Are you ready to create a significant impact for the City of Menifee? The Community Development Department is searching for professional candidates who are detail-oriented and organized, with a positive attitude and helpful disposition. Find out why Menifee is  New. Better. Best. THE POSITION  Under general supervision, provides advanced level professional planning services in the areas of current and advance planning activities, including serving as project manager for complex development applications and special projects; administers specified activities in such areas as zoning, subdivision ordinance, advance planning, and General Plan; provides technical direction to paraprofessional, technical, and clerical staff; provides information and assistance to property owners, developers, contractors, and the general public;  coordinates assigned activities with other City departments, officials, outside agencies, and the public; fosters cooperative working relationships among City departments and with intergovernmental and regulatory agencies and various public and private groups; provides complex professional assistance to the Development Director, Deputy Development Director, City Council, Planning Commission, and others in areas of expertise; as a team lead, oversees, reviews, and performs a variety of studies and prepares and presents staff reports; and performs related work as required. SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Receives general supervision from the Deputy Development Director. May exercise technical and functional direction to paraprofessional, technical and clerical staff. CLASS CHARACTERISTICS This is the advanced journey level class in the Planner series with responsibilities spanning the entire spectrum of the planning function, with a primary emphasis on current and advance planning, zoning, subdivision ordinance, and General Plan. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to the assigned Planning Division area. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of public policy and municipal functions and activities, including the role of an elected City Council, and the ability to develop, oversee, and implement projects and programs in a variety of areas. This class is differentiated from the Principal Planner in that the latter has management responsibility for planning functions and for performing the most complex planning functions. (Illustrative Only) Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. * Serves as project manager for multiple complex current and/or long-range planning projects and special planning studies, including in-depth application and plan review, coordination with applicants to obtain additional information and project changes, preparing legal notices, posting notices on sites, background research, preparing staff reports, attending public hearings and making presentations, monitoring implementation measures and conditions of approval, checking submittals for building plan check, and inspecting development sites at the beginning and upon completion of the project; reviews project applications and plans submitted for Planning Commission and City Council considerations at public hearings. * Interprets and applies Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations to ensure that public and private projects are in compliance, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Subdivision Map Act, Public Resource Code, Government Code, General Plan, and Design Specifications. * Interacts and communicates with a variety of individuals and groups at the public service counter, in the field, over the telephone, at public hearings, and in discussion forums, including other City departments and public agencies, elected and appointed City officials, developers, consultants, architects, engineers, attorneys, appraisers, real estate agents, property owners, and the general public for the purpose of obtaining or providing information, coordinating activities, processing projects, negotiating plan changes, and formulating recommendations. * Conducts site and policy background research to obtain information for the preparation of staff reports, correspondence, memoranda, policy documents, procedure documents, and presentations to supervisory, inter-departmental staff, or governing bodies; reads, interprets, analyzes, and explains a wide variety of technical documents, studies, and practices related to traffic, noise, plant and animal resources, cultural resources, water quality, air quality, and legislation that may impact the City's planning projects. * Conducts plan check of building permit-level plan submittals associated with complex projects to verify compliance with project approvals and zoning requirements; conducts over-the-counter plan check of less complex development proposals and land uses; approves minor development plans. * Reviews building permit applications, maps, and grading plans for compliance with zoning and land use regulations, and any applicable Conditions of Approval. * Coordinates project reviews by other City departments and outside agencies and consultants. * Evaluates the conclusions of initial studies, mitigated negative declarations, environmental impact reports, and uses the evaluation to formulate a recommendation on projects; monitors project compliance with environmental document mitigation measures and conditions of approval. * Conducts and supervises planning studies in the community; gathers data for implementing or evaluating current and advance planning projects; makes recommendations. * Participates in and makes presentations at City Council meetings, Planning Commission, and to a variety of boards, commissions, and committees as necessary. * Represents the department to other City departments, elected officials, regional/local boards, and outside agencies; explains and interprets departmental programs, policies, and activities. * Manages project deposit based accounts; prepares supplemental fee requests, refunds; reviews deposit tracking log for accuracy. * Develops and maintains automated tracking systems, electronic files, hardcopy files, and records. * Provides technical assistance to para-professional and technical planning staff. * Performs other duties as assigned. KNOWLEDGE OF * Modern principles, practices, and technical and legal issues of General Plan, land use, zoning, subdivision, and urban planning regulations, natural resources protection, and environmental laws. * Geographic, socio-economic, transportation, political, environmental, and other elements related to city planning. * Comprehensive plans and current planning processes and the development process. * Site planning and architectural design principles. * General concepts of architecture, landscaping, grading, drainage, traffic, and transportation engineering as they relate to the process of urban planning. * Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a comprehensive environmental planning program. * Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility. * Principles and practices of employee oversight, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures. * Project management and contract administration principles and techniques. * Research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures. * Conduct complex research projects, evaluate operations and processes, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports. * Principles of basic mathematics and their application to planning work. * Methods and techniques for the development of presentations, business correspondence, and information distribution; research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures. * Principles and procedures of record-keeping, technical report writing, and preparation of correspondence and presentations. * Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work. * English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. * Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations. * Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff. ABILITY TO * Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations. * Interpret and explain planning and zoning programs to the general public; identify and respond to issues and concerns of the public, City Council, and other boards and commissions. * Read plans and specifications and conduct effective site visits. * Analyze site design, terrain constraints, land use compatibility, utilities, and other municipal services. * Read and understand technical drawings and specifications. * Perform mathematical and planning computations with precision. * Direct the work of contract consultants. * Oversee the work of lower level staff. * Effectively represent the City and the department in meetings with governmental agencies, contractors, vendors, and various businesses, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations. * Coordinate assigned activities with other City departments and agencies as required. * Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials. * Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines. * Maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems. * Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs. * Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing. * Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines. * Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: * Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in urban planning, architecture, public administration, or a related field and three (3) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in planning, zoning, and related community development activities, preferably with a government agency. LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS * Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment. * American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification is highly desirable.  PHYSICAL DEMANDS Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to inspect City development sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary or construction access points; to operate a motor vehicle; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds. APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND SELECTION PROCESS A City application, resume, and supplemental questionnaire must be submitted and received by the closing date/time. Candidates must clearly demonstrate through their application materials that they meet the employment standards outlined above. All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. Examinations for the position may consist of any combination of written, performance, and oral exams to evaluate the applicant's skill, training, and experience for the position. Successful applicants will be placed on an eligibility list.  The City of Menifee is an Equal Opportunity Employer