Planner III

This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and future vacancies within the Resource Management Agency. The current vacancy is located in Visalia, and the employment list is anticipated to last six months.

About the Role

Develop, update, and implement County policies related to planning, development, and other matters. Maintain the County General Plan, draft new and update existing plan elements, and coordinate special projects and studies. Review and analyze project proposals for environmental impact and consistency with ordinances and general plan elements. Collect, read, and analyze research data and reference materials related to planning principles, practices, and laws.

Essential job duties may include additional responsibilities not listed above but relative to this classification. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined appropriate under applicable law.

Responsibilities

• Develop, update, and implement County policies related to planning and development.
• Maintain and update the County General Plan and its elements.
• Coordinate special projects and studies.
• Review and analyze project proposals for environmental impact and consistency with ordinances and general plan elements.
• Collect, read, and analyze research data and reference materials related to planning principles, practices, and laws.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in urban, regional or city planning, environmental studies, geography, architecture, or a closely related field.
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible professional and comprehensive local governmental planning experience.

Knowledge

• Principles, practices, and purpose of land use planning and environmental assessment.
• Federal, state, and local regulations and laws concerning environmental, general plan, subdivision, and zoning issues.
• Research methods and procedures.
• Nomenclature, symbols, and instruments used in planning work.
• Statistics.

Skills/Abilities

• Work and communicate effectively with people of various educational and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Operate contemporary office equipment, including computers and electronic devices.
• Read, understand, and interpret State, Federal, and County laws pertaining to planning.
• Write reports concerning proposed planning projects.

License or Certificate

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver’s license.

Desirable Employment Standards

• Understanding of budgeting principles to assist in preparing and implementing work programs.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of supervision, training, and evaluation.
• Ability to supervise, train, and evaluate employees.

Additional Information

• Candidates selected may be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening.
• A background investigation may be conducted, including re-investigation every 10 years for some positions.
• Employment eligibility verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions.
• Some positions may require a physical exam.

This position may qualify for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007, and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information, visit studentaid.gov.

Benefits

• Annual Benefit Amount: Provided and may be applied towards health insurance premiums (medical, dental, vision, and life). This benefit is pro-rated and paid on a pay period basis (24 pay periods).
• Health Insurance: Choice of PPO and HMO medical plans, including dental and vision coverage. Dependent coverage is available. Providers include Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental, and Vision Services Plan (VSP).
• Retirement: Defined benefit plan administered under the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act, integrated with Social Security. Provides ordinary retirement, disability, and death benefits. Contributions are made by both the County and the employee. Reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.
• Paid Holiday Leave: 12 set days and 1 personal holiday.
• Vacation Accrual:
  • 2 weeks per year (0-3 years of service)
  • 3 weeks per year (3-7 years of service)
  • 4 weeks per year (7-11 years of service)
  • 5 weeks per year (11+ years of service)
  • Limit of 300 hours. FLSA exempt employees accrue an additional 5 days of vacation per year.
• Sick Leave Accrual: 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation, 60 hours of which may be used toward family sick leave.
• Career Incentive Pay: Employees with five (5) or more years of service with Tulare County may earn additional pay:
  • 5 years: 3% increase
  • 10 years: 2% increase (total 5%)
  • 15 years: 3% increase (total 8%)
  • 20 years: 2% increase (total 10%)
• Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D: $10,000 provided by Standard Insurance Company.
• Disability Insurance: Covered by State Disability Insurance; premium paid by the employee.
• Deferred Compensation: Voluntary deferred compensation plan available.

For more detailed descriptions of Tulare County's benefits, visit the Tulare County HRD Benefits page.