Principal Planner
Principal Planner
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Job Description
ABOUT THE POSITION
The County of Riversides Transportation and Land Management Agency (TLMA) Planning Department has an exciting opportunity for a Principal Planner to join the Development Review Division. This role will be uniquely dedicated to planning activities within the March Joint Powers Authority (JPA) area one of the regions most dynamic and complex planning environments.
The March JPA area presents a distinctive set of planning challenges and opportunities. Many of the entitlement projects in this area are highly complex. The Principal Planner will take a lead role in processing these projects ensuring that planning efforts align with the General Plan zoning land use policies ordinances and existing Development and Disposition Agreements.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage and review complex and sensitive entitlement proposals and planning applications.
- Conduct research analysis and oversight of concept plans feasibility studies environmental documents and other planning-related reports.
- Provide land use interpretations and decisions consistent with the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance while establishing clear processes for implementation.
- Navigate and interpret existing Development and Disposition Agreements related to the March JPA.
- Lead mentor and evaluate planning staff ensuring balanced workloads and high-quality performance.
- Serve as a planning liaison to appointed and elected officials providing expertise to resolve complex planning matters.
- Prepare and deliver reports and presentations to decision-making bodies community groups and stakeholders.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be a knowledgeable and resourceful planning professional with the ability to navigate high-profile and technically complex projects. Competitive candidates will demonstrate:
- Knowledge of State laws guidelines and local ordinances pertaining to planning and development.
- Knowledge of environmental protection regulations including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word Excel PowerPoint and Publisher).
- A working understanding of thematic mapping tools such as ArcGIS or SketchUp.
- Strong writing and editing skills to prepare reports studies and presentations.
- The ability to conduct independent research perform analysis and evaluate complex technical documentation related to planning.
Meet the Team!
ThePlanning Department is responsible for Riverside Countys General Plan a comprehensive long-range plan intended to guide the growth and development of unincorporated areas within the County. This department formulates growth management plans and zoning for the County.EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Plan organize direct and coordinate directly or through subordinate lead personnel the activities of a major section within a planning division a combination of smaller planning sections a district office or participate in the development and review of division policies and goals particularly as they affect the assigned section.
Review and evaluate existing programs for overall effectiveness and efficiency in meeting division and section goals initiating action for operational improvements as necessary.
Review studies of ordinance amendments policies and staff reports to ensure thoroughness of analyses consistency with County requirements and legal compliance.
Represent the department on committees and before civic and community groups other County Departments governmental agencies environmental regulatory and permitting agencies stakeholders and the public; confer with property owners developers and their representatives regarding the applicability and impact of County policies ordinances and other regulations related to property development.
Confer with staff regarding problems and progress in their functional areas and provide technical and administrative direction; interview and recommend the selection of prospective employees.
Coordinate and assign personnel within the section; plan and conduct staff development and in-service training programs in operational procedures and policy; review and evaluate the performance of subordinate personnel.
Work with staff of other departments and regional and state agencies to exchange or clarify information used in developing regional land use and operating work plans; coordinate the design and execution of projects to ensure consistency.
Compile data regarding section workloads staffing levels and priorities for input in the departments program budget.
Prepare or delegate preparation of reports and recommendations to all levels of County hearing bodies including Directors Hearing Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.
Make presentations to the Board of Supervisors Planning Commission and other local regional and state agencies on activities being conducted within the section as needed; respond to difficult public relations problems investigate complaints or requests and recommend resolutions.
Coordinate efforts to draft new ordinances and review existing ordinances pertaining to the Planning Department as needed.
Participate in the analysis of proposed or adopted legislation to determine the potential or actual impacts to the County on implementation.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelors degree in planning transportation planning public administration geography (with related course concentration) architecture environmental sciences landscape architecture or a closely related field. (Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the required education on the basis of one year of full-time experience equaling 30 semester or 45 quarter units of the required education.)
Experience: Four years of professional environmental planning land use planning and/or transportation planning experience which must have included performing at least two kinds of the following planning activities associated with a planning agency: comprehensive regional area or community planning; plan/proposal review; general plan amendments; zoning land division; information services; urban renewal; planning administration or transportation planning. One year of experience must have been in a lead or supervisory capacity. (A masters degree in planning or transportation planning or a closely related field may substitute for the one year of the required supervisory experience.)
Other RequirementsLicense/Certificate: Possession of a valid Class C California Drivers License is required at the time of employment.
Knowledge of: The principles of good organization and decision making management and supervision; the principles methods and procedures applicable to land use or transportation planning activities; the physical social environmental and economic implications of land use or transportation planning; local state and federal legislation governing land use development and transportation planning activities; research methods; general plan elements and factors that must be considered in evaluating land use or transportation proposals for consistency with these elements; the organizational structure and jurisdiction of governmental agencies involved in the planning process.Ability to: Manage and coordinate the work of subordinate planners; plan and conduct any necessary training for subordinate staff; motivate and evaluate the work performance of subordinate personnel; collect and analyze data generate and evaluate alternatives reach logical conclusions and formulate consistent recommendations; compose clear and thorough study reports and recommendations; orally present study findings and recommendations to a variety of public groups and governmental bodies; work effectively with the general public and community and governmental boards and commissions; ability to interpret and apply laws and regulations pertaining to planning projects and cases.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Open to All Applicants
This recruitment is open to all applicants.
For questions regarding this recruitment
Contact Vanessa Diaz Beaird at with any questions regarding this recruitment.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Veterans Preference
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify upload a copy of your (or your spouses) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service and a copy of your spouses letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans Veterans Preference Policy C-3 is available here: Accommodations
The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: of Education
If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter upload a copy of any license(s) official/unofficial transcript(s) degrees and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted.If your education was completed outside of the United States you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators Inc. (AICE).
Work Authorization Requirement
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. The County of Riverside does not participate in visa sponsorship programs including H1-B visas and will not provide sponsorship for any employment-based visas.Equal Opportunity Employer
The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race color religion sex national origin age disability sexual orientation gender gender identity gender expression marital status ancestry medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics) genetic information or denial of medical and family care leave or any other non-job-related factors.Pre-Employment
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment). A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.Probationary Period
As an Approved Local Merit System all County of Riverside employees except those serving At Will are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding County Resolution or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.General Information
Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies.Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.
Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the Apply link located on this page to submit your application. For additional instructions on the application process examinations Veterans preference pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions please refer to our web site .
If you are experiencing technical problems you may contact the applicant support desk Monday through Friday 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at or toll-free 1-.
Required Experience:
Staff IC
Employment Type
Unclear
