PRINCIPAL PLANNER

Job Specifications

Class Code:	GC6
Analyst:	SA, TC

Date Originated:	1/90
Date Revised:	12/19

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

DEFINITION

Under general direction, to plan, organize and direct a section of the Planning Department or a related land use agency; to act, as designated, on behalf of an Assistant Director in their absence; and to do other work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Positions in the class manage the operation of a section of the Planning Department or a related land use agency. Incumbents are accountable and responsible for the delivery of effective and efficient services to the public. Incumbents may act as an Assistant Director in the absence of a division head.

TYPICAL TASKS

Plans, organizes, directs and coordinates through subordinate supervisors or other staff the work of a professional planning staff in a section of the Planning Department or a related land use agency; supervises, trains and evaluates the work of subordinate supervisors and professional staff; participates in preparation of and administers the section budget; may analyze, plan and oversee permit processing functions; may analyze, plan and coordinate long range planning functions; works closely with other sections to develop joint procedures and to solve administrative problems; evaluates and establishes section policies and procedures; formulates improvements and implements changes within the section; represents the section in dealing with complaints, other departments, agencies and community groups; consults with the Assistant Director and other management staff on work programs, schedules, policies and program development; may represent the department or section at meetings; prepares and/or reviews reports and correspondence; performs complex and difficult special assignments and projects; attends meetings and conferences.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge:

• Working knowledge of effective management principles and practices;
• Working knowledge of the principles and practices of organizational control and personnel management;
• Working knowledge of the principles of land use planning in a controlled growth environment;
• Working knowledge of budgeting principles in a government agency;
• Working knowledge of the section programs, functions and services of the section to which assigned;
• Working knowledge of the California Environmental Quality Act may be required for some positions;
• Working knowledge of environmental and biological consultant services may be required for some positions;
• Some knowledge of the applications of data processing to planning operations;
• Some knowledge of the California Coastal Act or of statutes governing regional transportation planning may be required for some positions.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, direct and control the work of a functional section of a planning department or a related land use agency;
• Supervise, train and evaluate the work of subordinate staff;
• Exercise initiative, ingenuity and sound judgment in solving administrative, operational and personnel problems;
• Evaluate and develop improvements to the effective and efficient delivery of section services;
• Establish and maintain effective working relations with the general public, boards, commissions, public officials and other staff;
• Understand and relate to others the goals, concepts and principles of the section;
• Prepare clear and concise administrative and technical reports;
• Effectively present planning matters to public groups
• Plan, scope, coordinate and manage consultant contracts for environmental and biological consultant services may be required for some positions;
• Develop, submit, track and obtain environmental permits from local, state and federal agencies may be required for some positions.

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

One year of work experience equivalent to a Planner IV or Resource Planner IV at Santa Cruz County, including experience leading teams and directing the work of others.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License or the employee must be able to provide suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.

Bargaining Unit: 11
EEOC Category: 02 
Occupational Grouping: 28
Workers’ Comp Code: 0053