PORT OF SAN FRANCISCO is seeking a skilled and dynamic professional to lead the Port’s Planning & Environment Division and serve as a member of the Port’s leadership team.  The Director of Planning and Environment leads and inspires the team responsible for developing and implementing the Port’s current and long-range planning and environment policies and programs.  These policies and programs set the framework for a vibrant maritime Port and public waterfront that is equitable and resilient. 

The Port is at an exciting and transformational moment. The Port is pursuing the first update of its Waterfront Plan in two decades; planning for sea level rise; undertaking redevelopment of its aging seawall, infrastructure and piers; re-envisioning its parks and open space; and supporting eco-industrial uses in its southern waterfront – initiatives and programs that together will transform the waterfront. The Director of Planning and Environment will be a critical contributor to these exciting programs by working with the Executive Director, division directors and City partners to shape the waterfront for the next generation.

The ideal candidate will value a culture of inclusion, belonging and excellence and will have a demonstrated ability to lead a team that solves problems and achieves results.  The ideal candidate will have substantial planning experience, a track record of working with the community and other government and regulatory stakeholders, and the ability to improve policies and programs and build agreement to advance key Port projects forward.  An understanding of environmental sustainability initiatives and effective strategies to respond to climate change is highly desirable. The ideal candidate will be familiar with a range of technical planning and environmental issues and able to synthesize information and identify and refine solutions in support of overall organizational goals.

THE AGENCY

The Port of San Francisco is an enterprise agency of the City and County of San Francisco and is governed by a Commission of five members appointed by the Mayor. The Port Commission is responsible for overseeing a broad range of waterfront commercial, maritime, and public access facilities that are held in public trust for the people of California. The Port’s jurisdiction covers approximately 7.5 miles of waterfront land from Pier 98, near Hunter’s Point in the southern part of San Francisco, to Fisherman’s Wharf in the northern part of the City.

The Port’s diverse business portfolio includes over 550 ground, commercial, retail, office, industrial and maritime industrial leases including cargo shipping, lay berthing, excursion boats, ferry boats, fishing and fish processing/distribution, tourism, filming, harbor services, and cruise operations. With some of the most flexible cargo handling facilities on the West Coast, as well as naturally deep water, the Port can handle various types of cargo such as dry-bulk, neo-bulk, roll-on/roll-off, and project cargoes.

The Port of San Francisco is home to many internationally recognized landmarks such as Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, the Exploratorium, the Ferry Building and Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. With its unique and historic properties, the Port is home to a variety of tenants and uses. The Port has changed dramatically over the last five decades and more change is to come.  The Port Commission has led change while maintaining maritime and developing new uses, including commercial and public activities, that have helped San Francisco remain one of the most visited and popular cities in the world.  Now, the Port Commission is leading programs to adapt the waterfront to sea level rise, reduce seismic risk and address aging infrastructure while retaining the vitality and dynamism that has characterized the San Francisco waterfront since the Gold Rush. 

The Port’s jurisdiction also includes important regional and citywide assets, including transportation networks like BART and Muni, critical utilities including drinking and wastewater, and key emergency response facilities. The Port generates revenue from leasing space within piers, bulkhead buildings, other structures, and land and water areas. Within these facilities, revenue is generated from over 500 businesses which enable the Port to support its State mandated mission. From small, family-owned businesses to the world’s finest cruise ships, the Port is part of the economic backbone of the City and State of California.

Application Deadline: Friday, December 17, 2021

The Planning & Environment Division is responsible for ensuring that the use and development of Port lands is consistent with the Port’s long-term vision and Federal, State and local regulatory requirements. The Division has lead responsibility to promote understanding and compliance with the Port’s Waterfront Plan, and City and regional plans. In this work, Planning & Environment staff carry out Port urban design and historic preservation reviews, and advance environmental sustainability and climate change actions. In addition, this Division leads community planning to define long-term improvements for specified Port areas to address seismic risk and sea level rise, in close coordination with the Port’s Waterfront Resilience Program team.

The Planning & Environment Division is also responsible for advancing transportation, public realm, park and open space projects to create a connected public access network along the Port’s 7½ mile waterfront. Staff assist all Port divisions, tenants, and applicants to advise on environmental sustainability, and navigate regulatory approval and compliance requirements. The Division works closely with the Port's community advisory groups on Port projects, and ongoing waterfront land use and environmental issues.

