Planning & Development Director

About the role

The Planning and Development Department oversees planning, engineering, building, and compliance inspections. The Director is responsible for formulating departmental policies, goals, and directives, coordinating activities with other City departments, and providing administrative direction.

Responsibilities

• Develops, directs, and coordinates the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the department.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and directs department personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with department standards.
• Manages and participates in the development and administration of the department’s budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs and implements budgetary adjustments, as necessary.
• Oversees the development of consultant requests for proposals for professional services and the advertising and bid processes; evaluates proposals and recommends project award; coordinates with legal counsel to determine City needs and requirements for contractual services; negotiates contracts and agreements and administers same after award.
• Creates and updates long-range planning documents such as the City's General Plan, Climate Action Plan, General Plan Housing Element, and other assigned plans; prepares modifications to General Plan Elements, the Zoning Ordinance, and other applicable ordinances and policies.
• Serves as project manager for complex planning projects, including analyzing and evaluating site plans, performing technical review for project plans and applications, reviewing environmental documents, ensuring mitigation is properly implemented, and making recommendations.
• Represents the department to other City departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; explains and interprets departmental programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the areas of responsibility.
• Directs the maintenance of working and official departmental files.
• Prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned by the City Manager.
• Responds to the most complex and difficult inquiries and requests for information; provides information and resolves service issues and complaints; represents the department with other City departments, other agencies, civic groups, developers, and the public.
• Serves as a spokesperson for the department at a variety of community events, meetings, and other public relations activities.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

Requirements

Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field, plus 7 years of progressively responsible experience in municipal planning, development, and/or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Must have a valid California Driver’s License and a valid California Class C Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

Qualifications

• Knowledge of administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and supervision of staff, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of leadership.
• Knowledge of principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of strategic plan development.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of managing and administering complex budgets.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of public administration in a municipal setting.
• Knowledge of organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned area of responsibility.
• Knowledge of theories, principles, and contents of General Plan, land use, zoning, land development, and urban planning regulations, natural resource protection, and environmental laws.
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of conducting site planning, architectural review, subdivision design, land use, and other analytical studies, evaluating alternatives, and making sound recommendations.
• Knowledge of City codes, ordinances, standard operating manuals, personnel policies and procedures, and applicable memoranda of understanding.
• Knowledge of practices, principles, procedures, regulations, and techniques of City planning, zoning, and land development.
• Knowledge of community involvement methods and practices.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques for the development of presentations and information distribution.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques of developing technical and administrative reports and business correspondence.
• Knowledge of research methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Ability to develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Ability to provide administrative and professional leadership for the Planning and Development Department that reflects the Vision, Purpose, and Values of the City’s Strategic Plan.
• Ability to prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Ability to interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Ability to plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of management, supervisory, professional, and technical personnel; delegate authority and responsibility.
• Ability to select and supervise staff, provide training and guidance.
• Ability to evaluate and review work for acceptability and conformance with department standards.
• Ability to manage and participate in the development and administration of the department’s budget; direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, and supplies; direct the monitoring of and approve expenditures; direct and implement budgetary adjustments, as necessary.
• Ability to oversee the development of consultant requests for proposals for professional services and the advertising and bid processes; evaluate proposals and recommend project award; coordinate with legal counsel to determine City needs and requirements for contractual services; negotiate contracts and agreements and administer same after award.
• Ability to create and update long-range planning documents such as the City's General Plan, Climate Action Plan, General Plan Housing Element, and other assigned plans; prepare modifications to General Plan Elements, the Zoning Ordinance, and other applicable ordinances and policies.
• Ability to serve as project manager for complex planning projects, including analyzing and evaluating site plans, performing technical review for project plans and applications, reviewing environmental documents, ensuring mitigation is properly implemented, and making recommendations.
• Ability to represent the department to other City departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; explain and interpret departmental programs, policies, and activities; negotiate and resolve significant and controversial issues.
• Ability to attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the areas of responsibility.
• Ability to direct the maintenance of working and official departmental files.
• Ability to prepare, review, and present staff reports, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned by the City Manager.
• Ability to respond to the most complex and difficult inquiries and requests for information; provide information and resolve service issues and complaints; represent the department with other City departments, other agencies, civic groups, developers, and the public.
• Ability to serve as a spokesperson for the department at a variety of community events, meetings, and other public relations activities.
• Ability to ensure staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

Skills

Strong skills in public speaking, negotiation, and conflict resolution are required. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software is also essential.

Benefits

The City offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other perks.

Pay

The starting salary range for this position is $150,000 - $180,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience.

Schedule

This is a full-time position with a standard Monday through Friday workweek.