Associate Environmental Planner

Position open until filled - the hiring unit will continue to accept applications after the Initial Review date (IRD)

This position is being filled at either the Associate Physical Planner (JobID: 73377) or Associate Environmental Planner (JobID: 73372). 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. Position open until filled - the hiring unit will continue to accept applications after the Initial Review date (IRD).

The IRD for this job is: 10-22-2024

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 Senior Environmental Planner and Director of Campus Planning, the Associate Environmental Planner has responsibility for implementing the environmental planning activities. This is accomplished through the successful completion of tasks and assignments associated with campus land use as related to environmental planning, regulations, and compliance, and in the context of community and regional planning efforts. The Associate Environmental Planner conducts professional-level environmental planning by reviewing and assisting with the preparation of environmental documents and planning associated with campus plans and studies, area plans and studies, participating in the revision of campus Long-Range Development Plans, conducting environmental planning research and maintaining data, working collaboratively with others to ensure environmental compliance for development projects, and representing the campus and its interests in its relationships with public jurisdictions, public agencies, and community groups.

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% of the time

JOB DUTIES

45% - CEQA / NEPA Compliance

• Support preparation of CEQA compliance documents; assist project managers, architects, engineers and consultant teams in the compilation of necessary documentation that meet requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); prepare and/or oversee preparation of full CEQA compliance documents (Environmental Impact Reports (EIR), Initial Studies (IS), etc.); and when necessary, prepare documentation meeting the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
• Identify and implement strategies to prepare efficient and legally defensible environmental documents.
• Prepares and presents reports, information materials, advises, and recommends direction regarding environmental planning activities to the Principal Environmental Planner, Director of Campus Planning and Associate Vice Chancellor - PDC.
• Prepares and disseminates requests for proposals, reviews consultant proposals, oversees the negotiation of contracts, administers contracts, and oversees the consultant's work. Consultant work efforts include but are not limited to geotechnical reports, biological studies, cultural resource assessments, transportation studies, Environmental Impact Reports, Initial Studies, etc.
• Develop schedules and cost estimates for the execution of the environmental review process for campus plans and projects and is responsible for maintaining budget oversight and performance.
• Provide for public review of environmental compliance documents by preparing for, presenting and participating in scoping meetings and public hearings, by assisting with the filing and distribution of meeting notices, and by ensuring compliance with any legal requirements pertaining to public review.
• Support implementation of CEQA mitigation measures, prepare and disseminate annual reports as required by law.

35% - ENVIRONMENTAL AND CAMPUS PLANNING SUPPORT

• Provides staff planning services for development and continuance of the organization's long-range development plans, including responsibility for collection, analysis, and evaluation of planning data and for preparation and presentation of statistical and graphic supporting material.
• Works collaboratively with campus constituencies in planning efforts. Drafts scopes of work, oversees appropriate technical studies, drafts/promotes policies and provides planning support to executive management.
• Monitor environmental regulatory compliance requirements for potential effects on the campus and its current development or intended development plans. Advise the Director of Physical & Environmental Planning, Associate Vice Chancellor- PPDO, and senior campus leadership of the potential effects of these requirements.
• Serves as a campus planning liaison to UCOP (General Counsel), other UC campuses, public agencies and the general public. Establishes standards and oversees quality control of environmental planning documentation. Works to maintain open channels of communication.

10% - CAMPUS COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS (Non CEQA / NEPA)

• Participates in and supports the development of Habitat Conservation Plans and other required environmental management and compliance programs, recommending compliance and negotiation strategies.
• Supports preparation of required campus environmental permits applications and supporting documentation.
• Supports positive working relationships with outside regulatory agencies (including but not limited to California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the State Historic Preservation Office, the California Coastal Commission, the California Department of Forestry, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).

10% - GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

• Participate in the development and implementation of organizational mission, goals, objectives, policies, protocols, and performance measures for Physical & Environmental Planning Services.
• Support implementation of quality control objectives for planning documents and other planning work products.
• 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.
• Support the Strategic Goals of the Business and Administrative Services Division through the implementation of Physical & Environmental Planning actions associated with these goals.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Working knowledge and skills associated with environmental planning principles as related to urban planning, biology, archaeology, geology, hydrology, or other planning-related or environmental field.
• Working knowledge of and experience with the California Environmental Quality Act and National Environmental Policy Act including preparation of compliance documents, as well as regulations of state and federal regulatory agencies as they relate to campus planning and development and experience working with them. Agencies include but are not limited to the California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, State Historic Preservation Office, the California Coastal Commission, the California Dept. of Forestry and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Working knowledge of environmental stewardship principles and the influence of development on natural systems, as well as demonstrated experience associated with planning processes related to major capital projects within a large-scale public or institutional setting and ability to read and understand construction documents, general knowledge of architecture and engineering terminology.
• Working knowledge of regulations of state and federal regulatory agencies as they relate to campus planning and development and experience working with them. Agencies include but are not limited to the California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, State Historic Preservation Office, the California Coastal Commission, the California Dept. of Forestry and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Ability to work harmoniously, communicate effectively and maintain high political acumen with a wide variety of individuals and organizations associated with projects and/or assignments, including ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with University departments and staff, and to serve as a liaison to outside agencies and the community, work collaboratively with others and manage potentially sensitive or confidential issues appropriately.
• General skills required to research, analyze, and synthesize data from a variety of sources and generate reports including identifying and analyzing problems and viable solutions.
• Experience recruiting, selecting, and managing consulting firms tasked with the preparation of environmental resource analyses, environmental compliance documents and planning studies and managing tasks and projects within budget and schedule expectations.
• Ability to take initiative and independently plan, organize, and perform work in various situations where numerous and diverse demands are involved. Ability to recognize and accommodate changing priorities; meet deadlines/goals; and complete tasks despite intermittent interruptions.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex policies, rules and regulations, procedures and processes, including distilling and explaining complex issues in a concise manner in written, graphic, and verbal format.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in environmental planning, urban or regional planning, natural resource management or planning, environmental design or a related field
• AICP Certified Environmental Planner certification through the American Planning Association.
• At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional work experience in environmental planning or a related field. A Master's Degree may be substituted for 2 years of professional work experience.
• Knowledge of complex natural and biological systems such as that obtained through a degree program in ecology, biology, geology, forestry, environmental planning, etc.
• 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