The Planning & Environment Division currently has a team of 12 staff members with expertise in urban and community planning, waterfront and environmental regulations and compliance, urban design, historic and cultural resources, transportation, environmental stewardship and remediation, sustainability and climate policies and programs.  The Port is responsible for managing complex land use controls of the State Lands Commission (State Lands), San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), and San Francisco local zoning and City policies.  All leases, developments and improvements to Port properties are subject to multiple planning and regulatory requirements, as well as public comment and review.  The ability to satisfy all these requirements efficiently while delivering on the Port’s objectives is critical to the ongoing ability of the Port to generate revenues to fund its operations.

Responsibilities of the Director of Planning and Environment

The successful candidate will be capable of managing division staff and working in close coordination with relevant Port divisions and senior staff to achieve the following:

• Ensure that Port leases, projects and programs include and apply public goals and policies of the Port of San Francisco 2019/2020 Waterfront Plan.

• Manage environmental permitting and compliance for dredging, stormwater, air quality, hazardous materials and remediation for Port and tenant projects and operations.

• Conduct design review and historic resource stewardship to maintain and enhance the urban design of the San Francisco waterfront and compatibility with adjacent neighborhood and City districts.

• Support enhancement of Port parks and public access areas, stewardship of natural habitat resources, and programs to increase public recreational activities in Port public spaces.

• Advance environmental sustainability programs and practices in Port leasing, maintenance, development and pilot projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote beneficial reuse and resource management, and climate action.  

• Collaborate with City and regional transportation agencies to advance sustainable, safe land and water transportation to and from the waterfront.

• Coordinate and integrate planning and environmental practices in the Port’s Waterfront Resilience Program.  

• Manage Port advisory committees and community engagement to promote public understanding and collaborations on Port lease, development, and community improvement proposals. 

• Conduct planning processes for complex Port projects to incorporate public needs and objectives that build public consensus to support successful implementation. 

• Build strong relationships and understanding with City departments, state and federal agencies, the development community, Port tenants, and waterfront stakeholders.

Qualities of an Ideal Candidate

• Demonstrated leadership skills and achievements complemented by a high level of initiative, commitment to equity, and creative and flexible problem-solving skills.

• Excellent communication skills with public speaking experience including presenting in public forums, business writing, and community relations.

• Exceptional customer service with varied stakeholders both within the Port and externally, including elected officials, regulatory agencies, and port associations.

• Integrity, intellectual honesty, and belief in the value and necessity of equity and diversity.

• Ability to adapt, establish and maintain effective working relationships with city agencies, officials and representatives of local and community-based agencies, organizations and interested groups.

• Ability to manage staff, provide leadership and inspire, motivate, and empower staff to achieve established goals.

•  Ability to collaborate with other division directors and the Executive Director to engage in professional, frank discussion in order to meet operational and strategic challenges and set business policy for the Port.

• Outstanding interpersonal skills with an ability to engage in dialogue at all levels of the organization with ease, confidence, and conviction.

Qualifying Education, Experience and License

Education:

Possession of a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in city, regional, or urban planning; or a closely related field such as architecture, landscape architecture, geography, urban studies, public administration, physical sciences, historic preservation, or environmental studies.

Experience:

Ten (10) years developing or implementing waterfront planning policies and documents, regulatory compliance programs, and environmental sustainability initiatives to support programs and implementation projects in a public port, waterfront authority or other public municipality.  This experience must include the following:

• Five (5) years of experience developing and implementing current and long-range planning and environmental policies and programs.

• Three (3) years of experience working with waterfront regulatory bodies such as the State Lands Commission and the Bay Conservation and Development Commission to negotiate permits and regulatory approvals to support project implementation, and managing CEQA environmental review process for complex projects

• Three (3) years of supervisory experience with responsibility for the direction and evaluation of subordinate professional staff.

License

Possession of a valid California driver’s license (to be presented at time of appointment). Employees must be insurable under the Port’s automobile liability insurance. Insurability must be maintained throughout employment.

Selection Procedures

Applications and cover letters will be reviewed for relevant qualifying experience.  Your cover letter should include a statement that explains your interest in the position and why you believe you are the ideal candidate for this role. 

Only those applicants who most closely meet the requirements for this position will be invited to participate in the selection process.  Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed an invitation to interview. Qualified applicants who are selected for an interview will be notified of the exact date and time.

Salary range: $166,270 to $212,212 annually. 

Appointment above the maximum of the normal range may be considered based on documented and substantiated recruitment and retention issues or exceptional skills.

In addition to competitive salaries, the City offers flexible benefit plans with pre-tax elections

Application Deadline: Friday, December 17, 2021

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco

• Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

Please contact Suzette Love at (415) 274-0569, or by email at [email protected] if you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.  For details on how it is applicable to your employment, please click here.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.