Placer County

To plan, organize, direct and supervise planning activities and operations of an assigned unit or division; to perform the difficult and more complex professional planning duties involving planning, organization, and administration of the County’s land use plan, environmental review laws, applicable County zoning and subdivision regulations, applicable local ordinances, and state and federal statutes; and to coordinate the work on assigned planning projects or programs with County departments, local, state and federal commissions, agencies and boards.

The Supervisor level recognizes positions that perform full, first-line supervisory responsibilities including planning, assigning, and evaluating the work of subordinates and is responsible for a program area within a work unit of a department.

Receives general direction from department management staff.

Exercises direct supervision over assigned professional, clerical, and technical personnel.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Supervise staff involved with land development activities within a defined geographic region of the County. 
• Recommend and assist in the implementation of unit goals and objectives; establish timeframes and monitor progress of various projects assigned to professional and technical planning staff; implement policies and procedures.
• Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review the work of professional staff involved in the production of various planning documents relating to land use regulations involving development, amendment, and implementation of the County General Plan, approved County Specific Plans, conservation and environmental protection regulations, and applicable zoning and subdivision regulations.
• Prepare advanced planning studies, appropriate reports, and recommendations concerning project and/or program needs. 
• Prepare and administer contracts with independent contractors or consultants who provide planning or environmental services to the County. 
• Confer with the management staff on assigned projects, programs, work schedules, and planning policies/procedures. 
• Confer with and advise property owners, developers, subdividers, and/or their representatives regarding planning ordinances, General, and Specific plans relating to property development. 
• Review, analyze, develop, prioritize, and schedule projects; confer with assigned staff regarding problems and progress of assigned projects.  
• Coordinate planning projects and related activities with other department divisions/sections, other County departments, local, and state agencies and boards. 
• Make oral and written presentations as necessary to Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, and other community groups/committees. 
• Evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities. 
• Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; recommend discipline; implement discipline procedures as directed. 
• Answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints. 
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service. 
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Four (4) years of increasingly responsible journey level experience in planning work performing duties similar to an associate or senior level planner in Placer County including two years in a lead or supervisory capacity.

Training: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban, regional, or environmental planning or a related field.

Required License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of land use planning and development.
• Principles and practices of environmental planning and administration of environmental policies.
• Principles and practices of supervision, program development, project planning, management methods and procedures.
• Operation, policies, and procedures of a county planning department or assigned unit.
• All applicable local ordinances and state and federal statutes.
• Planning related software applications. 

Ability to:

• Organize, implement, and direct subordinate staff performing planning activities and projects.
• Manage multiple projects and meet deadlines; analyze and solve complex planning matters and determine appropriate course of action.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job.  Intermittently analyze work papers, reports, and special projects; identify, interpret, and explain technical and numerical information; observe and solve planning problems. 
• Sit at desk for long periods of time; and stand at the counter to answer questions of the public. Intermittently, walk, stand, kneel, climb, and bend in the field; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation; intermittently write or use a keyboard to communicate and occasionally lift weight; visually differentiate between colors on land use maps.
• Compile, analyze, and evaluate technical, statistical, and economic information of a difficult and complex nature; read and interpret maps and legal property descriptions.
• Understand, interpret, explain, and apply pertinent laws, County ordinances, and department policies and procedures.
• Develop and recommend policies and procedures related to assigned operations.
• Operate a personal computer in an on-line processing environment; utilize software application programs commonly used in a planning department or assigned unit.
• Prepare clear, comprehensive, and concise reports and correspondence.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Attend public meetings before various community groups and citizens regarding planning issues of a sensitive nature.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.