Senior Planner-Community Development

Closing Date: Open until filledPosition: Senior Planner Department: Community Development Salary: Annual $115,430.40-$147,321.48FLSA: ExemptEEO Category: 2 Professionals

General Summary:

Performs highly complex technical planning work. Manages the activities of both current and advanced planning sections. Plans and develops short- and long-term comprehensive programs and plans for development, growth, revitalization, and utilization of land and physical facilities of cities, counties, and metropolitan areas to maximize the quality of life for the community and its residents. Tasks may include:

• Assist in the implementation of goals, policies, and priorities relating to the functions assigned to the department.
• Direct, coordinate, review, and participate in the work of professional and technical employees in data collection, analyses, plan formulation, and implementation of a wide variety of planning, zoning, and environmental review activities.
• Manage planning-related programs prepared for the City by Outside Consultants, including contract management.
• Provide project management for long-range planning projects and programs, including General Plan and zoning ordinance revisions and specific plan development.
• Coordinate with regional government agencies.
• Represent the department at public meetings and present planning and zoning matters to the City Council, Planning Commission, and citizen committees.
• Meet with and advise developers regarding development applications and processes.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in planning or related field
• Five (5) years of experience in urban and regional planning. Municipal experience preferred.

Core Competencies:

• Problem Solving – Analytically and logically evaluating information.
• Learning Agility – Seeking learning opportunities and applying the lessons to work.
• Handling Stress – Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity.
• Professional Integrity & Ethics – Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability.
• Safety Focus – Showing Vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards.
• Customer Focus – Attending to the Needs and expectations of customers.
• Informing – Proactively obtaining and sharing information
• Teamwork – Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals.
• Valuing Diversity – Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace.
• Allocating Resources – Prioritizing the use of fiscal and material resources to maximize organizational effectiveness.

Guiding Principles

1. Put people first.
2. Be visionary.
3. Be an ambassador for Lancaster.
4. Be Fiscally Responsible.
5. Be Creative.
6. Always Improving.
7. Be Adaptable and Resilient.

Essential Physical Requirements:

• Ascend/Descend stairs/ladders/balance (moderate)
• Position self to bend or twist (frequent)
• To move, transport, position items up to 15 lbs. (frequent)
• Exposed to outdoor weather conditions (infrequent)
• Operate Equipment (none)
• Stationary or squatting position (frequent)

Environmental Factors:

• Work under time pressure (moderate to frequent)
• Interruptions (frequent)

Essential Cognitive Functions:

• Analyze (continuous)
• Computations (frequent)
• Generate Written Work Product (moderate)
• Independent Problem Solving (continuous)
• Interruptions (frequent)
• Maintain Positive Public Relations (continuous)
• Organize (frequent)

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

The City of Lancaster will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the City of Lancaster is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting www.dfeh.ca.gov/fair-chance-act/.