Job Information
Ventura County Planner I/II in Ventura, California
Planner I/II
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Planner I/II
Salary
$59,705.07 - $93,602.50 Annually
Location
Ventura and may require travel throughout Ventura County, CA
Job Type
Full-Time Regular
Job Number
0803RMA-24AA (MR)
Department
Resource Management Agency
Opening Date
08/01/2024
Closing Date
9/16/2024 5:00 PM Pacific
Description
Benefits
Questions
Description
WHAT WE OFFER
The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package. In addition to the salary of approximately $59,705.07 to $93,602.50 annually an employee within this position will also be eligible for the following:
General Salary Increase - 3.5% effective December 22, 2024.
New Hire/Retention/Referral Incentive - New hires may be eligible for a one-time New Hire incentive up to 10% of the current annual base wage. SEIU 721 MOA 2022-2025, Article 38 (Secs. 3801 – 3803).
Merit Increases – New employees are eligible for an initial 5% merit increase within the pay range upon completion of at least 1,040 hours (approximately 6 months) assuming work meets satisfactory standards. Subsequent merit increases within the pay range will be upon completion of each additional 2,080 hours (approximately one year) from the initial merit increase.
Educational Incentive - An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate's degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree, OR 5% for completion of a graduate's degree.
Bilingual Incentive - Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual Incentive depending upon operational needs and certification skills.
Flexible Workweek/Telework Schedule – We support work life balance by offering compressed work (e.g., 9/80 work week) and remote hybrid telework schedules for most positions subject to organizational needs and satisfactory performance.
Sick Leave - Full-time regular employees accrue 3.08 hours of sick leave per pay period with an advance at hire of 40.04 hours which will be balanced at the completion of 13 bi-weekly pay periods.
Vacation Accrual - New regular, full-time employees shall accrue approximately 14 days of vacation a year for the first 10,400 hours or 5 years of service; vacation accruals increase at 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 20 years of service topping out at 26 days a year and 400 hours of vacation hours banked.
Annual Leave Redemption -After 14,560 hours of continuous County service (equivalent to seven (7) years) an employee may elect to "cash in" or redeem up to 80 hours of vacation accrued in the same year after using 80 hours of vacation in the preceding 12 months.
Deferred Compensation - Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3% match on your 401(k) contributions.
Health Plans — Full time regular employees are afforded a flexible credit allowance for purchasing medical, dental, and/or vision insurance from a group of authorized plans: Tier one for employee only is $502 per pay period, tier two for employee plus one is $730 per pay period and tier three for employee plus family is $905 per pay period.
Flexible Spending Accounts - Choice of participation in the Flexible Spending Accounts which increase spending power through reimbursement of pre-tax dollars for IRS approved dependent care and health care expenses.
Pension Plan - Participation in the County's defined benefit plan.
Holidays -12 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.
Additional Benefits - Tuition Reimbursement, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Wellness Program
VENTURA COUNTY
The County's 1,873 square miles include 1,846 square miles of land with 42 miles of coastline which is home to the following cities and points of interest: Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura as well as national protected areas such as parts of the Angeles National Forest, Channel Islands National Park, and the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
Ventura County is a “general law” county, governed by a five-member, elected-by-district Board of Supervisors. The Supervisors appoint a County Executive Officer (CEO) to oversee the County budget, day-to-day operations, and to advise, assist, and act as an agent for the Board of Supervisors in all matters under the Board’s jurisdiction.
THE AGENCY
The primary goal of the Resource Management Agency (RMA) is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the general public through administration and enforcement of County ordinances, Board policy, and state and federal laws regarding land use, and commercial and environmental regulation. RMA includes five divisions: Environmental Health, Building & Safety, Code Compliance, Operations/GIS, and Planning,
RMA recognizes the value of having a diverse and inclusive workforce at all levels of our agency to best serve our clients and be representative of the community we serve and is committed to being an active participant in removing barriers to ensure equitable access and opportunities for success. The agency is dedicated to attracting, hiring, developing, retaining, and valuing quality employees fully empowered to protect everyone’s health, safety, and the environment, and committed to providing excellent customer service through the efficient, accurate, and consistent application of laws, ordinances, regulations, and policies.
THE DIVISION
The chief responsibility of the Planning Division is to regulate the use of land and structures within unincorporated areas of the county. Using these regulations and others, the Planning Division issues permits for uses and structures and enforces both permit conditions and maintains consistency with the County's Zoning Ordinances and General Plan. A GIS Story map with more information about the Planning Division for potential job candidates can be found: here (https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/37db0d2d1cce4b65bcd09b88443b5d43)
THE POSITION
Under immediate supervision (I), to general supervision (II), performs progressively complex professional planning work involving data collection and analysis, report preparation and public contact; assists in zoning and/or planning programs; and performs related duties as required.
