About The Position

The County of San Luis Obispo Department of Planning & Building is recruiting a Senior Planner to join the Current/Coastal Planning team . This is a continuous recruitment and will remain open until filled. For f irst consideration, apply by September 6th, 2024.

About The Position

Senior Planner is part of a career series for Planner I, II, III, and Senior Planner. The Senior Planner classification is the advanced journey worker level in the series. Under direction, works independently and with minimum supervision; performs complex and specialized assignments which may include serving as a project manager and directly supervising project staff, including consultant and contract staff; may review work of other staff; trains subordinate staff; supervises subordinate staff as assigned. Classes in this series perform a variety of tasks in support of programs assigned to the Department of Planning and Building or General Services Agency including community planning, development review, environmental review, energy, and natural resources management, airport planning, park planning, housing, and economic development and other related work as required.

Typical Tasks And Representative Duties:

Manage the most controversial development and policy projects with complex environmental review
Complete application processing including making recommendations to the Planning and Building Director or appointed/elected officials
Effectively conduct and facilitate public meetings including making regular presentations at committee meetings and public hearings
Assignment to specialized projects such as serving as a department liaison and regularly attending advisory committee meetings
Process general plan amendments for individual project sites
Process coastal development permit determinations (waivers, emergency permits, consolidated coastal development permits, etc.)
Review and process legal instruments such as deed restrictions, agreements and easements
Prepare Negative Declarations and Environmental Impact Reports
Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff
Assist with the development, implementing, and conducting of employee-training sessions
Compile, organize and summarize information accurately in graphic and written form
Collect and summarize planning and environmental data including the provision of specialized assistance related to environmental issues (e.g. biology, archaeology, geology)
Learn, interpret, apply and explain departmental policies and procedures, rules, laws and regulations
Use sound judgment in researching, interpreting, applying, and explaining appropriate laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines
Collaborate and consult with others in the development and implementation of Division or function programs, projects, policies, procedures, goals, and objectives
Oversee the investigation and assure proper and timely resolution of planning, land use, environmental, construction, inspection, and permit issues and disputes as directed
Follow oral and written instructions
Administer land use policies and regulations with good judgment, firmness and impartiality
Assist in the review of project proposals against predetermined standards
Work effectively in an environment that includes pressure to meet time sensitive deadlines and critical review of work product.
Support and follow department policies, goals, guiding principles, and Mission-Vision-Values Statement
Foster a spirit of teamwork and support when interacting with staff and others
Work effectively and tactfully with other staff, public agencies, the general public and advisory committees
Operate standard office equipment including a computer and assigned software
Maintain a safe and orderly work area

Click here to view detailed job description.

This recruitment may be used to fill future permanent, substitute, limited term, and temporary positions, both full-time and part-time throughout the County.

The Ideal Candidate

The Ideal Candidate

The Planning and Building Department is seeking a highly motivated and self-directed Senior Planner to join its Current Planning team. This position requires an individual who can effectively collaborate with internal and external customers to process the most complex land use, environmental, and subdivision projects. The Senior Planner is a leadership role on the Current/Coastal Planning team and will, with the support and direction from the Supervising Planner team, assist with the daily supervision, mentorship, and training of junior staff. The ideal candidate will have previous leadership experience, including a track record of forming and maintaining strategic alliances and relationships, contributing to a collaborative team environment, delegating, supervising, and coaching. A background in environmental sciences, natural resources, or planning as well as technical field experience is required.

Knowledge Of:

Basic supervisory techniques
Project budgeting principles
General land use, environmental, airport and park planning principles
Engineering principles and practices pertinent to land use planning and environmental impact determination
Federal state and local laws and regulations related to the environmental and land use planning with special emphasis on Subdivision Map Act, Zoning and Planning Law (Government Code), the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and local coastal program rules and regulations.
Physical and life sciences
Basic drafting and drawing techniques
Principles of technical report writing
Statistical computation and mathematics
Computer applications and techniques such as Geographic Information Systems
Planning and Building Department or General Services Agency office organization, procedures and standards as well as strategic direction and goals
Office procedures and policies
Effective oral and written communication skills
Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited institution with either a Bachelor's or Master’s degree in urban and regional planning, architecture, landscape architecture, geography, natural resources management, environmental, physical or life science, or a closely related field. (Para-professional or higher level job-related experience may substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

AND Four years of professional level experience in urban and regional planning and environmental review/analysis or environmental impact assessment work which requires a state approved specialized professional license or certification.

How To Apply

This is a continuous recruitment; however, the posting can close at anytime without notice, therefore, prompt application is encouraged.

Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online. To apply for this position, click "apply" at the top of this page. Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process. We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application.

An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews.

Final candidates will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process.

If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at hr@co.slo.ca.us . Confidential inquiries are welcomed.

For further information regarding the County of San Luis Obispo, visit our website at www.slocounty.ca.gov .

For more information regarding the Department of Planning & Building, please visit our website at Planning and Building - County of San Luis Obispo .

Reasonable Accommodation Notice

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. Please call 805-781-5959 for assistance or e-mail hr@co.slo.ca.us for more information.

Veteran's Preference Points

If you are applying for employment with the County of San Luis Obispo and you served in the United States Armed Forces, you may be eligible for veteran's preference points as part of the recruitment process. Some dependents and survivors of eligible veterans may also be eligible for preference points. Click here for more information and to learn how to apply for this benefit. Please note that Veteran’s credits must be on file with the County of San Luis Obispo Veterans Services Office prior to the recruitment closing date indicated on the job announcement .

Equal Employment Opportunity

The County is an equal opportunity employer. Objectives are directed toward assuring equal opportunity in selection / promotion, pay, and job assignments. Recruitment and selection procedures have been established to ensure non-discrimination on the basis of political or religious opinions or affiliations, age, sex, race, color, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or other non-merit factors. In addition, the County complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act in hiring and retaining employees. For more information contact the Human Resources Department at (805)781-5959.

County of San Luis Obispo jobs

Senior Planner