Principal University Planner

Join our team at the California State University, Office of the Chancellor, and make a difference in providing access to higher education. The CSU Chancellor's Office, located on the waterfront adjacent to the Aquarium of the Pacific in downtown Long Beach, is the headquarters for the nation's largest and most diverse system of higher education.

About the role

The California State University, Office of the Chancellor, is seeking a Principal University Planner to oversee assigned campuses and interface with campus staff on all project planning activities, including review of project programs, budgets, and schedules, for the purpose of developing the CSU Five-Year Capital Outlay Plan. The Principal University Planner will serve as the administrator of CSU Plan, the Smartsheet-based platform supporting the Five-Year Capital Outlay Plan.

Responsibilities

• Reviews facility condition reports for academic and self-support funded campus facilities to determine critical deferred maintenance; assists campuses in identifying and prioritizing deferred maintenance and capital and infrastructure improvement projects.
• Reviews and recommends for funding approval campus requests for deferred maintenance, capital, and infrastructure improvements projects.
• Develops process improvements to streamline capital planning, budgeting, design, and construction document submittal processes, particularly regarding adaptations to changes in capital financing, reporting requirements, and construction delivery methods.
• Reviews campus physical master plans, including changes in academic and enrollment plans, and participates on campus planning committees for major master plan revisions.
• Reviews all major/minor master plan changes requested by campuses and determines, with the Director of Land Use Planning and Review, if appropriate environmental impact report procedures have been followed.
• Prepares agenda material for Board of Trustees approval as required.
• Assists the Chief of Planning and Design in developing the systemwide priority list for the Five-Year Plan.
• Reviews and recommends for approval projects proposed for the Five-Year Plan by campuses, establishes budgets and schedules for capital outlay projects, and recommends changes to the campus Five-Year Plan.
• Conducts project meetings with campus and CPDC staff to review project financial status, construction progress, and reports on expenditure of contingency funds.
• Maintains current data in the Capital Projects Database and Active Projects Report for project tracking and reporting on scope, schedule, and budget.
• Reviews campus performance and cashflow status on delegated projects.
• Reviews and edits Capital Outlay Budget Change Proposals for project justification, scope, and building costs to ensure consistency with established trustees' policies and priorities.
• Partners with Real Estate Services to review and evaluate campus-proposed public-private partnerships for conformance with CPDC review procedures.
• Assists campuses with coordination of grants and other initiatives to improve conservation and sustainability in capital projects.
• Maintains a regular schedule of campus visits to understand campus needs and support mutually developed solutions for capital program and master plan development.
• Reviews academic program changes with Academic and Student Affairs.
• Provides support to campuses to justify projects during review by the Legislative Analyst's Office and the Department of Finance.
• Reviews and recommends for funding approval campus requests for deferred maintenance, infrastructure improvements, and Cap and Trade projects.
• Assists campuses in using grants and other initiatives to improve conservation, sustainability, and reduce water consumption and greenhouse gas production in capital projects.
• Serves as the administrator of CSU Plan, the Smartsheet-based platform supporting the Five-Year Capital Outlay Plan, including managing system operations, maintaining and archiving data, enhancing user experience, and developing portfolio-level reports.
• Prepares for each new planning cycle and provides end-user training and instructional materials.
• Reviews schematic, preliminary, and working drawings of major capital outlay projects for conformance with approved scope and budget.
• Conducts project review meetings with campus and CPDC staff.
• Prepares and/or reviews draft agenda items and finalizes schematic information for presentation to the Board of Trustees.
• Develops project material required for approval by the Department of Finance and justifications for project augmentations or scope changes.
• Reviews and recommends for approval space changes proposed by campuses for the Space and Facilities Database to ensure compliance with space utilization guidelines and the intent of the Academic Master Plan and campus physical Master Plan.
• Performs analyses of campus capacities, space utilization, course section reports, and other prepared documents as required for capital program prioritization.
• Coordinates capital outlay planning with the CO divisions of Academic Affairs and Financing and Treasury.
• Assists campuses in identifying and reporting private activity uses in tax-exempt bond-funded facilities and assists in completing due diligence for systemwide bond financing under CSU finance authority.
• Supervises and provides ongoing guidance to Associate University Planner(s) on tasks related to the development and implementation of the Five-Year Plan, including assigning work, reviewing progress, and supporting specific tasks such as minor master plan revisions and preparation of delegated approval items.
• Actively supports the professional development of Associate University Planners, preparing them for a role as University Planner.
• Participates in systemwide advisory committees, training workshops, and conferences on the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of CSU capital projects.
• Analyzes capital programs and procedures, performs detailed studies, prepares reports, and makes recommendations to the Chief of Planning and Design and the Assistant Vice Chancellor.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in architecture, urban planning, construction management, business administration, accounting, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Advanced degree preferred in a related field.
• Five years of planning experience demonstrating the application of methods, practices, and procedures of facilities and space planning, capital project design and construction, fiscal management, budgetary preparation, scheduling, and control techniques.
• Ability to relate facility condition reports to long- and short-term needs, particularly as related to utility infrastructure, deferred maintenance, and support requirements.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate capital outlay requests for academic renewal and enhancements, utilities infrastructure, and physical plant capacity, including review of construction cost estimates and schedules.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong skills in developing and maintaining effective and collegial working relationships.
• Current computer knowledge and skills with the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong understanding and proven experience with Smartsheet for project management, workflow automation, form creation, data collection, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Excellent time-management skills.
• Experience supervising technical and administrative staff.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet established deadlines.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• Generous vacation plan
• 15 paid holidays a year
• Tuition waiver education program (also applies to eligible family members)
• Membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)

Pay

The anticipated salary hiring range is up to $130,008 per year, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Schedule

Flexibility to telecommute two days a week, with three days on-site at the main headquarters in Long Beach, California.