Senior Planner (Limited-Term, Grant-Funded)

Salary : $90,209.60 - $120,848.00 Annually
Location : Riverside, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 24-7930-01
Department: Community Development
Division: CD-PLANNING
Opening Date: 03/07/2024
Closing Date: 3/31/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
The Position
The City of Riverside's Community and Economic Development Department is accepting applications for a limited term Senior Plannerto support the Planning Division. This recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancy and establish an eligibility list for future vacancies.
This position is in support of Phase II of the City's new Cannabis Program for Storefront Retail Commercial Cannabis Businesses. This includes the application final review process: verification of site locations for businesses, zoning verification clearance, site submittal and plan review, business plan, operational plan, safety and security plan review, and all final permit approvals needed to commence any site improvements to begin operations, and to secure a Certificate of Occupancy.
*This is a limited-term, grant-funded position of approximately 18 months supported by the Cannabis Retail Access Grant.
Work Performed
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Reviews and processes comprehensive plan amendments, re-zonings, annexations, site plans and development applications associated with a project.
• Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of environmental assessments and staff reports related to legislative applications and land use entitlements requiring discretionary approval.
• Makes recommendations on development permits and presents them to the Development Review Committee, Planning Commission, and City Council.
• Review construction and grading plans for compliance with the City's Municipal Code and, if applicable, project specific conditions of approval.
• Conducts research and prepares statistical reports on land use, social, and economic issues.
• Supervises and provides guidance to junior level planners on the review of development entitlements.
• Supervises and participates in special planning, zoning, and environmental studies.
• Monitors state and federal legislation for changes to planning, environmental, and transportation laws.
• Develops requests for proposals; manages consultant contracts associated with assigned planning projects; develops work programs and methodologies; oversees consultants' budgets; and establishes project schedules.
• Reviews and comments on planning proposals of outside jurisdictions that may impact the City.
• Advises and assists City and management officials on community planning issues and problems, pending cases, and application of established City policies and ordinances.
• Coordinates planning and development activities with other City departments and outside entities.
• Meets and advises developers, residents, business and property owners regarding development applications and processes.
• Represents the Community & Economic Development Department at public meetings and works with various groups and individuals regarding a variety of planning and zoning matters.
• Coordinates planning related activities with other City departments, divisions, and with outside agencies.
• May supervise, train and evaluate professional, para-professional, technical and clerical personnel.
• Performs field inspections to gather data relevant to the development applications and to verify compliance with approved plans.
• May attend evening and weekend meetings.
• May act as Principal Planner in his/her absence.

Qualifications
Recruitment Guidelines:
Option I
Education: Master's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in planning or a closely related field.
Experience: Three years of professional planning experience.
Option II
Education: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in planning or a closely related field.
Experience: Four years of professional planning experience.
Selection Process
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION:
1) Completed Employment Application
2) Completed Supplemental Questionnaire
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON SCHEDULING ASSESSMENTS:
If you are selected to move forward in the assessment process, you may be required to self-schedule your appointment. You will be notified via email of your status and provided with self-scheduling instructions. Please check your email regularly following the closing date of this recruitment.
The selection process will begin with an employment application package screening, with the best qualified candidates being invited to participate further in the assessment process. This process may include any combination of written, performance, and oral assessments to evaluate job-related education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Those who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on the eligibility list for this classification.
It is the responsibility of candidates with a disability requiring accommodation in the assessment process to contact the Human Resources Department in writing to request such accommodation prior to the closing date of this recruitment.
Appointment may be subject to the successful completion of a pre-employment background investigation, drug screen, and/or medical/physical examination.
NOTE: The City reserves the right to modify selection devices and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards. Candidates may reapply when there is a posting to establish an eligibility list.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Proof of education listed in your application will be requested at the time of conditional offer. Acceptable documentation consists of transcripts or degree, if applicable, by the accredited U.S. college or university.
Education obtained outside the United States (US) require one of the following options:

1. An equivalency statement from an evaluation company certified by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) at or the Association of International Credential Evaluators Inc. (AICE) at
2. An advanced-level degree from an accredited US college or university.

