Annual Salary: $65,258-$79,666/yr; plus a $5,626  Annual Cash Benefit Allowance.

If you are passionate and career oriented about finding practical solutions to protect endangered species while upholding landowner rights, committed to the environment, have expertise and experience working with zoning and land use and you are a “people person” who understands how to create solutions, then we have a job for you!

The Santa Barbara County, General Services Department, has an opening for a Senior Planner with an Endangered Species and Environmental specialty who has a background in:

• projects focused on endangered species protection
• experiencing developing Habitat Conservation Plans under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)
• zoning and land use practices, laws and regulations
• economic development
• mitigation banking and preserves management
• the communication and social skills to work with urban planners, local residents, countyofficials and other stakeholders

The Job … A New Beginning

On March 28, 2006, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors created a new program called The Regional Conservation Strategy (RCS). This program is specifically designed to improve the protection of the California Tiger Salamander (CTS) and other identified potentially threatened and endangered species, and at the same time to improve land development processes for land owners within the CTS range.

Project Objectives:

As Senior Planner, you will have the vision to work toward a goal that is more long-term in execution. It is estimated that it will take at least two years to develop a regional conservation plan. Several more years will be required to implement the plan and develop mitigation preserves. Perpetual monitoring and management of these preserves will be required of the county. The Conservation Strategy will:

• Provide for the long-term survival and contribute to the recovery of CTS and other threatened or endangered species
• Provide for a predictable and streamlined process that all public and private activities can use to achieve ESA compliance
• Accommodate appropriate growth and development within the CTS Range, consistent with general plans adopted by local jurisdictions
• Ensure that impacts to the species are appropriately minimized and mitigated consistent with ESA requirements
• Establish guidelines and appropriate practices to facilitate ongoing operations and maintenance of existing and future infrastructure and public facilities
• Maximize opportunities for the restoration and enhancement of degraded habitat areas
• Ensure ongoing adaptive management and monitoring of habitat areas conserved under the program
• Ensure the effectiveness of the program and provide for enforcement of its terms in order to meet its objectives

JOB SPECIFICS:

The role of the Senior Planner will be to:

• Assist with the development of a biological framework
• Assist with development of mitigation requirements
• Prepare major elements of the regional habitat conservation plan/strategy
• Prepare strategies for development of mitigation preserves, including funding mechanisms
• Work with and attend meetings of the Stakeholder Steering Committee, including representatives of the stakeholders

Click here for a list of stakeholders

THE CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will possess the ability to achieve project goals detailed above and:

Experience With:

• Projects focused on endangered species protection
• Working with the Endangered Species Act
• Zoning and land use practices, laws and regulations, such as:
  • CEQA, NEPA, and/or other ordinances, or policies in a land use planning environment
  • analyzing and developing proposals containing complex planning issues
  • working within a complex regulatory environment
  • mentoring projects with Junior Planners
  • updating zoning ordinances
• Economic development
• Mitigation banking and preserves
• The communication and social skills to work with urban planners, local residents, County officials and other stakeholders

Ability to:

• Use adept interpersonal, leadership and communication skills
• Take a leadership role, providing expertise and direction to residents and commercial land owners impacted by CTS protection
• Negotiate and develop satisfactory solutions to land-use issues
• Communicate with County planners, the Board of Supervisors and other governmental agencies to address land-use situations
• Navigate in a politically charged environment
• Be impartial when presented with conflicting interests
• Build consensus among groups with apposing interests

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:
Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferably including course work in biology, land use, urban and regional planning, or environmental science and extensive work experience, as detailed in this announcement, developing land use policies and regulations, applying zoning regulations, etc. For more Employment Standard Options and Job Specifications, please click here.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Annual Salary: $65,258-$79,666/yr; plus a $5,626  Annual Cash Benefit Allowance.

Benefits:

http://www.sbcountyhr.org/relations/compensation/local620.html

HOW TO APPLY:
This recruitment is open until filled, so please apply as soon as possible.

Online Applications (preferred): Please follow the application instructions below to apply online, OR

Email: Send your cover (optional) and resume to wendibrown@charter.net, or fax to: 866-224-1423.

Recruiter information: Wendi Brown at 541-858-0376.