Senior Planner

Description

The City of Livermore is accepting applications for a Senior Planner - click here for the job announcement!

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, the Senior Planner performs a variety of professional planning responsibilities and tasks associated with the coordination and implementation of highly complex planning projects; performs a variety of duties relating to the collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of technical land use, environmental, zoning, and other City planning data; and performs other duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Senior Planner is an advanced journey level position in the professional planner series. The position is characterized by the level of technical expertise and skill and independent oversight of out of the ordinary, high profile, complex, atypical projects, while functioning as the project coordinator, working with and leading interdisciplinary teams. The Senior Planner is distinguished from the Principal Planner in that the latter has management responsibility for a major section in the division and supervises assigned staff. It is further distinguished from the Associate Planner by the complexity and technical expertise required to work on assigned projects with less supervision.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

General supervision is provided by the Assistant Planning Manager, a Principal Planner, or the Planning Manager.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

No direct supervision exercised, but provides lead direction and directs the work of multi-disciplinary teams, consultants, interns, professional, technical, clerical staff, and citizen advisory boards and committees.

Examples of Important and Essential Functions

Environmental Assessments

Prepares the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) notices of exemption; prepares initial studies and negative declarations; prepares draft and final environmental impact reports; prepares procedures of public notice and public review requirements under CEQA; and reviews, prepares, and coordinates potentially significant environmental documents, policies, and procedures.

Zoning and Subdivision Analysis

Provides assistance to the general public, developer representatives and other public agencies in local planning matters, including land use, urban design, zoning, sign regulations, site plan reviews, and related administrative procedures; prepares plans and reports for adoption by the Planning Commission and/or City Council; inspects new developments to ensure compliance with approved standards and conditions; prepares maps, charts and other planning documents; participates in the review, development, or revision of zoning, subdivision, or other urban planning policies and procedures.

General Plan and Policy Analysis

Formulates, analyzes, and implements General Plan policy, amendments and updates; prepares special studies relating to such items as, land use, housing, and circulation; prepares plans and reports for adoption by the City Council; coordinates with other jurisdictions and agencies at the local, sub-regional and regional level.

Support to Advisory Bodies

Evaluates and makes recommendations on specific policies or objectives to and provides support to the City Council and various advisory bodies such as the Design Review Committee, Heritage Preservation Committee, Planning Commission and sub-committees of these bodies, and other citizen advisory bodies.

Public Contact and Customer Service

Provides all customers with friendly, accurate, and supportive customer service; effectively communicates orally and in writing with the public, project applicants, decision-making bodies, co-workers, and other City departments; professionally and courteously performs field investigations of complaints and violations of land use regulations; cooperatively assists the Code Enforcement Officer in the preparation and resolution of complaints for zoning violations; provides effective leadership and direction; works as a member of a team; and demonstrates an enthusiastic, resourceful, and positive customer service attitude.

Special Projects/Programs Coordination
May work independently as project coordinator and leads interdisciplinary teams and groups with varying interests on highly complex, out of the ordinary, high profile, and atypical projects.

Job Related and Essential Qualifications

Demonstrated Knowledge of :
Principles, methods, and procedures of City planning; state and local laws, statutes, codes and ordinances related to planning, zoning and environmental analysis; the relationship and responsibilities of Federal, State, regional and local government agencies in the planning and regulation of land; data collection and statistical analysis methods; effective communication and report writing techniques; personal computer operating systems and software applications.

Demonstrated Skills to :

Prepare clear and concise written and oral reports; generate appropriate recommendations; read and interpret laws, regulations, building plans and subdivision maps and specifications; independently collect, analyze, interpret, and apply data pertaining to complex planning and zoning, and special projects; devise and prepare graphic illustrations; perform field inspections and site reviews; investigate and assist in the development and administration of zoning regulations; direct or support citizen advisory committees, plans, programs and agendas; utilize personal computers and computer software to perform word processing, spreadsheet, and other functions; work as a member of a team to accomplish goals; respond to internal and external customers in a professional, creative, and cooperative manner; and exemplify an enthusiastic, resourceful, and effective service attitude with the public, co-workers, and others who are contacted in the course of the work.

Ability to :

Analyze complex projects and processes, develop clear and concise recommendations, write reports and summaries of findings and conclusions for other departments, applicants, the public, and oral presentations of such findings and conclusions to advisory bodies, the Planning Commission, and/or City Council; identify items of concern and develop solutions; read, comprehend, and interpret complex laws, ordinances, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Experience, Education and Training Guidelines:

Any combination of experience, education, and training that would provide the best qualified candidates.A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

Experience :Four years of experience in professional land use planning and/or regulation.

