Principal Planner - TLMA Planning Division at County of Riverside in Riverside, California

Job Description:

ABOUT THE POSITION

The County of Riverside's Transportation and Land Management Agency (TLMA) Planning Department has an exciting opportunity for a Principal Planner to join the Development Review Division.

The Principal Planner manages complex and sensitive planning applications and projects, performs research and analysis, oversees the preparation of concept plans, feasibility studies, environmental documents, and other planning-related documents as needed.

The Principal Planner will be involved with making land use decisions and interpretations related to the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance, establishing a clear direction and implementation process. The incumbent will have the responsibilities of managing staff workloads, training and evaluating staff planner's work performances, and functioning as a planning liaison to appointed and elected officials resolving complex planning matters. Additionally the incumbent will m ake or supervise the presentation of reports and studies to decision-making bodies.

The Department desires candidates with knowledge of State laws, guidelines, and local ordinances pertaining to planning and development. Knowledge of environmental protection regulations such as California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") as well as conservation and habitat plans. Knowledge of current housing legislation, State housing trends, and low income housing development requirements. And has a proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher. Working understanding of thematic mapping tools such as ArcGIS or SketchUp.

Candidates with strong writing and editing skills, have the ability to conduct independent research, analysis, and evaluate complex technical documentation, pertaining to planning are highly encourage to apply.

Meet the Team!

The County of Riverside Transportation & Land Management Agency (TLMA) is the umbrella agency for six county departments. They are the Planning Department, Building & Safety Department, Transportation Department, Code Enforcement Department, Environmental Programs Department and the Administrative Services Department.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate, directly or through subordinate lead personnel, the activities of a major section within a planning division, a combination of smaller planning sections, a district office, or participate in the development and review of division policies and goals, particularly as they affect the assigned section.

• Review and evaluate existing programs for overall effectiveness and efficiency in meeting division and section goals, initiating action for operational improvements as necessary.

• Review studies of ordinance amendments, policies and staff reports to insure thoroughness of analyses and consistency with County requirements and legal compliance.

• Represent the department on committees and before civic and community groups, before other County Departments, governmental agencies, environmental regulatory and permitting agencies, stakeholders, and the public; confer with property owners, developers, and their representatives regarding the applicability and impact of County policies, ordinances, and other regulations related to property development.

• Confer with staff regarding problems and progress in their functional areas and provide technical and administrative direction; interview and recommend the selection of prospective employees.

• Coordinate and assign personnel within the section; plan and conduct staff development and in-service training programs in operational procedures, and policy; review and evaluate the performance of subordinate personnel.

• Work with staff of other departments and regional and state agencies to exchange or clarify information used in developing regional land use and operating work plans and coordinates the design and execution of projects to ensure consistency.

• Compile data regarding section work loads, staffing levels, and priorities for input in the department's program budget.

• Prepare, or delegate to all levels of County hearing bodies, including Director's Hearing, Planning Commission, and Board of Supervisors.

• Make presentations to the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, and other local, regional, and state agencies on activities being conducted within the section as needed; respond to difficult public relations problems, investigate complaints or requests and recommend resolutions.

• Coordinate efforts to draft new ordinances and review existing ordinances pertaining to the Planning Department, as needed.

• Participate in the analysis of proposed or adopted legislation to determine the potential or actual impacts to the County, on implementation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Planning, Transportation Planning, Public Administration, Geography (with related course concentration), Architecture, Environmental Sciences, Landscape Architecture, or a closely related field. (Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the required education on the basis of one year of full-time experience equaling 30 semester or 45 quarter units of the required education.)

***Please Note: If qualifying using educational units, proof is required by the closing deadline. Applications without proof of degree/educational units completed will not be considered. Please see "Supplemental Information" below for guidelines.***

Experience : Four years of professional environmental planning, land use planning, and/or transportation planning experience which must have included performing at least two kinds of the following planning activities associated with a planning agency: comprehensive, regional, area, or community planning; plan/proposal review; general plan amendments; zoning, land division; information services; urban renewal; planning administration or transportation planning. One year of experience must have been in a lead or supervisory capacity. (A master's degree in planning or transportation planning, or a closely related field may be substituted for the one year of required supervisory experience.)

Members of the American Planning Association ("APA") and American Institute of Certified Planners ("AICP") are preferred.

Other Requirements:

License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License is required.

