Land Use Development Administrator (Development Services Administrator)

Job Description:

Land Use Development Administrator (Development Services Administrator)

Description

CAREER DESCRIPTION

LAND USE DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR

(DEVELOPMENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR)

SALARY INFORMATION

This position is scheduled to receive salary range increases on the following date:

Effective June 27, 2025 - 4.00% increase

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

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This recruitment is open to the public and will establish an open eligible list. This list will be used to fill current and future Development Services Administrator vacancies. This eligible list may be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

This recruitment will close on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 11:59 PM (PT). Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

OC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
The OC Development Services, a Service Area within OC Public Works, oversees the planning and development entitlement requirements for private and public projects within the County’s unincorporated areas. This includes permit processing, inspection services and management of zoning, building and code regulations - all to ensure safe and responsible property development and community standards.

Click here for more information about OC Public Works.
Click here for more information about County of Orange.

THE OPPORTUNITY
The OC Development Services Planning Division is responsible for four types of planning activities, including Current, Advance, Subdivision, and Environmental planning. OC Development Services is seeking a Land Use Development Administrator (Development Services Administrator) to perform highly specialized interdisciplinary work to maintain and contribute to the County of Orange General Plan, Orange County Zoning Code and Specific Plans, as well as process discretionary permits, subdivision maps and planning-related plan check reviews, environmental document reviews, manage planning contracts, and supervise and lead a planning team, including consultants.

Incumbents in this position will be a source of leadership for the department and are primarily responsible for Advance Planning and Environmental Planning, as well as general planning support for other County departments. This position works directly with community partners, applicants, board-appointed advisory committees and serves as the main point of contact between stakeholders, county staff, and other agencies. Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to, conducting environmental review of both private and public development projects, in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), maintaining policy/regulatory documents such as the County of Orange General Plan, County of Orange Zoning Code and Specific Plans for the unincorporated areas of the County, providing demographic support and legislative analysis.

This position 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.

Duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Review and analyze County of Orange land use projects
• Provide leadership and management, primarily for Advance Planning and Environmental Planning, and general planning support to other County departments/divisions
• Work directly with community partners, applicants (including private land developers, contractors/architects, engineers, and homeowners), Board appointed Advisory Committees; facilitates and serves as the main point of contact between community partners, County staff, and other agencies
• Conduct environmental review of both private and public development projects, in accordance with CEQA; and maintain policy/regulatory documents, such as the County of Orange General Plan, County of Orange Zoning Code, and Specific Plans for the unincorporated areas of the County

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will possess at least four (4) years of planning experience in research, land use administration, entitlement and permit processing, preparation of staff reports, making presentations to decision makers, and in the development of social, physical, environmental or economic plans. One (1) year of lead/supervisory experience is preferred. Excellent writing skills are required to be successful in this role, as this position is responsible for report preparation, writing and communicating with a wide range of audiences. A valid American Institute of Certified Planners Certification is highly desirable, but not required.

In addition, the ideal candidate will also demonstrate competencies in the following areas:

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE | TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE

• Current knowledge of federal, state and local legislation, policies, regulations and issues that pertain to land use planning and development review, such as zoning and subdivisions (Subdivision Map Act), CEQA, County of Orange codified ordinances, California housing law, demographic trends, and state housing reporting requirements
• Ability to conduct complex research and analysis for community/land use development, including knowledge of complex principles, methods, standards, and techniques; understanding the phasing and sequencing of the development processes, including those related to discretionary and ministerial permitting and construction
• Project management, including the ability to effectively apply industry standards and practices in the areas of project planning, coordination, budget management, report and agreement writing, scheduling and monitoring to achieve measurable results
• Participate in field activities and investigations; review reports and correspondence prepared by staff members; develop, establish, and implement processes and procedures, manage contracts and invoicing processes
• Proficiency in the use of technology, including Microsoft Office, Geographic Information System (GIS), and/or Blue Beam; prepare materials for hearings, meetings, and presentations

LEADERSHIP

• Use creativity and innovation in achieving business objectives by planning and developing County of Orange projects to be safe, efficient, and effective
• Build effective working relationships inside and outside the organization in working with local agencies and regional planning bodies
• Exhibit courage to take action by tackling difficult challenges relating to land use issues that may impact the County of Orange
• Experience in supervising staff who may or may not be direct reports, including outside contractors
• Assist in ensuring achievement of department objectives

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION | COLLABORATION

• Promote open, candid information sharing across organizational boundaries in working with cities and other jurisdictions on land use and other planning issues
• Ability to communicate timely and effectively, using both technical and non-technical language with elected and appointed officials, appointed commission and board members, developers, stakeholders, contractors, engineers, trade professionals, and the public both verbally and in writing
• Possess strong presentation and public speaking skills; present data, ideas, and complex materials clearly, logically, concisely and persuasively both orally and in writing with executive staff and approval authorities such as Zoning Administrator and Planning Commission or to persuade and inform audiences with competing interests
• Review documents for accuracy and quality of work and convey feedback and direction in an effective manner

PROBLEM SOLVING | ANALYTICAL SKILLS

• Gather, analyze, and apply information skillfully to respond in creative ways to planning and land use challenges
• Conduct conflict resolution in a positive and constructive manner
• Work independently and maintain flexibility among changing assignments and priorities
• Anticipate and minimize unexpected issues and situations by promptly resolving and addressing the issues with evidence-based decision-making strategies
• Effectively and efficiently produce results consistent with program objectives

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Click here to view the complete classification description for Development Services Administrator.

NOTE: Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Services (N.A.C.E.S.) .

License Required
Possession of a valid California Driver License, Class C or higher.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum and desirable qualifications. After screening, candidates who meet the minimum and desirable qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process.

Application Screening | (Refer/Non-Refer)
Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those candidates that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Structured Oral Interview | (Weighted 100%)
Applicants will be interviewed and rated by an oral interview panel of job knowledge experts. Each applicant's rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the applicant's qualifications for the job.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedure listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.

Eligible List
Once all assessments have been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.
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 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.The position for which you are applying may be required to adhere to any applicable State or County Public Health Orders. You will receive notification of any requirement as it applies to a position.

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.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Cherry Ward at (714) 667-9609or cherry.ward@ocpw.ocgov.com .

EEO INFORMATION

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

Administrative Management *
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits -- such as a variety of health plan options, sick and vacation time and paid holidays -- we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as:

• Retirement: Benefits are provided 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 .
• Paid Leave: Twelve holidays per year plus sick and vacation time
• Health & Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
• Dental Insurance: County pays 100% of employee and dependent premiums
• Paid Life Insurance: $100,000 life insurance policy
• Paid Accidental & Death and Dismemberment Insurance: $100,000 AD&D insurance policy
• Paid Short & Long Term Disability insurance programs
• 457 Defined Contribution Program

*Effective 07/01/20, management employees who are sworn Public Safety Managers receive health insurance benefits through the AOCDS Medical Benefit Plans.

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

Closing Date/Time: 11/19/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$101,628.80 - $140,753.60 Annually