(Series Specification, Deep Class)

COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ

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.

Planner I is the trainee level for the professional planner series. Incumbents initially work under general supervision and as experience is gained they perform a broader range of duties and are expected to advance to the Planner II level within one year.

Planner II is the journey level in the planner series. Incumbents independently perform professional planning assignments with limited supervision. This class differs from the Planner I in that in addition to the above incumbents may provide assistance to lower level planners and may make presentations to internal and community groups as well as decision making authorities.

Planner III is the senior or advanced journey level in the planner series. Incumbents use independent judgment to perform diverse, complex assignments, which require extensive coordination with other land use agencies, County departments and other agencies. Additionally incumbents are required to make presentations to the public, the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors. This class is distinguished from the next lower class of Planner II by specialized, diverse and complex assignments, requiring independent judgment while the latter class performs general journey level work assignments. This class differs from the Planner IV in that the latter is the subject area expert, handles the most controversial and technically complex assignments and may serve as project leader on multifaceted programs.

Planner IV is the department resource and specific subject area expert in the planner series. Incumbents work under general direction to perform the most controversial and technically complex assignments, ensure quality assurance standards are maintained for planning studies; track, monitor and advocate legislation, develop policy, and may serve as project leader on multifaceted programs. Incumbents in this class receive administrative supervision from a Supervising Planner or Principal Planner. They receive technical supervision from a Principal Planner because of their technical expertise and responsibility for the most controversial and technically complex assignments. Incumbents are assigned the most controversial and technically complex assignments and may rotate to the Zoning and Administrator Assignment.

Prepares or conducts land use and other planning studies or analyses and prepares technical reports; reviews land use development applications, prepares reports and makes recommendations; reviews issues, policies and procedures related to land use and other planning concerns; drafts ordinances and policy statements for review and approval; conducts or leads field surveys and investigations; researches grant sources, prepares grant applications and may oversee grant funded programs; provides technical support or serves as a technical expert to task forces, commissions and/or advisory committees; answers inquiries and assists the public in matters relating to zoning and land use; inputs, retrieves and analyzes data using a computer; may represent the County at the local, regional and State level for special projects or assignments; may serve as a project leader for complex land use and other planning related studies and projects.

Zoning Administrator Assignment: Review and make decisions on development proposals with respect to zoning adjustment and land use applications by conducting public hearings and issuing findings, including issuing development permits, coastal permits, variances, and other special reviews. Assist other departments, various

committees and the public in interpreting the Zoning Ordinance. Ensure that private development conforms to environmental and all other applicable County regulations. Hear and rule on all administrative appeals.

Some knowledge of:

• 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.

Working knowledge of the above plus:

• Purposes and policies, procedures and regulations of a County planning department and zoning administration.
• Principles and techniques of gathering and analyzing data.

Some knowledge of:

• Basic statistical methods and procedures used in planning studies.
• Techniques of public presentation.

Working knowledge of the above plus:

• Long range and regulatory planning practices.
• Laws and regulations related to planning, zoning and environmental protection.

Thorough knowledge of the above plus:

Working knowledge of:

• Legislative processes.
• Working knowledge of policy formulation.

Some knowledge of:

• Principles and techniques of project leadership and training.

• 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.

All of the above plus:

• Organize and present planning research studies.
• Collect, analyze, compile and arrange technical, statistical and related information for planing and zoning research.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, officials and personnel from other agencies.
• Interpret maps and aerial photos.
• Speak effectively before groups.

All of the above plus:

• 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.
• Provide leadership to team efforts.

All of the above plus:

• Coordinate multifaceted programs as project leader.
• Track, monitor and advocate legislation.
• Develop, implement and monitor grants.
• Act as subject matter expert or resource.
• Complete the most controversial and technically complex planning assignments.

Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:

Planner I: Two years experience in a public or private land use agency/firm plus completion of 12 semester units of college coursework in planning or a closely related field.

OR

Possession of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in planning, urban studies, natural sciences, architecture or a closely related field.

Planner II: One year of demonstrated professional planning experience equivalent to a Planner I at Santa Cruz County.

OR

Possession of a Master in Arts Degree from an accredited college or university certified by AICP or AIA with a major in planning, architecture or a closely related field. A degree program that includes an internship in a public planning agency is highly desirable.

Planner III: One year of experience that is equivalent to a Planner II at Santa Cruz County.

Planner IV: One year of journey level planning experience equivalent to a Planner III at Santa Cruz County.

Possession of a valid California class C driver license or the ability to provide suitable transportation, which is approved by the appointing authority.

Bargaining Unit: Gen Rep

EEOC Job Category: 02

Occupational Grouping: 28

Worker's Comp Code: 0053