Salary : $99,552.00 - $127,056.00 Annually
Location : City of Westminster, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2024-49
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 09/17/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
Description 3% Salary Increase effective July 2025 Join our dynamic team as a Senior Planner, where you will play a key role in shaping the future of our city. Reporting directly to the Principal Planner, you will lead and manage current planning projects, ensuring they are delivered efficiently and effectively. As a solution-oriented professional, you will supervise a team of experienced staff, guiding them to success while maintaining high standards of performance.
In this role, you will provide analysis and recommend policy and operational efficiency changes to the department, while also developing and standardizing processes to enhance overall team performance. Additionally, you will assist the team in implementing strategic goals and serve as the primary point of contact for stakeholders, ensuring clear and transparent communication throughout the planning process.
If you're a strategic thinker with a passion for urban development and have a proven track record of effective leadership, we invite you to apply. This recruitment is open continuous, with a first review of applications scheduled for
October 15 , 2024. Apply now! DEFINITION Under general direction, plans, organizes, oversees, coordinates, and reviews the work of professional, technical, and administrative staff performing difficult and complex professional and technical support related to all activities of a specific functional area in the Planning Division of the Community Development Department, such as current, advance, and historic preservation planning; manages the effective use of the City's planning resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service; provides highly complex and responsible support to the Community Development Director, Principal Planner, City Council, Planning Commission, Design Review Committee, and others in areas of expertise; oversees, reviews, and performs a variety of studies and prepares and presents staff reports; and performs related work.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Receives general supervision from the Principal Planner. Exercises technical and functional supervision and training to Associate Planners, Assistant Planners, Planning Technicians, and Administrative staff.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS The Senior Planner is responsible for supervising the functions of the advance planning, current planning, and/or special projects sections within the Planning Division. Responsibilities include performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibility. The incumbent organizes and oversees day-to-day current or advance planning activities, special projects, and is responsible for providing professional-level support to the Principal Planner and Community Development Director. Successful performance of the work requires an extensive professional background as well as skill in coordinating departmental work with that of other City departments and public agencies. Responsibilities include performing and directing many of the department's day-to-day administrative functions. This class is distinguished from Principal Planner in that the latter has overall management responsibility of larger and more complex functions of the Community Development Department.
The Community Development Department organizationally has two senior planning positions, one in Advanced Planning and one in Current Planning. This recruitment is to fill the Senior Planner position responsible for Current Planning in the City of Westminster.
Examples of Duties 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.
- The Senior Planner role involves planning, organizing, assigning, supervising, and reviewing the work of lower-level staff engaged in planning duties. This includes training staff in work procedures, providing policy guidance, interpreting policies, evaluating employee performance, and addressing any deficiencies. The individual participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for their assigned function, recommending service and staffing levels in accordance with departmental policy and administering policies and procedures. They also work to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of services, projects, and activities by developing and standardizing procedures, monitoring workloads, and identifying areas for improvement to be recommended to the Planning Management Team comprised of the two Senior Planners, one Principal Planner, and the Community Development Director. The Senior Planner assists the Principal Planner in the selection, motivation, and evaluation of personnel, as well as may coordinate staff training and assist the Principal Planner with addressing performance issues. They review staff reports, assign work, and provide guidance on work plans and methods.
- In addition to overseeing assigned budgets, the Senior Planner provides highly complex assistance to the Community Development Director and Principal Planner, including developing and reviewing staff reports, presenting to and advising the City Council and Planning Commission on technical planning and zoning matters. They may also engage in public relations and outreach efforts, leading forums and workshops, and writing articles for the City's quarterly newsletter.
- The Senior Planner manages highly complex planning projects related to General Plan updates, project-specific plans, ordinance preparation, and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, such as CEQA. They provide input to the Principal Planner and current planning staff regarding long-range planning policy documents and serve as a resource for developers, engineers, property owners, and contractors. They facilitate community participation through ongoing dialogue with residents on major projects and representing the city to external agencies. They may represent the department in regional planning committee meetings.
- The Senior Planner will negotiate and manage service contracts, review consultant work products, oversee invoices and payments, and administer various grants. They will conduct organizational and operational studies, recommend modifications to programs and policies, and stay up to date on trends and innovations in planning. Including but not limited to monitoring changes in regulations and technology that may impact operations, implementing approved changes in work flows as required. The Senior Planner receives, investigates, and resolves complaints, assists with special projects, and performs other duties as assigned.
Typical Qualifications Knowledge of: - The Senior Planner position requires knowledge of the principles and practices of employee supervision, such as work planning, project and task assignment, employee review and evaluation, along with staff development training of operational processes. A solid understanding of the basic principles and practices of budget development and administration is essential, as is knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and organizational policies and procedures relevant to the assigned area of responsibility.
- The role also demands an extensive knowledge of modern principles and practices, as well as technical and legal issues related to urban and regional planning, zoning, urban economics, demographics, environmental planning, and program management. Extensive knowledge of geographic, socio-economic, transportation, political, and environmental elements as they pertain to city planning is vital. This includes an understanding of comprehensive plans, current planning processes, the development process, and general concepts of architecture, landscaping, grading, drainage, and traffic and transportation engineering in relation to urban planning.
