Planning Manager

Job Description:

Planning Manager

Description

Description

The City of Laguna Beach is excited to announce that we are accepting applications for the position of Planning Manager in the Community Development Department. We are looking for a dedicated, goal-oriented, and customer service-oriented professional to join our team. In this key leadership role, the Planning Manager will oversee the division’s operations, guide a talented team, and serve as the primary staff liaison to the Planning Commission. Reporting directly to the Director or Assistant Director of Community Development, the Planning Manager will coordinate the review of various planning entitlements, including Conditional Use Permits, Variances, Design Reviews, and Capital Improvement Projects, ensuring the city's continued growth and development.

This position offers a flexible hybrid work schedule.

What you’ll be great at:

• Understanding principles and practices of planning, historic preservation, including the Subdivision Map Act, Planning and Zoning Law of California, and CEQA
• Preparing, administering, and controlling budgets
• Leading, training, and evaluating staff while resolving personnel issues
• Ensuring high standards of customer service
• Administering contracts effectively and staying compliant with legislation
• Handling general litigation matters
• Managing demanding workloads and multiple priorities efficiently
• Exercising independent judgment and making sound decisions
• Communicating clearly and fostering strong working relationships
• Developing and implementing goals, policies, and procedures
• Analyzing complex regulations and recommending practical solutions

Apply now to be part of the next review! Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis, with the next review on October 30, 2024.

Examples of Duties

The normal duties for this position can be found in the job description for Planning Manager. They are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience demonstrating the ability to effectively and successfully perform the duties of the position is considered qualifying. A typical combination is as follows:

Education: A Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Geography or a related field. A Master's Degree in a closely related field or AICP certification is desirable.

Experience: Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in the administration and/or application of municipal regulations related to urban planning with two (2) years of supervisory experience. Experience with public agencies, Local Coastal Programs, long-range planning, and historic preservation is highly desirable.

License/Certificate Requirements: Due to the performance of some field duties, which may require the operation of a personal or City vehicle, a valid California Driver's license and an acceptable driving record are required.

Supplemental Information

This recruitment will establish an eligibility list that may be used to fill future vacancies in the same or lower classifications.

Application/Selection Process: Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis, with a first review on October 30 , 2024. Applications will be screened carefully, and selected applicants will be invited to participate in the Structured Panel Interview. The appointing hiring authority will further review the job-related qualifications of those deemed eligible for hire before making selection decisions. The selection process may be modified based on the needs of the City.

Pre-employment Process: Selected candidates must successfully pass a fingerprint check with the State Department of Justice. Education and employment verification and reference check(s) will also be conducted.

The Department & Division: The Community Development Department is organized into four divisions - Administration, Building, Planning, and Code Enforcement with 42 full-time employees and 5 contract positions. The Planning Division is responsible for long range planning programs, residential development and commercial/mixed-use projects. This Division ensures the implementation of the goals and policies of the General Plan, administration of the Municipal Code, and provides staff support to the Planning Commission, Design Review Board, Heritage Committee, and View Restoration Committee . There are several long-range planning projects occurring that the Planning Manager will oversee, including a Downtown Specific Plan update, and a Comprehensive Zoning Code update. The Department is also in the process of updating its procedures and processes and is implementing a new permitting system to allow for electronic plan review.

Why work for Laguna Beach: Laguna Beach is a beautiful coastal city located in Orange County, California, with a vibrant art scene and cultural events. We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages, including City paid health insurance for employees, alternative work schedules, wellness programs and more! The City has a strong commitment to its employees, providing opportunities for professional growth and development through training and education programs.

Benefits for Full-Time Management Employees (Non-Safety)

~~SALARY AND COMPENSATION ~~

Pay Plan: The salary ranges are composed of a high and low point, as approved by the City Council and granted by the City Manager. All management positions are designated as "at will" employees with no specified term or guarantee of continued employment.

Salary Adjustments: Effective 7/1/22 - 4%; 7/1/23 - 4%; 7/1/24 - 4%

Deferred Compensation: Management employees receive a City-paid contribution of two percent (2%) of base salary towards a Deferred Compensation Program.

Exceptional Performance Pay: Management employees are eligible to receive up to five percent (5%) of base salary in the form of exceptional performance pay.

Automobile Allowance: For any management classification employees not otherwise provided a City vehicle, the CIty shall provide an automobile allowance of Four Hundred ($400) dollars per month for Directors, and Two Hundred dollars ($200) per month for Deputy Directors or Managers as previously approved, or as otherwise deemed necessary for the performance of job duties, by the City Manager.

Physical Examination: The City will reimburse management employees up to three hundred dollars ($300) per calendar year for expenses incurred for a general examination to determine physical fitness.

~~LEAVE TIME~~

Vacation: Management employees shall accrue vacation leave with pay as follows:

0 to 9 years of service - 136 hours per year
10 + years of service - 176 hours per year

New management employees with 10 years or more of related public sector experience, may be eligible to accrue vacation leave at the rate of 176 hours per year, subject to the City Manager's approval.

