County of Santa Cruz

INVITES YOU TO APPLY FOR:

PLANNER III

Supplemental Questionnaire Required

Open and Promotional

Job # 23-GA7-01

Salary: $7,254 – 9,183 / Month 

Closing Date: Friday, March 24, 2023


THE JOB: Under limited direction, conduct planning studies and analyses; review and act as Project Manager to process land use development applications of all types; may serve as project leader and subject area specialist in Policy, Development Review and Environmental land use and policy functions; and do other work as required. May serve to review and recommend policy changes, resolve complex problems, and review and analyze State laws and regulations and develop operating procedures. The list established will be used to fill the current vacancy and it may also be used to fill other vacancies during the life of the eligible list.

The option for remote work may be available based on the type of work and operational needs, upon successful completion of probation.

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:

One year of journey level planning experience equivalent to a Planner II at Santa Cruz County.

Special Requirements: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to provide suitable transportation, which is approved by the appointing authority.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of the principles, practices and trends of public land use planning or in the specialty area to which assigned; statistical research methods as applied to the collection and tabulation of data affecting public planning; laws, ordinances and regulations governing planning in California; purposes and policies, procedures and regulations of a County planning department and zoning administration; the principles and techniques of gathering and analyzing data; basic statistical methods and procedures used in planning studies; techniques of public presentation; long range and regulatory planning practices; and laws and regulations related to planning, zoning and environmental protection.

Ability to: Collect, analyze, compile, organize and present technical statistical and related information pertaining to planning and zoning research; interpret, apply and explain laws, rules, regulations and ordinances; prepare concise written and oral reports; participate in planning presentations before official bodies; provide services to the public in a courteous and effective manner; participate cooperatively and effectively as a contributing team member; prepare rough charts, maps and other graphic illustrations; apply laws and ordinances and conduct field investigations may be required for certain positions; produce acceptable work commensurate with the level of appointment in an acceptable timeframe; learn to input, retrieve and analyze data using a computer; organize and present planning research studies; collect, analyze, compile and arrange technical, statistical and related information for planning and zoning research; develop and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, officials and personnel from other agencies; interpret maps and aerial photos; present major planning studies analyses and reports to boards, commissions and committees; complete complex assignments, determine alternative choices and make recommendations; write, interpret, apply and explain complex rules, laws, regulations and ordinances; prepare clear and concise administrative and technical reports, ordinances, resolutions and plans; interpret and consistently apply provisions of laws, regulations and policies; understand and relate to others the concepts, aims and principles of land use planning and zoning; speak effectively before large groups; and provide leadership to team efforts.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed to determine if you have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job announcement. If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and experience as described on your application and supplemental questionnaire. You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental questionnaire. If during those six months it is necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to remain on the eligible list.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply online at www.santacruzcountyjobs.com or mail/bring an application and supplemental questionnaire to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For information, call (831) 454-2600. Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711. Applications will meet the final filing date if received: 1) in the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date.

Women, people of color, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. If you have a disability that requires test accommodation, please call (831) 454-2600.

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.

Some positions may require fingerprinting and/or background investigation.

PLANNER III – SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE

The supplemental questions are designed specifically for this recruitment. Applications received without the required supplemental information will be screened out of the selection process. Employment experiences referred to in your response must also be included in the Employment History section of the application.

NOTE: Please answer the question(s) below as completely and thoroughly as possible, as your answer(s) may be used to assess your qualifications for movement to the next step in the recruitment process.

1. Describe your education, training and experience in each of the following areas:

a. Comprehensive land use planning and planning policy, for example: General Plans, community plans,
and ordinances

b. Development review and permitting

c. Public interaction, such as community meetings, trainings, and presenting at public hearings.

2. Describe your experience administering and ensuring compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and similar environmental review programs including preparation of environmental documents, mitigation and monitoring programs, findings, and review of environmental documents prepared by others.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:

ANNUAL LEAVE - 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years of service. Available for vacation and/or sick leave.

b. Development review and permitting;

HOLIDAYS - 14 paid holidays per year.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE - 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.

MEDICAL PLAN - The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans. For most plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents.

DENTAL PLAN - County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage.

VISION PLAN - County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible dependent coverage.

RETIREMENT - Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average compensation of three years. County participates in Social Security.

LIFE INSURANCE - County paid $20,000 term policy. Employee may purchase additional life insurance.

DISABILITY INSURANCE - Employees in the General Representation Unit participate in the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program. This program is funded 100% by employee payroll deductions.

DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN - Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to have their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”

H-CARE PLAN - Employees who pay a County medical premium may elect this pre-tax program.

HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) - Employees may elect this pre-tax program to cover qualifying health care expenses.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION - A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.

Note: Provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

County of Santa Cruz

www.santacruzcountyjobs.com

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