Senior Planner

The current vacancy is in Willits, CA. The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part-time positions in a variety of departments and locations throughout the County, should they occur. Pursuant to current bargaining unit agreements, employees regularly assigned to the coastal region or in Covelo are eligible to receive a 5% assignment premium.

Under general direction, plans, assigns and directs the work of Coastal Planning or Current Planning or other divisions within the department; supervises professional, technical and clerical staff in the accomplishment of their work; performs professional level planning work, coordinates the work of the division with other divisions within the department, other departments, agencies and boards. May act as hearing officer, Coastal Permit Administrator and Zoning Administrator. Incumbents in this classification are responsible for supervision and work activities within a division of the department as well as performing professional level planning work.

All responsibilities may not be performed by all incumbents

• Carries out supervisory responsibility in accordance with policies, procedures and applicable laws including: interviewing, hiring and training, planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Makes assignments, shifts personnel to meet time commitments, reviews and redirects work, compiles information into final reports, and presents or supervises the presentation of reports or studies to various boards, commissions and community groups.
• Provides information and direction to subordinates on interpretation, precedent, and policy; directs departmental policy regarding development projects.
• Reviews and edits staff reports, and written materials.
• Performs project management, including preparing correspondence and reports.
• Attends public hearings as staff representative or hearing officer.
• Develops scope of work and conducts long-range planning studies.
• Develops, communicates, and monitors policies, procedures, and standards for the division; recommends improvement when necessary.
• Reviews and approves Coastal Development Permits.
• Confers with upper management to keep them informed on key issues and progress toward objectives and to gain their support and approval; makes recommendations to assist management in making needed improvements.
• May assist in the preparation of the annual budget and various contracts related to the Planning Division.
• Monitors budget and contract expenditures during the fiscal year, makes recommendations for modifications of expenditures.
• Conducts planning studies within the area of responsibility.
• Prepares federal and state grant requests for planning related assistance and acts as an information source for the public, other County departments, and state and federal agencies on planning issues.
• Recommends merit salary increases, assists in the selection of staff, orients, trains and evaluates performance.
• Prepares reports for most complex and controversial planning studies and land use development projects.
• May act as hearing officer for coastal development permits, variances, use permits and development review.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education and Experience:

To qualify for this classification, an individual must possess any combination of experience, training, and education that would likely produce the required knowledge, skills, and abilities as listed. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities would be:

Experience: 3-years related experience including 1 year in a supervisory role; or 1-year as Planner III

Education: Normally, education equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Rural/Community Planning, Environmental Studies, or a related field.

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid Driver's License

American Institute of Certified Planners (desirable)

• Advanced principles, methods, and techniques utilized in land use and environmental planning, including ordinances and regulations pertaining to zoning and subdivisions, and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
• All applicable state, federal and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations.
• Socio-economic, and environmental principles and their application to urban and rural development and conservation.
• Research methodology and standard statistical methods and procedures as they apply to planning.
• Principles and practices of public administration.
• Recordkeeping, report preparation, filing methods and records management techniques.
• Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Basic budgetary principles and practices.
• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting and implementation, as well as team building.
• Administration of staff and activities, either directly or through subordinate supervision.
• Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis and report presentation.
• All computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.

• Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Researching, compiling, and summarizing a variety of informational and statistical data and materials.
• Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
• Applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks; to understand, interpret and communicate complicated policies, procedures and protocols.
• Using mathematics.
• Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Planning, organizing, assigning, directing, reviewing and evaluating the work of staff.
• Selecting and motivating staff and providing for their training and professional development.
• Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.

• Ability to determine work priorities and effectively coordinate and schedule personnel and other resources.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures and government regulations.
• Ability to identify and analyze problem situations, establish priorities of action based on analysis, and take appropriate action to resolve problems.
• Ability to prepare and present complex technical reports.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.
• Ability to determine appropriate research methodology for project studies and insure that analysis is complete and accurate.
• Ability to supervise the preparation of, or perform, complex, difficult, or specialized planning studies and speak effectively before public groups and respond to questions.
• While performing the essential functions of this job the incumbent is regularly required to walk, sit, use hands and fingers, handle or feel objects, reach with hands and arms, speak and hear, push and pull, move, or lift above and below the neck objects weighing up to 20 pounds.

Important Application Information:

• It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply.
• You must complete all sections of the application. A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application. Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference "see résumé" will be rejected as incomplete.
• Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.
• Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application.
• You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character.
• Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.
• It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address. Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.
• The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative. Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan. Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards. Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.
• The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Examination Process: All complete applications will be reviewed; incomplete applications will not be considered. Based on the number of qualified candidates, applicants meeting the job requirements and qualifications will be invited to participate in an oral examination (weight 100) or an unassembled exam, consisting of an evaluation of education and experience as stated on the application form. The examination process will test the knowledge and abilities described above. A minimum score of 70 must be attained for placement on the employment list.

Special Testing: If you require special testing arrangements to accommodate a disability or religious conviction you must contact Human Resources at 707.234.6600 prior to the test date to make your requirements known. You must provide enough advance notice to allow Human Resources to properly review and evaluate your request.

Special Requirements: Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.

Employment in some County departments or positions may require proof of Covid-19 vaccination/booster per the applicable California Public Health Officer's Order.

The option for telework may be available. Eligibility for telework is based on the position, employee, and telework environment; not every position, or every employee will be compatible to telework. Please see Policy #57 Telework Policy and Program Guidelines for details.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Employment Type: Full-time Permanent