Principal Planner

Urban And Regional Planning Manager

This classification is scheduled to receive a 5% COLA effective July 2027.

FLSA: Exempt

Under direction, administers highly complex professional current and advance planning activities; serves as project manager on highly complex development applications and special projects; conducts planning studies and develops reports and plans; performs essential planning practices to achieve growth and public service goals for Butte County; interprets and enforces complicated zoning regulations of the County; provides professional advice and assistance to the public on planning, zoning, and permits; coordinates the work of other Planners to manage large and complex planning projects; and performs related duties as assigned.

Receives supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises direct and general supervision over assigned Planning staff.

This is the top-level classification within the Planner series responsible for performing the most complex work assigned to the series and serving as a subject matter expert within the Planning Division. Incumbents are responsible for the full vertical management of complex projects, and coordinates department issues with other agencies. Incumbents regularly work on tasks which are varied and complex, requiring considerable discretion and independent judgement. Positions in the classification rely on experience and judgement to perform assigned duties. Assignments are given with general guidelines and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines, and methods to deliver services. This class is distinguished from the Planning Division Manager in that the latter has full management responsibility for the Planning Division with responsibility to develop and administer division policies, procedures, and services.

Examples of typical job functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Provides leadership, project management, and complex operational support to assigned planning projects, recommends solutions, and serves as a liaison between the Planning Division, planning staff, stakeholders and government agencies.
• Serves as lead project manager for multiple complex current or long-range planning projects and special planning studies, including in-depth application and plan review.
• Protects and ensures the health, safety, and welfare of the public by providing sensible and logical land development, adequate public services, and compatible land use; institutes effective planning practices to achieve consistent and controlled growth.
• Guides and assists other Planners; provides coaching, counseling and professional assistance on technical skills and professional responsibilities; assists staff in project management strategy, legal issues and other related matters; identifies training needs and provides training for staff; provides Planning Manager with feedback on professional staff evaluations.
• Reviews complex planning projects and determines potential impact on environment; ensures avoidance of negative impacts or reduction to the greatest extent feasible; analyzes plans and information and recommends approval or modifications.
• Analyzes boundaries and public services provided by government agencies; develops growth management mechanisms and strategies and presents recommendations.
• Coordinates, reviews, and processes complex and political discretionary land use applications for various land development activities to include special land permits and mining permits; performs site visits and assesses property and surrounding areas.
• Interacts and communicates with a variety of individuals and groups at the public service counter, in the field, over the telephone, through email, at public hearings, and in discussion forums, including other County departments and public agencies, elected and appointed County officials, developers, consultants, architects, engineers, property owners, and the general public for the purpose of obtaining or providing information, coordinating activities, processing projects, environmental review, negotiating plan changes, and formulating recommendations; acts as planner of the day on a rotational basis.
• Adheres to and enforces zoning statutes and federal regulations pertaining to land development; reviews and counsels Board of Supervisors on changes to County General Plan and zoning regulations.
• Presents information to public; provides open forum through a formal hearing process to discuss planning decisions made.
• Conducts environmental review; compiles, analyzes, and prepares environmental impact report and other documents.
• Administers the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA); visits mining operations and inspects reclamation plans; oversees implementation of SMARA within the County.
• Controls and executes the Williamson Act; reviews and interprets Land Conservation Act Contracts; provides protection of agricultural County land.
• Reviews county policy; responds to questions and concerns; provides advice and recommendations.
• Develops maps, charts, and graphs used in planning studies and reports; compiles, arranges, analyzes, and interprets data; conducts comparative studies of land use, population structure, and economic activity; prepares technical reports, specifications, and drawings.
• Writes zoning ordinances in proper legal form.
• Reviews building plans for consistency with zoning regulations and compliance with conditions of permit approval.
• Conducts site inspections to collect pertinent information regarding site conditions; ensures compliance with conditions and established regulations.
• Compiles, arranges, analyzes, and interprets field and office data and prepares reports; analyzes planning elements and develops or modifies current land use policies or components of long-range efforts; ensures accuracy of information.
• Attends and participates in meetings; takes notes and assignments; may serve as advisor to committees or commissions.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Modern principles, practices, and technical and legal issues of urban and regional planning, zoning, urban economics, demographics, and environmental planning and program management.
• Principles of project management, including planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes and ordinances relevant to planning, zoning, land development and other programs of the division.
• Principles of land use regulations and strategic planning.
• Methods, practices, and procedures used in current and advanced planning.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology.
• Principles and practices of a comprehensive environmental planning program.
• Planning terminology and technical report writing requirements related to planning.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability To:

• Manage assigned projects, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures and standards relevant to work performed.
• Collect, interpret, and analyze field and office planning data accurately.
• Read and interpret plans and specifications.
• Effectively use GIS technology.
• Analyze site design, terrain constraints, land use compatibility, utilities, and other urban services.
• Assess, monitor, and report environmental impact on and of various County programs and services.
• Perform mathematical and planning computations with precision.
• Prepare and present clear, concise, and logical written and oral reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written material.
• Interpret and explain planning and land use programs to the general public; identify and respond to issues and concerns of the public, Board of Supervisors, and other committees and commissions.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the department and the County in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training, experience and educational degrees that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. Substitutions will be made on a year for year basis. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Bachelor's degree in geography, regional planning, environmental studies, or related field; and

Five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience, including two (2) years of lead