Job Description

Description

---------------

A.

PURPOSE:

Under administrative direction, plans, coordinates and directs the Community Development Department of the City; performs professional planning duties; develops the general plan in accordance with the wishes of the Planning Commission; makes recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council on ordinance changes; coordinates the environmental review process; develops and coordinates the City's housing program; and performs related duties as required.

B.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is a single position classification responsible for all activities of the Community Development Department. The department has several major functions: planning, building code enforcement and inspection; environmental review of development projects; City housing program; and coordination with the Redevelopment Agency.

C.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

(1) Plans, organizes and develops policies and procedures for the Community Development Department; (2) performs professional level planning duties for the orderly development of urban areas; (3) develops the general plan in accordance with the wishes of the Planning Commission and the City Council; (4) makes recommendations on zoning; (5) administers sub-division and land use regulations; (6) collects and analyzes data concerning needs of the City for public improvements; (7) confers with property owners and project developers and submits reports and recommendations to the Planning Commission regarding zoning, building and conditional use permits; (8) supervises and participates in the checking and inspection of tentative plans of subdivisions submitted for the approval to the Planning Commission; (9) makes field inspections of subdivisions; (10) advises property owners, subdividers, civil engineers, architects and others concerning conformance of subdivision plans to state and local laws and ordinances and the General Plan of the City; (11) reviews applications for zone changes, use permits and variances; (12) develops and proposes policies on land use for presentation to the Planning Commission for decision; (13) prepares reports and recommendations for rezoning; (14) works with public and private officials in administering the General Plan and laws and regulations relative to community development; (15) supervises the building inspection division; (16) coordinates with the City Attorney to ensure the legal status of the General Plan, recommended city zoning ordinances and other activities and projects of the department; (17) coordinates the environmental review process on proposed projects and subdivisions; (18) prepares, coordinates and implements regional development plans with the Executive Director of the Regional Development Agency; (19) administers the City's Housing and Community Development Block Grant programs; (20) supervises the City's code enforcement program; (21) maintains intergovernmental relationships with local municipalities and other governmental agencies; (22) prepares correspondence and reports on the status of the General Plan; (23) coordinates planning activities with City departments and other public and private agencies; (24) coordinates the submission of City grant applications related to planning and community development; (25) researches and analyzes data and prepares recommendations for the City Administrator regarding planning, and related subjects; (26) represents the Planning Commission before the City Council and at other public meetings; and (27) prepares yearly budget for the department.

D.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.



1.

General and Specialized Job Knowledge and Abilities:

(a) General Knowledge of: English syntax, grammar and spelling; math.

(b) Specialized Knowledge of: Principles of municipal planning and community development; general plan development; City Building ordinance and Code enforcement; public administration; supervision, development, evaluation and training of personnel; techniques used in the development of general plans and environmental impact reports; report writing principles and techniques; federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations relating to planning, development and zoning activities; current state codes and guidelines.

(c) Ability to: Plan, organize and direct the activities of the Community Development Department; formulate planning, building services, redevelopment and housing program policies and ordinances; recommend policies to the City Council and Planning Commission; collect and analyze data and prepare presentations and reports; implement policies and ordinances passed by the City Council; interpret, explain and apply applicable laws, rules and regulations; develop and administer a department budget; serve as technical advisor to the Planning Commission, City Council and the general public on planning and zoning issues; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with subordinates, elected and appointed City officials and the general public; supervise and train subordinate employees; speak and write effectively.



2.

Resources, Including Money, Equipment, Materials and Records:

General plan; department files; office and field equipment; assigned vehicles; assigned personnel; proposed and passed City Ordinances relative to community development projects; and Housing and Community Block Grants.



3.

Solving Problems:

Planning and zoning problems; budgeting problems; citizen and developer complaints regarding zoning, building code and environmental compliance; coordinating with other departments and a variety of other public agencies; coordinating with private contractors and developers; relationships with the Planning Commission and Redevelopment Agency; determining project priorities; personnel problems; making recommendations regarding variances and conditional use permits; finding lowest cost method for correcting mistakes and code violations during construction; inspecting projects and supervising personnel.



4.

Performance of Others:

Planning, Building Inspection and Code enforcement personnel; contractors and consultants hired by the City; functional supervision of other departments involved in community development projects and subdivisions.



5.

Relations with:

(a) Internal Relations with: City Council; Planning Commission; Redevelopment Agency; City Manager; all department heads; other city employees.

(b) External Relations with: A wide variety of other governmental agencies at the state and local level; the business community; contractors and consultants; developers and realtors; the general public.



6.

Communications:

(a) Oral: City Council, Planning Commission and Redevelopment Commission meetings; speeches and presentations; instructions; intra/inter agency meetings; conversations.

(b) Written: Design drawings, engineering drawings and specifications; budgets; reports; memos, letters and notes.

(c) Visual: Drawings; engineering specifications; charts; graphs; inspections of buildings and subdivision projects.

(d) Auditory: Conversations; meetings; operating equipment.



7.

Safety:

Safety of personnel within supervised areas, and self.

(a) Hazardous conditions: Normal office; construction sites; driving.

(b) Frequency: Daily.

(c) Consequence: Minimal in office; falling objects and construction equipment on site; city and freeway driving.



8.

T

olerance of Job Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Mainly a controlled office environment, but occasionally heat and cold, rough terrain, etc. when on job sites.



9.

Physical Aptitude:

(a) Above average hand/eye coordination in performing planning functions and computer workstation usage.

(b) Minimal lifting except files and light equipment up to 25 lbs.



10. Application of Mental and Physical Effort: Requires high levels of concentration for extended periods of time in resolving planning, zoning and environmental problems, contract negotiations and meetings with the City Council, City Manager and other agencies; physical effort is minimal but constant.

E.

PREREQUISITES:

1.

Education and Experience:

Any combination equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university in planning, community development or public or business administration and five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional urban planning and zoning experience, including at least two (2) years in a supervisory position.

Substitution:

Additional progressively responsible professional experience performing duties in any of the functional areas noted above my be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.



2.

Licenses, Registrations, Accreditation, etc.:

Possession of a valid Class C California Motor Vehicle Operators License.



Members of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). In accordance with the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), the City of Selma will offer the following retirement benefit (2.0% at 62) to new PERS members beginning January 1, 2013 with three (3) years final compensation. Existing PERS members with no break in service will receive the 2.7% at 55 formula with three (3) years final compensation. City pays a portion of the employee and dependent coverage costs of group medical, dental and vision insurance. Life insurance - $100,000 per employee. Short and long term disability insurance. 12 working days vacation per year. Additional days based on years of service. 12 days sick leave per year. 16 holidays annually: 13 city observed holidays, two floating holidays plus one birthday credit. Flexible benefit program - IRS Section 125 Plan. * Deferred compensation plan - 457 Plans available.