PLANNER III

THE JOB: Under direction, conducts planning studies and analyses; reviews land use development applications; may serve as a project leader or specialist; and does other work as required.

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

One year of experience that is 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 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 and 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.   

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
VACATION – 16 days 1st year, increasing to 31 days per year after 15 years service. Available after 1 year service.
ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE – One week advanced upon appointment; two weeks accrued each year; can be taken in cash or time off.
HOLIDAYS – 12.5 paid holidays per year.
SICK LEAVE – Six days per year; after 6 months.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE – 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.
MEDICAL PLAN – The County contracts with PERS for a variety of medical plans. For most plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and dependents.
DENTAL PLAN – County pays for employee and dependent coverage.
VISION PLAN – County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase dependent coverage.
RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY – 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 $50,000 term policy. Employee may purchase additional life insurance.
LONG TERM DISABILITY PLAN – Plan pays 66 2/3% of the first $13,500, up to $9,000 per month maximum.
DEPENDANT-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 share of cost 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.
FLEXIBLE HEALTH ALLOWANCE (FHA) – A portion of the County’s contribution to employee health insurance that allows employees to have health plan purchase options. Employees who are enrolled in a County medical plan can participate in this program.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION – A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.
AUTOMATIC CHECK DEPOSIT – Required for all employees in this bargaining unit.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental application will be reviewed to determine if you have met the education, experience 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 application. 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 exam, 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 application. 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 Now!  Click on the link below; or print out an application and supplemental questionnaire and mail/bring them to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 310, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060. Continuous - Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.  This recruitment may close once a sufficient number of qualifying applications have been received. For information, call (831) 454-2600.  Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711.  - Following a review for minimum qualifications, applicants who are selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be notified that they must submit a completed conviction history questionnaire in order to continue to the examination phase of the process.

Women, minorities 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.

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

An Equal Opportunity Employer