Sick: Every management employee shall accrue sick leave time at the rate of eighty (80) hours per year. Use of accrued sick leave is permitted in accordance with Federal and State laws to care for an ill parent, spouse or child.

Holidays: Management employees receive eleven (11) paid holidays per year.

Administrative: Up to ninety (90) hours of Administrative Leave per fiscal year, as granted by the City Manager.

Bereavement: Employees will be paid twenty-four (24) hours per incident (forty- eight (48) hours maximum per year) for the death or terminal illness of an immediate family member of the employee, the employee's spouse or domestic partner.

~~OTHER BENEFITS~~

Retirement. Based on your prior service history, you will be enrolled in the CalPERS retirement system as either a Classic or PEPRA (new) member.

Non-Safety Management Employees:

Classic: As a Classic member, you will be enrolled in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) pension benefit formula of 2.5% at 55 with the following optional benefits: One Year Final Compensation, Service Credit for Unused Sick Leave and the 1959 Survivors Benefit Level IV. Currently, all Classic members are required to contribute eight percent (8%) of their pensionable income towards this retirement benefit.

PEPRA: As a PEPRA member you will be enrolled into the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) under the 2% @ 62 defined benefit plan as a “New Member”. This plan contains the following benefit options: Three-year final compensation, 1959 survivor benefit level IV, and service credit for unused sick leave. “New Members” are required to contribute at least fifty percent (50%) of the total normal cost of their retirement benefit. Currently this rate is seven and three-quarters percent (7.75%) of pensionable income.

Marine Safety Management Employees:

Classic: As a Classic member you will be enrolled into the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) under the 3% @ 55 defined benefit plan. This plan contains the following benefit options: One-year final compensation, 1959 survivor benefit level IV, and service credit for unused sick leave. Members currently contribute percent (9%) of pensionable income towards this retirement benefit and additional three percent (4%) of pensionable income as cost sharing for a total of thirteen percent (13%).

PEPRA: As a PEPRA member you will be enrolled into the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) under the 2.7% at 57 defined benefit plan. This plan contains the following benefit options: Three-year final compensation, 1959 survivor benefit level IV, and service credit for unused sick leave. “New Members” are required to contribute at least fifty percent (50%) of the total normal cost of their retirement benefit. Currently this rate is thirteen and seventy-five hundredths percent (13.75%) of pensionable income.

Please reference the CalPERS website, www.calpers.ca.gov , for an explanation of benefits.

Health: City pays one hundred percent (100%) for employee only coverage. City pays ninety percent (90%) for dependent coverage with the employee responsible for the remaining ten percent (10%). The City's maximum contribution for premium sharing is limited to the amount contributed by the City for the HMO family rate. Medical and Dental coverage is provided for domestic partners.

Medical and Dental coverage is offered for eligible retired employees who elect this option. The employee is responsible for the entire premium. Employees must work for the City for five years in order to be eligible to access the City's retiree health plan program.

A medical insurance waiver program is available for employees covered by medical insurance other than the City's medical insurance. The program pays sixty percent (60%) of the monthly HMO employee only rate on a bi- weekly basis.

RHS: The City, on the employee's behalf, will make a pre-tax contribution of one hundred dollars ($100) per month to a Retirement Health Savings Plan (RHS) managed by Mission Square. Accrued sick leave will be deposited into the employee's RHS account upon separation from City. Additionally, subject to certain terms and conditions, employees may cash-in accrued sick leave into their RHS accounts twice a year.

Life Insurance: A fifty thousand-dollar ($50,000) group term Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) policy is provided.

Disability: Long Term Disability (LTD) insurance coverage consists of sixty percent (60%) of the employee's base salary with a monthly maximum of five thousand ($5,000). LTD will begin after the employee's sick leave is exhausted and the employee has off work for sixty (60) calendar days.

Employee Assistance Program: The City contracts with an Employee Assistance Program which provides confidential counseling and referrals to employees and their families, free of charge.

Education Reimbursement Program: The City administers an educational reimbursement program for eligible employees. Reimbursement is limited to one thousand dollars ($1,000) per fiscal year and eligible expenses. The program is subject to budgetary constraints.

Work Schedule: City Hall is currently operating on a 9/80 work schedule. Other work schedules may be available including, but not limited to, a 4/10, 5/8 or other work schedule as may suit the operational needs of the City. Alternate work schedules are subject to City Manager approval.

Parking Permits: Management employees will receive a Shopper Parking Permit free of charge.

Expenses: Employees are eligible for an annual budget of $1,300 for conference and training expenses.

Cell Phone Stipend: Management cell phone stipend of eighty dollars ($80) per month.

Internet Stipend: A monthly internet stipend of fifty dollars ($50) per month.

Salary:

$123,108.00 - $184,608.00 Annually