Senior Planner

Senior Planner

The County of Monterey Housing and Community Development (HCD) Department seeks Senior Planners who are results oriented individuals with a strong grasp of the principles and practices associated with land use planning and the ability to successfully perform analysis and interpretation of County planning policies. The Senior Planner is the advanced working level/lead worker class in the professional Planner series. Under minimal supervision, this position serves as the subject matter resource specialist to other planners in addition to performing the most difficult planning assignments.

This position may work closely with the Supervising Planner or Principal Planner to formulate, organize and implement various planning projects and perform lead worker functions to include reviewing and checking the work of subordinate personnel for technical accuracy and factual content; determining level of priority and appropriate methodological analysis for studies; and assisting and training staff.

The Eligible List established by this recruitment process may be used County-wide to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.

This classification is part of a flexible series. Incumbents appointed at the lower level of the career series may be promoted up to the higher level of the career series subject to their meeting the employment standards for the higher class and a recommendation for their promotion by the appointing authority.

• Coordinates the review of planning projects or permit application reviews with staff, other departments and agencies; reports to higher level staff on the status of projects.
• Provides direction to professional staff in determining the level of significance, priority status and appropriate methodological analysis for studies; assists in the training, assigning and reviewing of staff work including a variety of planning projects and assists in establishing job standards and evaluation of work quality and performance levels.
• Serves as project leader in the planning and completion of planning research studies; conducts analysis and evaluation of land use proposals and processing of applications dealing with various planning matters; prepares elements of the general plan and performs environmental review and human resources planning; may staff citizens committees.
• Coordinates the review of zoning and subdivision matters for conformance with ordinances and regulations and performs the most difficult and complex planning studies and research involving the planning aspects of economic, social, environmental or other conditions by tabulating, analyzing and interpreting statistical and factual data to develop basis for conclusion.
• Research, analyze and write technical and comprehensive planning reports, ordinances, resolutions, legal notices, general plans and land use amendments; writes technical supporting papers and reports in connection with preparation of plans and evaluation of projects; resource electronic data bases for the purpose of formulating recommendations and presentations to others as necessary.
• Conducts studies and research involving the planning aspects of economic, social, environmental or other conditions by tabulating, analyzing and interpreting statistical and factual data to develop basis for conclusion; meets with technical and citizens advisory committees to present and discuss or formulate findings and policy recommendations.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of: principles, practices, techniques and quantative methods of county, rural, and local planning to include social, economic and environmental principles and their application to rural development.
• Resource management practices applied to land use planning and techniques and methods involved in the preparation and implementation of long-range plans and amendments.
• Federal, State, and local laws, procedures and regulations governing plan preparation, land development, environmental review and permit review process.
• Principles and techniques of research data gathering and planning data analysis including standard statistical methods and procedures.
• Computer and quantative methods, work processing and graphic techniques applicable to land use planning.
• The English language, punctuation, grammar and spelling.

Skill and ability to: research, analyze, evaluate and draw logical conclusions from data and prepare major planning projects and studies.

• Interpret, understand, explain and apply complex planning laws, rules, ordinances, codes and regulations applicable to planning projects and studies; read and interpret maps and aerial photos.
• Collect, analyze, interpret, apply data and draw conclusions for a variety planning projects.
• Coordinate major planning projects and extensive planning research studies; collect and tabulate statistical…