Rev. 08/2022
CITY OF SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA
CLASS SPECIFICATION
TITLE: DEVELOPMENT REVIEW OFFICER (144)
DEPARTMENT ACCOUNTABLE TO FLSA STATUS
Community Development Various Exempt
CLASS SUMMARY
The Development Review Officer is a management position in the unclassified service, which plans, organizes, manages and directs the activities of the current and advanced planning program, in accordance with legal requirements and modern standards of urban planning administration. An incumbent in this classification performs professional planning work of considerable difficulty in the field of urban planning and may serve as th e City’s Zoning Administrator. Performs related duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in City Planning, Architecture, or related field; AND
Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience performing varied and complex planning work, one (1) year of which has included managing professional staff is required.
ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTION
A Master’s degree in City Planning, Architecture, Public Administration, or related fields may substitute for two years of work experience
LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS
Possession of an appropriate, valid California driver’s license is required at time of application and for the duration of employment.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
A Master's degree in City Planning, Architecture, Public Administration, or a related field is desirable.
Membership in the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable. Experience with computer software progr ams commonly used by the city and by the Planning & Inspection Department, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, permitting software and Geographic Information System (GIS), is highly desirable.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Must be able to perform all of the essential functions of the job assignment.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is a management level classification, resp onsible for performing or supervising the most complex current and advanced level planning wor k. Incumbents regularly work on tasks that are varied, requiring considerable discretion and independent judgment. Positions in this classification DEVELOPMENT REVIEW OFFICER (144)
rely on experience and judgment to ensure the efficient and effe ctive functioning of the assigned program area. Assignments are given with genera l guidelines and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines, and methods to deliver work produc ts. Work is typically reviewed upon completion for soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy and requirements. This classification differs from the Principal Planner in that the Development Review Officer regularly presides over hearings as Hearing Officer.
As a member of the City’s Uncla ssified Service, this is an “at will” position, and the incumbent serves at the discretion of the C ity Manager. An incumbent in this classification demonstrates strong ethical, professional, and service-oriented leadership and interpersonal skills; sets a good example; and correctly applies the tenets of the City’s Code of Ethics and Values.
TYPICAL DUTIES
This description may not include all the duties li sted below, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be performed.
Under General Direction:
Manage the Development Review Division, incl uding supervision of staff, within the Department of Planning & Inspect ion under the general direction of the City Planner and the Director of Planning & Inspection.
Gather, analyze and present data in the form of written, graphic, or oral reports for use before commissions and public hearings;
Plan, supervise, and participate in the preparation of planning projects; Prepare statistics and other information for general distribution; Provide technical and manageme nt assistance to department staff in solving difficult assignments and in reviewing objectives, techniques of execution, and resultant findings; Assist in the review of the City’s General Plan and preparation of new ordinances to effectuate the same;
Assist in the coordination of redevelopment with the General Plan; Research, plan and provide technical analysis for complex planning projects and preparation of reports including recommendations;
Plan and participate in meetings of various civic, business and community organizations; Assist the City Planner in the staffing of the Planning Commission, the Permit Center and the allocation of budget and staffing resources;
Act as the Zoning Administrator.
May represent the City Planner or the Director of Planning & Inspection in their absence; Represent the Department as the Development Review Officer at the Development Review Hearing, and other planning advisory committees as needed; Assist City Planner in the evaluation of program staff; and Perform other work as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
Principles, practices and trends of community and urban planning and land use management; DEVELOPMENT REVIEW OFFICER (144)
Physical, social and economic implications involved in city planning, including the development of urban, environmental and aesthetic needs; Research methods and sources of information related to urban growth and development; Federal, State and local laws and regulations pertaining to general plans, environmental matters, redevelopment, zoning and land deve lopment, e.g., CEQA, NEPA, the subdivision Map Act, etc.;
City zoning ordinances and zoning techniques;
Supervisory personnel practices and procedures;
Office safety practices, procedures and standards;
Problem solving and conflict resolution practices and techniques; Project and workload planning;
Electronic data processing systems, and their planning and land use applications, and Complex spreadsheets and database applications.
Ability to:
Manage, organize and conduct planning research studies and reports; Draw logical and perceptive conclusions from factual data; Develop well-supported recommendations;
Supervise preparation of maps, charts and other graphic materials. Establish and maintain effective working relations hips with those contac ted in the course of work including staff, developers and citizens;
Work effectively as a member of the department ’s management team and be able to deliver excellent customer service to both internal and external City clients; Exercise independent judgment and initiative with minimal supervision; Identify, research and gather relevant information from variety of sources; Read and interpret planning policies and apply code requirements; Prepare and monitor a comprehensive division budget;
Prepare and present planning studies;
Prepare and present highly tec hnical and complex written and or al reports to City Council, Citizens and City staff;
Communicate logically and clearly, both orally and in writing; Work effectively in time-sensitive situations and meet deadlines; Coordinate multiple projects and complex tasks simultaneously; Develop and implement long-range planning projects;
Develop creative and practical solutions to complex and difficult problems and; Bend, stoop, reach, carry, crawl, climb, and lift as necessary to perform assigned duties.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the administrative supervision of the Planning Manager and the Director of Community Development or other manager as assigned.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Supervises professional, technical, and administrative support staff and other assigned personnel.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW OFFICER (144)
Incumbents in this position are required to file a Conflict of Interest Statement upon assuming office, annually and upon leaving office, in accordance with City Manager Directive 100.
CLASSIFICATION HISTORY
Rev. 05/2007; Rev. 08/2022