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PLANNER IV

County of Santa Cruz -
Santa Cruz, CA

Job Details

Benefits

Paid holidays
Disability insurance
Health insurance
Dental insurance
Flexible spending account
Work from home
Dependent health insurance coverage
Vision insurance
Bereavement leave
Life insurance

Qualifications

Urban planning

Full Job Description

County of S a nta Cruz
INVITES YOU TO APPLY FOR:

PLANNER IV
Supplemental Questionnaire Required

Open and Promotional
Job # 26-GA8-01

Salary: $9,374 – 11,859 / Month
** September 2026 – 3.5% increase to base pay

Closing Date: Friday, June 05, 2026

County Equity Statement

Equity in action in Santa Cruz County is a transformative process that embraces individuals of every
status, providing unwavering support, dignity, and compassion.

Through this commitment, the County ensures intentional opportunities and access, fostering an
environment where everyone can thrive and belong.

THE JOB: Under limited direction, perform advanced professional work related to variety of planning
assignments, including: act as Project Manager to review and manage complex land use projects such as
large-scale density bonus housing projects: conduct project reviews for consistency with the Zoning
Ordinance, General Plan and area plans; review State laws and regulations; conduct research, including field
inspections; process General Plan Amendments and Zoning Amendments; assist with Housing related policy
development and projects; present reports and other findings to staff, decision-making bodies and elected
officials; provide professional planning assistance to member communities on varied land use projects; and
perform other work as required. The current vacancy is in the Development Review unit of CDI-Planning.
The list established will be used to fill the current vacancy and it may also be used to fill other vacancies
during the life of the eligible list.

The option for remote work may be available based on the type of work and operational needs, upon
successful completion of probation.

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

One year of journey level planning experience equivalent to a Planner III at Santa Cruz County.

Special Requirements: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to provide suitable
transportation, which is approved by the appointing authority.

Human Resources Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Apply online at: www.santacruzcountyjobs.com

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and trends of public land use planning or in the
specialty area to which assigned; statistical research methods as applied to the collection and tabulation of
data affecting public planning; laws, ordinances and regulations governing planning in California; purposes
and policies, procedures and regulations of a County planning department and zoning administration;
principles and techniques of gathering and analyzing data; basic statistical methods and procedures used
in planning studies; techniques of public presentation; long range and regulatory planning practices; and
laws and regulations related to planning, zoning and environmental protection. Working knowledge of
legislative processes; and policy formulation. Some knowledge of principles and techniques of project
leadership and training.

Ability to: Collect, analyze, compile, organize and present technical statistical and related information
pertaining to planning and zoning research; interpret, apply and explain laws, rules, regulations and
ordinances; prepare concise written and oral reports; participate in planning presentations before official
bodies; provide services to the public in a courteous and effective manner; participate cooperatively and
effectively as a contributing team member; prepare rough charts, maps and other graphic illustrations; apply
laws and ordinances and conduct field investigations may be required for certain positions; produce
acceptable work commensurate with the level of appointment in an acceptable timeframe; learn to input,
retrieve and analyze data using a computer; organize and present planning research studies; collect, analyze,
compile and arrange technical, statistical and related information for planning and zoning research; develop
and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, officials and personnel from other
agencies; interpret maps and aerial photos; present major planning studies analyses and reports to boards,
commissions and committees; complete complex assignments, determine alternative choices and make
recommendations; write, interpret, apply and explain complex rules, laws, regulations and ordinances;
prepare clear and concise administrative and technical reports, ordinances, resolutions and plans; interpret
and consistently apply provisions of laws, regulations and policies; understand and relate to others the
concepts, aims and principles of land use planning and zoning; speak effectively before large groups; provide
leadership to team efforts; coordinate multifaceted programs as project leader; track, monitor and advocate
legislation; develop, implement and monitor grants; act as subject matter expert or resource; and complete
the most controversial and technically complex planning assignments.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed to determine if you
have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job
announcement. If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete
in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training
and experience as described on your application and supplemental questionnaire. You must pass all
components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated if there
are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the administration of the
announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall score will be based upon
an evaluation of your application and supplemental questionnaire. If during those six months it is necessary
to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to remain on
the eligible list.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply online at www.santacruzcountyjobs.com or mail/bring an application and
supplemental questionnaire to: Santa Cruz County Human Resources Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room
510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For information, call (831) 454-2600. Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711. Applications
will meet the final filing date if received: 1) in the Human Resources Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing
date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date.

Women, people of color, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. If you have a disability that
requires test accommodation, please call (831) 454-2600.

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new
employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.

Some positions may require fingerprinting and/or background investigation.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
ANNUAL LEAVE - 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years of service. Available for vacation and/or
sick leave.
HOLIDAYS - 14 paid holidays per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE - 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.
MEDICAL PLAN - The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans. For most plans, County
contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents.
DENTAL PLAN - County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage.
VISION PLAN - County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible dependent coverage.
RETIREMENT - Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA
Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average
compensation of three years. County participates in Social Security.
LIFE INSURANCE - County paid $20,000 term policy. Employee may purchase additional life insurance.
DISABILITY INSURANCE - Employees in the General Representation Unit participate in the State Disability
Insurance (SDI) program. This program is funded 100% by employee payroll deductions.
DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN - Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to have
their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”
H-CARE PLAN - Employees who pay a County medical premium may elect this pre-tax program.
HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) - Employees may elect this pre-tax program to cover
qualifying health care expenses.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION - A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.

Note: Provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

County of Santa Cruz
www.santacruzcountyjobs.com

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