Education :Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university with a major in planning, architecture, geography, landscape architecture, public administration or closely related field. A master’s degree in planning may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

Training :Any recent training such as academic courses and certification programs which are relevant to this job classification.

License :May require the possession of a valid California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record as determined by the City of Livermore.

Other Requirements :Willingness and ability to work scheduled and emergency overtime, attend evening and occasional weekend meetings, and travel out of town to attend workshops, conferences, and seminars during work and non-work hours.

Special Requirements :Essential duties may require the mental and/or physical ability to work in a standard office environment; go off site to perform a field inspections or site reviews; read fine print, maps, and blueprints; use a calculator and a computer keyboard; converse by telephone, in person, and to large groups and be clearly understood; and safely lift and maneuver blueprints, plans, equipment, and supplies weighing up to 30 pounds.

CITY OF LIVERMORE
BENEFITS SUMMARY
Association of Livermore Employees

Please click here for a copy of the current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Association of Livermore Employees. The information contained here is a summary of benefits. For a more detailed summary of benefits for all employee groups, click here . Any errors or omissions do not constitute either an expressed or implied contract. Updated 1/2025

MOUTERM
10/01/2021 - 09/30/2025

SCHEDULED INCREASES
10/11/2021 2.0% + $725.40/year
10/10/2022 3.5% + $754.56/year
10/09/2023 2.5% + $777.36/year
10/07/2024 2.0% + $796.80/year

CAFETERIA PLAN (MEDICAL, DENTAL & VISION)
$1,950/month towards medical, dental, and vision; unused balance paid in cash to employee.

BASIC LIFE INSURANCE & ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT INSURANCE (AD & D)
FT - $60,000 EE coverage or PT - $30,000 EE coverage, ER paid
$1,000 dependent coverage, ER paid

EE option to purchase $25,000 additional life insurance & supplemental life to $500,000 (not to exceed 5x annual earnings).

LONG TERM DISABILITY (LTD)
ER paid
60% of base monthly earnings to $5,000/month max. (180 day waiting period)

PERS
New City of Livermore EEs are enrolled in the 2% at 60 formula or 2% at 62 formula, depending on eligibility, as per AB 340.

Classic PERS Misc Member - 2% at 60

• Member Rate = 7% EE paid
• Employer Rate = 34.43% ER paid (includes unfunded liability; FY23/24)
• 36 consecutive months Final Comp
• Sick Leave Credit
• 4th Level 59 Survivor Ben.
• Military Service Credit

New PERS Misc Member - 2% at 62

• Member Rate = 7.5% EE paid
• Employer Rate = 34.43% ER paid (includes unfunded liability; FY23/24)
• 36 consecutive months Final Comp
• Sick Leave Credit
• 4th Level 59 Survivor Ben.
• Military Service Credit

MEDICARE (Hired after 3/31/86)EE paid 1.45%ER paid 1.45%

RETIREMENT HEALTH SAVINGS (RHS) ER contribution of 4% of base pay into RHS account.

VACATION ACCRUAL
Years of Service Accrual Per Year 1 80.6 2-5 120.12 6-10 135.98 11-15 160.94 16-19 180.18 20+ 192.4
Prorated for part-time EE.
Maximum accrual: 340 hours

HOLIDAYS & HOLIDAY-IN-LIEU PAY
Holidays: 12 observed holidays or in lieu day off or if work 2.5 times pay.
Holiday-In-Lieu Pay: EE's assigned receive 7.5% of base salary, paid per pay period

SICK LEAVE ACCRUAL
96.2 hours/year
Pro-rated for part-time EE

SICK LEAVE USAGE:

• FAMILY SICK LEAVE : For immediate Family Illness - ½ Annual Sick Leave Accrual.
• PARENTAL LEAVE : For non-birthing parent who becomes a parent due to adoption, foster care placement, or birth of a child - 48 hours
• BEREAVEMENT/ FUNERAL LEAVE (non-immediate family) : 3 regularly scheduled workdays of sick leave can be used for aunt or uncle.

FUNERAL LEAVE
3 regularly scheduled workdays max for immediate family.

PERSONAL LEAVE
Full-Time: 16 hours per year
Pro-rated for part-time EE.

