Supervising Planner

SALARY

$118,770.08 - $143,380.64 Annually

The Planning & Development Department is accepting applications to fill one (1) full-time Supervising Planner position in the Long Range Planning Division. The current vacancy is located in Santa Barbara.

This employment list may also be used for future Supervising Planner vacancies in Development Review or Energy, Minerals, Compliance and Enforcement (EMCE). Please select all of the divisions and locations you are willing to work for current and future vacancies.

NOTE: Travel throughout the county is required.

BENEFITS OVERVIEW:

• Vacation: 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment.
• Holidays: 13 days per year.
• Sick Leave: 12 days sick leave per year. Unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement.
• Health Plan: Choice of medical and dental plans (with vision care). County contributes toward the employee's premium.
• On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria: Provides ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents over age 5.

Click on the Benefits Tab above or click here for more information on County benefits for this position. 

In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

POSITION: Under direction, supervises a planning section or assists in the management of a division of a County department providing Planning and Development services; supervises the preparation and presentation of studies and recommendations to the Planning Commission and other decision-making bodies; and performs related duties as required.

Department/Divisions: 

The Planning and Development Department has a wide variety of planning projects and programs. For more information on the Planning and Development Department, please visit us at: http://sbcountyplanning.org/.

LONG RANGE PLANNING (LRP) DIVISION:  The LRP division prepares updates to the County Comprehensive Plan’s mandatory general plan elements, Local Coastal Program, and community plans, and the implementing zoning ordinances. This division drafts new land use/environmental policies and other related legislation, and presents them to the Board of Supervisors for adoption. For more information visit:   https://www.countyofsb.org/499/Long-Range-Planning

DEVELOPMENT REVIEW DIVISION: This division is responsible for reviewing and processing applications for development projects. These projects include subdivisions and a variety of residential, commercial, and agricultural development projects. The Division is responsible for preparing environmental documents in accordance with the CEQA Guidelines and coordinating with consultants on more complex environmental documents. More information on the Development Review Division may be found at https://www.countyofsb.org/791/Development-Review

ENERGY, MINERALS, COMPLIANCE and ENFORCEMENT (EMCE) DIVISION: The EMCE Division carries out a broad array of responsibilities through four distinct units. The Energy Unit oversees offshore oil and gas activities, the onshore facilities that support those offshore operations, onshore oil and gas development, surface mining, and industrial-scale renewable energy projects.  Our oversight responsibilities include planning, policy development, permit processing, environmental review, permit compliance, and public outreach. The Petroleum Unit oversees field compliance for onshore oil & gas facilities. The Enforcement and Compliance Unit oversees zoning enforcement, and permit compliance for residential, agricultural, commercial and industrial projects throughout the County. The Cannabis Unit oversees operational compliance for facilities that grow and process cannabis. More information on the EMCE Division can be found at:https://www.countyofsb.org/864/Energy-Minerals-Compliance. 

The Ideal Candidate will possess:

• 5 years or more of advanced journey-level professional experience developing land use policies or regulations or applying zoning regulations, community plan policies, CEQA and other ordinances or policies in a land use planning environment in a public sector organization;
• Knowledge of and experience working with California housing law;
• Project management experience that includes consultant management and the use of software/data systems to manage staff and projects;
• Experience working in an environment that promotes interdepartmental teamwork, collaboration, and staff development;
• Master’s degree in public administration, city land use planning and policy, urban design, environmental planning and policy, regional economic development, transportation policy and planning or closely related field; 
• Ability to establish a “big picture” approach and is comfortable in working in a problem-solving environment that focuses on process improvement strategies.

1. Plans, assigns, and reviews the work of subordinate staff in drafting amendments to the Comprehensive Plan or Zoning Ordinance, preparing community plans, and analyzing the environmental effects of development proposals and the requirements of the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance;
2. Recommends and implements policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable ordinances, codes, general and area plans, and other regulations;
3. Reviews departmental processes and collaborates with line staff to improve work flow and efficiency; develops administrative policies and procedures for subordinate staff;
4. Supervises, trains, and evaluates subordinate staff; acts as a technical resource to subordinate staff, department employees, and the public;
5. Plans, researches, analyzes, and writes a variety of complex reports related to staffing and budget needs for special studies and assignments; computes descriptive statistics in preparing reports; writes and submits requests for proposals and contracts, and monitors work performed by contractors;
6. Prepares and presents staff reports on complex and controversial cases to the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors in public hearings; conducts meetings with representatives of other County departments in order to review development projects; holds public meetings to obtain input on policy development;
7. Serves as project manager for special planning studies including the review of proposals, work products, and billings by outside consultants.
8. May support appointed boards, commissions and committees and perform related duties as required.

1. Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, preferably including course work in urban and regional planning, architecture, urban design, economics, public administration, political science, government, urban geography, environmental studies, or life, physical, or social sciences; AND two years of advanced journey-level professional experience developing land use policies or regulations OR applying zoning regulations, community plan policies, CEQA, NEPA, and other ordinances or policies in a land use planning environment, including one year in a lead worker or supervisory capacity; OR,
2. Two years of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Planner III with Santa Barbara County; OR,
3. A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Additional Qualifications: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License may be required.  

Desirable Qualifications:  American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification.

Knowledge of: principles and practices of urban and regional planning, land use development review, resource management, and environmental review; state and federal laws, policies, and regulations related to planning and environmental issues including CEQA and NEPA; housing law; urban and rural development and conservation; inter agency and intra agency relationships related to planning projects; basic techniques of supervision; principles and practices of project management; principles and practices of contract management to monitor work of consultants; basic math and statistics.

Ability to: plan, assign, and evaluate the work of subordinate staff; provide training for staff; carry out work independently; read, understand, and interpret regulations and policies; compile and analyze relevant information and draw valid conclusions to develop recommendations to resolve issues; communicate verbally to explain policies and regulations to others; write and review staff reports, policies, ordinances, and correspondence using correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation; prepare and give public presentations before decision making bodies; conduct and facilitate group meetings to obtain input on policy development and planning decisions; clarify and mediate conflicts among groups of stakeholders; work effectively with Boards and Commissions; record information and maintain for future access; organize work and set priorities to meet deadlines; establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and the public; use personal computers including standard office applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, database, and multimedia presentation software; read and understand site plans, architectural drawings, and topographic maps.

Incumbents in this job classification perform and supervise work that crosses the disciplines of land use planning, regional development, environmental planning, urban design, and economic and community development. Success at this level requires an advanced knowledge of the theories, methods, and techniques that form the prerequisites for a career in public service as practicing land use planners and as supervisors and project managers; in addition, incumbents must have prior experience that demonstrates that they have the abilities that this role requires.

Beyond the minimum educational requirements, it is highly desirable for applicants to have completed a master’s degree in a related field with emphasis on: public administration, city land use planning and policy, urban design, environmental planning and policy, regional economic development, housing and community development, or transportation policy and planning.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those candidates who meet the employment standards. 
2. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking.  Applicants who meet the employment standards will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by the information provided on their supplemental questionnaire. 

Applicants must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive written notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.
  
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.
  
Conditional Job Offer:  Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidates will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks.  Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.
  
Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Statement of Commitment
The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization. 

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: 4/29/2025 at 4:59 PM PST; postmarks not accepted. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.  

Salary : $118,770 - $143,381