To apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Salinas
The City of Salinas is accepting applications for Associate Planner and Senior Planner. These recruitments will be used to establish eligibility lists of qualified applicants to fill current and future vacancies. Separate applications are required to be considered for both opportunities. The current vacancy will be filled based on candidate qualifications and departmental needs.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: All applicants must provide a copy of diploma or transcripts at the time of application or submit to the Human Resources Department prior to the filing deadline. Applications are incomplete without the required document.
Summary of Duties: To perform responsible professional and technical work in organizing, development, and implementation of planning, housing, and community development activities, including administering zoning and subdivision regulations; reviewing evaluating and processing development proposals; writing reports; providing staff supervision; and making public presentations.
Distinguishing Characteristics: This is the advanced journey level class in the Planner series. Work of this class involves lead responsibility in planning, organizing, and implementing programs and activities. It is distinguished from the Associate Planner position in the degree of complexity of assignments. Receives direction from a Planning Manager or Principal Planner. May exercise indirect and/or direct supervision over professional, technical and clerical personnel.
Essential Job Functions:
(These functions are representative and may not be presented in all positions in the class. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind related duties and work assignments.)
- Interprets and analyzes legislative proposals and activities
- Assists in the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities
- Prepares ordinances, City Council reports, and other written reports to outside agencies
- Plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates the activities of assigned staff
- Conducts and oversee research analysis, and the use of a variety of data including studies of land use, population, social and economic conditions, housing, and community facilities
- Coordinates, reviews, and participates in the work of professional and technical employees in data collection, analysis, plan formulation, and implementation of a variety of planning, redevelopment, and environmental review activities
- Directs, oversees, and coordinates the City's housing or other community development and planning activities
- Directs and coordinates special studies; prepares reports and findings
- Performs complex and sensitive community development work
- Reviews and constructively comments on architectural and other plans regarding design, zoning, and building code issues
- Represents the Department at public meetings/hearings and presents major matters to the City Council, Planning Commission, and citizen committees, as required
- Assists in preparation and implementation of the City's General Plan and its various elements
- Coordinates local and regional community development activities with other City departments, and with outside agencies, as required
- Negotiates and mediates sensitive issues within assigned programs
- Prepares special studies related to population growth, annexation and fiscal matters; prepares ordinances and resolutions
- Meets with and advises developers regarding development applications and processes; explains purposes, regulations, and directives of development practices
- Assists in budget preparation and administration
- Assists in supervising, training, and evaluating technical and clerical staff, as assigned
- Promotes and maintains safety in the workplace
- Performs related duties, as assigned
Minimum Qualifications:
Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of municipal urban planning, housing, and community development
- Recent developments, current literature, and informational sources in the field of planning, and community development
- Research methods and procedures
- Applicable laws related to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) planning, housing, and community development programs at the local, state, and federal level
- Principles of organization, administration, budget and personnel management
- Operation of personal computer with proficiency using word processing and spreadsheet programs
Skill and Ability to:
- Communicate effectively, orally and in writing
- Prepare and analyze planning and demographic studies and communicate findings in an understandable and comprehensive manner
- Select, train, supervise, and evaluate assigned staff
- Review, evaluate and process development proposals
- Direct and manage technically complex planning activities, including planning, and community development activities
- Adapt to changing priorities, heavy workload and maintain quality work and customer-oriented focus
- Organize and conduct complex and sensitive negotiations with a variety of groups and individuals
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, developers, builders, other City departments and the general public
- Promote the mission, values, and standards of an effective public organization, particularly in the area of customer service
- Correctly interpret, explain, and apply laws, rules, and regulations.
Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, public administration or a related field
Experience: Four (4) years of municipal planning and community development experience, three (3) of which must be at the professional level.
Licenses and Certifications: A valid California Driver's License.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions: Physical, mental and emotional stamina to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position; manual dexterity sufficient to write, use telephone, computer, business machines and related equipment; vision sufficient to read printed materials, visual display terminals, detailed fine writing on plans and specifications for development projects, and distinguish colors for design evaluation purposes; hearing sufficient to conduct in person and telephone conversations; speaking ability in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in a normal conversational distance, on the telephone and in addressing groups; physical agility to push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop and reach overhead as needed; physical mobility sufficient to move about the work environment, physical strength to lift up to 20 lbs.; physical stamina sufficient to sit for prolonged periods of time; mental acuity to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, make valid judgments and decisions.
Business office working environment subject to sitting at a desk for long periods of time, bending, crouching, or kneeling at files, pushing/pulling of file drawers and supplies, reaching in all directions and prolonged periods of time working at a computer terminal. Occasionally include driving to job sites, training and out-of-office meetings.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required.
SELECTION PROCESS: Applicants' qualifications will be evaluated based on the information provided on the employment application. The exam process may consist of an application appraisal, oral interview, performance exam and/or written exam. The City reserves the right to use alternate testing procedures if deemed necessary.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The City of Salinas does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor. The City of Salinas makes reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with a disability. Individuals requiring any accommodation in order to participate in the testing process must inform the Human Resources Director in writing no later than the final filing date stated in this job announcement. Requests for accommodation should include an explanation of the type and extent of accommodations needed to participate in the selection process and/or to perform the duties of the job for which they have applied. EEO Utilization Report is available for candidate review upon request.
SALARY STEPS: Appointments are normally made at the first step. Consideration is given for increase to the second step after successful completion of a six-month probationary period. (Employees appointed at a higher step will be eligible for consideration for the next step after one year, providing they successfully complete a six-month probationary period.)