Senior/Principal Planner – Long Range Planning

*The advertised salary is for this position only* The City of Oxnard’s Community Development Department is seeking an experienced Senior/Principal Planner to join the team! This position leads, oversees, reviews, and performs highly specialized, collaborative, difficult, and complex tasks and projects focused on long-range or advanced planning assignments.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Assist in developing the long term vision for the division to develop holistic and forward-thinking solutions integrating: land use, climate, housing, transit, and sustainability.
• Assist in updating the City’s:
  • General Plan (2050 Oxnard General Plan) – The upcoming General Plan update will place particular emphasis on environmental justice and equity, housing element integration, climate action planning, community engagement, sea level rise adaptation and financing, and the conservation and preservation of environmental resources. The update includes preparing the necessary environmental documents and updating the City’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.
  • Local Coastal Plan (LCP) – updates to the City’s Local Coastal Implementing Program (LIP) (Coastal Zoning Ordinance of the Oxnard City Code, Chapter 17). This includes creating an adaptation framework and implementation approach to prepare for and adapt to sea level rise/resilience.
  • 7th cycle Housing Element (2029-2037 Oxnard Housing Element) – evaluate the housing allocation methodology, site selection criteria, and work with the Southern California Association of Governments and the State of California Housing and Urban Development.
  • Implementation of the Ormond Beach Restoration and Access Plan (OBRAP), including collaboration with identified OBRAP partners and liaison work to advance partnership programs and funding.
• Monitor compliance with laws, with specific focus on environmental, climate, and energy regulations; and identify environmental consequences to policy implications associated with potential and adopted regulations.
• Assist with grant applications and management (as needed) of Division grants.
• Collaborate with personnel from other city departments and agencies to implement Planning & Sustainability goals, programs, and projects.
• Prepare staff reports, participate in making presentations to various boards, Committees, City Council, commissions, and neighborhood groups. May prepare related agendas, reports, and minutes. May supervise the preparation of Planning Commission packets and agendas for long-range planning items.
• May oversee the preparation of Initial Studies, Mitigated and Negative Declarations, and Environmental Impact Reports for long-range projects, ensuring compliance with state laws and all relevant policies, procedures, and directives.
• Work involves extensive contact with government officials, public and private agencies, citizens, citizen groups, City departments, and attorneys.
• May participate in the training and mentoring of long-range departmental personnel as well as manage consultants and consultant contracts.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE:

• Candidates with strong verbal and written Spanish skills are highly desired.

The ideal candidate:

• Is proficient in Microsoft Office, Excel, Google Suite, Geographic Information System (GIS), and statistical programs.
• Understands the relationship between land use policies, state laws, housing, transit, and sustainability, and can draw policy connections and solutions to develop holistic solutions.
• Leads by example and exercises exceptional independent judgment.
• Is a leader who provides excellent customer service, is attentive, collaborative, and an active listener.
• Is a professional that maintains current knowledge of new trends and innovations in the fields related to the area of assignment, including monitoring legislation, climate and environmental trends, and professional practices and techniques.
• Is a skilled, independent thinker and strategist, and self starter able to recommend policy and procedural improvements.

WORK SCHEDULE:

The normal workweek is Monday-Thursday, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm, and alternating Fridays, 8:00 am- 5:00 pm. This position may be required to be available to work additional hours as needed to respond to workload needs, including evenings or weekends as a result of community engagement activities.  The standard work environment varies depending on assignment but is typically either primarily in an office setting or out in the field. This position is not eligible for overtime pay. The City does not offer hybrid or remote work.

The following are the minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the classification:

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in urban or regional planning, economics, architecture, landscape architecture or related field.

EXPERIENCE: Five (5) years in the field of urban planning, architecture, current planning, coastal planning, transportation planning, or sustainability planning, and two (2) years of supervisory or project management experience. Supervisory experience can be the management of consultants/projects.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to effectively communicate in English, both orally and in writing.