Planner I/II/III

Examples of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Participate in long-range planning policy formulation.
  
• Recommends land use and development policies and assists in developing or revising ordinances.
  
• May conduct inspection of sites to ensure compliance with the General Plan and Zoning Codes.
  
• Interprets the use permits in each zone according to zoning and related ordinances.
  
• Prepares or assists in the preparation of maps and graphs.
  
• Answers inquiries from the public relating to planning and zoning.
  
• Provide staff support to and participates in the implementation of the general plan and other plans.
  
• Contact federal, state and local agencies to discuss the feasibility of acquiring financing for projects.
  
• Process application for the development projects.
  
• Participates in the environmental activities for decision-making bodies.
  
• May provide training and lead supervision to subordinate professional staff.

Minimum Qualifications

Level I

Education:

Equivalent to graduation from a four (4) year college or university with major work in Planning, Environmental Studies, Civil Engineering, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field. (Experience comparable to that of a Planning Technician or Code Compliance Specialist with Merced County may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Level II

Experience:

Two (2) years of professional public planning experience equivalent to a Planner I in Merced County. (A Master's degree in Planning may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.)

Education:

Equivalent to graduation from a four (4) year college or university with major work in Planning or a closely related field. (Experience comparable to that of a Planning Technician or Code Compliance Specialist with Merced County may substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Level III

Experience:
Two (2) years of professional public planning experience equivalent to a Planner II in Merced County. (A Master's Degree in Planning may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.)

Education:
Equivalent to graduation from a four (4) year college or university with major work in Planning or a closely related field. (Additional professional planning experience may substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis).

All Levels

License:

Possess a valid California driver's license at time of appointment and maintain.

Essential Functions

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Operate a personal computer and other office equipment.
  
• Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
  
• Analyze data, interpret directions, procedures and regulations, and develop appropriate responses.
  
• Perform job duties under stressful conditions and respond appropriately to situations.
  
• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
  
• Establish, implement and achieve goals and objectives.
  
• Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision and color perception.
  
• Frequently lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist and manipulate large and small objects.
  
• Frequent use of hand-eye coordination; repetitive hand and arm motion.
  
• Occasionally lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
  
Normal dexterity, frequent holding and grasping.

• Regular attendance is an essential function.

• Principles, methods, and techniques of land use planning and zoning administration.
  
• Current trends in land use planning and community design; planning/zoning ordinances and regulations.
  
• Research and statistical methods; principles, practices and techniques of drafting.
  
• Land use relationships, socio-economic factors, site planning and environmental impact assessment.
  
• Laws, ordinances, and regulations governing planning in California and Merced County.
  
• The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and environmental impact assessments.

• Analyze socio-economic and environmental data as well as develop alternative solutions to problems.
  
• Communicate clearly, concisely and effectively in writing and orally and through graphic illustrations.
  
• Establish and maintain effective working relationship with staff, public and other departments.
  
• Analyze project proposals and prepare staff reports for decision-making bodies.
  
• Interpret planning laws and apply them to development proposals.
  
• Read and interpret maps, charts and illustrations used in planning activities.
  
• Assess citizen goals and formulate plans, objectives and policies to respond to these needs.
  
• Prepare planning ordinances needed to implement specific plans.
  
• Provide lead direction and guidance to staff and organize and conduct major research studies.

HOLIDAYS & LEAVES
VACATION

10 days the first 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 160 hours), 15 days in the second 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 240 hours), and 20 days after 10 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 320 hours).

SICK LEAVE

0.0625 hours sick leave for each paid regularly scheduled work hour. 16 days (130 hours per year) with unlimited accumulation. Optional annual buy back of a portion of accumulated sick leave hours upon meeting certain criteria.

HOLIDAYS

Twelve paid holidays annually plus two optional holidays.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE

Five (5) regularly scheduled workdays.

INSURANCE
HEALTH INSURANCE
Medical Insurance - Merced County offers multiple Medical Plans and contributes towards employee and dependent premiums. Medical plan availability varies based on bargaining units.

• Anthem 500 EPO
• Anthem 1500 EPO
• Anthem HDHP (High Deductible Medical Plan) with Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Anthem HDHP (High Deductible Medical Plan) without Health Savings Account (HSA)

• County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s)

• County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s)

• Represented Employees $10,000

Voluntary Term and Whole Life Insurance are available - premium paid by employee

RETIREMENT
DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The County offers a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Employees choose their investment funds and can make pretax contributions to the plan up to the maximum allowable.

MERCED COUNTY EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION

The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 and other provisions of the California Government Code. MCERA members also pay into Social Security. The applicable benefit formula is dependent upon your hire date with an MCERA employer; your pension amount will be determined by your age, years of service and final compensation amount.

EXTRA HELP EMPLOYEES DO NOT QUALIFY FOR COUNTY BENEFITS.

EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

Anthem EAP services provide up to five face-to-face counseling sessions per incident and provides a toll-free "800" hotline available 24/7 for emergencies and crisis intervention. EAP services include counseling services, legal services, financial services and work-life resource services.

EMPLOYEE TICKETS, COUPONS, and DISCOUNTS

The County of Merced has partnered with Employee Savings Tickets to provide discounted coupons and tickets for all county employees to attractions throughout the state and out-of-state. The discounts and coupons are available for shopping, movies, sporting events, theme parks, zoos and aquariums and much more.

THIS BULLETIN IS NOT A CONTRACT AND DOES NOT CREATE CONTRACTUAL OR LEGAL RIGHTS ON BEHALF OF ANY EMPLOYEE. THIS BULLETIN IS SUBJECT OF BEING SUPPLEMENTED, MODIFIED, WITHDRAWN OR OTHERWISE CHANGED PENDING LABOR AGREEMENTS AND/OR AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR AS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DEEM NECESSARY.

For answers to specific questions regarding employee benefits, please call Human Resources at 209.385.7682