Senior Planner

Salary : $90,480.00 - $115,481.60 Annually
Location : San Luis Obispo, CA
Job Type: Permanent - Hourly
Job Number: 0824KS-000603-01
Department: Planning & Building
Division: Planning & Building Administration
Opening Date: 08/23/2024
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 first 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 . Confidential inquiries are welcomed.
For further information regarding the County of San Luis Obispo, visit our website at .
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 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. 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.
Make a Difference
Employees of the County of San Luis Obispo are public servants who impact the lives of our community every day. From supporting efforts to reduce homelessness, keeping our drinking water clean, or serving the families in need in the community, County employees make a difference.
Compensation and Benefits
Your annual salary is supplemented by a generous benefit package.
For additional information regarding the benefits listed that may be available to you, visit the associated Benefits-At-A-Glance webpage (click here for link).
Some benefits include:
- Medical (PPO, EPO, HDHP), Dental (HMO, PPO) and Vision Insurance
- Health enhancing programs such as Hinge Health, GIThrive and Carrum Health for medical enrollees.
- Cafeteria (County contribution to pay for insurance premiums)
- Free visits to the employee health clinic
- Mental Health resources/benefits including Headspace
- Voluntary insurance plans (life insurance, disability, critical illness and many more)
- A lifelong retirement benefit through the San Luis Obispo County Pension Trust
- Optional deferred compensation plan
- Tax savings accounts (medical and dependent care)
- Paid personal, sick and vacation days
- 12 paid holidays
- Employee Assistance Program
- Education and Wellness Allowance
- Post Employment Health Plan
- Family Friendly workplace policies
- Flexible work schedule options
- Rideshare commuter benefits
- Pet Insurance
The County of San Luis Obispo has been recognized as a Diamond Level Family Friendly Workplace by San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce. We support our employees through: childcare assistance, flexible scheduling practices, paid and unpaid leave, comprehensive health benefits, flexible spending accounts, and employee assistance programs.
Pension Benefit and Employee Contribution Rates:
The County's pension is a defined benefit plan that provides a guaranteed monthly pension payment for life based on your time in service, wages, and other factors. The County is the primary contributor to the pension fund, but the health of the pension fund also depends on mandatory employee contributions. Employees are required to pay a percentage of their base pay towards the pension fund, ranging from 5% to 19%. This amount is deducted from your paycheck pre-tax every pay period. To find out how much will be deducted from your paycheck should you be hired for this position, please contact Pension Trust at (805) 781-5465.
Healthcare Benefits and Cafeteria Contributions:
The County offers comprehensive medical coverage to you and your family, along with two dental plan options and vision coverage. All permanent employees receive a monthly employer contribution (or 'cafeteria' contribution) to help them pay for their portion of the medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums. The amount of the cafeteria contribution varies by Bargaining Unit (BU) and the extent to which employees enroll their dependents. If the cafeteria amount is greater than your selected premiums, the remainder of the cafeteria is paid out to you in your paycheck as taxable income. If the cafeteria amount is less than your monthly premiums, you pay the remainder of the premiums with pre-tax wages.
To estimate your out-of-pocket costs (or cashback from extra cafeteria),
Learning and Development
The County prioritizes your learning, personal and professional development, and career growth. Employees have access to over 1500 on-demand courses, instructor led courses, and job-specific trainings.
Employees can take courses to upskill to make themselves more competitive for promotional opportunities and further their career growth. Examples of courses include:
- Emotional Intelligence
- Supervisor/Manager academies
- Microsoft Suite courses
- Defensive Driving
- Financial management
- Retirement preparedness
- Teambuilding
- Written Communication
- Conflict Management
- Clifton StrengthsFinder and DISC
- Job specific conferences/trainings
Student Loan Forgiveness
Did you know that if you are employed by a government agency you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
County employees also have access to GotZoom, a program that offers tools and support to navigate your federal student loans.
Homebuyer assistance program
Employees have access to the "Assist-to-Own" program sponsored byto get a loan for the down payment.
01
Please describe why you are interested in the Senior Planner position and detail the specific experiences that have prepared you for this role? Please include examples of past leadership roles, project management experiences, and any challenges you have overcome in those positions.
02
Please describe any local coastal program experience you may have.
Required Question