Associate Physical Planner

This position is being filled at either the Associate Physical Planner (JobID: 73372) or Associate Environmental Planner (JobID: 73377). Applicants are encouraged to apply for the position level you are best qualified for, if in doubt please apply for both.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our Talent Acquisition website.

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

Application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring unit for consideration. Materials submitted after the IRD will ONLY be forwarded at the request of the hiring unit. To ensure your application is routed for consideration, submit your materials before 11:59 p.m. on the IRD. Talent Acquisition cannot accept application materials outside of the jobs portal, and is unable to update submitted applications on an applicant's behalf, or forward communications to the hiring units. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 11-12-2024

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Physical Planning, Development & Operations (PPDO) manages and oversees all University activities and services related to physical and environmental planning, design and construction, engineering, physical plant maintenance and operations, capital and space planning, space management, and the associated business services necessary to support these functions. The University's main campus is spread across more than 2,000 acres and includes over 500 buildings comprising more than 8 million square feet. The department includes operating budgets of over $60 million, manages a project portfolio of approximately $990 million, and employs over 395 full-time staff to carry forth the duties necessary for the campus' development and operation.

More information can be found at: https://ppdo.ucsc.edu/ppdo/index.html

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Principal Physical Planner, the Associate Physical Planner implements the activities of the Campus Planning Services within the Physical Planning Development & Operations (PPDO) department, through tasks and assignments associated with campus land use, physical planning, circulation, and infrastructure planning and campus-related community and regional planning. The Associate Physical Planner conducts professional-level planning by reviewing and assisting with the preparation of campus plans and studies, area plans and studies, participating in the revision of campus Long-Range Development Plans, conducting planning research and maintaining planning data, working collaboratively with others to obtain entitlements for development, and representing the campus and its interests in its relationships with public jurisdictions, public agencies, and community groups. The incumbent supervises associate planners, assistant planners, and student assistants in the performance of assigned duties as necessary.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $105,000 - $115,000/annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: PLNG SPEC 3 (007083)

Travel: Up to 25% time

JOB DUTIES

65% - Campus Planning and Development

• Leads physical planning processes to develop or amend planning documents.
• Collects, maintains, analyzes, and disseminates planning information to support the physical development of the UC Santa Cruz campus and properties managed by UCSC.
• For assigned UCSC development projects on- and -off-campus, prepares and reviews plans and entitlements for those projects.
• Consults with the Associate Vice Chancellor- PPDO, Director of Physical & Environmental Planning, Director of Real Estate Services, Campus Architect, Campus Engineer, Director of Physical Plant, Capital Planning & Space Management staff, project managers, project proponents, senior campus leadership, and other campus staff regarding assigned on-and off-campus development proposals.
• Prepares and presents reports and informational materials, and recommends direction regarding planning activities to the executive leadership, campus constituents, and stakeholders.
• Prepares, oversees, and presents the outcomes of planning activities and background studies prepared by consultants including land capacity studies, site studies, circulation studies, housing studies, circulation studies, historic resource management studies, design guideline studies, etc.
• Identifies planning and development alternatives, maintains and analyzes demographic and other planning information, and develops planning principles and guidelines in consultation with the Associate Vice Chancellor- PPDO, Director of Physical & Environmental Planning, Director of Real Estate Services, Campus Architect, Campus Engineer, Director of Physical Plant, Capital Planning & Space Management staff, and other UCSC and UCOP staff.
• Develops, prepares, administers, and reviews the contracts and scope of work of consultants of campus plans (including, but not limited to, campus area plans, campus land management plans, and off-campus development plans).
• When consultants are utilized, prepares and disseminates requests for proposals, oversees the negotiation of contracts, and oversees consultant work.
• Develops budgets for planning activities, maintains budget oversight, and develops status reports on budget projections.
• Ensures adequate public review of campus plans by preparing for, presenting, and participating in public meetings and public hearings, by overseeing the filing and distribution of meeting notices, and by ensuring compliance with any legal requirements pertaining to public review.
• Determines and interprets legal and regulatory provisions for planning activities, provides analyses of complex issues and data, and works with campus and outside legal counsel on various environmental and land use planning issues.
• Prepares, reviews, and coordinates environmental documents, permits, and background technical studies in support of CEQA requirements and environmental implications of campus plans with campus environmental planners.
• Participates in campus planning committees both as staff and committee member, prepares and develops feasibility studies, district plans, master plans, proposals, or area plans that clearly covey planning determinants and outcomes of analysis for committee presentation.

