Assistant Water Resources Planner, Zone 7

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION.  The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended.

 

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE:

A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application. Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resources Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing.  Failure to submit the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification. Applications will only be accepted on-line.

 

THE AGENCY

 

Zone 7 Water Agency is currently recruiting for an Assistant Water Resources Planner.

 

Zone 7 Water Agency is located in the Tri-Valley region of the eastern San Francisco Bay Area. It provides water on a wholesale basis to the cities of Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin and the Dougherty Valley area of San Ramon, and flood-protection services to all of eastern Alameda County. Zone 7 employs approximately 116 full-time employees and operates on an annual budget of $80.3 million dollars. The Agency’s administrative offices are located in Livermore, CA, the easternmost city of Alameda County, which is bordered by Contra Costa County to the north and San Joaquin County to the east. Livermore, California’s oldest wine region, is known for the science and technology of its national laboratories, a historic downtown area, and the surrounding farm lands and ranches that mirror the Valley’s western heritage.

 

Zone 7 employees are committed to providing a reliable supply of high-quality water and an effective flood control system to the Livermore-Amador Valley in a fiscally responsible, innovative, proactive and environmentally sensitive way. We invite you to acquaint yourself with our dynamic Agency and its exciting employment opportunities.

 

For more information about Alameda County’s Zone 7 Water Agency visit their website at www.zone7water.com.

 

THE POSITION

 

Under supervision, performs routine to difficult planning studies and projects, and monitors planning efforts and policy issues by other agencies; performs other related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Assistant Water Resources Planner, Zone 7, is the journey level class in the professional planning classification series. Incumbents perform routine to difficult planning work and are expected to exercise professional judgment within established parameters. Incumbents may be assigned to work with a small group of planners and technicians engaged in planning work, or in a specialized function. While some of the duties of this class may overlap with some of the tasks performed by civil engineers engaged in Zone 7's planning effort, engineers are typically more involved in the technical details of project and alternative development, impact assessment, and comparison of alternatives, such as hydraulic network analysis, determination of system capacity, sizing and citing of facilities, and feasibility studies. This class is distinguished from the next higher one of Associate Water Resources Planner, Zone 7, in that the latter is the advanced-journey level of the classification series and will be assigned lead responsibilities.

 

 

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.


1. Assists in developing and preparing water quality reports, water demand projections, major planning programs, master plans and budgets for capital programs, water service regulations, policies, rates and charges.

2. Assists in reviewing, evaluating, and responding to drinking water regulatory compliance, environmental and planning documentation proposed and prepared by other agencies. Provide data and/or information as needed to support preparation of related reports.

3. Performs and/or reviews initial studies, draft environmental impact reports, local and state watershed protection efforts, water quality investigations, and other related documents.

4. Assists in preparing response plans and/or compliance strategies to proposed policies, regulations, and/or planning actions by Local State, and federal government agencies that could potentially impact Zone 7.

5. Maintains and updates procedures relating to preparation of environmental documentation as required by California Environmental Quality Act and/or other regulatory compliance documentation as required by the State and Federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

6. Monitors ongoing planning efforts by other agencies and changes in the law as they affect California Environmental Quality Act and/or the National Environmental Policy Act, Safety Drinking Water Act, and Zone 7's mission as a water and flood control agency.

7. Uses and interprets land use and demographic projections produced by other agencies, with correlation to Agency water consumption data, to determine water use projections. Gather, analyze and interpret data and prepare clear and concise written reports.

8. Works with other Agency personnel to maintain and enhance various databases and information sharing systems at Zone 7 and produces accurate regular and special reports.

Either I
Experience:

The equivalent of one year full-time experience as a Junior Water Resources Planner, Zone 7 in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney's Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or II
Education:

Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in urban or regional planning, economics, environmental studies, or a closely related field.

AND
Experience:

The equivalent of two years full-time professional planning experience.

License:

All levels in the class series must possess a valid State of California Motor Vehicle Operator's license and have a satisfactory driving record.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

 

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

 

Knowledge of:

 

§  Principles, practices and trends in urban and regional planning including research and statistical methods and techniques; codes, ordinance and laws related to planning, watershed management and protection, zoning, environmental protection and subdivisions.

§  Organization of local governments including special districts.

§  Language and techniques used in planning and mapping.

§  Principles of growth management.

§  Use of personal computer including data base spreadsheet programs.

§  Water resources planning; water systems planning and economics.

 

 

Ability to:

 

§  Compile, analyze and evaluate statistical and technical data.

§  Draw valid conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.

§  Prepare and write comprehensive, concise and clear reports, including computations, text, charts, sketches, and preparing graphic illustrations.

§  Understand and explain technical reports.

§  Interact courteously and effectively, and maintain effective working relationships with Agency personnel, the public, other agencies, consultants, contractors and others.

§  Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

§  Establish and maintain cooperative intra- and interagency relationships.

§  Reach collaborative solutions, using problem-solving skills.

 

 

The examination will consist of the following steps:

 

 

1.      A review of candidates' application to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process.

 

2.      A review of the supplemental questionnaire to determine the best qualified; only the most suitably best qualified candidates will be invited to the oral interview process.

 

 

3.      An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidates' final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises.

 

 

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED EXAMINATION STEPS

 

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit.  Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position.  Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position.  Other recruitments many be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

 

To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

 

 

Applicants will be informed via e-mail with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

 

  

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN:

Deadline for Filing: Review of Minimum Qualifications: Review of Supplemental Questionnaire for Best Qualified: Panel Interviews:	5:00 pm, Tuesday, July 16, 2013 Friday, July 19, 2013 Tuesday, July 30, 2013 Week of August 26,  2013
Departmental Hiring Interview – After the completion of the oral panel interviews (TBD):

 

 

*WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN*  

 

 

The Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate qualified individuals with mental and physical disabilities, and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and Alameda County Resolution No. R-83-773.  To request an accommodation due to a disability during this or other phases of the selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Analyst listed on the job announcement before the final filing deadline. Alameda County Human Resources Services will require documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a permanent disability pursuant to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's statute of the Americans with Disability Act of 1990, as amended, and/or the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) Act.

 

For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs

 

 

RC:pf 10/13/04
Newspec: 4945-4946.doc
CSC Date: 1/5/2005
MH:cs Revised 4/5/10
CSC Date: 4/21/10

ABOUT THE COUNTY

Alameda County, located on the east side of San Francisco Bay, is California’s seventh-largest county.  The County employs 9,080 full-time employees and operates on an annual budget of $2.39 billion.  Oakland, the County seat, is California’s eighth largest city.  One and a half million people call Alameda County home and live in a variety of incorporated cities, unincorporated communities and rural areas.  As a major urban county, Alameda provides a full range of services to its citizens.  The County is a blend of culturally and ethnically diverse communities, and its mixture of cosmopolitan and suburban areas provides the perfect environment for families and their active lifestyles.  The County offers extensive cultural resources, countless recreational opportunities and an array of fine public and private colleges and universities.

 

BENEFITS FOR NON-MANAGEMENT POSITIONS

MEDICAL PLANS

The County offers HMO and PPO medical plans.  The County has two contributions structures, 1) County contributes 100% of the lowest cost HMO; or 2) County contributes 90% of the HMO plans and 90% of the lowest cost HMO towards the PPO.  The County contribution can be prorated based on the number of work hours up to 50% of the standard hours in a pay period.  If an eligible employee waives all medical coverage through the County, a monthly stipend may be provided.

DENTAL PLANS

The County offers two Dental Plans: PPO and Dental Maintenance Option (DMO). The County contributes 100% of the family coverage for both plans as long as the employee works at least 50% of the standard hours in a pay period. The PPO option plan design is 100% Preventative, 80% Basic Care, 80% Major Care with a $45 per individual deductible and annual maximum up to  $1,450 per year.  The DMO option has an orthodontic benefit for children as well as adults.

VISION BENEFIT

The County offers two Voluntary Vision Plans through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for eligible employees.  The two plans consist of a low option and a high option that offer annual eye exams and coverage for various frames and lenses.  The Voluntary Vision Plan is 100% employee paid and is available for employees and their dependents.  In addition, an annual eye exam is covered for participants in the HMO Medical Plans with corresponding co-pay. 

A Vision Reimbursement Plan is available for some union bargaining units who have a provision in their Memorandum of Understanding that after six months of continuous service, Vision Reimbursement for eye lenses or contacts is provided up to a set dollar amount. This vision reimbursement benefit is available to employees only.

COUNTY ALLOWANCE DOLLARS

The County provides up to $300 of flex dollars annually, dependent upon the eligible employee's represented or unrepresented classification.  These flex dollars can be used to pay for medical premiums.  The unused portion of these flex dollars are deposited into a Health Flexible Spending Account for the employee, which can be used for unreimbursed medical expenses. 

