Principal Planner

Job Information

Job Category

Environmental

Company Name

County of Santa Cruz

Position Level

Managerial

Job Description

The County of Santa Cruz is seeking a Principal Planner to join the Environmental Planning Section of the Planning Department.  Are you an experienced lead planner seeking new, exciting, opportunities?  If so, please keep reading! The County of Santa Cruz offers a generous benefits package which includes annual leave, paid holidays, medical, dental, vision, and CalPERS retirement benefits! Salary: 9,705 – 12,972 / Month APPLY NOW! Please visit www.santacruzcountyjobs.com                                                 THE JOB: Under general direction, plan, organize and direct a section of the Planning Department; manage long-range land use planning activities; act as designated, on behalf of an Assistant Director in their absence; and do other work as required. This position is for the management of the Environmental Planning Section and includes the codified responsibilities of the County Environmental Coordinator, including determinations of the significance of impacts to various resources under CEQA. Live, work, and play in beautiful Santa Cruz County! The County’s natural beauty spans from its coastal beaches to its redwood forests. The County also has excellent shopping throughout the local communities and features a lively downtown area in the City of Santa Cruz.

Required Skills / Experience / Education

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of education and experience providing the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain these would be: One year of work experience equivalent to a Planner IV or Resource Planner IV at Santa Cruz County, including experience leading teams and directing the work of others. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License or the employee must be able to provide suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority. Knowledge: Working knowledge of effective management principles and practices; principles and practices of organizational control and personnel management; principles of land use planning in a controlled growth environment; budgeting principles in a government agency; section programs, functions and services of the section to which assigned; California Environmental Quality Act may be required for some positions; environmental and biological consultant services may be required for some positions. Some knowledge of the applications of data processing to planning operations; California Coastal Act or of statutes governing regional transportation planning may be required for some positions. Ability to: Plan, organize, direct and control the work of a functional section of a planning department or related land use agency; supervise, train and evaluate the work of subordinate staff; exercise initiative, ingenuity and sound judgment in solving administrative, operational and personnel problems; evaluate and develop improvements to the effective and efficient delivery of section services; establish and maintain effective working relations with the general public, boards, commissions, public officials and other staff; understand and relate to others the goals, concepts and principles of the section; prepare clear and concise administrative and technical reports; effectively present planning matters to public groups; plan, scope, coordinate and manage consultant contracts for environmental and biological consultant services may be required for some positions; develop, submit, track and obtain environmental permits from local, state and federal agencies may be required for some positions.

US Citizenship Required?

Yes

Will security clearance be required?

No

Salary Range

$9,705 – 12,972 / Month

Other Benefits

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: VACATION - 16 days 1st year, increasing to 31 days per year after 15 years of service. Available after 1 year of service. ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE – One week advanced upon appointment; two weeks accrued each year; can be taken in cash or time off. HOLIDAYS - 14 paid holidays per year. SICK LEAVE - Six days per year. BEREAVEMENT LEAVE - 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state. MEDICAL PLAN - The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans. For most plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents. DENTAL PLAN - County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage. VISION PLAN - The County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible dependent coverage. RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY - Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average compensation of three years. County participates in Social Security. LIFE INSURANCE - County paid $50,000 term policy. Employee may purchase additional life insurance. LONG TERM DISABILITY PLAN - Plan pays 66 2/3% of the first $13,500, up to $9,000 per month maximum. DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN - Employees who pay for qualifying child or dependent care expenses may elect this pre-tax program. H-CARE PLAN - Employees who pay a County medical premium may elect this pre-tax program. HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) – Employees may elect this pre-tax program to cover qualifying health care expenses. DEFERRED COMPENSATION - A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.

Job Start Date

05/02/2025

Position Type

Permanent Full-Time

Travel

None

Primary Language Required

English

Industry

Local Government

Job Location

Location Address

701 Ocean St
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Santa Cruz, California
95060

Contact Information

Hiring Contact Name

Katherine Lennon

Email

[email protected]

Phone Number

(831) 454-2600

Website

http://www.santacruzcountyjobs.com