Assistant Planner - County of Riverside
Riverside, CA 92501
About the Job
The Riverside County Department of Waste Resources seeks an Assistant Planner. The position will be assigned to the Planning Division located in Moreno Valley, CA.
Under general supervision, performs professional planning practices, procedures and methodologies in urban/regional and environmental planning research and evaluation, activities and projects and their impacts on the physical environment, and public land use or other policies; prepares or assists in the preparation and review of planning and environmental studies, reports, plans, and projects and permits; acquires a working knowledge of the County's planning program, policies, ordinances, and regulations as they relate to the construction and use of buildings, structures and the use of land, and explains that information to the public; presents assigned studies and recommendations to administrative and advisory bodies; performs other related duties as required.
The Assistant Planner is the entry level classification in the Planner series and reports to an appropriate supervisory or manager level position. Incumbents are given a variety of assignments to perform with increasing independence. The Assistant Planner differs from the next higher level Associate Planner in that the latter is the journey level and performs the full range of difficult planning assignments, with work reviewed upon completion.
Incumbents hired into this entry level are required to demonstrate the necessary knowledge and abilities to enter the journey level of the series within one year. Promotion after one year to the level of Associate Planner will be based upon meeting minimum qualifications and receiving a satisfactory performance evaluation.
Competitive candidates will possess the following:
- Prior planning experience with a private or public agency.
- Knowledge of California environmental compliance laws and regulations.
- Landfill related experience in desirable.
The Department of Waste Resources serves the County's solid waste disposal needs by providing for efficient and effective landfilling of County non-hazardous waste, protecting the environment, and promoting recycling in order to ensure a safe and healthy community for current and future generations.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
• Conduct less complicated studies necessary to meet urban/regional planning objectives for social, physical, environmental, economic, and/or governmental resources, by researching, compiling, synthesizing, analyzing, and interpreting information and data, either in the course of routine work (e.g., processing development applications), or for purposes that are described in a specific assignment (e.g., assisting in the preparation of developmental policy guidelines or to support higher level planning staff assigned to prepare sections of the general plan and area plans), the results of which are submitted for review and acceptance by a project lead worker or supervisor, and may be consolidated with other research.
• Contact other parties (individuals, groups, sections, divisions, departments, and regional or state agencies) to discuss/review various technical or legal aspects of projects or programs (i.e., applications for zoning changes, conditional uses, variances, plot plan approvals, and subdivision approvals), which are generally not controversial or politically sensitive, in order to define problems and alternative solutions by guiding reviews for consistency with the general plan or other policy plans, compliance with local ordinances and regional and state requirements, and extent of environmental impact; or to exchange or clarify information used in developing regional plans, including analysis of existing plans and definition of areas for policy consideration and decision, using coordination efforts and/or a negotiation process to achieve the desired outcome, as part of the direction in an ongoing planning process.
• Accompany staff to property sites and surrounding areas to gather facts and conduct investigations of proposed project sites in order to have direct knowledge of the location or project under study. The incumbent will normally use a County vehicle to arrive at the site, and then may have to walk or use other means to access portions of the property as necessary to examine features requiring detailed evaluation; assignments could include direction to carry out specific tasks (i.e., record field notes or take photographs and other preparations to assist with related visual displays).
• Prepare written reports on less complex matters, used to communicate information, findings and recommendations (often as part of a decision-making process), by assembling pertinent facts in a directed format (e.g., public hearing case reports), with completed work subject to review by a supervisor.
• Make oral presentations as requested to governmental administrative and hearing bodies to explain and clarify planning reports and recommendations, with presentations supported by subject matter research and data consistent with the needs of the administrative/hearing body.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
OPTION I Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, preferably with a major in urban/regional planning, transportation planning, public administration, architecture, environmental science, geography (with related course concentration), landscape architecture, or a closely related field.
OPTION IICertification by and full membership in the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
OPTION IIIExperience: Two years as a Land Use Technician I/II with Riverside County, of which at least one year must have been at the Land Use Technician II level.
ALL OPTIONSKnowledge of: The principles, methods and procedures applicable to land use planning activities and their application in a county planning program; the physical, social, environmental, and economic implications of land use planning to allow basic evaluation and reporting on specific proposals; local, state and federal legislation governing land use development and planning activities at a basic level necessary to understand coordination of public and private compliance, both in programs undertaken by the County and those conducted by private development interests; the organizational structure and jurisdiction of governmental agencies involved in the planning process and their interrelationship, responsibilities and functions, in order to coordinate review, comment and/or approve requirements for less complex planning proposals; the methods involved in designing research studies and identifying and utilizing data sources needed to prepare or evaluate development and policy proposals; the mandate for local government adoption and content of general plan elements, and factors that must be considered in evaluating proposals for consistency with these elements, to allow the assistance in review, preparation or updating of elements, and the processing or reporting on typical, non-controversial development proposals.
Ability to: Plan and carry out work with increasing independence as necessary to complete a defined scope of professional planning assignments for the intermediate working level; organize and conduct basic research, collect and analyze data, generate and evaluate alternatives, reach logical conclusions, and formulate consistent recommendations as necessary to develop proposals for planning policy or to evaluate proposals and requests carried forward by others; compose clear and thorough study and project reports and recommendations so that they may be communicated to both public and governmental audiences; make oral presentations of study findings and recommendations to a variety of governmental bodies; work effectively with the general public and governmental boards and commissions to accomplish assigned duties which are part of the overall planning program; interpret and apply general laws and regulations pertaining to assigned planning projects and planning case review activities.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Other Requirements
License/Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver's License is required
What's Next?
Open to All Applicants
This recruitment is open to all applicants.
For questions regarding this recruitmentContact Vanessa Diaz Beaird at VDBeaird@rivco.org with any questions regarding this recruitment.
Telecommuting disclaimer
At this time, the position has the opportunity to telework based on business need, however job expectations, at times may require in person interaction. Telework may change at any time and you will be expected to report to the office.
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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:
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: Short-term Disability benefit pays up to a maximum of $461.54 weekly, payable up to a maximum of 52 weeks.
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.