The ideal candidate will possess land-use planning experience. The candidate will be a reliable and detail-oriented individual who can identify and solve problems and can demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills. The ideal candidate will have excellent customer service skills. In addition, the candidate must be able to review entitlement applications and conditions of approval, prepare staff reports, and other written documents, as well as understand and administer diverse ordinances, rules, and regulations.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
Planner I is the entry level in professional planning job series.
Planner II is next in the continuum and performs more complex tasks.
Approximate Salary:
Planner I: $2,296.35 - $3,220.47 Biweekly
Planner II: $2,574.48- $3,600.10 Biweekly
Resource Management Agency, Planning Division, Planner I/II are represented by the Service Employees’ International Union (SEIU) and are not eligible for overtime compensation.
NOTE: If appointed at the lower level, incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further examination upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
OPENING DATE: 8/01/2024
CLOSING DATE: 9/16/2024
Examples Of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Processes planning permits or compliance reviews, updates the Accela permit tracking system, researches permit history, defines problems and alternative solutions, works with applicants, and sets goals and timelines as part of the ongoing planning process.
Prepares written planning staff reports, CEQA environmental documents, conditions of approval, and policy recommendations for decision making bodies.
Researches, compiles, synthesizes, analyzes, interprets, and validates information and land-use data using associated computer software and databases to meet planning objectives.
Coordinates and/or negotiates with other individuals, developers, applicants, consultants, and other departments and agencies on technical or legal aspects of planning projects, some of which may be controversial or politically sensitive.
Provides general information to the public in response to questions about projects, planning programs, applicable ordinances, policies and procedures.
Makes oral presentations to governmental bodies that explain and clarify planning projects and staff report recommendations.
Reviews and interprets Planning ordinances, regulations, and land use policies.
Conducts field investigation of proposed project sites in order to have direct knowledge of the location or project under study.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Typical Qualifications
These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE
Planner I: Some experience in land use planning which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. The required knowledge, skills, and abilities can be obtained by completion of a Bachelor's degree in urban planning or a related field and one (1) or more years of progressively responsible planning experience.
Substitution: Three (3) years of land use planning experience and non-related degrees may be substituted for the required education for each level.
Planner II: Considerable experience in land use planning which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. The required knowledge, skills, and abilities can be obtained by completion of a Bachelor's degree in urban planning or a related field and two (2) or more years of progressively responsible planning experience.
Substitution: Four (4) years of land use planning experience and non-related degrees may be substituted for the required education for each level.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid California driver license.
DESIRED
Experience reviewing, interpreting, and applying planning and zoning ordinances and/or general plan policies to land-use projects.
Strong writing and research/analysis skills.
Time management and organizational skills.
Previous land-use permit processing experience.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Work is performed primarily in an indoor environment, but regular on-site inspections are required, sometimes involving hazardous terrain. Also requires occasional climbing, crouching, kneeling, balancing and keyboard entry.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES
Some (Planner I) to considerable (Planner II) knowledge of:
Principles, practices and techniques of urban and regional planning.
Federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to planning, land use and environmental protection.
Working (Planner I) to considerable (Planner II) knowledge of:
Research and statistical methods.
Interagency relationships.
Map reading.
Working ability to:
Collect, analyze and interpret data to formulate recommendations.
Solve problems at increasingly complex levels as experience level increases to the Planner II
Speak and write effectively.
Prepare technical reports on increasingly complex projects as experience level increases to the Planner II.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public and other agencies to provide information and coordinate planning efforts.
Make oral presentations to governmental bodies that explain and clarify planning projects and staff report recommendations.
Recruitment Process
FINAL FILING DATE: Applications must be received by the County of Ventura Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. on September 16, 2024.
FIRST REVIEW: A first review of applications is anticipated to occur on or around September 20, 2024, and subsequent reviews may be conducted until sufficient applications are received to meet business needs.
To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.
NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here (Download PDF reader) for additional information.
Note to Applicants: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the
questionnaire for this examination AT THE TIME OF FILING. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in removal of the application from further consideration.
APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying: All applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the screening and selection process.
TRAINING and EXPERIENCE EVALUATION: The Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E) is a structured evaluation of the job application materials submitted by a candidate, including the written responses to the supplemental
questionnaire. The T&E is NOT a determination of whether the candidate meets the stated requirements; rather, the T&E is one method for determining who are the better qualified among those who have shown that they meet the stated requirements. In a T&E, applications are either scored or rank ordered according to criteria that most closely meet the business needs of the department. Candidates are typically scored/ranked in relation to one another; consequently, when the pool of candidates is exceptionally strong, many qualified candidates may receive a score or rank which is moderate or even low resulting in them not being advanced in the process.
