Description:
The City of Palo Alto is seeking experienced city planners who enjoy working in a dynamic and growing community. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto is a vibrant community and home to many tech companies. In this unique opportunity, the City is looking for a Senior Planner for our Current Planning team and a Principal Planner focused on providing planning services for our Development Services team at the Development Center.
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT The Palo Alto Planning and Development Services Department provides the City Council and community with creative guidance and effective implementation of land use development, planning, housing and environmental policies and programs in order to maintain and enhance the City’s safety, vitality, and attractiveness.
For more information on the Planning and Development Services Department, click
HERE. Principal PlannerThis management-level position will be focused on managing and providing superior planning services at the City's Development Center. The fast-paced and dynamic Development Center serves an involved and well-educated community. Planning services at the Development Center include assisting with general planning/zoning related questions, certificates of use and occupancy, and over the counter permits. Activities also include accepting planning entitlement applications (by appointment only), performing zoning compliance plan checks on single-story single-family building permit applications, reviewing discretionary sign applications, and administering the City’s Construction and Demolition Debris (C&D) Program.
Senior PlannerThis position will be a well-seasoned implementation planner serving in the Current Planning team at the senior level. The Current Planning team processes entitlement applications and ensures conformance with applicable code and regulations. This position is represented by SEIU.
IDEAL CANDIDATEPrincipal Planner Ideal candidates for this position will have a strong customer service focus and superior interpersonal skills. They will be able to communicate effectively with builders, owners, designers, construction managers, and developers and will be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
Ideal candidates will have the following skills and experience:
- Ability to write clearly and communicate effectively; ability to prepare and write high quality staff reports, professional documents, and communications.
- Ability to handle a variety of assignments and adapt quickly to changing priorities and assignments.
- Strong technical skills; familiarity and experience analyzing architectural and landscape plans, and familiarity with Microsoft Office.
- Strong project management skills.
- Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
- Experience with GIS, graphics/presentation programs, database management programs and other comparable programs.
- Experience presenting before Planning Commission or other Boards.
- Experience serving as liaison to a board or commission.
- At least 5 years of experience with implementing the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) including EIRs and MNDs.
- Knowledge of accepted practices of local and state laws and regulations relating to California municipal planning and zoning.
Senior PlannerIdeal candidates for this position will have a strong customer service focus and superior interpersonal skills. They will be able to establish and maintain effective relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including co-workers, management, elected officials, community members, and representatives of public and regulatory agencies.
The ideal candidates will have the following skills and experience:
- Ability to write clearly and communicate effectively, both in writing and in person.
- Ability to handle a variety of assignments and adapt quickly to changing priorities.
- Strong experience managing complex projects and competing priorities.
- Strong technical skills, experience analyzing architectural and landscape plans, and familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, GIS, graphics/presentation programs, database management programs and other comparable programs.
- Experience presenting before Planning Commission or other Boards.
- Experience serving as liaison to a board or commission.
- 5 years of experience implementing the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) including EIRs and MNDs.
- Knowledge of accepted practices of local and state laws and regulations relating to California municipal planning and zoning.
- 2 years of experience processing major housing applications, including the implementation of state density bonus, Housing Accountability Act, SB330,and similar state legislation.
- American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is desirable
Essential Duties:
Principal PlannerEssential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- May supervise professional and administrative staff and consultants.
- May prepare and conduct performance evaluations and prepare program, team or individual work programs.
- May participate in hiring and disciplinary actions.
- Establish and evaluate achievement of program and individual goals and objectives.
- Represent the city to the public, to other agencies, and to regional and sub-regional committees, including conducting public meetings, making presentations, and responding to requests for information.
- Serve as project manager on projects or other assignments; may also oversee programs or oversee staff with responsibility for programs (e.g. housing, block grant).
- Prepare and write high quality staff reports, professional documents, and communications.
- Critically review the draft work products of staff and consultants, providing comments as needed to ensure they represent the Department’s best work.
