Salary : $86,479.64 - $113,848.80 Annually
Location : Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type: Full-time Classified
Job Number: 2024-088-1422-EU-WF
Department: Sustainability and Resilience
Opening Date: 06/13/2024
Closing Date: 7/2/2024 5:30 PM Pacific
DESCRIPTION
CREEKS ASSISTANT PLANNER: $86,479 - $105,116 Annually
CREEKS ASSOCIATE PLANNER: $93,663 - $113,848 Annually
ABOUT US
The Creeks Division is hiring an environmental professional with strong technical skills who will contribute to our mission: improving creek and ocean water quality and restoring urban stream habitat. Individuals who join the Creeks Division tend to stay because of the welcoming culture, creative opportunities, and impactful work. Read more about the Creeks Division here .
The Creeks Division is housed within the Sustainability & Resilience Department, with the mission to support a sustainable, healthy, and safe Santa Barbara through reducing the City's carbon footprint, managing energy and materials use, protecting, and restoring creeks and water quality, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and building local climate resilience. If you are a motivated and dedicated environmental professional interested in the position, read more about the Sustainability & Resilience Department here .
At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive. Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture here .
BENEFITS
THE POSITION
The Creeks Division seeks a full-time employee to conduct stream monitoring, including field water quality sampling and analysis, and to review development plans for compliance with the City's Storm Water Management Program (SWMP). On average, the position will be split in equal parts between water quality duties and plan review, though the focus will vary throughout the year. The position will either be hired at the Assistant or Associate Planner level depending on the qualifications of the successful candidate. Due to the diverse nature of the responsibilities, exceptional time management skills are essential.
Duties of the development review focus of the position include:

• Reviews proposed development plans for compliance with the City's Storm Water Management Program, (SWMP regulations).
  
• Verifies calculations to ensure stormwater control measures (also called BMPs) are sized appropriately.
  
• Communicates with project applicants and City planning staff to discuss project compliance.
  
• Documents review activity in spreadsheets and City databases.
  
• Provides excellent customer service and timely response to applicant questions and all plan review deadlines.

Duties for the water quality sampling focus of the position include:

• Conducts weekly creek, lagoon, and ocean water quality sampling required by City's storm water regulations.
  
• Supports complex water quality research projects, including a focus on beach water quality and microplastic research.
  
• Calibration and maintenance of electronic water quality monitoring equipment.
  
• Deploys and retrieves water quality data loggers.
  
• Interacts with vendors for outsourced water quality analysis.
  
• Samples at a variety of locations in dry weather and storm events, including field equipment preparation and sample filtration.
  
• Maintains the Creeks Field Office.
  
• Manages water quality records, including a Microsoft Access database.

Please note that this is a flexibly staffed position. The hire may be made at either the Assistant Planner or Associate Planner level, depending on experience.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

ASSISTANT PLANNER:
Knowledge of:

• Environmental science, natural resource conservation, watershed science, water resource management, or water quality research.
• Field sampling and laboratory techniques.
• Must possess strong quantitative skills.
• Microsoft Excel, and at least some experience with Microsoft Access.
• Understanding of basic math and geometry.

Ability to:

• Work independently, under general supervision.
• Be organized and meet deadlines on many projects.
• Work outside in physically challenging conditions, including during rain events.
• Work in the evening and/or on weekends on occasion, during intensive field sampling events.
• Review complex stormwater reports.
• Learn to read civil engineering plans and architectural drawings.
• Check accuracy of storm water calculations.
• Apply stormwater regulations to proposed development plans.
• Research property records, planning files, aerial photos, and maps; read and interpret municipal codes.
• Provide excellent customer service, and work with difficult clients in a non-confrontational yet assertive manner.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Conduct field work related to water quality sampling.
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include the following:
  • Sitting, standing, or walking for extended periods of time
  • Walking down steep banks near water
  • Operating assigned equipment.

Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:

• Making observations
• Communicating with others
• Reading and writing
• Operating office equipment
• Reading maps and plans.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
One to three years of planning, water quality research, storm water management, and/or natural resource management experience.
Education and/or Training:
Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in environmental studies/science, geography, urban planning, earth science, geography, water resource management, conservation planning, or other related field. Laboratory and hydrology coursework strongly desired.
ASSOCIATE PLANNER:
In addition to the qualifications for Assistant Planner.
Knowledge of:

• Watershed processes, and storm water resource management.
  
• Principles and practices of storm water resource management.
  
• Principles and practices of watershed protection and/or natural resource management, urban planning and development, and/or landscape architecture.
  
• Low-impact development and stormwater control measures.
  
• Technical report writing.
  
• Laws underlying stormwater management plans, and storm water permits.
  
• Applicable environmental laws and regulations.
  
• Current literature, information sources and research techniques in the field of urban planning, stormwater management, earth science, or natural resource management.

Ability to:

• Read and understand civil engineering and architectural drawings.
• Analyze and compile technical and statistical information.
• Respond to difficult and sensitive public inquiries.
• Prepare clear and concise oral and written reports.
• Communicate appropriately with a variety of audiences.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
Four-six years of increasingly responsible experience in water quality research, urban planning, stormwater management, and/or natural resource management.
Education and/or Training:
Equivalent to a Master's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in environmental studies/science, geography, urban planning, earth science, geography, water resource management, conservation planning, or other related field.
License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license.
SELECTION PROCESS
It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed, and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as "See application", "Extensive Experience", or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.
The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
There is currently one (1) vacancy within the Sustainability & Resilience Department.
Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.
CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM ON TUESDAY, JULY 2, 2024.
The City of Santa Barbara is an Equal Opportunity Employer - and we encourage all persons to apply.
THE SALARY RANGE consists of five steps, each representing an increase of approximately five percent. STEP INCREASES , through the top salary step, are tied to job performance with annual performance reviews. Employees receive annual performance reviews.
THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS may vary and are subject to collective bargaining:
Note: Part-time employees receive pro-rated benefits, e.g., 50%, 60%, etc.

• The City is a member of the Coastal Housing Partnership , which offers home loan assistance and rental reductions.
• 9/80- Standard Citywide 9/80 work schedule with closures on alternate Fridays.
• Flexwork/Telecommuting is available.
• Bilingual pay may be available at a rate of $64 / pay period.
• Vacation is accrued at 96 hours / year, increasing with City service.
• Personal leave (32 hours) is provided each July 1st at the start of the fiscal year (pro-rated the first year).
• Sick leave is accrued at the rate of 96 hours / year.
• Holidays : 10 holidays (80 hours) are observed / year.
• Retirement : PERS Miscellaneous formula: "Classic" members: 2.7% @ 55; employee contributes 8% of salary. "New" members: 2% @ 62; employee contributes 6.75% of salary. The City does not participate in Social Security.
• Insurance including medical, dental and vision benefits are available under a group plan. Click here for the benefits rate sheet: General Unit Rate Sheet .
• Employees who opt-out of the group insurance coverage may be eligible for a cash pay-out of up to $362.38 / month.
• Life Insurance : City-paid term life insurance ($50,000) is provided.
• Employee Assistance Program : A City-paid EAP is available for employees and members of their household.
• Long-term Disability Insurance is provided.
• State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) is provided. Employee pays 1% of salary (pre-tax).
• Deferred Compensation Savings Plans (457) are available to employees through a deferred compensation program.
• Uniforms will be provided by the City to those employees required to wear a uniform.
• Employee must pay an amount equal to 1.45% of salary toward Medicare . An equal amount is paid by the City.

01

Briefly describe your knowledge and experience with storm water management.
02

Describe your knowledge and experience with water quality monitoring and watershed science.
03

Describe the two large or complex projects you've worked on. Provide a brief description of the project, your role, and any experience you gained with design, review, and/or permitting.
04

Describe your proficiency with software programs such as Word, Excel, Access, GIS, R, and/or CAD, and data entry and management.
Required Question