Planning Manager
Community Development Department
City of San Rafael, California
ANNUAL SALARY: $134,076 - $162,972 DOE/DOQ
The City of San Rafael is seeking a dynamic Planning Manager to oversee the Planning Division of the Community Development Department. This leader will support the Community Development Director and contribute to the development of an approximately $1.8 million Division budget. This challenging and rewarding role calls for close collaboration with influential bodies like the Design Review Board, Planning Commission and City Council, where you will have the opportunity to deliver compelling presentations and demonstrate your exceptional leadership skills. As a crucial member of our community-driven City, you will be responsible for conducting in-depth research on land use and development, crafting innovative growth strategies for your team, and actively engaging with the City's diverse stakeholders. Coordinating events and public hearings will be a large aspect of your role, allowing you to play a central part in shaping the future of San Rafael. If you are driven to make a genuine impact and thrive in an innovative and collaborative environment, don't miss this opportunity to join our vibrant team. Apply now and be part of a transformative journey to create a sustainable and prosperous future for San Rafael.
THE CITY
The City is focused on enhancing our community members’ quality of life through well-designed services and a positive workplace culture. San Rafael is the economic and cultural heart of Marin County, and its high quality of life is centered on its commercial districts, engaged neighborhoods, active lifestyles, and natural environments. San Rafael (population 62,000) is a full-service city with a City Council/City Manager form of government with 12 departments, more than 400 employees, and an annual budget of $172 million. The City’s vision is to be a vibrant economic and cultural center reflective of its diversity. The City Council is engaged and seeks to strengthen the urban and commercial areas as well as sustain the beautiful natural environment.
TOGETHER SAN RAFAEL
San Rafael’s organizational culture framework is an initiative called “Together San Rafael.” City employees are the organization’s greatest asset, and talented individuals with diverse backgrounds who are creative, curious, and excited about a challenge are sought to join the City team. All City departments are results-driven, with the goal of best serving the needs of community members. The Together San Rafael initiative is focused on modernizing City services and increasing the engagement of employees to improve City services for our residents. This initiative recognizes the interconnectedness of the customer and employee experience. Together San Rafael is about:
- Bringing staff and management together to collaborate cross-departmentally.
- Empowering all City employees to share and implement their innovative ideas.
- Celebrating the innovation happening every day in our departments.
Employees across the organization developed these guiding principles and staff integrate them throughout their work. The Planning Manager plays a pivotal role in advancing and achieving these initiatives.
THE DEPARTMENT
The Community Development Department and its Planning Division are shining examples of the City’s dedication to nurturing a thriving and forward-thinking community. Anchored by the "Together San Rafael" initiative, we have successfully fostered an atmosphere of empowerment and innovation, laying the groundwork for the City's ongoing prosperity and cultural enrichment. With a dynamic team of 25 highly skilled staff members, each bringing their unique expertise to the table, the Department handles core functions such as strategic land use planning, adept implementation of zoning regulations, robust building and safety measures, progressive housing and homelessness initiatives, and community focused code enforcement strategies.
With a budget of approximately $1.8 million and 4 staff, the Planning Division has the financial capacity to undertake a diverse array of projects and initiatives that deeply influence the City's growth and overall development. The Division’s commitment to excellence and collective vision continues to leave a lasting mark on San Rafael's landscape, making it a model for other communities to emulate in the pursuit of a brighter future.
THE JOB/THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
As the Planning Manager, you will work closely with the Community Development Director to shape the City's future and drive its growth. Your leadership in this area is paramount to developing the next generation of City planners, with opportunity to guide, mentor, and grow the four members of the Planning team. Your role will be overseeing and directing the Current Planning Section, contributing to long range planning and housing initiatives, and ensuring seamless operations of the Department. With your expertise, you will play a critical role in evaluating development proposals, implementing the General Plan - https://www.cityofsanrafael.org/departments/general-plan-2040/, and offering impactful recommendations for zoning changes. Your exceptional communication and presentation skills will be put to good use as you engage with stakeholders and lead public events, effectively showcasing your leadership abilities. If you are passionate about urban planning and thrive in a collaborative environment, this opportunity is perfectly suited for you to make a lasting impact on a dynamic and vibrant community.
The ideal candidate will have a background in land use planning, public policy and environmental regulations. They will also possess experience with general plan, zoning, subdivision, and environmental regulations, as well as public administration experience encompassing budgets, program planning, evaluation, and familiarity with the public hearing processes. Strong communication and relationship-building skills are essential, given the collaborative nature of the role with City departments, councils, boards, commissions, engineers, architects, and other key stakeholders.
The ideal candidate will also:
- Be an adept problem solver who thinks outside the box.
- Be a strategic and business-oriented leader capable of effectively managing a planning team and streamlining the permitting process for maximum efficiency.
- Ensure prompt responsiveness and availability.
- Foster a Department culture that is attentive, dedicated, and is focused on providing fair and balanced services to the community.
- Comprehend and navigate the intricate political aspects of community planning.
- Demonstrate strong leadership and interpersonal abilities, enabling successful collaboration with individuals at all organizational levels.
- Demonstrate a customer-centric attitude.
- Maintain consistency with adopted policies and foster trustworthy relationships.
- Anticipate challenges and strategically identify solutions to keep customers thoroughly informed.
UPCOMING PROJECTS, CHALLENGES and OPPORTUNITES
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates possession of the requisite knowledge, skill, and abilities. A typical way to obtain these would be:
- Master’s degree in planning or related field
- Five years of increasingly responsible municipal planning and management experience, preferably in current and long-range planning
Special Requirements:
- Possession of a valid driver’s license
- AICP preferred but not required.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
The annual salary range is $134,076 - $162,972 DOE/DOQ, plus a generous benefits package that includes:
- The Planning Manager is in the Unrepresented Mid-Management employee group. The benefits summary is below, and the full list by group can be found here
- Retirement: Enrollment in the Marin County Retirement System (MCERA), a defined benefit retirement program (PEPRA member – 2% at 62)
- Health Coverage: Eligibility for enrollment in the City’s group health, with the City paying a fixed dollar amount toward the cost of the monthly insurance premium (with option to opt-out and receive $714.43 cash-in-lieu). The 2023 monthly flex dollar allowance is:
- Employee only: $714.43
- Employee plus one: $1,428.85
- Family: $1,857.51
- Dental: Employee + family covered up to $1,500 per year/enrollee
- Vision: Employee + family coverage
- Vacation: 15 days per year
- Administrative Leave: 10 days per year
- Sick Leave: 12 days per year
- Paid Holidays: 12 days + one floating holiday per year
- Life Insurance: $150,000 policy
- Long-Term Disability
- Hybrid Work Schedule Available
- Gym Membership Reimbursement: Up to $16.50 per month
HOW TO APPLY
For first consideration, apply by September 1st at wbcpinc.com/job-board/
Save the Dates:
- Round one in-person interviews will take place on September 25th. Finalists will move on to round two interviews that will also be in person and take place on September 26th. Selected candidates must be available for both dates.
Please contact your recruiter, Levi Kuhlman, with any questions: