THE PLANNING DIRECTOR POSITION & THE DEPARTMENT: 
The Planning Director is responsible for and directs the activities of a complex planning department, which provides services for the unincorporated County area. The Planning Director is responsible for managing a budget of approximately $11.8 million and overseeing 83 positions. The Department is in charge of developing, implementing and enforcing County land use ordinances and policies; administering environmental protection programs; processing and issuing building, zoning and other development permits; serving as the Redevelopment Agency’s Housing Division; carrying out long-range housing and community development programs; overseeing a variety of affordable housing assistance efforts; and operating neglected property and hazardous site/building programs. The department’s management team includes two Assistant Directors and managers of each of the main program areas. The Planning Department also provides staff support to the following Commissions: Planning Commission, Historic Resources Commission, Agricultural Policy Advisory Commission and the Housing Advisory Commission. This is an exempt position and reports to the County Administrative Officer.

THE COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ:
Santa Cruz County has approximately 260,000 residents, approximately 51% of the population residing in the unincorporated area of the County, and is situated in the northern area of Monterey Bay, 70 miles south of San Francisco and 35 miles southwest of the Silicon Valley. The County’s natural beauty is apparent in its pristine beaches, lush redwood forests, and rich farmland. It has an ideal Mediterranean climate with low humidity and 300 days of sunshine a year. Its quaint shops and restaurants, coupled with a multitude of cultural and recreational activities, including theatre, music, art as well as golfing, surfing, hiking, and biking, offer a wealth of leisure activities. Higher education includes Cabrillo College and the University of California, Santa Cruz, with two additional State Universities less than an hour’s drive away. These elements of high quality living make Santa Cruz County one of California’s most desirable living areas.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS: 

Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the following required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.   

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of the principles and effective practices of organization and management; local government organization and operations and interrelationships between County government and the community; principles of personnel management including selection, supervision, evaluation and training of subordinate staff; and principles and practices necessary to plan, organize, implement, direct and evaluate complex and varied programs. Working knowledge of governmental finance and budgeting procedures as they effect an operating department; the aims, trends, concepts, principles and legal aspects of planning and zoning administration; and the relationships between the functions of land use planning, including building inspection and permit processing. Some knowledge of the application of data processing to planning operations.   

Ability to: Plan, direct, coordinate, and administer a department with diverse and complex activities through subordinate managers; establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, other departments and governmental agencies, boards, commissions, public officials, community groups and other interested parties; interpret and evaluate departmental policy and program practices, define problem areas, plan, coordinate and initiate action to implement policy decisions; exercise initiative, ingenuity, independent analysis and judgment in solving complex and difficult administrative, managerial and technical problems; develop and implement short and long-range departmental goals and objectives; comprehend and interpret complex regulations, laws and guidelines; prepare and present concise, logical, oral and written reports; speak effectively before large groups; and explain policy, procedures and recommendations on a variety of issues to the general public, staff and other public officials.

A typical way to qualify would be four years of high level administrative or management experience that would demonstrate possession or application of the required knowledge and abilities.

BENEFITS: 

Medical, Dental and Vision 
Medical coverage is available through CALPERS with the County paying a majority of the cost for the employee and dependents. A County-paid plan is available for employees and dependents. The County pays for an employee vision plan and the employee may purchase dependent coverage.  

Retirement and Social Security 
CALPERS Retirement plan, 2% at age 55, integrated with Social Security.   

Life Insurance and Long Term Disability Plan 
County paid $100,000 term life insurance policy. Employees may purchase additional life insurance for themselves and dependents. The Long-Term Disability Plan pays 66 2/3% of the first $13,500, up to $9,000 per month maximum.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Apply Online Now!  Click on the link below; or print out an application and supplemental questionnaire to complete and mail/bring them to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 310, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060. Candidates must submit a County application, resume, and answers to the supplemental application questions to the Personnel Department or online by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4, 2009. For more information, contact Michael J. McDougall, Personnel Director, or Nisha Patel, Employment Services Manager, at (831) 454-2600. Hearing Impaired TDD# (831) 454-2123. 
 
If you have a disability that would require test accommodation, call (831) 454-2600.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:

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

The County of Santa Cruz is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse workforce.