Senior Planner at City of Scotts Valley – Scotts Valley, California

JOB PURPOSE

Under direction, to perform comprehensive, professional planning duties; to review development proposals for consistency with City Codes; to do research and prepare reports for the Planning Commission and City Council; to provide consultation to other Planning staff members; to explain and interpret Planning Ordinances, policies and philosophies to developers, the public, the boards and commissions of the City; to do related work as required; act as Planning Department representative before public or private groups.

Essential Duties:

Prepare annual General Plan Amendment hearing schedule;
Prepare background, schedule, notices and environmental review for General Plan Amendment hearings;
Review and update the Zoning Ordinance;
Prepare long-range studies on economic trends, technological changes, and other research on changes affecting the planning of the City;
Assist with application and administration of the Redevelopment Agency;
Prepare specific plans;
Provide detailed analysis for projects that require experienced planning expertise;
Prepare staff reports for Planning Commission, City Council or other meetings and make oral presentations at public meetings;
Process major development projects;
Conduct special research projects;
Provide computer program analysis of impacts of development, including physical and economic factors based on computer entry data base;

Marginal Duties:

Represent the Planning Department at public or other meetings;
Provide other assistance to the Planning Director as required.

Education, Experience and Licenses: Minimum qualifications include graduation from an accredited college in Planning or a related field, plus five years of experience in municipal Planning, preferable in a California city; possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operators License.

Ability to: Write clear, concise reports; exercise good judgment and tact; learn new techniques and the use of equipment, such as computer hardware and software; read, comprehend and analyze complex documents; follow oral and written instructions; collect, assemble, analyze, interpret and apply data to various Planning projects; prepare statistical or other information and present technical reports; make effective public presentations by clearly communicating ideas and information; establish and maintain effective working relations with the public, City staff, City Council and other Boards and Commissions; work independently and meet established deadlines; reason logically and arrive at sound planning recommendations.

Knowledge of: Federal, State and local planning requirements; California General Plan, California Environmental Quality Act and municipal requirements and guidelines; statistical research, techniques and procedures; principles and practices of governmental planning and zoning administration and their sociological implications; techniques for clearly communicating information; methods of information gathering; evaluating and presenting information; proper English grammar and use.