Principal Planner

Description The City of Santa Ana is looking for individuals who are results-oriented, possess great attitudes, demonstrate creativity and innovation, work efficiently, show a record of success and have a PASSION for public service. Having the best employees provides the best service to the community.

Under general direction of the Planning Manager, the Principal Planner supervises the day-to-day operations of the current/counter, advanced, urban design/historic, and/or neighborhood initiatives sections of the Planning Division.
The current vacancy is in the Current Planning section.

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. The deadline for the first review of applications is 11:59 PM on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications early. Applicants that submit applications after the first review deadline are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review deadline. Essential Functions Include But Are Not Limited To Manages, supervises, and directs professional planning work in a combination of the following areas: development processing, environmental review, current planning, and/or advanced (strategic) planning and the public counter. Supervises and assigns responsibility for planning projects and studies. Coordinates project management activities of professional planning staff. Monitors, analyzes, and implements process improvements for the division. Performs highly complex and technical professional planning duties. Oversees the collection and analysis of planning data relevant to the drafting, review, and revision of the City's General Plan, zoning ordinances, and/or development standards. Coordinates tasks related to meetings of the Planning Commission and Historic Resources Commission. Attends off-site meetings. Confers with and makes formal presentations to property owners, developers, business executives, staff from regulatory agencies, and community/neighborhood leaders regarding assigned section planning issues and policies. Projects division staffing requirements. Assists in preparing and administering the Planning Division budget. Supervises professional and technical staff. Establishes employee performance standards. Supervises, trains, and evaluates assigned staff. Actively promotes and implements principles of continuous improvement in all operations. Evaluates training needs and plans. Schedules appropriate in-service training for planning staff. Develops goals and objectives consistent with agency mission statement, and implements programs and procedures to accomplish them. Performs other related functions as assigned.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SUCCESSFUL PERFORMERS
The successful performer has a thorough knowledge of the scope and purposes of state laws and City ordinances related to the planning field, and makes decisions in accordance with those laws and ordinances. This self-starter is career oriented, self-assured, good humored, and has a balanced approach to managing city planning functions. He/she has the management skills to organize and coordinate the division's core activities, and utilizes excellent judgment and analytical skills. This team player emphasizes fairness in all endeavors, embodies the concept of customer service in the public sector, is committed to being a great leader, and balances both the principle and the pragmatic. He/she deals tactfully, yet assertively when representing the City's interests.
Minimum Qualifications The ideal candidate must possess at least six (6) years of progressively responsible professional experience in municipal/regional planning or development administration, and three (3) of which must have been in a supervisory role. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in urban planning, public administration, or a related field. A Master's degree is preferred. Minimum qualifications may be met via an equivalent combination of experience and education sufficient to perform the essential job functions. DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of: State General Planning Laws; municipal zoning ordinance administration; California Environmental Quality Act; California Subdivision Map Act; municipal planning principles and practices; supervisory principles and practices.

Ability to: supervise professional and technical staff; coordinate, direct, and manage the work of a section; interpret appropriate State laws and City ordinances; analyze data; make sound recommendations; prepare comprehensive reports; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; develop and maintain effective working relationships with developers, property owners, business executives, community leaders, regulatory agencies, commission members, other City employees, and the general public.
SPECIAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Must possess and retain a valid California Class C Driver's License as a condition of employment.

Valid American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is required prior to completion of the probationary work test period, and is a condition of continued employment in this classification. Failure to obtain and maintain valid AICP certification shall result in termination from employment.

Must be willing and able to work irregular hours including evenings and weekends, as needed.
Selection Process
All applicants are required to complete and submit an online City application form (including Supplemental Questionnaire) with Resume.

Resumes and other attachments will be used in addition to the application in determining your qualifications. The City communicates with candidates via e-mail. You are responsible for providing a valid e-mail address that you access regularly and checking your spam folder. To apply, click on the "Apply" link located at the top of this page. New users must create an account first. Click on this link for instructions on how to set up your account and apply for the first time: Online Employment Application Guide.

Applications will be reviewed by the Human Resources Department. Those applicants possessing the most pertinent qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process, which will include:

Oral Interview Examination : (Weight of 100%) will evaluate the candidates' experience and training, communication, education, and abilities in relation to those factors which are essential for successful performance on the job. Candidates need a minimum passing score in order to be placed on the eligible list.

Candidates must achieve a passing score in every component of the selection process in order to be placed on the eligible list.

The Human Resources Department may waive one or more examination components. When one weighted examination component is waived, the remaining section will receive a weight of 100%.

The City of Santa Ana is an equal opportunity employer. If you consider yourself a person with a disability, you may contact us regarding providing reasonable accommodation.

Please visit the following website to view the summary of comprehensive benefits!

Summary of Benefits

(under SAMA)

NOTE: A more complete set of specifications for this classification may be found on the City's website or on file in the Human Resources Department. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. The types and levels of employee benefits provided, including City contribution toward benefit costs, are subject to change as a result of periodic contract settlements between recognized employee associations and the City of Santa Ana.

Closing Date/Time:

122,916

Santa Ana, California United States View Map