Planner

The current vacancy is for Associate Planner I/II in the Public Works Department. The City of Santa Cruz is recruiting for an Associate Planner I/II to manage stormwater development review, conduct inspections, and lead environmental compliance and watershed protection initiatives. This position oversees the City’s Clean River, Beaches and Ocean Fund (Measure E) Oversight Committee, serves as the lead for the City’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, and administers consultant contracts and public education programs. The Associate Planner I/II works collaboratively with City staff, developers, regulatory agencies, consultants, and community stakeholders to implement programs and projects that protect water quality and enhance the City’s waterways. Associate Planner I salary range: $8,107–$10,450 monthly ($46.77–$60.29 hourly) Associate Planner II salary range: $8,919–$11,496 monthly ($51.46–$66.32 hourly) Basic Function Under general supervision, performs professional land use planning, urban planning, and environmental review and compliance work such as current and advance planning, housing, community development, historic preservation, parks and open space planning, water resource and utility planning and environmental planning; reviews zoning and development applications; complies with various regulations; coordinates activities with agencies and other interested parties; analyzes planning and environmental issues; coordinates special projects; and performs other related duties as assigned. Distinguishing Characteristics Associate Planner I: The entry‑level class in the professional planning series, responsible for providing staff support through research, data collection and report preparation, performing less complex and routine planning and environmental review tasks under closer supervision. Incumbents learn the application of fundamental planning principles within the local environment. After demonstrating proficiency, incumbents are expected to advance to the full professional II level. Associate Planner II: The journey‑level classification in the professional planning series, distinguished by more diversified and complex assignments and a higher level of independence. Incumbents are expected to independently perform the full scope of assigned duties, including research, analysis, coordination of complex planning projects, and preparation of related reports, studies and recommendations. The Associate Planner II is distinguished from the next higher classification of Senior Planner, which is the lead‑worker classification responsible for the most complex planning tasks and acting as the functional supervisor of an assigned specialty area. Responsibilities Reviews and processes various plans and applications for subdivision, housing, commercial and public infrastructure developments; reviews and processes variances, design permits, conditional use permits and other discretionary permits. Determines conformity with laws, regulations, policies and procedures; recommends approval; identifies problems and analyzes alternatives. May be assigned to investigate and respond to complaints of zoning code violations. Plans, organizes and conducts research studies; determines appropriate data sources; conducts analysis of complex issues and data. Prepares reports and recommendations regarding land use, zoning, urban design, population trends, transportation, housing, community needs, parks, open spaces, water utility planning and/or environmental issues, depending upon area of assignment; recommends the use of land for residential, commercial, industrial, public infrastructure and community uses. Maintains, updates and analyzes demographic and other data related to community planning; participates in the review, development, revision and maintenance of general plan elements, environmental impact reports, plans, ordinances and other policies and procedures. Reviews plans, proposals, requests and studies presented by other City staff, developers, consultants, advisory bodies and members of the public; prepares analyses related to compliance, feasibility and impact. Interprets, applies and explains federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). Provides information and assistance to developers, property owners and the public regarding laws, regulations, standards, policies and procedures related to the submission of plans, processing of applications and implementation requirements; communicates and coordinates with other City departments and outside agencies; coordinates the development review process on public and private projects. Resolves difficult issues, consults with experts, and determines need for technical resources. Determines consistent approaches in analysis, legal and regulatory interpretations, mitigation measures, permitting and scoping of projects. Oversees the preparation of environmental documents, permits, technical reports and studies. Manages projects including consultants, contracts and budgets. Serves as staff liaison to commissions, advisory bodies and citizen groups, as assigned; assists in the preparation of meeting agendas for various commissions, boards and community groups, including reviewing draft materials and preparing comments; organizes meetings and work sessions ensuring timely notification of appropriate parties; prepares materials for and makes presentations to the City Council, commissions, boards and community groups. May prepare, coordinate and administer grant applications or contracts. May provide work coordination and project direction for other planning personnel and contract consultants. Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification. Working Conditions Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking on slippery, level and uneven surfaces, kneeling, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in preparing reports using a computer keyboard. The position also requires both near and far vision in reading written reports and work‑related documents. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The position may work outdoors in all weather conditions, including wet, hot and cold. The need to lift, drag and push files, paper and documents weighing up to 25 pounds is also required. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise‑qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations. Qualifications Associate Planner I Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Urban, Regional or Park Planning, Landscape Architecture, or Environmental Studies, or a related field depending on the assignment. Six months minimum of professional related planning experience. Knowledge: Principles, practices and techniques of municipal planning, including current planning, advance planning, housing, community development, historic preservation, and/or parks and open space planning. Land use, physical design, demographic, environmental, economic and social concepts as applied to municipal planning. State and federal laws, policies, codes, permitting and regulations. Principles, practices and techniques of environmental planning and analysis, environmental impact assessment and review, permitting, mitigation, monitoring and reporting. Basic computer skills and competency. Abilities: Perform thorough planning research and evaluation. Learn, interpret and apply a large number of codes, ordinances, policies and procedures. Communicate City ordinances, policies and decisions to the public in a courteous and effective manner. Effectively manage all assigned projects. Organize, prioritize and follow up on work assignments. Read, interpret and record data accurately. Communicate issues or problems clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Prepare staff reports to the Zoning Administrator, Historic Preservation Commission, Planning Commission and City Council. Make effective oral presentations. Work effectively independently and as a member of a team. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with developers, contractors, consultants, advisory bodies, City staff, other governmental agencies, and the public. Willingness to attend evening meetings as required. Associate Planner II Minimum Qualifications in Addition to Associate PlannerI: Bachelor’s degree in Urban, Regional or Park Planning, Landscape Architecture or Environmental Studies or a related field depending on the assignment. Two years of increasingly responsible related professional planning experience. Knowledge: Statistical methods and research techniques applicable to the preparation of municipal planning studies. Methods and techniques for making effective public presentations of complex information. Basic principles and practices of program development, administration and evaluation. Grant writing and administration. Contract negotiation and administration. Interpretation and application of CEQA law (for Water assignment). Building and park construction and landscape design (for Parks assignment). Abilities: Perform thorough research and analysis of complex planning‑related issues and develop appropriate recommendations for action. Interpret, explain and apply applicable policies, procedures, standards, laws, codes and regulations pertaining to the municipal planning process, including CEQA and NEPA. Interpret technical manuals, maps, site and building plans and specifications, graphs, sketches, drawings and modeling and statistical data. Learn and apply more complex principles, practices, techniques and regulations pertaining to assigned duties. Recommend adjustments to standard operating procedures to improve effectiveness and comply with regulatory changes as appropriate. Participate in the establishment of division and/or department goals, objectives and methods for evaluating achievement and performance levels. Consensus building among diverse and competing interests. Negotiate and oversee contracts and manage the work of consultants. Assist with budget development and monitoring. Licenses and Certificates Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver’s license. Staff Contacts Director of Planning and Community Development Assistant Director of Planning and Community Development Principal Planner Senior Planner Associate Planner I/II #J-18808-Ljbffr