11/03

City of San José
SENIOR PLANNER (4124)

CLASS SUMMARY:
   Supervises and leads a specialized planning unit or plans, and conducts, plans, reviews and manages complex planning projects of considerable difficulty. May perform related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: (Level in the series and how distinguished from the other levels; other unique characteristics of the job such as a requirement to work weekends)
   This is the lead or supervisory class in the professional Planning series. This class differs from that of Planner II in that an incumbent of the latter class performs professional planning work of moderate difficulty under general supervision. This class differs from that of Principal Planner in that an incumbent of the latter class plans and directs the work of a major section or function of the Planning Department such as advanced planning, development review, zoning, area planning, or special studies.

QUALIFICATIONS
   (These qualifications are typically required. An equivalent combination of education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to satisfactorily perform the duties of the job may be substituted.)

Education and Experience
   A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in urban or regional planning, Architecture. , urban design, geography, environmental studies or a closely related field and four years of experience equivalent to the level of Planner I/ II with the City of San Jose including a minimum of 2 years equivalent to the level of Planner II
OR
   A Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in urban or regional planning, Architecture. , urban design, geography, environmental studies or a closely related field and two (2) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in city or regional planning, zoning or zoning administration at the level equivalent to Planner II with the City of San José.

· Sixty (60) semester hours of relevant graduate course work can be substituted for the required graduate degree

Licensing Requirements (such as driver’s license, certifications, etc.)
   Possession of a valid California driver's license may be required.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (position requirements at entry and depending on area of assignment):

· Knowledge of principles of supervision.
· Knowledge of team leadership and workload management principles.
· Ability to write accurately, clearly and effectively, and to edit the written work of others.
· Ability to provide staff training in area of responsibility.
· Ability to plan, assign, and supervise the work of Planners and Planning Technicians.
· Ability to consistently manage complex assignments and responsibilities with significant independence.
· Knowledge of project management principles.
· Knowledge of a broad range of municipal purposes, practices and policies.
· Knowledge of the nomenclature, symbols, methods, practices, techniques, and instruments used in planning, drafting, and mapping.
· Knowledge of the principles, practices, and purposes of City planning and of the current trends in federal, state, and local planning.
· Knowledge of accepted practices of local and state laws and regulations relating to municipal planning and zoning.
· Ability to coordinate with and effectively work with outside agencies, groups and persons.
· Ability to speak clearly and effectively before professional, governmental, civic, and business groups.
· Ability to analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
· Ability to represent the City's interest and coordinate programs with local and regional agencies.

Desirable Qualifications (likely to contribute to more successful job performance; can often be learned on the job):

· Ability to use geographically based information systems to create maps and manipulate data.
· Ability to read, interpret and analyze architectural plans.
· Knowledge of principles and techniques involved in the development and maintenance of a comprehensive General Plan.
· Ability to analyze and compile statistical, economic, and highly technical data pertaining to City planning matters.
· Knowledge of the principles and capabilities of geographically based information systems; ability to apply those principles and capabilities to various planning issues.
· Knowledge of the principles and techniques involved in the development and maintenance of a Zoning Code.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (Check all that apply to performance of the essential duties of the job)

Supervises subordinate planning and support staff, including: prioritizing and assigning work, training, editing documents prepared by subordinate staff, and general review of work performed by the team under supervision, conducting performance evaluations, making hiring, termination and disciplinary recommendations

Select one of the following:

___X__Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

CLASSIFICATION HISTORY:
Revised 11/03; s003