NOTE: The selection process will likely consist of an Oral Exam, which may be preceded or replaced with the score from a Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E), contingent upon the size and quality of the candidate pool. In a typical T&E, your training and experience are evaluated in relation to the background, experience and factors identified for successful job performance during a job analysis. For this reason, it is recommended that your application materials clearly show your relevant background and specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities. It is also highly recommended that the supplemental questions within the application are completed with care and diligence.
ORAL EXAMINATION - 100%
A job-related Oral Examination may be conducted to evaluate and compare participating candidates' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.
NOTE: If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, an exam will not be conducted. Instead, a score of seventy percent (70%) will be assigned to each application, and each applicant will be placed on the eligible list.
ELIGIBLE LIST
Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for up to a period of one (1) year. The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary, Fixed-Term), Intermittent, and Extra Help this and similar vacancies within the Resource Management Agency. There is currently one (1 ) regular vacancies within the Planning Division Planning Programs Section. Future vacancies may occur in any of the Planning Division sections.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information and driving record is required for this position.
For further information about this recruitment, please contact Magali Rodriguez by email Magali.Rodriguez@ventura.org or by telephone at (805) 654-3805.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE
Service Employees International Union (LOCAL 721)
(SEIU)
To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.
Benefits website (https://hr.ventura.org/benefits) or you may call (805) 654-2570.
Retirement FAQ's (https://vcportal.ventura.org/CEO/benefits/docs/RETIREMENT%20-%20FAQs.pdf)
Memorandum of Agreement
Union Codes: UPA, UPC, UPE, UPH, UPI, UPJ, UPT, UWS
01
Please respond to the following questions. Your responses will give us additional information about your experience and background related to this position. Please be as concise and specific as possible; clarity of expression and ability to follow instructions. it is imperative that you provide full, complete responses to the supplemental questions below and provide detail in the Work Experience section to support your answers.
Do you understand this statement?
Yes
No
02
Please check the box that most accurately describes the highest level of Planning education you've attained.
Associate's degree in Urban Planning or a related field
Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning or a related field.
Master's degree in Urban Planning or a related field
Doctorate degree in Urban Planning or a related field
None of the above
03
Do you possess, or can you obtain prior to appointment, and maintain a valid California driver license?
Yes
No
04
Please describe your experience working as a professional planner. Specifically, describe the general job duties in the positions you held (e.g., processing ministerial and discretionary permits, condition compliance reviews, public counter assistance, policy writing, etc.)
A. List the projects or programs you worked on, your role (e.g. project lead, team member, etc.).
B. Name of the employer where you gained this experience. Work must be included in the previous work experience section to be considered qualifying.
C. Number of years of experience.
If you do not have this type of experience, please type "no experience".
05
Please describe the project management tools or strategies you employ to successfully manage project deadlines when you have competing priorities your experience maintaining working relationships when coordinating planning projects. Employer(s) where you obtained the experience must be included in the previous work experience section to be considered qualifying.
If you do not have this type of experience, please type "no experience".
06
Please describe your experience preparing written staff reports, collecting, analyzing and interpreting data to formulate recommendations on planning projects.
A. Include in your response, an example of a project or case, the sources you used, and the methodology you employed.
B. Name of the employer where you gained this experience. Work must be included in the previous work experience section to be considered qualifying.
C. Job title
D. Number of years of experience.
If you do not have this type of experience, please type "no experience".
07
Please describe your experience presenting staff reports and giving oral presentations before decision-making bodies.
A. Include in your response a description of your experience giving oral presentations.
B. Name of the decision-making bodies you presented to.
C. Name of employer where you gained this experience. Work must be included in the previous work experience section to be considered qualifying.
D. Job title.
E. Number of years of experience.
If you do not have this type of experience, please type "no experience".
08
Please describe your experience with establishing and maintaining effective relationships with the public in a customer service role.
A. Provide an example of a customer service challenge you resolved.
B. Methods of communication used with customers (e.g. face-to face, email, text, phone, etc.).
C. Name of the employer where you gained this customer service experience. Work must be included in the previous work experience section to be considered qualifying.
D. Number of years of experience.
If you do not have this type of experience, please type "no experience".
Required Question
Agency
Ventura County
Address
800 S. Victoria Avenue LOC. #1970 Ventura, California, 93009
Phone
(805) 654-5129
Website
http://hr.ventura.org
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