Senior Planner

Job Description:

Senior Planner

Description

CAREER DESCRIPTION

SENIOR PLANNER
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SALARY INFORMATION

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization

In addition to performance-based merit increases, this position is scheduled to receive salary range increases on the following dates:

Effective June 27, 2025 - 4.00% increase

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment is open to the public and is being held to establish an open eligible list to fill current and future Senior Planner vacancies within OC Waste & Recycling and/or other County of Orange agencies. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange

DEADLINE TO APPLY

This recruitment will open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will close on Monday, February 17, 2025, at 11:59 PM (PT)

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

THE COUNTY
The County of Orange is a regional service provider and planning agency whose core businesses include public safety, public health, environmental protection, regional planning, public assistance, social services and aviation.
For more information on the County of Orange click here .

THE DEPARTMENT
OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR)is an organization dedicated to providing waste management services, protecting the environment, and promoting resource recovery in order to preserve the life of our landfills and ensure a safe and healthy community for current and future generations. OCWR operates three active regional landfills (North, Central, South), four household hazardous waste collection centers, material recovery (metal and mattresses), three compost facilities, monitors 20 closed landfills, and administers municipal solid waste collection, recycling, and planning for County unincorporated areas. OCWR is a nationally renowned waste management department responsible for a network of sanitary landfills and is committed to its exceptional record of regulatory compliance and excellence.

THE OPPORTUNITY
OCWR is seeking a forward-thinking individual with strong communication skills to support the Compliance Support Division’s California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Habitat Section. The main responsibilities of this position focus on ensuring CEQA compliance for OCWR projects.

Job duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Assist the OCWR CEQA Manager in all aspects of the administration and implementation of the CEQA compliance program
• Analyze proposed projects and prepare initial studies (IS) to make CEQA determinations; ensure that the appropriate level of environmental review under CEQA is completed with respect to CEQA guidelines and County CEQA procedures manual
• Research and compile information and data; develop analyses and make recommendations on environmental studies and CEQA documents
• Prepare notice of exemptions, IS, Addendums, Negative Declarations (ND) and Mitigated Negative Declarations (MND) pursuant to CEQA
• Manage CEQA consultants in preparation of specialized studies (e.g. air quality impact study) for proposed projects
• Review and prepare comments on proposed CEQA documents, and specialized studies to support CEQA documents
• Manages CEQA consultants in preparation of Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs)
• Confer with and advise OCWR staff and County Counsel (COCO) regarding CEQA procedures and standards
• Conduct project meetings with consultants and/or internally with OCWR staff on CEQA projects
• Provide yearly training for OCWR staff on implementation and compliance with CEQA
• Develop and oversee Mitigation, Monitoring and Reporting Programs (MMRP) for OCWR projects as required by CEQA
• Maintain OCWR CEQA data and files
• Assist with public outreach activities related to CEQA and to educate the community about environmental issues and regulations
• Review agenda staff reports (ASRs) for CEQA language and recommended actions in compliance with County ASR language.
• Assist with development and review of Requests for Proposals (RFP), Scope of Work (SOP), Vendor Fee Schedules, Notices to Proceed (NTP) for preparation of CEQA documents by consultants.
• Review and approve payment requests by consultants in County applications such as Expeditor
• Review and determine available budgets for Qualified Vendor List (QVL) consultants for proposed projects

The position of Senior Planner represents an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of development, and ensure that Orange County remains a safe, healthy, and fulfilling place to live, work and play, today and for generations to come.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will have the required minimum of four (4) years or more of progressively responsible planning experience with two (2) years experience in CEQA compliance analysis and environmental planning and will possess a Bachelor’s Degree in urban or regional planning, environmental studies, or related field from an accredited college or university. A Master’s degree in any of these fields can substitute for one of the four (4) years of experience

The successful candidate will be experienced in providing leadership and direction to staff to ensure delivery of efficient, high-quality services specific to current planning projects

In addition to the education and experience requirements as listed in the minimum qualifications, the successful candidate will possess most the following core competencies:

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws, County ordinances and codes pertaining to planning and development projects
• Knowledge in the theory, principles and techniques of the planning profession and development process to properly implement zoning, grading, building and development related regulations
• Ability to interpret and apply County of Orange codified ordinances, relevant state codes and regulations
• Knowledge in the principles and practices of regional, county and city planning principles and techniques of the planning profession
• Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications
• Proficient with computer software such as MS Office Suite: Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint
• Understanding of physical, social, technical and economic implications involved in regional, county, city and environmental planning

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION & COLLABORATION

• Present information in a clear, logical and concise manner both orally and in writing
• Successfully interact with various governmental organizations and review boards
• Collaborate with engineers, inspection teams, land developers and other parties involved with each planning project
• Handle conflict in a professional and diplomatic manner
• Prepare thorough, succinct and grammatically correct written documents, including reports, public notices and emails

ANALYTICAL & ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS

• Ability to analyze data, draw conclusions, organize and conduct research to make appropriate recommendations to accomplish business objectives
• Ability to remain calm under tight deadlines
• Ability to prioritize job duties and tasks

LEADERSHIP

• Ability to provide training to OCWR project engineers, project managers and administrative staff
• Encourage recognition and collaboration to influence the success of outcomes
• Engage staff, partners and the public in developing goals, executing plans and delivering results

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Click here to view the complete classification description for Senior Planner.

LICENSE REQUIREMENT
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License to carry out the essential functions of the job.

Physical and Mental Requirements

Positions in the class typically require frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, and twisting at the waist. Occasional squatting, climbing stepladders to reach sets of plans located in storage areas, kneeling, and pushing and pulling carts. Repetitive use of both hands, simple to power grasping with both hands, fine manipulation with both hands, reaching above and below the shoulders, and lifting and carrying large sets of plans weighing up to 30 pounds. Intermittent extensive walking or hiking on uneven terrain in remote areas involved.

Environmental and Working Conditions

The primary work place is an office environment, although work may occasionally take place in the field. Fieldwork has inherent concerns including, but not limited to, exposure to wild and domesticated animals, poisonous plants and long driving hours to survey sites. Work involves frequent exposure to computer screens, traveling to locations within the County, delivering, or picking up items at other County departments or offices, occasional exposure to heights when using stepladders to reach and open file drawers, and occasional interaction with members of the public who may be unreasonable, upset, or angry.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum and/or desirable qualifications. After screening, applicants who meet the minimum and/or desirable qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process.
Structured Oral Interview | SOI (Weighted 100%) Candidates will be interviewed and rated by a qualification appraisal panel of job knowledge experts. Each candidate's rating will be based on responses to a series of questions designed to elicit the candidate's qualifications for the job. Only the most successful candidates will be placed on to the eligible list.

Eligible List

Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures above may be modified. Candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.
Veterans Employment Preference
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here (Download PDF reader) to review the policy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please see below for important information regarding COVID-19 related recommendations.

Effective April 3, 2023, it is strongly recommended that County employees working in health care settings and correctional facilities follow vaccination and booster guidelines provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please click here to see the latest guidance for more details.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION:

Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com .

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

Questions?

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Krystal Graciano at 714-834-2270 or by email at krystal.graciano@ocwr.ocgov.com

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer,
encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

Closing Date/Time: 2/17/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$96,096.00 - $129,521.60 Annually