County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, the Senior Planner is responsible for supervision of the day-to-day activities of a functional section within the Planning Division of the Community Development Agency; administrative and evaluative functions for the division and the Department; personal performance of duties related to more complex projects; and related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This classification is located in the Community Development Agency. The Senior Planner position is the first-level management position in the Planning Department, and supervises a section within the Planning Division, reporting to an Assistant Deputy Director, Community Development Agency. The Senior Planner is responsible for the administration, supervision, training, and quality of work of subordinate personnel in the section and plays a major role in the administrative capacity for the Agency as a whole. Positions in this class differ from those in the next higher class of Assistant Deputy Director in that an Assistant Deputy Director is responsible for directing, administering and evaluating the operations of a division in a functional department and for representing the Division, Department and County as required. Positions in this class differ from those in the next lower class of Planner III in that a Planner III does not have administrative or supervisory responsibilities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.
1. Organizes, directs, assigns and reviews the work of assigned personnel. Depending on the division and section to which the Senior Planner is assigned, this may involve:
a. Development and maintenance of the County General Plan, including community plans, plan elements, amendments, development of process and impact evaluation plans, and periodic plan review.
b. Research and evaluate projects utilizing land use, environmental, housing, demographic, social, health, and economic data to determine future needs of County areas in accordance with accepted planning principles and procedures.

c. Implementation of the General Plan through preparation of Specific Plans, establishment and revision of zoning districts, and development of policy and administration of programs for project review. Review of major planned development applications, rezonings, subdivisions, surface mining permits, use permits, variances, and design review. Environmental evaluation of plans and projects to ensure compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and State and Local CEQA guidelines, including preparation and review of environmental impact reports for major, controversial projects.
2. Works directly on projects of a difficult, complex nature, which may be either development proposals or departmental initiated projects.
3. Coordinates work between divisions in the Planning Department.
4. Attends meetings of the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, or other bodies to present reports and Department recommendations or other information.
5. Interviews prospective employees and makes recommendations for hiring; trains and supervises professional staff; assigns and reviews employees' work; evaluates employee performance and makes recommendations for promotion or disciplinary actions/terminations.
6. Assists in department administration, including budget requests and justifications, record keeping and annual reports, strategic planning, internal policy development and implementation, personnel matters, etc.
7. Represents the department or the County before community groups, and other bodies; acts for Assistant Planning Director in his or her absence.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience:
Either I

The equivalent of one year of full-time experience in the class of Planner III in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or II

Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, and the equivalent of four years of increasingly responsible, professional experience in County, city, or regional planning, or a related field, including experience directing the work of others or administrative experience.

(NOTE: A Master's degree in city, regional or urban planning, public health, or a related field from a accredited college or university, based on a two-year curriculum, may be substituted for two years of the required experience.)

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• The principles and aims of city, regional, and environmental planning and zoning administration.
• Implications of economic, demographic, and sociological trends on land development and community planning.
• Evaluation, data sources and research methods, including statistical methods.
• Proportion, spatial relationships, and aesthetic concepts of physical planning.
• Concepts of basic site planning including grading, circulation, landscape design and building placement.
• Laws relating to planning, zoning, housing, subdivision and environmental protection, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) or similar legislation.

Ability to:

• Apply the principles, methods, and techniques involved in city, regional environmental planning, and zoning administration.
• Analyze and review site plans, subdivision design, grading plans, surface mining plans, service delivery plans and/or strategic plans.
• Make recommendations for actions consistent with County, regional, and State policies and regulations.
• Plan and organize.
• Make decisions, use good judgment.
• Exercise leadership.
• Provide management control.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Deal effectively and tactfully with the public and staff, members of the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission and other bodies and jurisdictions.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

Rev.4/72-2/77
JGS:ab-Rev.6/85
JGS:db/Revised: 10/90
DF:sw/lm-Revised 1/96
Old doc: 0361h
New doc: 2490.doc
ys/12/01
CSC Date: 1/10/96
DRH:po Revised 10/27/06
CSC Date: 12/20/2006