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Senior Planner
City Of Torrance / 3031 Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503
Posted on: January 29, 2025
Application Deadline: First Review of applications Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Job Description
The City of Torrance recognizes the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to the City of Torrance today.
The City of Torrance is recruiting for a Senior Planner to be part of the Community Development Team!
The Department
Advancing a Safe, Accessible and Sustainable Built Environment
The Community Development Department plays a vital role in the continued development, sustainable growth, and success of Torrance. CDD maintains the Building and Safety, Engineering, Environmental (Code Enforcement), the Geographic Information System (GIS) and Mapping, Housing, and Planning Divisions, which serve the community by overseeing redevelopment, comprehensive planning, zoning, housing programs, project planning, permitting, environmental stewardship, NPDES and building and code enforcement.
Responsibilities of the Community Development Department include:
- Building Permits & Online Permitting
- Code Enforcement
- Construction Plan Check and Inspections
- Development Review and Comprehensive Planning
- Engineering Permits and Records
- GIS
- Housing Programs (including Section 8)
- NPDES Administration
- Successor Agency to the Former Redevelopment Agency of the City of Torrance
- Survey Information
- Transportation Planning
The Division
The Planning Division is committed to urban planning and design to provide an attractive, safe, and enriching environment that assures a high quality of life. The Planning Division is comprised of two sections:
Development Review is focused on reviewing development plans for conformance with land use policies and standards, and is responsible for processing development applications, conducting environmental review, and responding to inquiries on zoning and land use. Development Review also provides staff support to the Planning Commission and to the City Council.
Comprehensive Planning is focused on developing plans, policies and programs to guide development in Torrance, and is responsible for maintaining the General Plan, conducting special studies related to land use, and collaborating with regional and state agencies. Comprehensive Planning also provides staff support to the Historic Preservation Commission, and to the Planning Commission and the City Council.
The Position
The Senior Planner manages, directs, and participates in highly complex planning projects and activities; plans, organizes, oversees, coordinates, and reviews the work of professional, technical, and administrative staff in the Planning Division of the Community Development Department; and provides expert and complex support to the Community Development Director, Planning Manager, City Council, Commissions, and other stakeholders. This position represents the department and City to outside agencies, public and private groups, and the general public; negotiates, administers, and manages contracts for services; and contributes to the management of assigned budgets, ensuring proper oversight and administration.
The Senior Planner designs and conducts studies to develop policies, plans, and codes; performs field inspections of planning and development projects to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations; develops and standardizes procedures and methods to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of division services, projects, and activities; and performs other related work as required.
For a full a job description, click here.
Required Experience / Skills / Education
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in regional planning, urban planning, community development, architecture, landscape architecture, geography, business or public administration, engineering, or a closely related field and two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience which includes technical work in at least two (2) of the following areas: General Plan preparation and maintenance, design review administration, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) administration, redevelopment administration or housing administration.
A Master’s Degree in Planning may be substituted for one year of the required experience.
License and/or Certificate
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- Must possess and maintain a valid California Class C Drivers’ License.
Ideal Candidate:
In addition to the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess:
- Extensive experience in land use planning, urban design, and community development;
- In-depth knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including environmental review processes, building codes, and other planning-related ordinances, with the ability to interpret and apply them effectively;
- Proven ability to manage complex planning projects;
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with internal departments, external agencies, developers, and the public;
- Demonstrated ability to prepare and deliver clear, engaging, and effective presentations to a variety of audiences;
- Extensive knowledge of municipal planning principles and practices; and
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Application Instructions
Interested candidates must submit an online application and supplemental questionnaire at www.TorranceCA.Gov/Jobs. Application submissions will be accepted on a continuous basis until the position is filled. First review of the applications will be those received by Wednesday, February 5, 2025. If a sufficient number of qualified applications are received by the first review date, there is a possibility that the recruitment may close at that time.
Only those candidates who best meet the City and Department’s needs will be invited to participate in the examination process which will consist of the following component:
Oral Interview: 100% (Tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, 2025.)
SPECIAL NOTES
Visit www.TorranceCA.Gov to find out more information about our community.
Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources prior to the examination date(s). If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact us at (310) 618-2915 before the test date. For further information, click here.
As a condition of employment, candidates must pass a background check.
The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract, and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.
