Principal Planner

1. Oversee coordinate and perform current and advanced professional planning functions including preparing environmental impact reports conducting planning studies on complex development projects and coordinating capital improvement projects.
2. Serve as project manager for large and complex current and advanced planning projects involving city land use policy; manage multiple contracts.
3. Plan prioritize assign supervise and review the work of staff responsible for planning and development projects.
4. Oversee and participate in assisting the public at the front counter; receive review and process development applications and proposals; confer with and advise contractors developers architects engineers and the general public; prepare reports on recommendations.
5. Oversee and conduct field inspections; review development sites to ensure code compliance related to sign landscape screening irrigation and parking; recommend improvement and rehabilitation programs; follow-up to ensure compliance.
6. Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives; implement approved policies and procedures.
7. Assist in administering the Citys General Plan; recommend historical preservation and archaeological goals policies and standards; prepare General Plan Amendments for the Council.
8. Establish schedules and methods for providing planning and development services; identify resource needs; review needs with appropriate management staff; allocate resources accordingly.
9. Participate in the selection of planning staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures.
10. Participate in contract bidding process; assist in preparing requests for proposals evaluating bids and conducting interviews; negotiate and monitor contract agreements.
11. Draft new city ordinances governing land use and development.
12. Provide staff assistance on the Planning Commission; prepare reports and recommendations on planning and development projects.
13. Participate in the preparation and administration of the Planning Division budget; submit budget recommendations; monitor expenditures.

• Have strong knowledge of current planning advanced planning zoning land use environmental review design review and municipal development processes;
• Prepare clear well-organized staff reports findings conditions of approval ordinances resolutions and public hearing materials;
• Effectively present complex planning information to the Planning Commission City Council community groups applicants and the public;
• Manage complex development applications planning studies consultant contracts schedules and competing priorities;
• Supervise mentor train and review the work of professional technical and support staff
• Communicate professionally with applicants residents developers architects engineers consultants staff commissioners and elected officials;
• Exercise good judgment when responding to difficult sensitive or high--visibility planning issues;
• Support consistency fairness transparency and defensible decision-making in the development review process; and
• Bring a collaborative and thoughtful approach to supporting the Citys planning goals community character and long-term vision.

All applicants must submit a completed City of San Clemente application form and supplemental questionnaire in order to be considered. Applications will not be accepted by fax or email.

Applications must be submitted via the Citys web site at

Prior to employment the prospective candidate must successfully complete a background review medical examination including drug screen and be fingerprinted all at City expense. If selected acceptable identification showing entitlement to legally work in the United States will be required.

SELECTION PROCESS

• Applications and Supplemental Questions will be reviewed and evaluated for relevant education and experience.
• Candidates considered to have the best qualifications will be invited to participate in the selection process.
• The selection process will consist of an Oral Interview weighted at 100%.
• An eligibility list will be established and may be used to fill future vacancies for Principal Planner as well as Senior Planner classifications.

For more information regarding this recruitment please contact Cara Morinat or.

As an equal opportunity employer the City strongly encourages people with disabilities and people from historically marginalized communities to apply.