Senior Planner

Approximate salary: $8,884 - $10,799/month. Full-time position.

About the role

This examination is being given to fill 1 vacancy in the Community Development Department and to establish an eligible list that may be used to fill future vacancies.

Responsibilities

• Supervises the activities of staff in a Planning Division section; assigns, trains, directs, evaluates, and coordinates the work of subordinates; helps select staff as needed; assists with disciplinary action when appropriate.
• Assists the Department's management team; confers with peers and superiors to keep informed of new legislation, regulations, and other developments; helps develop Division goals and objectives; recommends and implements policies and procedures as needed.
• Prepares a variety of reports including complex planning reports; supervises and participates in the preparation of ordinance changes, regulatory amendments, environmental impact reports, and other complex planning documents.
• Participates in difficult planning projects; helps review, analyze, and make recommendations regarding development projects.
• Assists in the development, organization, and implementation of community participation programs as well as the preparation/implementation of planning programs.
• Supervises the collection, synthesis, analysis, and reporting of data; supervises and performs research assignments; may prepare complex graphic displays and/or illustrations.
• May meet and consult with other governmental agencies, private organizations, and others to address issues of common interest.
• Supervises and participates in assisting the public with the interpretation of zoning and planning regulations; helps investigate and resolve complaints.
• Participates in staff meetings as required; may attend Planning Commission meetings, Board of Supervisors hearings, and other meetings/conferences as assigned; may make presentations as assigned.
• Performs special projects as assigned; may assist with budget preparation and other administrative activities.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Either I

• Experience: Two years as an Associate Planner in San Joaquin County service.

Or II

• Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a major in urban or regional planning, public administration, geography, architecture, architectural engineering, landscape architecture, economics, ecology, or a related field.
• Experience: Four years of progressively responsible experience in urban or regional planning.

Substitution: A Master’s Degree in urban or regional planning may substitute for one year of the qualifying experience.

Skills

Knowledge

• Principles and practices of public administration and supervision.
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of urban and regional planning.
• Current laws and regulations pertaining to zoning, environmental issues, land development, and the county planning process.
• Principles and practices of economics, sociology, architecture, and legal procedure as they relate to modern urban and regional planning.
• Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation; research methods and analysis.

Ability

• Plan, assign, train, direct, and evaluate the work of subordinate staff.
• Supervise and implement a comprehensive planning program.
• Analyze and summarize statistical/technical data and prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive reports.
• Identify and help address a wide variety of interests in the development of land use policy.
• Interpret and apply laws and regulations relating to urban/regional planning.
• Appear before boards and commissions and present reports.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with department personnel, County managers, various County and other government officials, private agents, and the general public.

Physical/Mental Requirements

• Mobility: Frequent operation of keyboards, sitting for extended periods, standing for long periods, walking, pushing/pulling, bending, squatting, driving, climbing stairs or other objects; occasional crawling.
• Lifting: Frequently 5-30 pounds or less; occasionally 30-70 pounds; occasionally restraining, lifting/turning heavy objects.
• Vision: Good vision; frequent reading and close-up work; normal hand and eye coordination.
• Dexterity: Normal dexterity with frequent writing and repetitive motion.
• Hearing/Talking: Frequent hearing and talking on the telephone and in person.
• Emotional/Psychological: Frequent public contact and decision making; frequent concentration required.
• Special Conditions: May be exposed to dust and varied outdoor conditions; may require occasional weekend or evening work.

Benefits

• Vacation Accrual Rate: San Joaquin County vacation accrual rate consistent with the candidate's total years of public service.
• Sick Leave: Candidates leaving other employment may receive credit for actual non-reimbursable sick leave hours (up to 160 hours) from their last agency.
• New Hire Retention Bonus:
  • $2,000 upon completion of first year equivalent employment (2,080 hours)
  • $1,000 upon completion of third year equivalent employment (6,240 hours)
  • $3,000 upon completion of sixth year equivalent employment (12,480 hours)
• Health Insurance: Three medical plans: Kaiser Plan, Select Plan, and Premier Plan. Employees pay a portion of the cost of the premium. Dependent coverage is also available.
• Dental Insurance: Choice of two dental plans: Delta Dental and United Health Care-Select Managed Care Direct Compensation Plan. No cost for employee-only coverage; dependent coverage available at the employee’s expense.
• Vision Insurance: Coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP). No cost for employee-only coverage; dependent coverage available at the employee’s expense.
• Life Insurance:
  • 1 but less than 3 years of continuous service: $1,000
  • 3 but less than 5 years of continuous service: $3,000
  • 5 but less than 10 years of continuous service: $5,000
  • 10 years of continuous service or more: $10,000
  Employees may purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $200,000 at the group rate. Regular employees receive a supplemental life insurance policy with a face value up to $75,000.
• 125 Flexible Benefits Plan: Voluntary program allowing employees to use pre-tax dollars for health-related expenses not covered by medical, dental, or vision plans (Health Flexible Spending Account: $2,550 annual limit with a $500 carryover) and dependent care costs (Dependent Care Assistance Plan: $5,000 annual limit).
• Retirement Plan: Covered by the County Retirement Act of 1937. Visit www.sjcera.org for more information.
• Deferred Compensation: Plan under Section 457 of the IRS code. Annual contribution limit: $22,500 or 100% of includible compensation, whichever is less. Individuals age 50 or older may contribute up to $30,000. Roth IRA (after tax) is also available.
• Vacation: Maximum earned vacation is 10 days each year up to 3 years; 15 days after 3 years; 20 days after 10 years; and 23 days after 20 years.
• Holidays: Depending on date of hire, employees earn either 10 or 14 holidays per year.
• Administrative Leave: 10 days of administrative leave granted each fiscal year to eligible salaried employees. May not be carried over to the next fiscal year.
• Sick Leave: 12 working days of sick leave annually with unlimited accumulation. Sick leave incentive: Eligible for eight hours of administrative leave if leave balance equals at least one-half of the cumulative amount accruable, and the employee is on payroll during the entire calendar year.
• Bereavement Leave: 3 days of paid leave for the death of an immediate family member; 2 additional days of accrued leave for death of employee’s spouse, domestic partner, parent, or child.
• Merit Salary Increase: New employees start at the first step of the salary range. After 52 weeks (2,080 hours) on each step, eligible for a merit increase to the next step.
• Educational Reimbursement Program: Eligible employees may be reimbursed for career-related course work up to $850 per fiscal year. Employees enrolled in an approved four-year college or university academic program may be reimbursed up to $800 per semester, with a maximum of $1,600 per fiscal year.
• Parking Supplemental: Available for downtown Stockton.