25% - Community and Regional Planning

• Monitors local planning activities and promote the University's interests with local and regional agencies, governing bodies, developers, and planning agencies. Directs, coordinates, and reviews the planning for off-campus development or lease activities in which the campus may participate.
• Monitors local and regional planning activities for potential effects on the UCSC campus, including the effects of land use designations and policies, public utility plans and policies, annexations, and annexation policies, local and regional transportation plans, etc.
• Advises the Associate Vice Chancellor- PPDO, Director of Physical & Environmental Planning, and other UCSC administrators of the potential effects of planning activities.
• Works with local agencies to maintain open channels of communication with UCSC.
• Develops strategies to build community support for and participation in campus development projects and entitlement processes in collaboration with University Relations.
• Serves as a campus planning liaison to UCOP (General Counsel), other UC campuses, public agencies, and the general public and works to maintain open channels of communication.
• Establishes standards and oversees quality control of environmental planning documentation.

10% - Administration

• Leads the development and implementation of organizational mission, goals, objectives, policies, protocols, and performance measures for Physical & Environmental Planning Services.
• Implements quality control objectives for planning documents and other planning work products.
• Trains, develops, and mentors subordinate staff to maximize effectiveness and utilization of staff resources.
• Assists with the development and implementation of customer service and efficiency initiatives required to ensure Physical & Environmental Planning Services operates in a cost-effective, customer-oriented manner.
• Supports the Strategic Goals of the Finance, Operations, and Administration (FOA) Division through the implementation of associated Physical Planning actions.
• Safely performs necessary functions in the event of an emergency (i.e., earthquake, fire, flood, etc.).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Knowledge and skills associated with planning principles including land use planning, urban and architectural design, open space preservation, entitlement procedures, and infrastructure and utility development as related to a large-scale public or institutional setting.
• Knowledge of the organization, including its architectural history, short and long-range development plans and area studies, infrastructure, and current, ongoing, and future design and construction plans, as well as demonstrated experience associated with design and construction processes related to major capital projects within a large-scale public or institutional setting.
• Working skills required to research, analyze, and synthesize data from a variety of sources and generate reports including identifying and analyzing problems and viable solutions, as well as the ability to effectively interpret, organize, and present information, ideas, and concepts in written or presentation format and use consultative, collaborative facilitation skills to obtain decisions.
• Working communication and negotiation skills, including political acumen, to work successfully across all levels of the University, with outside agencies, and with customers, and a demonstrated ability to serve as liaison to outside agencies and the community and to collaboratively work with others and manage potentially sensitive or confidential issues appropriately.
• Knowledge and experience in personnel management including strong leadership and problem recognition/avoidance/resolution skills and effective supervision, as well as the ability to take initiative and independently plan, organize, and perform work in various situations where numerous and diverse demands are involved.
• Ability to effectively use computer-based tools including graphic presentation, design/drafting, geographic information system software, and relational databases.
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster teamwork by maintaining a cooperative atmosphere and effective working relationships with a diverse population from various cultural backgrounds, and the demonstrated ability to recognize and accommodate changing priorities, meet deadlines/goals, and complete tasks despite intermittent interruptions.
• Knowledge of federal, state, local, and UC laws and policies, including environmental and legal issues, regulations and practices governing planning, state/federal legislative processes, and demonstrated experience working with local, state, and federal agencies.
• Working knowledge of and experience with the California Environmental Quality Act, including both written and review of environmental documents, and understanding, knowledge, and experience writing or administering resource management and natural resource plans as pertains to physical planning, as well as understanding how to incorporate concepts of sustainability.
• Experience managing assigned tasks and projects within budget and schedule expectations.
• Experience recruiting, selecting, and managing consulting firms tasked with preparation of planning resource analyses, compliance documents, planning studies and capital projects.
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in Planning, urban planning, landscape architecture, or a related field.
• AICP certification through the American Planning Association.
• At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional work experience in planning, urban planning, landscape architecture, or a related field. A Master's Degree may be substituted for 2 years of professional work experience.
• Demonstrated physical planning experience in a topographically and geologically challenging and rural yet urban landscape which purposefully includes areas of both high density and vast open spaces.
• Experience working in a University setting.
  

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate has the option to work a hybrid work schedule. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination