Senior Planner

Senior Planner

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION Under direction, to perform the most complex professional City planning functions and assignments; develop planning studies, environmental reviews, community design, and general plan preparation; have responsibility for the development, coordination, and completion of assigned planning projects; assist with planning policy formulation and implementation; perform zoning administration and enforcement; explain Planning and Zoning ordinances, regulations, and policies to the public; and perform related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS This is the second advanced journey level in the professional Planner class series with incumbents expected to perform a broad range of the most complex planning and zoning administrative and enforcement assignments. Incumbents perform the full scope of current and advanced planning work and has responsibility for the coordination and conduct of major planning studies. This class is distinguished from Associate Planner in that Senior Planners are expected to perform the most complex, specialized work and may be assigned responsibility for the development, coordination, and completion of major planning studies and projects. Senior Planner is distinguished from the next higher level of Principal Planner, in that Principal Planner provides direct Planning management assistance to the Planning Manager and has responsibility for oversight of an assigned program area or function. Reports to Planning Manager or designee. Classifications Supervised Incumbents may provide work direction, coordination, and training for technical planning support staff and less experienced professional planning personnel.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1. Perform a variety of difficult and complex professional planning work including both current and advanced planning; participate in the review, development, revision and maintenance of general plan elements, plans, zoning ordinances, and other policies and procedures.
2. Plan, develop, coordinate, and complete major planning studies and projects; develop and prepare environmental studies; and gather data and information for planning studies and policy development.
3. Conduct a variety of research and data collection and analysis for land use development, zoning history, and compliance with City land use ordinances and policies.
4. Process applications for land use projects, such as special use permits, zoning changes, annexations, and site development; coordinate application reviews with other City departments, as necessary; and perform reviews of site development plans.
5. Perform projects related to annexations, consolidations, and district changes.
6. Perform zoning enforcement work, including the conduct of site inspections to ensure compliance with general plan and zoning codes.
7. Participate in and conduct environmental reviews and processing of environmental documents of proposed land use projects.
8. Revise and update planning ordinances and general plan elements.
9. Interpret use permits in accordance with applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations.
10. Prepare and present staff reports on items for elected or appointed boards and commissions which hear and act upon public planning issues and matters, as necessary.
11. Prepare and assist with the preparation of maps, graphs, and information summaries.
12. Answer public inquiries regarding planning issues, permit procedures and requirements, and zoning; receive and respond to zoning violation complaints.
13. Conduct public presentations.
14. Provide work coordination, project direction, and training for other planning personnel as necessary.
15. Perform related duties as required.

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties. Knowledge of: Modern theory, principles, practices, and techniques of current and advanced planning including land use, environmental policy analysis, municipal delivery, physical design, demographics, and economic and social concepts as applied to municipal planning and a variety of planning problems. Purposes and procedures of public planning agencies, boards, and governing bodies. Laws, rules, regulations, policies, and acts affecting land use and zoning. Principles of building and fire codes. General Plan policies and goals. Methods and techniques of research and statistical analysis, graphic illustration, and presentation applicable to the preparation of municipal planning studies. Environmental impacts of changes in land use. Software used in professional planning work. Principles of project development, scheduling, and coordination. Methods and techniques of design and site planning. Development review procedures and requirements. Recent developments, current literature, research methods, and sources of information related to municipal planning, urban growth, and development. Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation. Methods and techniques of organization, project and time management. Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. Ability to: Perform the most complex professional planning studies, environmental reviews, and zoning administration enforcement. Develop, coordinate, and conduct major planning studies and projects. Provide guidance, training and direction for other professional planning and technical support staff. Read, interpret, analyze, apply, implement and explain pertinent Federal, State, and local codes, laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations including departmental policies and administrative directives. Read and interpret General Plan elements, environmental impact statements, and other documents related to community planning and land use. Collect, compile, and analyze technical, statistical, and other information related to public planning and land use. Read and interpret maps, design, construction plans, specifications, graphs, and statistical data. Prepare a variety of staff, technical, and administration reports, statements, and correspondence including for planning and zoning. Effectively represent the City Planning functions in responding to inquiries, providing assistance, and dealing with public and community organization concerns about planning, land use, and zoning. Effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, council members, committee and commission members, and the general public. Deal effectively and courteously with the public including difficult situations. Convey complex information to the public in an understandable manner. Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning, public administration, or a closely related field or equivalent experience. Experience: Four years of experience in local and regional planning, including zoning administration, long range planning, or environmental assessment, comparable to that of an Associate Planner with the City of Merced. License or Certificate: Possession of an appropriate California Driver License.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential job functions.

Environment : Work is performed in an office environment; occasionally work outside; and continuous contact with staff and the public.

Physical : Frequently stand and walk; sit for extended periods; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 pounds; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; and use of office equipment, including computers, telephones, calculators, copiers, and FAX.