- Attend, chair, and conduct a variety of meetings; serve on committees as requested; make presentations to the City Council; represent the Department and make oral presentations at meetings, inter-agency meetings, conferences and other events.
- Serve as a liaison to one of the city’s boards or commissions, or other committees.
- Assist in the development of department budgets; monitor and approve expenditures in accordance with policies and principles of sound fiscal management. Develop and maintain analytical tools for audit and control of programs.
- Procure the services of consultants and contractors consistent with City procedures, oversee contract work program, schedule, budget, and deliverables.
- Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.
Senior Planner Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Supervises preparation of environmental impact reports on projects submitted for City approval.
- Evaluates the design of large, complex projects submitted for Architectural Review Board (ARB) review.
- Prepares reports, including coordinating the work of other staff members, on special planning or transportation studies for the Architectural Review Board, Historic Resources Board, Planning Commission, City Council, appointed committees and other City staff.
- Makes public presentations before appointed boards, commissions, committees, and the City Council.
- Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.
The full job description for Senior Planner can be found
HERE The full job description for Principal Planner can be found
HERE Minimum Qualifications:
Principal PlannerSufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge and skills, which would typically be acquired through:
- Bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to the program or function being managed; Urban planning, architecture, or a related field.
- Seven years of progressively responsible experience in municipal government including complex project management; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
Senior PlannerSufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:
- Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Historic Preservation or a directly related field from an accredited college or university. An advanced degree is highly desirable and
- Five years of suitable professional experience in urban, historic or environmental planning. Master’s degree in planning or a related field can be counted as two years of experience.
Special Requirement for all above positions:- Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
Supplemental Information:
Benefits: Fantastic benefits package.
For all full-time employees:
- 120 hours of vacation
- 12 paid holidays
- Health insurance HMO and PPO choices available
- Fully paid dental and vision insurance for employees and dependents
- Up to 6 weeks paid parental leave
- Retirement pension program administered by CalPERS
- Alternative work schedules, depending upon needs of the City
- Commuter incentives including the CalTrain Go Pass for qualifying staff
- and more....
For management employees:
- Additional 80 hours of annual management leave
- $2,500 management excess benefit available for use consistent with the Management Compensation Plan.
- $500 professional development
To learn more, click
HERE .
Compensation (SEIU) : Comprehensive compensation plan, to learn more click
HERE. Schedule: Flexible/Hybrid (depending upon position and subject to change)
*More than one position may be filled from this posting.*
Salary range shown covers both Senior Planner and Principal Planner positions, from the lowest salary for Senior Planner through the highest possible salary for Principal Planner. Depending on applicant qualifications, each position may be filled at the appropriate level/salary.
If you encounter problems applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.
The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
The City of Palo Alto offers its employees a generous benefit package, featuring family medical coverage, retirement, life insurance, plus 12 paid holidays per year. - Participation in a Governmental 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
- Fully paid employee and dependent Dental Plan
- Fully paid employee and dependent Vision Plan
- Fully paid Life and AD&D insurance equal to annual salary
- Flat Rate City paid medical contribution which may allow employees to select a fully paid health plan
- Fully paid Life Insurance equal to one-times annual salary
- Voluntary Supplemental Life Insurance
- Long Term Disability plan
- 12 annual paid holidays
- Two to five weeks vacation annually depending on years of service per MOA
- 96 hours annual sick leave
- Direct Deposit
- Flexible Spending Account for Healthcare and Childcare expenses
Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS)
- 2% at60 formula for Classic Employees
- One-year final compensation for 2% at 60 employees
- 2% at 62 formula for New CalPers Members
- Three-year final compensation for 2% at 62 employees only
- Retiree Medical benefits for employee and dependents after 10 years of service
Please note: The City does not participate in CA State Disability Insurance (SDI) or Social Security.Since they City does not participate in SDI, City employees are not eligible to claim against the State's Pregnancy Disability Leave or Paid Family Leave programs.
Closing Date/Time: 5/15/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
