The City of Palm Desert provides exemplary and sustainable services, amenities and programs for the benefit of the local and surrounding communities. When you interact with a City employee, you will find our collaborative, driven and efficient staff working together to provide strategic solutions for the community and each other. We are a city focused on external and internal customer service and try to find a way to say “yes,” while not compromising the City’s or our own integrity.
Our efforts are guided by our core values:
- Integrity
- Stewardship
- Service
- Community
- Innovation
- Teamwork
Our employees are passionate about innovation, collaboration and growth, which is supported by the City’s Council and Executive Team. We are an environment that thrives on making changes, pivoting quickly, and is full of movers and shakers. We are constantly striving to improve processes and better our approach so that we can better support the needs of the City. If you have growth mindset and find change exciting, the City of Palm Desert may be your ideal working environment!
THE OPPORTUNITY
The City of Palm Desert is seeking a forward-thinking and collaborative Planning Manager to lead a high-performing team dedicated to shaping the community’s future. This exciting leadership opportunity is ideal for an experienced planning professional who enjoys overseeing complex planning initiatives, advancing innovative and customer-focused services, and guiding both long-range and current planning efforts. As a key member of the Development Services Department, the Planning Manager will play an important role in implementing the City’s General Plan, mentoring staff, managing impactful projects, and partnering with City leadership, agencies, and the community to support Palm Desert’s continued growth and success.
Appointment to this position is expected to fall within the salary range of $125,590 to $145,392; however, the final amount will be carefully determined based on the candidate’s knowledge, skills, qualifications, and an evaluation of internal equity within the organization. Exceptional candidates with highly relevant experience and credentials may be considered for compensation above the anticipated hiring range.
Under administrative direction, plans, schedules, assigns, and reviews the work of staff performing professional and technical planning work in support of programs, projects, and activities of the Planning and related Division in the Development Services Department; supervises and conducts long-range planning, current planning, and environmental compliance analysis; supervises and participates in the implementation of the City’s General Plan; manages the effective use of the City's planning resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service; emphasizes innovation, data-driven decision-making, and customer-focused service delivery in all planning and development activities; provides highly complex and responsible support to the Director of Development Services and Deputy Director of Development Services and others in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Receives supervision from the Director of Development Services or designee. Exercises direct and indirect supervision over professional, technical, and/or administrative staff.This is a management classification that manages the programs, projects, and staff within the Planning Division. Responsibilities include performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making. Incumbents are also expected to independently perform the full range of high-level professional planning duties. The incumbent organizes and oversees day-to-day activities and operations of the Division. Successful performance of the work requires an extensive background in professional planning, as well as skill in coordinating work with other City departments and external agencies.
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations where appropriate so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.- Plans, organizes, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of staff assigned to the Planning Divisions, including current and long-range planning, housing, historic preservation, environmental compliance, and interagency coordination; trains staff in work procedures; evaluates employee performance, counsels employees, and effectively recommends initial disciplinary action as needed; assists in employee selection and promotion.
- Monitors activities of the Planning Division; recommends improvements and modifications and prepares various reports on activities, programs, and projects; recommends and assists in the implementation of goals and objectives; implements policies and procedures.
- Determines and recommends staffing needs for assigned activities and programs; participates in the annual budget preparation; prepares detailed cost estimates with appropriate justifications, as required; maintains a variety of records and prepares routine reports of work performance.
- Supervises and participates in the development, monitoring, implementation, and updating of the City's General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, specific plans, and other land use studies; drafts new City ordinances governing land use development; provides guidance to staff on appropriate community engagement and outreach tools and approaches and data collection methodology, analysis, and management; continuously evaluates long-range planning documents and recommends revisions to the Director or designee.
- Prepares narrative and statistical reports, correspondence, and other documents related to assigned activities; presents staff reports and provides information to the City Manager, Development Services Director, City Council, and various commissions, committees, and boards as assigned.
- Serves as project manager on complex current and long-range planning and development projects; meets with prospective developers to discuss new and ongoing projects; schedules and facilitates meetings and community hearings; and monitors project implementation to ensure conformance with approved plans, conditions, and mitigation measures.
- Delivers exceptional customer service and high-level support to internal teams, applicants, contractors, and external stakeholders throughout the development review and permitting processes.
- Implement and refine processes and procedures to improve operational efficiency, service delivery, and customer satisfaction, including continuous evaluation and adoption of best practices.
- Manage assigned high-priority or complex development projects from application intake through final approval, ensuring all regulatory requirements are met and work products are delivered within established timelines.
- Supervises and participates in the professional review and processing of proposed development projects to ensure applications for entitlements are complete and in conformance with City policies and regulations and local, state, and federal requirements; coordinates the technical processing of development proposals and reports; may conduct the more complex reviews of entitlements and environmental reports.
- Supervises and participates in the review and preparation of documents to ensure compliance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and federal environmental requirements. Coordinates Division programs, projects, and activities with other City departments, local jurisdictions and agencies, and regional, state, and federal agencies. Advises other departments of environmental and permitting requirements and identifies recommended course of action.
- Serves as secretary and/or staff for assigned boards, committees, and commissions; represents the interests of the City; provides advice and explains and interprets planning policies and regulations.
- Assists the Director of Development Services or Deputy Director of Development Services with special projects; conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures, as appropriate.
