CITY OF BAKERSFIELD CLASS SPECIFICATION: 89450
UNIT: MANAGEMENT
EE04: OFFICIAL/ADMINISTRATORS
CLASS TITLE: PLANNING DIRECTOR
CLASS SUMMARY:
Under administrative direction, plans, organizes and directs the activities and programs of the Planning Division of the Development Services Department; performs related work as required.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:
The following typical tasks and responsibilities are representative of the position’s essential duties. They are descriptive, not limiting.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Plans, organizes, integrates, and directs the work of planning division staff to ensure the attainment of current and advanced planning program goals and objectives; Works with the department head to formulate planning division policy and develop division objectives;
Prepares, submits, and administer the annual budget for the division; Advises the Development Services Director, the Board of Zoning Adjustment, the Planning Commission, and the City Council, on all aspects of City planning; Presents and justifies proposed plans, advanced planning objectives; Ensures the development, implementation, and maintenance of the general plan; Conducts comprehensive housing and land use planning; Directs current planning activities including the City's development review process involving zoning, development applications, subdivisions, landmarks preservation, environmental review, and design review activities;
Confers with City staff, public and private officials, citizens, and civic groups t o obtain information and ensure the inclusion of sound planning features in the City 's general plan;
Directs and participates in preparation of planning studies, including analysis, review and presentation of narrative and statistical findings and recommendations; Serves as technical staff advisor/secretary to the Planning Commission and provides staff leadership and technical assistance to other boards and commissions; Maintains effective relations with a variety of community organizations, groups, and other individuals;
Works closely with other division heads and City staff to provide comprehensive services to City residents and to solve a broad range of service delivery, community, and administrative problems;
Selects, directs, assigns, and evaluates professional and administrative support staff; Manages the process and preparation of CEQA documents; Plans for and provides in-service staff training;
Interprets City personnel and MOU provisions;
CLASS TITLE: PLANNING DIRECTOR (continued) 89450
Makes recommendations for appointments, promotions, and disciplinary actions; Develops, revises, and implements needed administrative programs and procedures, including workload planning and assignment, and computerization and physical space allocation;
Coordinates, delegates, and follows up on the work of assigned staff; Sets work priorities, coordinates and schedules assignments and establishes goals and objectives;
Prepares a variety of written material, including staff reports, memoranda, administrative and technical interpretations, recommendations, and correspondence.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This single -position class has division -level responsibility for the effective direction and administration of the City’s overall planning function
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of:
Local, state, and federal laws applicable to planning, zoning, subdivision, and environmental review;
Local government organization, transportation, communications, and public utility systems as related to a municipal planning function;
Principles, practices, and trends in the field of urban planning; Land use, physical design, demographics, environmental, social, and economic concepts, including public and private financing and capital improvements; Management and supervisory principles and practices, including budg eting, goals and objectives development, work planning, and organization; California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements, processes , and documentation;
Computer applications related to work.
Ability to:
Plan, organize, assign, review, and eva luate the work of professional and administrative staff;
Prepare, review, and process legally defensible CEQA analysis and documents; Train staff in work procedures and provide for their professional development; Administer and manage a variety of technical planning projects and programs; Recommend comprehensive planning policy and programs based upon community needs, available resources, and overall City priorities and policies; Provide technical assistance and staff leadership to boards and commissions within assigned function;
Use sound independent judgment in sensitive community planning issues and concerns; Deal effectively with a variety of individual citizens, citizen groups, boards, and commissions, staff, and governmental groups;
Coordinate programs with other departments and agencies; CLASS TITLE: PLANNING DIRECTOR (continued) 89450
Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
Training and Experience:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor 's Degree in Public or Business Administration, City or Regional Planning, Urban Planning, or a related field; AND
Five (5) years of professional planning experience in a governmental agency , of which three (3) years must be within a California agency; AND Two (2) years of supervisory experience;
Additional post-graduate education in the above -mentioned areas may be substituted for the planning experience on a year-for-year basis to a maximum of two (2) years; A Master's degree will be considered equivalent to two (2) years of the requir ed experience.
Licenses, Certificates, or Special Requirements:
Possession of a valid California Class “C” driver’s license; Must be able to pass a background check.
Physical Conditions or Special Working Conditions:
Standard office environment and working conditions.
Approved by the City Council: December 14, 1994
Approved by the Miscellaneous Civil Service Board: December 20, 1994 Updated to Form :
March 14, 2022
Approved by Miscellaneous Civil Service Board: July 23, 2025 Approved by City Council: