Job Specifications

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Subject to legislative and administrative determination of policy, to be responsible for and direct the activities of a complex planning department, including advanced planning, permit processing, zoning administration, building inspection, transportation planning, environmental and resources planning, housing, community development, and land use regulation activities; and to do other work as required.

This position is the department head for the Planning Department.

The incumbent is responsible for the administration of a department which covers the development and implementation of programs for advanced planning, permit processing, building inspection, and land use regulation, transportation planning, environmental and technical review, resource planning, housing and community development. This position is designated as the Building Official for the County. The incumbent is required to possess a broad knowledge of effective administrative practices. Additionally the work involves coordinating functions of the divisions of the department and planning and executing major changes in procedures, policies and organization. 

Develops goals, objectives and plans for carrying out departmental functions, consistent with overall County goals; evaluates the effectiveness of existing operations; develops and executes plans for the organization, direction and improvement of departmental services; recommends plans for the establishment of new services, abolishment of services or major changes in methods that services are provided to serve the public and community; establishes and maintain cooperative working relationships with related departments, other public jurisdictions and the general public on matters of joint concern; represents the County before civic, professional and local and regional governmental organizations on matters related to departmental programs; selects and evaluates the work of management and administrative staff; directs and coordinates the activities of subordinate managers engaged in managing administering advanced planning activities, such as the development of general plan elements, growth management plans, transportation plans, and resource management plans and housing; directs and coordinates the activities of subordinate managers engaged in managing permit processing and inspection services, such as zoning administration, permit processing, building inspection, environmental and technical review and land use regulation; directs the review process to assure that ordinances are understandable, non-conflicting and uniformly applied; prepares periodic reports concerning certain projects, services, grants and operations; directs and participates in the formulation and preparation of the departmental budget; directs the preparation and administration of grants; appears before the Board of Supervisors to present plans, projects and policies; directs activities which provide for assistance and advice to appointive commissions and committees.

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and effective practices of organization and management;
• Thorough knowledge of local government organization and operations and interrelationships between County government and the community;
• Thorough knowledge of the principles of personnel management including selection, supervision, evaluation and training of subordinate staff;
• Thorough knowledge of 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;
• Working knowledge of the aims, trends, concepts, principles and legal aspects of planning and zoning administration;
• Working knowledge of 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.

• 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;
• Explain policy, procedures and recommendations on a variety of issues to the general public, staff and other public officials.

Training and Experience: 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:

Four years of high level administrative or management experience that would demonstrate possession or application of the required knowledge and abilities listed above.