DEFINITION
Under general direction, plans, organizes, manages and coordinates the current, advanced and environmental planning function for the City; participates in the development of policies and strategies for division operations; acts as a liaison between customers and other City departments and outside agencies; manages the effective use of division resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service; provides complex professional assistance to the Assistant Community Development Director in areas of expertise; and performs related duties as assigned.

IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate is a knowledgeable and results-oriented planning professional with a strong foundation in urban planning, zoning, and environmental review, as well as extensive leadership and project management experience. This individual brings a strategic mindset, a commitment to public service, and a deep understanding of policy development, CEQA compliance, and land use regulations.

Strategic Leader and Effective Manager
The ideal candidate is experienced in managing the daily operations of a planning division, overseeing programs related to land use, zoning, development review, and environmental planning. Excels at setting clear goals and priorities, ensuring efficient service delivery, and driving continuous process improvements. Adept at performance management, training, and guiding staff while fostering a productive and accountable work environment.

Technically Skilled and Policy-Savvy
With comprehensive knowledge of urban planning principles, CEQA, and the California Coastal Act, the candidate has a demonstrated ability to lead complex planning projects and regulatory reviews. They are comfortable preparing environmental documentation, evaluating the impacts of legislation, and updating long-range plans such as the General Plan and Local Coastal Program.

Project and Budget Management Expertise
The ideal candidate is skilled in developing and managing budgets, identifying resource needs, and overseeing consultant contracts. They can manage multiple planning initiatives simultaneously, estimating timelines and resource allocations while ensuring compliance with municipal, state, and environmental regulations.

Engaged Communicator and Public Liaison
An articulate and thoughtful communicator, the candidate is capable of presenting technical and policy information clearly to elected officials, community members, developers, and public agencies. Fully experienced in conducting public outreach, leading community engagement efforts, and serving as a liaison with other departments and regulatory bodies.

Solution-Oriented and Collaborative
The candidate demonstrates sound judgment, diplomacy, and the ability to resolve complex and often politically sensitive planning issues. They thrive in collaborative settings and have a track record of building partnerships across departments and with external stakeholders.

Committed to Service Excellence and Compliance
The ideal candidate is passionate about quality public service, ensuring that all planning and development activities meet the highest standards for safety, legality, and community responsiveness. Leads by example in promoting a culture of compliance, safety, and ethical decision-making.

Examples of Duties
• Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Planning section including zoning, development, land use and environmental review.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the division; continuously monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, service delivery methods, and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative, and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities and makes recommendations for improvement.
• Participates in the selection of, trains, motivates and evaluates personnel; works with employees to correct deficiencies; recommends and implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Develops requests for proposals, scope of work statements, and technical specifications; analyzes proposals and recommends selection; manages work performed by consultants for the department; performs contract administration.
• Participates in the development, administration, and oversight of assigned budget; determines funding needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; ensures compliance with budgeted funding.
• Oversees and participates in the preparation of environmental impact reports; assures compliance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for all City activities/projects.
• Analyzes and develops projects and determines project priorities and scheduling; estimates personnel, resources, and time required for project completion; maintains and updates general plan elements as required; prepares and conducts presentations to decision-makers and the public; prepares and reviews detailed staff reports in areas such as subdivision review, zone changes, environmental impact, and grant application.
• Serves as project manager or assists with the most complex current and/or long-range planning projects, environmental review, General Plan and Local Coastal Program updates, and special planning studies, including in-depth application and plan review.
• Oversees the review and analysis of development proposals, subdivision maps, zoning amendments, and other development applications, including ensuring adequate community outreach and participation.
• Reviews, interprets, and analyzes new and proposed legislation; determines effect of legislation on operations and programs of the organization served; advises superiors of findings; takes appropriate action in order to ensure compliance with existing rules and regulations; proposes legislation if appropriate.
• Serves as a liaison for the department with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces, as necessary; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.
• Responds to inquiries regarding the Municipal Code and the Local Coastal Program and its applicability to various situations, the building and planning processes in general, the existence and scope of permits and plans in effect on specific properties.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications
Knowledge of:
• Administrative principles, practices, and methods including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, policy and procedure development, quality control, and work standards.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned area of responsibility.
• Municipal planning principles, techniques, practices, and procedures including knowledge of general plans, zoning ordinances, specific plans and development standards and practices.
• Geographic, socio-economic, transportation, political and other elements related to City planning.
• Site planning and architectural design principles.
• Local coastal planning.
• Principles of advanced mathematics and their application to planning work.
• Recent developments, current literature and sources of information related to municipal planning and administration.
• Practices of researching planning issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
• Principles of contract administration and general principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review, and evaluation and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service, by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:
• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Provide administrative, management, and professional leadership for the Planning section.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Effectively negotiate and draft collaborative agreements with building owners, contractors, developers, other organizations and individuals for related programs and projects.
• Effectively organize and manage large or specialized planning projects.
• Perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
• Evaluate the suitability of projects to specific sites and surrounding areas.
• Identify and respond to Planning Commission and City Council issues and concerns.
• Making effective public presentations.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups and various business, professional, and regulatory organizations and in meetings with individuals.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
Supplemental Information
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:
Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in urban planning, architecture, environmental design, public administration, or a related field.

Experience:
Five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience, including two (2) years in a lead or supervisory capacity.

Licenses and Certifications:
Possession of a valid California Driver’s License and a satisfactory driving record, to be maintained throughout employment.
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Need an Accommodation? If you have questions or need special accommodation with the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at (310) 456-2489 ext. 488. The City of Malibu is an equal opportunity employer.