PRINCIPAL PLANNER

Job Description:

PRINCIPAL PLANNER

Description

Position Description

Final Filing Deadline: February 9, 2025
Exam #: 25/14K51/01SA

The County of Monterey Housing and Community Development (HCD) Department is composed of four Divisions, including Development Services, Planning Services, Permit Center, and Administration. The department provides reasonable and safe development, planning for future needs of the County, and helps protect natural resources.

The County of Monterey Housing and Community Development Department is seeking an experienced, passionate, innovative, forward thinking Principal Planner to plan, organize, coordinate, and manage a functional planning unit within the department. Units currently within the planning division include current planning, long-range planning, and condition compliance.

The ideal candidate for this position will have leadership, management, and administrative experience in regional planning, environmental protection activities, land use permit process, and creating/maintaining/implementing development policies and regulations, that encompass a high level of technical ability with excellent project management skills, and keen insight and vision for streamlining essential permitting, regulatory and departmental processes. A proactive and progressive leadership mentoring style is critical for successfully facilitating greater level of service delivery and accountability; and for continuing to foster an environment where knowledge, confidence levels, and communication skills are further developed among staff; and where collaboration, innovation, and efficiency thrive.

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.

Examples of Duties

• Oversees, supervises, reviews and evaluates the day-to-day activities of a planning unit; includes planning, organizing, scheduling, assigning and managing work of staff comprised of professional, technical, support personnel staff to ensure timely development and implementation of a variety of specific programs or special projects. May also oversee and direct the work of contract staff.
• Functions as a member of the management team to propose, evaluate, and develop policies, procedures, systems, and strategic plans.
• Performs the full range of supervisory tasks, including selection, training, developing evaluation and leadership of employees; recommends and/or takes disciplinary action as appropriate.
• Performs and/or oversees a variety of complex tasks which may include the preparation of correspondence, presentations, ordinances, and technical reports for complicated land use planning and environmental review. Researches and analyzes complex problems, evaluates alternatives, and implements effective courses of action; may personally supervise specialized or complex projects.
• Provides guidance and expertise to staff, industry, and citizens within the scope of the assigned unit.
• Represents the unit or division in meetings with representatives of governmental agencies and community organizations, and before groups and commissions, provides information and recommendations on issues falling within the scope of the assigned team.
• Prepares or supervises the preparation of records, reports, correspondence, and other complex written materials related to unit activities. Reviews and edits reports and other written material prepared by staff.
• Attends and conducts staff, committee and related meetings and sessions.

To view the complete classification description, please visit the County of Monterey website: Principal Planner

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Thorough Knowledge of:

• Pertinent local, state and federal laws, rules, regulations, ordinances and enforcement procedures.
• Professional principles, practices, trends, techniques and legal aspects of community and regional planning, environmental evaluation and zoning administration.
• Implications of physical, economic, aesthetic and social factors involved in community and regional planning, zoning, and environmental analysis.
• Principles and practices of management including work planning, organization and delegation; personnel practices; and employee motivation and development.
• Principles and practices of problem solving and conflict resolution.
• Administrative principles and methods including budget development and maintenance, personnel policies, and memoranda of understanding.

Skill and Ability to:

• Plan, organize, and manage a unit through assigned staff. Train, assign, review and direct the work of assigned staff.
• Rapidly analyze complex problems, laws, and ordinances; evaluate alternatives; make effective decisions; and develop and implement effective courses of action.
• Establish unit goals and develop and implement short and long-term plans and programs, with input from assigned staff. Participate with department management in the development of department goals and strategic plan.
• Develop and maintain effective and respectful working relationships and represent the department to other departments, public officials, commissions, committees, other agencies, contractors, and the general public.
• Apply budgeting concepts and principles.
• Exercise sound and consistent judgment in decisions and preparation of recommendations.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Prepare effective written reports, correspondence, and records.
• Manage major projects, establish priorities, and meet deadlines.

Examples of Experience/Education/Training

Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:

Education:

Completion of a bachelor's degree in an area directly related to assignment, such as Planning or a closely related field.

AND

Experience:

Three years of progressively responsible professional experience in area of assignment such as land use planning or other area; including one (1) year indirect or lead supervision.

Additional Information

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The required conditions of employment include, but are not limited to the following:
Possess a valid California Class C driver license at the time of appointment and possess and maintain a satisfactory driving record or provide evidence of suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency.

BENEFITS:
The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the Unit X Benefit Summary Sheet . This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

NOTES:

• As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions.
• Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9.
• If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.

Application and Selection Procedures

Apply On-Line at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/montereycounty

By February 9, 2025, 11:59 PM(PST)

or

Hard copy applications may be obtained from and submitted during normal business hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM by contacting:

Housing Community Development Department

Attn: Human Resources

168 West Alisal Street, 3rd Floor

Salinas, CA 93901

Phone: (831) 755-5238 Email: ahumadas@countyofmonterey.gov

The selection process is tentative, and applicants will be notified if changes are made. To assess applicants' possession of required qualifications, the examination process may include an oral examination, pre-examination exercises, performance examination, and/or written examination. The competitive examination process includes submittal of required application materials. A complete application package will include:

• A completed County of Monterey Employment Application

• Responses to the Supplemental Questions

Applicants who fail to provide all required materials by the final filing deadline will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, letters of interest, and other correspondence will not be accepted as a substitute for required application materials. All required application materials will be competitively evaluated. Those applicants that are determined to be the most appropriately qualified will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

Monterey County is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. Monterey County is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Stephanie Ahumada, Human Resources Analyst II, at (831) 755-5238, or ahumadas@countyofmonterey.gov .

http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/human-resources/human-resources/benefits/benefit-summary-sheet

Closing Date/Time: 2/9/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$8,769.80 - $11,971.44 Monthly