All applicants will be notified via e-mail or telephone of their application status and the assessment dates/times/locations after the closing date of this announcement.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.
Level I include Para-Professional and Supervisory classifications (Non-exempt).
The City offers an attractive benefits package, the central provisions of which are as follows:

• Retirement for Classic Members - For employees hired after 1/1/2013 who are CLASSIC MEMBERS of California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12 and have not been separated from service from such agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2.7 % @ age 55; 3 year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 8%. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
  
• Retirement for New Members - For employees hired 1/1/2013 or later and who ARE NOT a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12, or those who have been separated from a public agency which contracts with CalPERS or a reciprocal agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2% at age 62; 3 year final compensation.The required employee contribution is 50% of the normal cost and is subject to change per CalPERS every fiscal year. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
  
• Health Insurance - The City offers six health insurance plans and contributes up to $1,516 per month for HMO plans(family coverage).
  
• Dental Insurance - The City provides three dental insurance plans and contributes up to $45 per month.

• Vision Insurance - The City provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for employees and their dependents that are enrolled in medical coverage.
  
• Life Insurance - The City provides and pays for term life insurance with accidental death and dismemberment equal to two times the annual salary rounded to the next highest $1,000 (up to $700k) plus AD&D. Additional Life Insurance is available and voluntary for employee and eligible dependents (up to $300k).
  
• Deferred Compensation - The City contributes $100 per month with a minimum employee contribution of $12.50 per check. Participation in the deferred compensation plan is optional.
  
• Leave Benefits - Includes all the typical vacation leave, sick leave, bereavement leave, and holiday benefits.
  
• Flexible Spending Account - The City offers a Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Plan for optional participation.

• Long Term Disability - The City offers optional enrollment in the Long Term Disability Plan.
  
• LegalEase Plan - Optional legal services plan for employees and eligible dependents.
  
• Critical Illness Plan - Optional critical illness insurance plan for employees and eligible dependents.
  
• Vacation Accrual - 0-9 yrs = 128 hrs., 10+ yrs = 168 hrs.

For additional benefits information, please visit the following page:
For part-time, benefitted positions the insurance and other benefits (leave accruals, holidays, etc.) are pro-rated based on ½ or ¾ time status.
01
Instructions: The information on the application and your responses to the following supplemental questions will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum and/or highly desirable qualifications for the position in which you are applying. Detailed responses must be provided for each question in order to ensure qualifications are properly considered.
(*Do not refer to a resume in lieu of completing the supplemental questions).
Employers listed on this questionnaire must also be listed and fully detailed in the work experience section of your application.

• I understand.

02
Please indicate the highest level of education that you have completed.

• Less than a High School Diploma or GED
• High School diploma or GED
• Some college (up to 59 semester units or 89 quarter units)
• Associate's degree or equivalent (60 semester or 90 quarter units)
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent (120 semester or 180 quarter units)
• Master's degree
• PhD

03
How many years of professional planning experience do you possess?

• 4 years or more
• 3 years, Less than 4 years
• Less than 3 years

04
Do you possess a valid class "C" California driver's license?

• Yes
• No

05
I understand this is a limited-term, grant-funded position supported by the Cannabis Retail Access Grant with no guarantees of extension.

• I understand.

06
Certification: I understand that I cannot update my application once it has been submitted. Therefore, I have fully completed ALL sections, provided full descriptions of my duties and responsibilities for each employer, and have fully answered ALL questions on the Supplemental Questionnaire. Do not refer to a resume or other documentation, as it will not be reviewed in lieu of completing the Supplemental Questionnaire. Note: Employers and/or experience noted on the Supplemental Questionnaire must also be included and fully detailed on the Application.

• I understand.

Required Question