RESOURCE PLANNER I, II, III, IV

(Series Specification)

Class Code:	TM4, TM6, TM8, TM/9
Analyst:	SA, TC, CH

Date Originated:	2/90
Date Revised:	6/16;12/12

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

DEFINITION

Under direction, reviews land development applications for conformance with environmental and general plan policies; conducts resource and environmental planning studies; assists in administering environmental, resource related grant programs, construction projects, and cannabis registration and licensing application analyses; and to do other work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This class series is distinguished from the professional planning series by specialized assignments and by required scientific knowledge and training.

Resource Planner I is the trainee level for the professional resource 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 Resource Planner II level within one year.

Resource Planner II is the journey level class in the resource planner series. Incumbents independently perform professional environmental and resource planning assignments with limited supervision. This class differs from Resource Planner I in the complexity of work and level of independence in completing assignments which generally include the evaluation of biologic, geologic and related environmental issues.

Resource Planner III is the senior or advanced journey level in the resource planning series. Positions in this class are responsible for complex long-range environmental and resource planning studies, analyses or project review in the fields of watershed management, water quality, water resources, solid waste management, geology, flood control, erosion control or related disciplines.

Resource Planner IV is the department resource and specific subject area expert in the Resource Planner series. Incumbents work under general direction to perform the most controversial and technically complex environmental and resource planning assignments; ensure quality assurance standards are maintained for resource 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.

TYPICAL TASKS

• Reviews building, land development, and cannabis registration and licensing applications to insure conformance with general plan policies and environmental grading and erosion control ordinances and cannabis ordinances; processes applications for environmental permits;
• Conducts field inspections and identifies and evaluates biologic, geologic and related environmental issues
• Prepares and presents staff reports and findings on environmental permits and projects for internal staff and reviewing bodies;
• Prepares public education materials on resource management, water quality and other environmental issues; monitors and coordinates various programs which includes setting work priorities, selecting sites and overseeing work crews;
• Monitors and interprets conditions during storms and recommends appropriate action;
• Works on emergency stream clearance and safety survey assessment and monitoring;
• Gathers and analyzes data and prepares reports on a variety of environmental resources issues;
• Identifies code infractions and violations of environmental regulations and refers them for appropriate enforcement action;
• May carry out enforcement actions pertaining to environmental regulations as assigned;
• Advises the public and staff on erosion control, riparian, watershed and other environmental matters;
• Attends meetings and serves as staff to various commissions and committees;
• Inputs, accesses and analyzes data using a computer;
• May conduct complex environmental and resource management studies and prepare technical reports; may represent the County and may give presentations at the local, regional and State level as a technical expert on resource issues and for special projects or assignments;
• May serve as a project leader for complex resource and environmental planning projects;
• May research grant sources, prepare grant applications and administer funded grand programs;
• May oversee and review work performed by the water quality laboratory;
• May serve as staff geologist and as subject expert on geologic issues for staff and the public;
• Develops policy on long range plans and programs and administers contracts.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge:

Resource Planner I

• Some knowledge of the principles, practices and trends of resource planning or to the specialty area to which assigned;
• Some knowledge of the principles of biology, geology, hydrology, water quality, solid waste management or watershed management pertaining to land use planning;
• Some knowledge of resource methodology and standard statistical procedures applied to resource data;

Some knowledge of the laws, ordinances and regulations relating to resource planning.

Resource Planner II

• Working knowledge of the above plus:
• Working knowledge of specialty area to which assigned;
• Working knowledge of purposes and policies, procedures and regulations of a County planning department and resource administration;
• Working knowledge of the principles and techniques of gathering and analyzing data;
• Some knowledge of the techniques of public presentation.

Resource Planner III

• Working knowledge of the above plus:

Working knowledge of laws and regulations related to resource planning and environmental protection. Resource Planner IV

• Thorough knowledge of the above plus:
• Working knowledge of legislative processes;
• Working knowledge of policy formulation; Some knowledge of the principles and techniques of project leadership and training.

Ability to:

Resource Planner I

• Read and interpret plans, specifications and engineering reports;
• Collect, compile, analyze and evaluate technical, statistical and related resource data;
• Provide services to the public in a courteous and effective manner;
• Participate cooperatively and effectively as a contributing team member;
• Walk over rough terrain and through streambeds;
• Produce acceptable work commensurate with the level of appointment within assigned timeframes;
• Learn to input, access and analyze data using a computer.

Resource Planner II

All of the above plus:

• Prepare and present studies and reports, orally, written and graphically;
• Synthesize and explain technical data to non-scientific people;
• Speak effectively before groups;
• Interpret, explain and apply laws, ordinances, rules and regulations;
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, officials and personnel from other agencies;
• Interpret maps and aerial photos;

Resource Planner III

All of the above plus:

• Present major resource planning studies, analyses and reports to boards, commissions and committees;
• Complete complex assignments, determine alternatives and make recommendations;
• Write, interpret, apply and explain complex rules, laws, regulations and ordinances;
• Prepare clear and concise administrative and technical reports, resolutions and ordinances;
• Understand, interpret and consistently apply provisions of laws, regulations and plans;
• Understand and relate to others the concepts, aims and principles of resource planning;
• Develop, implement and monitor grants;

Provide leadership to team efforts.

Resource Planner IV

All of the above plus:

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

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

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

OR

Possession of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in natural, physical or environmental sciences or a closely related field.

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

OR

Possession of a Master in Science Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in natural, physical or environmental sciences or a closely related field. A degree program that includes an internship in a public planning agency in highly desirable.

Resource Planner III One year of journey level resource planning experience equivalent to a Resource Planner II at Santa Cruz County.

Resource Planner IV One year of journey level resource planning experience equivalent to a Resource Planner III 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