PREGNANCY LEAVE & FMLA/CFRA
EE may use accrued leaves in compliance with City Rules & Regs
Benefit provided as per regulations: Federal Family and Medical Leave Act, California Family Rights Act, and California Pregnancy Disability Act

DEFERRED COMPENSATION 457(b)
ER contributes $75 per pay period, with required matching of $75 by EE

2025 Maximum :
Normal = $23,500
Age 50+ = $7,500
Catchup Limits = $46,000
Voluntary EE Participation

SECTION 125 PLAN
No ER contribution
2025 Maximum
Dependent Care*: Up to $5,000/year -- *See IRS Pub #503
Unreimbursed Medical: Up to $3,300/year

• Pre-tax Health Care Premiums
• FSA's for Dependent Care
• Unreimbursed Medical Expenses
• Other options offered by plan administrator

UNIFORM ALLOWANCE
$850 per year/ paid in equal amounts per pay period
For Public Safety Dispatchers, Senior Public Safety Dispatchers, Supervising Public Safety Dispatchers, Police Clerks, Senior Police Clerk, Supervising Police Clerk, Animal Control Officers, Police Identification Technician, Supervising Property and Evidence Specialist, Property and Evidence Specialist, Community Service Specialists, Crime & Intelligence Analysts, and Crime Prevention Specialist.

SAFETY SHOE ALLOWANCE
Paid annually in July: $200/year for Meter Readers, and employees in Engineering Technician, Neighborhood Preservation Officer, and Building Inspector series who perform field work, and Public Works employees that are required to wear safety shoes or boots.

PRESCRIPTION SAFETY GLASSES
Reimbursement of up to $150/year for purchase of safety prescription glasses for EEs working in locations where there is a risk of eye injuries.

SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL
EEs regularly assigned to city facilities operating 24/7 - $2.50/hour for all hours worked when assigned to a shift requiring EE work at least 4 hours between 4:00 p.m.- 6:00 a.m.

EQUIPMENT OPERATION
Public Works EEs: $12.00/day for EE who operates Class A vehicle, min of 50%+ operation/day.

STANDBY PAY
2 hours straight-time for standby on regularly scheduled work day
3 hours straight-time for standby on regularly scheduled days off and fixed City holidays

CALL BACK PAY
3 hours min @ OT rate for FLSA nonexempt. First 3 hours can't be taken as comp time but paid to EE.

WORK IN A HIGHER CLASS
If work min of 3 consecutive workdays, paid @ 5% differential or the minimum of the salary range of the higher classification.

COURT PAY/COURT CANCELLATION PAY
If in connection with EE's usual official duties, 3 hrs min @ OT, or 4 hrs min @ OT for those required to appear on normal day off or on graveyard shift.

SUPPORT SERVICES TRAINING OFFICER PAY
$90/pay period for full pay period while assigned.

BILINGUAL PAY
$60/pay period for both written & conversational. Must be certified by Department Head and approved by Admin Services Director, and used on the job.

$35/pay period for conversation level as certified by Department Head and approved by Admin Services Director.

TELEPHONE PAY
20 minutes and for each minute exceeding 20 minutes at OT rate.

CELL PHONE ALLOWANCE
Standard = $40/month (if authorized)
See Administrative Regulation 36 for details.

COMMERCIAL DRIVERS' LICENSE PAY
$35/pay period with valid CA Commercial Driver's License and valid DOT medical card.

OT COMP & COMP TIME OFF
OT for > 40 hrs/week or > 8 hrs/day in a reg scheduled day or hrs in excess of those normally scheduled & worked/day @ 1 ½ x reg. pay or Comp Time in lieu of OT for FLSA nonexempt. Accrued Comp Time in excess of 100 hours must be paid out.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT
75% reimbursement for tuition & books
For undergraduate studies, $4,000 FY max; $16,000 lifetime max
For graduate studies, $5,000 FY max; $10,000 lifetime max

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
100% reimbursement for required licenses and certifications

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Three (3) sessions per incident per family member. Unlimited telephonic consultations.

FLSA WORK PERIOD
168 hour pay period beginning Monday at 12:01 a.m., ending 7 days later on Sunday at 12:00 midnight. If an EE is not on this work week schedule, something must be in writing documenting EE's work week.

For WR Operator series : 168 hour period beginning Sunday at 12:00 midnight,
ending 7 days later on Saturday at 11:59 p.m.

PAY PERIODS
26 pay periods per year

Benefits listed are for regular full-time employees. Benefits are prorated for 30-hour and 20-hour employees.

ER = Employer
EE = Employee
FT = Full-Time
PT = Part-Time

Closing Date/Time: 6/23/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

• 

• City of LIvermore

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