Preferred Experience:

Five (5) years of progressively responsible, professional experience in planning, including at least one (1) year of responsible project or program management experience. A Master's degree in Planning or a closely related field. Member of the American Planning Association ("APA"), and American Institute of Certified Planners ("AICP") is preferable. Principles of program and personnel management and training. Build relationships, work respectfully, tactfully and creatively with the public, boards, commissions, other planning agencies and staff.

Knowledge Of: Principles of program and personnel management and training. The principles of good organization and decision making, management and supervision; the principles, methods, and procedures applicable to land use or transportation planning activities; the physical, social, environmental, and economic implications of land use or transportation planning; local, state, and federal legislation governing land use development and transportation planning activities; research methods; general plan elements and factors that must be considered in evaluating land use or transportation proposals for consistency with these elements; the organizational structure and jurisdiction of governmental agencies involved in the planning process.

Ability To: Manage and coordinate the work of subordinate planners; plan and conduct any necessary training for subordinate staff; motivate and evaluate the work performance of subordinate personnel; collect and analyze data, generate and evaluate alternatives, reach logical conclusions and formulate consistent recommendations; compose clear and thorough study reports and recommendations; orally present study findings and recommendations to a variety of public groups and governmental bodies; work effectively with the general public and community and governmental boards and commissions; ability to interpret and apply laws and regulations pertaining to planning projects and cases.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

What's Next?

This recruitment is open to all applicants.

Applicants who are currently County of Riverside employees and/or current employees of the TLMA Department may be considered before other applicants depending on the volume of the applications received.

Qualified applicants may be considered for future vacancies throughout the County.

Applications received prior to the closing date will be considered based on the information submitted. Changes or alterations cannot be accepted. No late applications will be permitted.

For specific questions regarding this position, contact Amanda Duarte at aduarte@rivco.org.

BASED ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, THIS POSTING MAY CLOSE WITHOUT NOTICE.
If you are experiencing technical problems, you may contact the governmentjobs.com applicant support desk Monday through Friday, 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at support@governmentjobs.com or toll-free 1-855-524-5627.

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APPLICATION INFORMATION

Veteran's Preference
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse's letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference.The Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 is available here: https://rivcocob.org/board-policies

Reasonable Accommodations
The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: https://rc-hr.com/disability

Proof of Education
If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted.

If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( NACES ) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. ( AICE ).

Equal Opportunity Employer
The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.

Pre-Employment
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment). A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.

Probationary Period
As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will," are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.

General Information
Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies.

Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume, as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.

Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the 'Apply' link located on this page to submit your application. For additional instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, www.rc-hr.com .

If you are experiencing technical problems, you may contact the governmentjobs.com applicant support desk Monday through Friday, 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at support@governmentjobs.com or toll-free 1-855-524-5627.

MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans.

Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list here .
MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT: County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).

• 
  Tier I (Classic Member - Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.


• 
  Tier II (Classic Member - Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.


• 
  Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. Effective July 1, 2023 employee contributions are 7.25% and will increase to 7.75% effective July 1, 2024.
  

A new member is defined as any of the following:

A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who has no prior membership in any California Public Retirement System.

A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who was a member with another California Public Retirement System prior to that date, but who is not subject to reciprocity upon joining CalPERS.

A member who first established CalPERS membership prior to January 1, 2013, and who is rehired by a different CalPERS agency after a break in service of greater than six (6) months.

CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".

Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.

Note:

This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to retirement@rivco.org or by calling the Benefits Information Line at (951) 955-4981,
Option 2.

If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377 to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.

VACATION ACCRUAL (Bi-Weekly Accrual):
0< 3 year = 80 Hours (10 Days)
4< 9 years = 120 Hours (15 Days)
10 or more years = 160 Hours (20 Days)

Maximum Vacation leave accumulation is 480 hours.

SICK LEAVE: Four (4) hours Sick Leave accrual per pay period with unlimited accrual.
HOLIDAYS: Normally 12 paid holidays per year.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Allowed 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 additional days can be taken from accrued Sick Leave balance).

BASIC LIFE INSURANCE: Equal to one times annual base salary not to exceed $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.

DISABILITY - LONG-TERM DISABILITY (LTD): Benefit pays 66.67% of earnings to a maximum of $10,000 per month; 30-day waiting period; pays to age 65. Benefit can be coordinated with other available leave balances to provide up to 100% of pay.

POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION: A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding.

OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.

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