Under general supervision, to conduct advanced level studies; to develop related reports and land use recommendations; to interpret and enforce zoning regulations; to do related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is the advanced journey level position in the classification series; incumbents are responsible for assigning work and for supervising other positions within the department as assigned.
- Gathers a variety of information and data for the preparation of planning reports and studies.
- Develops statistics and performs research related to planning projects.
- Reviews/develops maps, charts, graphs, engineering and land survey information for use in analyzing and interpreting data and preparing planning studies and reports.
- Makes comparative studies of land use, population structure and economic activity; prepares planning exhibits and displays.
- Answers inquiries and serves as a professional resource for land use matters.
- Answers inquiries and assists the public in matters related to planning and land use.
- Prepares planning displays and exhibits.
- Serves as a resource for matters related to zoning, land divisions, use permits, variances, survey documents and other land use matters.
- Assists in the training of lower level planning staff.
- Assists in the development of departmental recommendations on matters to be heard by the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.
- Assists in the preparation of zoning ordinances and the General Plan.
- Enforces zoning regulations.
- Site inspections and field work to ensure compliance with established regulations.
- Makes presentations before wide variety of audiences including the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.
Knowledge of:
Theory, principles and practices of planning, land use, surveying, and environmental permitting processes; current trends in Federal, State and local planning; Federal and State laws/regulations pertaining to planning activities in the local government; nomenclature, symbols and equipment used in planning, drafting and mapping work; socioeconomic aspects of planning; zoning and subdivision regulations; county regulations to planning; working knowledge of both current and advanced planning; common tools used in the profession, including computerized graphics.
Ability to:
Organize and conduct research studies; compile and analyze technical and statistical information/data for the preparation of professional planning reports; interpret, explain and apply laws and regulations; work cooperatively with those contacted in the course of work; prepare and interpret maps, technical drawings, legal descriptions and survey documents; make effective public presentations; independently complete work; organize and assign work to others; supervise, train staff as assigned; make effective recommendations regarding operational changes in departmental or county planning policies.
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Graduation from an accredited college with a bachelor's degree in Urban/Regional Planning, Transportation Planning, Public Administration, Geography (with related course concentration), Architecture, Environmental Sciences, Landscape Architecture, or a closely related field OR two years of college course work with a major in planning, land use or a related field and six years' experience in a public or private planning agency with four years' experience in a public or private planning agency. A master's degree in planning or a related field may be substituted for one year of the required experience.
Possession of an appropriate California driver's license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles may be required.