- Additionally, the Senior Planner position requires knowledge of operational characteristics, services, and activities of a comprehensive environmental planning program, as well as principles and techniques of project management and contract administration. Staying informed about recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to planning, zoning, and environmental review is important. It is also essential to be able to research planning and land use issues, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare and present effective staff reports
- An understanding of the principles of mathematics and geometry, and their application to planning work; along with knowledge of effective technical report preparation and presentation methods. The position requires knowledge of the techniques of effective representation of the City effectively with external governmental agencies, community groups, business, professional, educational, and regulatory entities, property owners, developers, contractors, and the public. Knowledge of State, County, and local laws and ordinances underlying general plans, zoning, and land divisions is critical.
- Proficiency in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and related software, business letter writing, standard formats for reports and correspondence, and principles of record-keeping procedures. The role also involves modern office practices, methods, and the use of computer equipment and applications related to the work. Proper English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation is required. Knowledge of customer service techniques for providing a high level of service when interacting with members of the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
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:
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 five (5) years of professional experience in planning, zoning and related community development activities, including one (1) year of supervisory or lead experience.
Licenses and Certifications: - Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment.
- Institute of Certified Planners Certification is desirable but not required.
Supplemental Information 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 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.
The City of Westminster offers a comprehensive benefit package to full time employees, including:
RETIREMENT BENEFITS: The City participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). The City's contract provides for the following retirement tiers:
Tier 2 (Classic Members hired on or after July 28, 2011):
2.0% @ 60 formula; employees contribute 7.0% of salary towards retirement costs.
Tier 3/PEPRA (New Members hired on or after January 1, 2013):
2.0% @ 62 formula; employees contribute 8.25% of salary towards retirement costs.
The City of Westminster does not participate in Social Security.
INSURANCE BENEFITS: Effective January 1, 2024, the City's cafeteria benefits plan provides
$1,600 per month toward the purchase of health, dental, vision and life insurance, as well as additional voluntary products. Employees who participate in the CalPERS health insurance program and are enrolled in a Family plan will receive an additional$400 per month towards the purchase of medical benefits (total of
$2,000 per month ).
Medical insurance is provided through the Cal-PERS health insurance program. Unused cafeteria plan dollars may be received by the employee as taxable income. A pre-tax flexible spending account is also available for health care and dependent care expenses. The City also provides a City-paid Long-Term Disability (LTD) benefit of 66.6% of salary to a maximum of $10,000 per month; the City also provides a paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
VACATION : Employees earn
120 hours of paid vacation during their first year of service. An additional eight hours is earned for each additional year of service up to five (5) years. Additional benefits apply after 20 years of service. Employees are permitted to cash out accrued unused vacation hours a maximum of 2 times per calendar year.
HOLIDAYS: Employees receive
eleven (11) paid City 9-hour fixed holidays , and an additional
27 hours of floating holiday time annually to be used at the employee's discretion.
HOLIDAY FURLOUGH : City offices are
closed between Christmas and New Year's Day . Employees may use accumulated leave banks or elect leave without pay during the furlough.
SICK LEAVE : Employees earn
96 hours of paid sick leave per year. Employees may elect to cash out sick leave earned during the previous year at the rate of 50% of total value.
WORK SCHEDULE: The City offers flexible work schedules. Employees will have the option to work a
9/80, 4/10, or 5/8/40 work schedule.
The City does not offer a Hybrid work schedule at this time. LONGEVITY PAY: As an incentive for continuous service, employees are entitled to longevity pay at completion of the following service intervals:
- 21 years of service = 2.0% longevity pay
- 22 years of service = 4.0% longevity pay
- 23 years of service = 6.0% longevity pay
- 24 years of service = 8.0% longevity pay
- 25 years of service = 10.0% longevity pay
CELL PHONE / DATA PLAN REIMBURSEMENT: Employees who use their personal cell phone for business-related purposes may qualify for up to
$60 per monthreimbursement.
BILINGUAL PAY: The City provides
$150 per month for demonstrated proficiency in specified languages including Spanish and Vietnamese.
For a more detailed overview of the benefits, please refer to the Resolution covering Management, Administrative, and Confidential Employees at: 01
Do you possess an advance degree in urban or regional planning, geography, architecture, or related field??
- Yes, bachelor's degree
- Yes, master's degree
- Yes, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- No
02
Do you possess the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification?
03
Please attach one writing sample of a staff report which demonstrates your applicable writing skills on a complex project within the last 2 years. You may submit another professional written work product that demonstrates analytical, project management, or informational materials, that demonstrates your job-related writing skills.
- Staff Report Attached
- Other writing sample attached
- N/A
04
Do you have at least two (2) years of supervisory or lead experience?
05
Please describe your experience with managing the development review process.
06
Define customer service in this important role as both the regulator and the service provider.
07
Describe your experience managing Planners, Analysts, and Administrative Staff.
Required Question