HEALTH FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT

Employees may opt to salary contribute on a pre-tax basis up to $5,000 for eligible out of pocket medical, dental and vision expenses such as: prescription co-pays, office visit co-pays, prescription eye glasses or contact lenses.

DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

For employees who have either children under age 13 or dependents (parent, sibling or in-law incapable of self-care) that are dependent upon the employee for care can salary contribute on a pre-tax basis up to $5,000 annually. These pre-tax dollars can be used to pay for day care expenses provided by a licensed facility.

LIFE INSURANCE

The County pays for a Basic Life Insurance policy of $9,000 up to $20,000 for an employee based on the affiliation with their appropriate union.

COMMUTER BENEFITS

For the 2011 Plan Year, an employee can set aside up to $230 a month in pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified work-related parking and commuting to and from work transit fees.

HOLIDAYS

Most employees are provided 11 paid holidays plus four floating holidays dependent upon the union bargaining unit.

VACATION AND SICK LEAVE WITH PAY

Vacation accrual ranges from two weeks to five weeks depending upon years of service and the union bargaining unit to which the position is assigned. Sick leave accruals are based on the union bargaining unit and are defined in the corresponding Memorandum of Understanding.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

The County has an EAP available for employees, spouses/domestic partners and eligible dependents.  This program provides services such as: counseling, financial consulting, child and elder care consulting and some legal counseling.

DISABILITY or INCOME REPLACEMENT

Two voluntary plans are offered: Short-term Disability and Long-term Disability can be purchased through a payroll deduction or with accrued vacation hours depending upon the union bargaining unit.

LONG TERM CARE

This voluntary benefit extends care for yourself and/or your spouse and/or your parents who experience a serious accident, chronic illness or frailties of old age. Places where care can be provided are: in one’s home, at a nursing home, at an assisted living facility or adult day care center.

 RETIREMENT

The County retirement program is a Defined Benefit plan governed under the provisions of the California Government Code and  is commonly referred to as a 1937 Act retirement system. County retirement is based upon several factors including but not limited to one’s age upon entrance into the retirement system, the year entrance occurred, contributions made into the retirement system, compensation and years of service. Specific questions regarding the County’s retirement system should be directed to the Alameda County Employees’ Retirement Association.   

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The County offers a Deferred Compensation program where an eligible employee can voluntarily contribute on a pre-tax and/or after-tax basis, a minimum of $20 per pay period up to the total annual contribution limit.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE
Those claiming additional preference points as a VETERAN must submit a copy of the DD214 form on the day of the oral examination. Those claiming additional preference points as a DISABLED VETERAN must submit a copy of the DD214 form and a letter from the Department of Veteran Affairs confirming eligibility for additional points on the day of the oral examination.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
The Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate qualified individuals with mental and physical disabilities, and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disability Act (ADA) of 1990, and Alameda County Resolution No. R-83-773.  To request reasonable accommodation, you must notify the Human Resource Representative listed on this bulletin as soon as possible and before the last day to file, in order to make the necessary arrangements during each step of the examination process.                                                               (510) 272-3703 (TDD)

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All government employees are disaster service workers as defined by California Government Code Section 3100.  In addition to everyday duties, employees have the added responsibility of helping throughout any disaster.

DMV EMPLOYER PULL NOTICE PROGRAM
All county employees who drive on county business are required to enroll in the California Department of Motor Vehicles Employer Pull Notice Program in an effort to promote driver safety.  Employees’ driver record reports will be released to the County Safety Officer in Risk Management to ensure that employees have valid driver’s licenses and are eligible to drive on county business.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
An applicant’s previous employment may be investigated.  Results of this investigation may be cause for disqualification.  Also, all convictions will be reviewed and may result in a request for additional information or termination of employment.  A conviction record will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from employment.  Each case will be given individual consideration, based on job-relatedness.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION
All prospective county employees must pass a medical examination before beginning employment.  For positions which require a commercial driver’s license and the performance of functions defined as “safety sensitive,” Federal law and County policy requires that the examination include a drug screening process.  Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of this examination.

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  Women, ethnic and racial minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Applicants will be considered without regard to their race, color, religion, sex national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other non-job-related factor.

 

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @acgov.org and alamedacountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the "My applications" button on the Current Job Openings page.

 

Please take the steps recommended above to insure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

 

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box alamedacountyHR@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox.  If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the job announcement for the recruitment for which you have applied.

 

Ginger Staton, Human Resources Analyst II

Zone 7 Water Agency

(925) 454-5044