Planning Manager

DEFINITION:

Under general direction, the Planning Manager performs a variety of management and complex planning functions which includes, but is not limited to, supervision of the Planning Division staff; management of complex land use projects and plans and related tasks; presentations before the City Council, Planning Commission and other City commissions, committees and community groups; serving as a member of the City’s Management Team and performing related tasks as required.

 

CLASS CHARACTERISITICS:

This is a single position management classification reporting to the Economic and Community Development Director. The incumbent is responsible for managing the activities of a division engaged in current and long-range planning, zoning, and development services. The incumbent has considerable latitude in the application of departmental policy and follows general guidelines or professional and administrative standards in accomplishing assignments; the incumbent is expected to identify policy issues and work with other staff to develop options and recommend solutions.

 

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES (illustrative only):

• Plans, organizes, and directs the overall work activities of the Planning Division.
• Reviews and evaluates the job performance of the subordinate personnel, providing training as needed.
• Oversees the review and analysis of development proposals, including participation in the more complex and major projects; interprets and enforces zoning ordinance provisions and other codes related to community standards.
• Conducts presentations on planning recommendations and other planning-related topics before the Planning commission, City Council, community groups and organizations; works with other City departments in coordinating the division’s programs and projects.
• Conducts research and analysis of land use and related issues.
• Prepares environmental review documents.
• Prepares long range planning documents (e.g. General Plan update, Specific Plans, Climate Action Plan, etc.) and updates to the Zoning Ordinance.
• Manages a variety of consultants working on current, long range, and environmental planning projects.
• Participates in regional advisory groups including: Alameda County Transportation Commission Technical Advisory Committee, MTC Regional Advisory Working Group, East Bay Energy Watch Strategic Advisory Committee, Energy Council Technical Advisory Group, and Spare the Air Southern Alameda County Resource Team;
• Manages the City’s sustainability efforts.
• Prepares written reports; may serve as secretary to the Planning Commission, the zoning administrator and act as Economic and Community Development Director in the absence of the Director.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination of education, training, and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities would be:

Bachelor’s degree with major course work in urban planning, urban design, public administration, or related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible planning experience including management of planning staff, preferably in a municipal setting.  

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge Of:

• Principles, methods, practices and trends of urban planning and zoning administration;
• Federal, state, regional, and local laws and policies as they relate to the regulation of land-use including the California Environmental Quality Act and the Subdivision Map Act;
• Architectural design and site planning principles and ability to review and provide feedback on architectural drawings;
• Sustainability principles and methods including green building, climate action planning, and energy efficiency;
• Data collection and statistical analysis methods;
• Computer software programs including Microsoft Office, internet applications and GIS;
• General principles and practices of effective organization, administration and personnel management.

Ability To:

• Read, comprehend, and interpret complex laws, ordinances, regulations, policies, and procedures;
• Collect, analyze, interpret and apply a variety of data and information involving complex zoning and planning projects and make effective decisions regarding such issues;
• Prepare clear concise written reports, and make effective oral presentations;
• Establish and maintain helpful working relationships with the public, other city personnel, and outside agencies;
• Plan, organize and coordinate division personnel, programs and projects; formulate and implement administrative procedures.

 

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATIONS:

Possession of a valid California Driver’s License and have a satisfactory driving record.

 

WORKING CONDITIONS, ADA AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

The City of Union City is an equal opportunity employer. The City of Union City will comply with its obligations under the law to provide equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Positions in this class typically require: sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Incumbents generally work in a typical office environment with adequate light and temperature. There may be occasional exposure to fumes, noxious odors, dust, mist, gases, poor ventilation, underground/confined/restricted working environment and exposure to loud noise.

 

Travel: Positions in this class may require local and statewide travel as necessary.