Job Description

About the Position

The Planning & Building Department is actively recruiting for a Senior. Planner to join the Long Range Planning Team!

The Planning and Building Department is seeking a highly motivated and self-directed Senior Planner to join its Long Range Planning team. With support and direction from the Long Range Planning Division Manager and Supervising Planner, the Senior Planner will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to develop land use policies, community plans, general plan amendments, and specific plans. The Senior Planner is a leadership role on the Long Range Planning team and would help to supervise, mentor, and train junior staff. The ideal candidate will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, a working knowledge of California planning laws and principles, and a collaborative attitude.

for full job description Senior Planner-Long Range Planning

The Ideal Candidate

Employment Standards

Knowledge of:

General land use, environmental, airport and park planning principles

Engineering principles and practices pertinent to land use planning and environmental impact determination

Federal state and local laws and regulations related to the environmental and land use planning with special emphasis on Subdivision Map Act, Zoning and Planning Law (Government Code) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Physical and life sciences

Basic drafting and drawing techniques

Principles of technical report writing

Statistical computation and mathematics

Computer applications and techniques such as Geographic Information Systems

Planning and Building Department or General Services Agency office organization, procedures and standards as well as strategic direction and goals

Office procedures and policies

Effective oral and written communication skills

Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy

In addition, Planner II:

Principles, practices and regulations that are pertinent to land use planning, environmental review, airport planning, and park planning or

Principles of land use modeling, air quality modeling, transportation modeling and acoustical modeling

In addition, Planner III:

Contract management to monitor completion of work specified and expenditures

Precedent setting court cases relating to land use and environmental law

Effective conflict resolution techniques

In addition, Senior Planner:

Basic supervisory techniques

Project budgeting principles

Ability to:

Compile, organize and summarize information accurately in graphic and written form

Learn, interpret, apply and explain departmental policies and procedures, rules, laws and regulations

Use sound judgment in researching, interpreting, applying, and explaining appropriate laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines

Follow oral and written instructions

Administer land use policies and regulations with good judgment, firmness and impartiality

Assist in the review of project proposals against predetermined standards

Work effectively in an environment that includes pressure to meet time sensitive deadlines and critical review of work product.

Support and follow department policies, goals, guiding principles, and Mission-Vision-Values Statement

Foster a spirit of teamwork and support when interacting with staff and others

Work effectively and tactfully with other staff, public agencies, the general public and advisory committees

Operate standard office equipment including a computer and assigned software.

Maintain a safe and orderly work area

In addition, Planner II:

Read and understand site plans, architectural drawings and topographical maps

Review and evaluate project proposals against predetermined definitive standards and general performance objectives

Implement departmental policies and procedures in all program areas

Prepare concise and accurate staff reports and presentation at public meetings

Develop, prepare and present comprehensive reports that deal with land use planning, airport planning, park planning and environmental issues

Use organizational acuityacumen when dealing with the public, media, and various committees and boards

In addition, Planner III:

Use software and other automation related techniques for personal and mainframe computers to maximize staff efficiency

Make concise and professional formal and informal presentations of technical material

Complete the processing of large or moderately complex projects

Orient and train staff

Act as a leadworker; plan own work and work of others for successful results

In addition, Senior Planner:

Manage the most controversial development and policy projects

Effectively conduct and facilitate public meetings

Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff

Education and Experience

All levels: Graduation from an accredited institution with either a Bachelor's or Master's degree in urban and regional planning, architecture, landscape architecture, geography, natural resources management, environmental, physical or life science, or a closely related field. (Para-professional or higher level job related experience may substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

In addition:

Planner I: No additional experience required.

Planner II: One year of professional level experience in urban and regional planning or environmental review and analysis.

Planner III: Two years of professional level experience in urban and regional planning or environmental review and analysis.

Senior Planner: Four years of professional level experience in urban and regional planning and environmental review/analysis or environmental impact assessment work which requires a state approved specialized professional license or certification.

Reasonable Accommodation Notice
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. Please call 805-781-5959 for assistance or e-mail for more information.

Veteran's Preference Points
If you are applying for employment with the County of San Luis Obispo and you served in the United States Armed Forces, you may be eligible for veteran's preference points as part of the recruitment process. Some dependents and survivors of eligible veterans may also be eligible for preference points. for more information and to learn how to apply for this benefit. Please note that Veterans credits must be on file with the County of San Luis Obispo Veterans Services Office prior to the recruitment closing date indicated on the job announcement.

Equal Employment Opportunity
The County is an equal opportunity employer. Objectives are directed toward assuring equal opportunity in selection / promotion, pay, and job assignments. Recruitment and selection procedures have been established to ensure non-discrimination on the basis of political or religious opinions or affiliations, age, sex, race, color, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or other non-merit factors. In addition, the County complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act in hiring and retaining employees. For more information contact the Human Resources Department at (805)781-5959.

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