Senior Planner at City of Arcata, CA

About the Department

Are you a highly organized person with experience in land use and urban planning, plus enjoy a team environment? If so, consider applying to be a City of Arcata Senior Planner. 

Please note: Interviews tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, September 17th. 

GREAT BENEFITS including, the City currently pays the majority of the medical coverage premium for employees (and their dependents) and 100% of the premium for dental and vision coverage. The City also offers a $400/month health insurance opt-out option, if applicable. Additionally, 10 days Mgt. Leave; vacation accrual increases with service; immediate City contribution to deferred comp, increasing with service; longevity pay, etc. See more in the "Benefits" tab. 

DESCRIPTION
This position manages, oversees, performs, and supervises complex professional land use and urban planning work within the City’s Community Development Department and performs other related duties as assigned.

The Senior Planner is the advanced journey level classification in the professional planning series. Work is performed under the supervision and direction of higher level staff as assigned, and incumbents are expected to independently perform the full scope of assigned duties. Direct supervision is exercised over assigned technical, clerical, and temporary employees, as well as assigned volunteers and interns.

Position Duties

• Manages and coordinates the development review and land-use permitting functions; meets with and assists prospective applicants, engineers, architects, developers, and community groups; interprets and explains applicable City policies and standards and provides technical assistance to the public.
• Receives and processes a wide variety of applications; reviews project plans and application materials for accuracy and completeness; prepares and publishes legal notices; develops and monitors schedules for development applications; assures compliance of projects with Federal, State, and local laws, codes, plans, policies, and regulations.
• Conducts research and evaluation of proposed projects with respect to their potential environmental effects, including the preparation of initial studies, evaluation of technical environmental studies, and the preparation of all documentation required under relevant regulatory rules, including California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), National Environmental Quality Act (NEPA), etc.
• Processes and investigates complaints, and enforces the Arcata Municipal Code as it relates to assigned duties.
• Prepares reports and recommendations for decision-making bodies; attends and provides staff support to assigned committees and boards; makes oral presentations to City Council, commissions, committees, and community groups.
• Plans, organizes, and oversees the public information and customer service functions for the public counter; responds to public requests for information and inquiries from prospective applicants; develops and disseminates materials designed to market and/or explain City programs to the general public; directs the preparation of maps, charts, models and other graphic materials.
• Meets and coordinates work with a wide variety of the general public, non-profit and private businesses, other governmental and regulatory agencies, developers, planning and environmental consultants, architects, and others; responds to questions and comments from the public in a courteous and timely manner.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and procedures and makes recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards, policies and procedures.
• Assists with the preparation and administration of the departmental budget; drafts contracts for and coordinates the employment of planning consultants, environmental consultants, and other contract personnel.
• May provide technical and functional supervision of assigned staff. 
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others accurately informed concerning work progress.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Review full job description here.

Minimum Qualifications

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 possession of a Bachelor's Degree in Planning or a closely related field, and at least three (3) years of professional experience in municipal planning. 

For this vacancy, some applicants may have complete knowledge of each or many of the areas below, while others may only have knowledge of certain areas. If in doubt, please apply anyway. 

Thorough knowledge of: principles and practices of comprehensive urban and environmental planning; applicable Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances, and regulations; applicable principles, practices, and programs; statistical methods and research techniques applicable to the preparation of urban planning and environmental studies; methods and techniques applicable to processing and reviewing relevant project plans and application materials, including scheduling and record keeping; methods and techniques for report preparation and writing, and making effective public presentations of complex information. 

Substantial knowledge of: principles of municipal budget preparation and administration; modern office practices, methods and equipment, including computers and applicable software.

Ability to: interpret and apply pertinent planning and environmental laws, rules, and regulations; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations; read, analyze, and evaluate architectural and site plans and related technical reports; read and understand Title reports, deeds and legal descriptions of real property, easements, and covenants, conditions, and restrictions; define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; write technical and administrative reports, procedural guidelines, standards, and correspondence in a precise and understandable manner for intended audience; communicate complex standards and laws in a manner that is understandable to intended audience; make effective presentations to Council, commissions, committees, and community groups; supervise, train, and oversee assigned staff; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in course of work; prepare and administer assigned budget; exercise sound judgment within the context of established guidelines.

Other Qualifications

Other Requirements

• Possess a valid Class C California Driver’s License.  
• A commitment to understand and support diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
• Willing and able to work a flexible and varied work schedule that is often determined by the needs of the systems and operations. 
• Able to work nights and weekends as required.  
• Comply with clean and neat grooming standards and present a professional appearance when serving as a representative of the City. 

Physical Requirements
Must be able to perform the physical aspects of the job, including sitting or standing for periods of time, lifting and carrying up to 40 lbs.

Apply Now