and procedures.
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Read and understand technical drawings and specifications.
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Perform mathematical and planning computations with precision.
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Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, and regulatory organizations and individuals.
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Coordinate assigned activities with other City departments and agencies as required.
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Direct the work of contract consultants.
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Prepare and present clear, concise, and logical written and oral reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
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Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
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Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.
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Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
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Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
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Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing. Use of Spanish to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing is desirable.
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Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
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Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in urban planning, community development, business or public administration, or a related field and three (3) years of professional experience in planning, zoning and related community development activities equivalent to that of the Associate Planner at the City of Coachella.
Licenses and Certifications:
Valid California class C driver’s license with satisfactory driving record and automobile insurance.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to inspect City development sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary or construction access points; to operate a motor vehicle, and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
