Position InformationGrow your career with Permit Sonoma as a Planner III!Starting salary up to $60.90/hour ($127,105/year) and a competitive total compensation package!* Permit Sonoma is recruiting to fill a Planner position that is currently grant funded through June 30, 2025. Permit Sonoma is currently recruiting to fill one multiple Planner position at either the I, II, or III levels. If you are interested in being considered at the different levels of this opportunity, you must apply to the separate concurrent recruitments being conducted for each level. Join Our Team Permit Sonoma's Planning Division is responsible for zoning in unincorporated Sonoma County. The Planning Division develops and implements the Sonoma County General Plan, Local Coastal Program, and other adopted Area Plans or Specific Plans. The Division evaluates the environmental impacts of private development proposals and public projects, such as bridges, roads, and airport projects, and reviews new development proposals for conformance with the County's General Plan and Zoning Codes.
About the Position As a Planner III, you will process and coordinate highly complex planning applications, including design review and permits for coastal projects, quarries, in-stream mining, winery use, subdivisions, and solid waste projects. Planner IIIs research, prepare, and create planning projects, studies, and reports regarding economic development, environmental compliance and protection, solid waste, and related land use topics. Planner IIIs also assist their colleagues and liaison with community groups, government agencies, developers, and elected officials to explain State and Federal statutes and County rules, ordinances, plans, policies, and regulations relevant to urban and regional land use and development.
As an ideal candidate you will possess:
- Possess multiple years of public agency planning experience administering local ordinances and State and Federal statutes
- Experience in comprehensive planning and development review
- Experience interpreting title reports and reviewing legal documents, market data, blue prints, and maps
- Extensive knowledge of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements
- Experience accurately creating, reviewing, and maintaining records and reports
- Experience creating technical guidance documents, and employing data visualization techniques
- Superb judgement and the ability to make sound decisions
- Advanced Microsoft Office, Adobe and GIS skills
- Strong public speaking skills with the ability to prepare and give presentations
- Coastal planning experience is highly desired
- Bilingual skills (English/Spanish), are desired, but not required
What We Offer Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:
- Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
- Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
- Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
- County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
- Staff Development/Wellness Pay - Annual benefit allowances of up to $500 and ongoing education/training opportunities
- Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
- Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
- Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
- Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education
- *Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory .
This Planner III employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.
Minimum QualificationsExperience: Experience which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, three years of professional planning experience in city, county, or regional planning, or private planning agency would provide such opportunity.
Education: Any combination of education and/or training that would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, education equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban, regional or environmental planning, solid waste planning, geography, architecture, landscape architecture, economics, environmental studies or closely related courses, would provide such opportunity.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including necessary special endorsements, as required by the State of California to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesConsiderable knowledge of: the principles, methods, theories, practices, and techniques of urban and regional land use planning, design review and resource management planning; urban and rural development and conservation; research methodology, and of standard statistical methods and procedures as they apply to the use of socio-economic and environmental data; county government and of other governmental agencies which have a coordinative relationship with County planning activities.
Working knowledge of: the principles, practices and techniques of drafting and graphic arts; transportation planning; electronic information systems; mediation and conflict resolution techniques.
Ability to: evaluate graphic design and site plans; plan, organize and carry through research projects effectively; understand and develop current knowledge in special areas such as environment, transportation, population growth and density; select proper methodology and apply it to planning problems; present the results of research effectively in oral, written or graphic form; read and interpret maps and legal property descriptions; learn to problem solve and understand, interpret, and explain a wide variety of laws, ordinances, codes, rules and regulations relating to land use issues; work effectively with and advise appointed citizens advisory committees and groups and various official boards and to communicate orally and in writing concerning specific planning studies, projects and programs; prepare clear and concise written reports; reason logically and speak effectively; perform difficult, complex, and specialized planning studies and projects with a great deal of independence; select proper research methodology and apply it to planning problems; present the results of research effectively in oral, written and graphic form; refine, rewrite, and combine work of lower level planning staff; speak effectively before groups and audiences; establish and maintain effective working relationships with county employees, other public agencies and the general public; utilize electronic information systems and analyze and interpret such information.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
- You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
- You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
- Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:
An
Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.
Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination which evaluates the education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other qualifications that you demonstrate in your application and/or response to the supplemental questionnaire. Please be aware that resumes and cover letters are not typically evaluated in the Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.
HOW TO APPLY Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.
The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
HR Analyst: CA
HR Technician: RR
IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.
COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: GENERAL*These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:
Paid Time Off :Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.
Health Plan : Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generousCounty contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.
Retirement :Fully integrated with Social Security.For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .
IRS 457 Plan : Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
Retiree Medical :County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.
Student Loan Debt Relief :County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.
Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.
For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331.Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources/divisions-and-units/employee-relations/labor-agreements-and-salary-resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-2900.
*IMPORTANT NOTES: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.
Closing Date/Time: 6/20/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