- Prepares, reviews, and presents data-driven staff reports, management and information updates, and reports on projects to the Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Committee, Architectural Review Commission, City Council, and other committees and commissions, and at public meetings.
- Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in urban planning; research and monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.
- Supervises and participates in assisting the public at the front counter, by telephone, or by email, answering questions and providing information.
- Receives, investigates, and responds to problems and complaints in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action.
- Oversees implementation of the City’s Housing Element and ensures compliance with Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) requirements.
- Interprets and implements applicable State housing laws and regulations, including but not limited to density bonus law, accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations, and ministerial approval processes.
- Monitors housing production trends and prepares required reports to State agencies.
- Advises staff, management, and decision-makers on evolving State legislation impacting land use, housing, and development.
- Coordinates or contributes to climate action, greenhouse gas reduction, and sustainability initiatives.
- Develops and utilizes performance metrics, key performance indicators (KPIs), and data dashboards to monitor departmental effectiveness and inform decision-making.
- Analyzes development trends, demographic data, and economic indicators to support long-range planning and policy development.
- Oversees and supports the implementation and continuous improvement of electronic permitting (e-permitting) systems and digital plan review processes.
- Identifies and implements process improvements to enhance efficiency, transparency, and customer experience.
- Collaborates with Information Systems staff and consultants to optimize planning-related software systems, including permitting and GIS platforms.
- Evaluates and incorporates emerging technologies and best practices in planning and development services.
- Supports economic development initiatives by aligning planning policies and development review processes with the City’s economic goals.
- Facilitates development projects that contribute to community vitality, job creation, and fiscal sustainability.
- Collaborates with internal and external partners to promote investment and redevelopment opportunities.
- Identifies, pursues, and administers State and federal grant funding opportunities related to planning, housing, historic preservation, sustainability, and infrastructure.
- Prepares grant applications, manages awarded funds, and ensures compliance with reporting requirements.
- Work is performed primarily in an office environment with occasional field visits to project sites.
- May require attendance after regular work hours meetings, including but not limited to Community Engagement, City sponsored events, Planning Commission and City Council meetings.
- Performs duties of a disaster services worker in event of an emergency.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge of:- Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, standards, and procedures relevant to zoning and land use planning.
- Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and budget and contract development and administration.
- Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
- Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive planning program, including current and long-range planning.
- California housing laws and programs, including Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), Housing Element law, density bonus law, accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations, and ministerial approval processes.
- Principles, practices, theories, trends, and technical and legal issues of urban, land use, and regional planning, zoning, and environmental review.
- Geographic, socio-economic, transportation, political, environmental and other elements related to city planning.
- Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to planning, zoning, and environmental review.
- Methods and techniques of conducting public meetings and presentations.
- Authority and the role of the Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Committee, Architectural Review Commission, City Council in approving planning related projects.
- Methods and techniques of community engagement, public outreach, and facilitating public meetings and hearings.
- Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to planning, zoning, and environmental review.
- Research methods and statistical principles related to urban growth and development.
- Principles and practices of data-driven decision-making, including performance measurement, key performance indicators (KPIs), and use of data dashboards.
- Economic development principles as they relate to land use planning, redevelopment, and investment attraction.
- Grant development, administration, and compliance requirements for state and federal funding programs.
- Practices of researching planning and zoning issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
- Principles of advanced mathematics and their application to planning work.
- Record keeping principles and procedures.
- Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
- English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
- Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
- Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
- GIS programs and applications.
Ability to:- Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, standards, and procedures related to planning, zoning, and development services.
- Provide leadership in the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, and practices for providing effective and efficient services.
- Plan, organize, assign, supervise, and evaluate the work of professional, technical and administrative staff; participate in the recruitment, training, motivation, and performance management of personnel including implementation of discipline procedures.
- Oversee and administer complex planning and development programs, projects, and activities ensuring alignment with department goals.
- Methods and techniques of community engagement, public outreach, and conducting effective public meetings and presentations.
- Research methods, statistical analysis, and data analytics techniques used in evaluating urban growth, development trends, and organizational performance.
- Principles and practices of data-driven decision-making, including the development and use of performance metrics and key performance indicators.
- Analyze operational needs and recommend and implement improvements to, procedures, policies, and service delivery methods to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
- Prepare and present clear, concise, and comprehensive reports, staff analysis to executive leadership, City Council, and appointed commissions/committees.
- Interpret planning and zoning programs to the general public; identify and respond to issues and concerns of the public, executive leadership, City Council, and appointed commissions/committees., and other stakeholders including advisory bodies and community members
- Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, and regulatory organizations and individuals.
- Communicate complex planning and development issues clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, to diverse audiences.
- Manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines in a dynamic and politically sensitive environment.
- Make accurate arithmetic and statistical computations.
- Establish and maintain accurate databases, records, and files.
- Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner.
- Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
- Utilize modern technology, data systems, and permit tracking software to support division and decision-making.
- Administer permit tracking software for division, coordinates with software consultant and Information Systems Department, and prepares tracking reports.
- Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
- Communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
- Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in urban planning, or environmental studies, or a related field with a master's degree in urban planning; AND six (6) years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience including at least two (2) years in a supervisory capacity.
Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable.
Licenses and Certifications: May occasionally drive a personal or City vehicle. A valid and appropriate California driver's license and an acceptable driving record are required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDSMust possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds with the use of proper equipment. Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals on a case-by-case basis.
Environmental ElementsEmployees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
