Land Development Specialist - Public Works Agency

Ventura County; Ventura (CA); On-site; USD 86,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Educational Incentive

Bilingual Incentive

Flexible Workweek

Vacation accrual

Job summary

Ventura County is seeking a Land Development Specialist (Staff/Services Specialist II) to oversee complex land development projects, supervise inspectors, and ensure compliance with grading and floodplain requirements.

Under direction, you will handle permit intake, environmental triggers, CEQA processes and liaise with multiple agencies to ensure project success. The role requires strong inspection and leadership abilities in a public works setting.

Qualifications

• Five years of land development planning, construction inspection, floodplain management, or related Public Works experience.
• Valid California driver''s license.
• Ability to walk on rough surfaces and work on construction sites.
• Experience coordinating with multiple agencies and departments.

Responsibilities

• Inspect/review complex land development Public Works projects.
• Supervise inspectors/engineering staff and review work.
• Oversee floodplain permits and CEQA-related duties.
• Coordinate with other agencies and internal teams.
• Prepare staff reports and grading permit reviews.

Skills

Land Development

Construction Inspection

Project Management

Communication

Job description

The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package that includes:

• Educational Incentive:An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree OR 5% for completion of a graduate degree.
• Bilingual Incentive:Incumbents may also be eligible for a bilingual incentive depending upon operational need and certification of skill. Proficiency levels by exam are $.69 per hour (Level I); $1.00 per hour (Level II); or $1.32 per hour (Level III).
• Vacation Accrual:New regular, full-time employees shall accrue approximately 14 days of vacation a year for the first 10,400 hours or 5 years of service; vacation accruals increase at 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 20 years of service topping out at 26 days a year and 400 hours of vacation hours banked.
• Flexible Workweek/Telework Schedule:We support a work/life balance by offering compressed work (e.g., 9/80 or 4/10 workweek) and remote hybrid telework schedules for some positions subject to organizational needs and satisfactory performance.
• Annual Leave Redemption:After 14,560 hours of continuous service an employee may elect to "cash in" or redeem up to 80 hours of vacation accrued in the same year after using 80 hours of vacation in the preceding 12 months.
• Sick Leave:Full-time Regular employees accrue 3.08 hours of sick leave per pay period with an advance at hire of 40.04 hours which will be balanced at the completion of 13 bi-weekly pay periods.
• Deferred Compensation:Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3% match on your 401(k) contributions.
• Health Plans:Full-time employees are given a flexible credit allowance of up to $26,626.86 annually to offset the purchase of medical insurance for you and your dependents. Employee only - $463.99 per biweekly pay period; Employee plus one dependent - $834.32 per biweekly pay period; and Employee plus family - $1,024.11 per biweekly pay period.
• Flexible Spending Accounts:Choice of participation in the Flexible Spending Accounts which increases spending power through reimbursement of pre-tax dollars for IRS approved dependent care and health care expenses.
• Pension Plan:Both the County and employees contribute to the County's Retirement Plan and to Social Security. If eligible, reciprocity may be established with other public retirement systems such as PERS.
• Holidays:12 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.
• Additional Benefits:Tuition Reimbursement, Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance and Wellness Program.

The PUBLIC WORKS AGENCY, Engineering Services Department is responsible for a wide range of engineering services to clients within the County of Ventura organization and the public. The Department is comprised of three (3) divisions, Project Services, Land Development Services and the Surveyor's Office. Services include project and construction management for vertical projects, land development services, floodplain development permitting and land surveying services. The Land Development Services Division is responsible for the issuance of grading and floodplain development permits and associated inspections; geotechnical report review and approvals; enforcement of the Ventura County Grading Ordinance; Water Availability Letter Reviews, Water Will-Serve letter processing; flood hazard reviews and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) determinations; and flood acreage assessments for new subdivision and property improvements within the unincorporated county areas.

THE POSITION

Under general direction of an Engineering Manager, the Land Development Specialist (Staff/Services Specialist II) is responsible for inspecting/reviewing a variety of the most complex land development Public Works construction projects; supervises and reviews the work of inspectors and/or engineering technicians; performs specialty inspections; functions as a field office engineer; and performs other project support and related duties as required.

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Performs and/or oversees the Land Development permit application submittal processes including initial review for completeness and intake of fees for grading, flood hazard, water availability, water will serve, geotechnical, acreage assessment and complaints; evaluates projects for environmental triggers and floodplain ordinance requirements; and prepares discretionary grading permit staff reports and reviews memorandums for grading permit applications.
• Interprets & evaluates grading plans for Building Code compliance; reviews geotechnical reports; verifies recommendations are included in grading plans; prepares grading plan checklist and provides grading plan review comments; reviews related stormwater documents; prepares plan check review letter for applicant; and verifies environmental triggers and geologic hazards.
• Performs construction inspection for grading and floodplain projects; performs initial review of Change Order submittal; documents field inspections for grading, stormwater, floodplain and environmental mitigations.
• Plans, organizes and supervises the work of maintenance, custodial, technical or clerical support staff including participating in the selection and evaluation of staff, providing training and employee development, assigning work, evaluating outcomes and determining the most effective use of resources.
• Performs and/or oversees initial review and conditions for flood plain permits; reviews Elevation Certificates; prepares floodplain closure/completeness; verifies financial reconciliation prior to closing permit; performs inspections relating to Floodplain Development permit conditions and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Elevation Certificates; maintains good standing of Floodplain Manager Certification.
• Reviews and evaluates grading complaints for violations of Building Code; coordinates grading violations with other County and State agencies/departments; and determines violation abatement procedures and reconciles financial obligations.
• Provides liaison with representatives from other agencies/departments; answers inquiries from other staff, agencies/departments and members of the public; investigates and resolves problems related to the line operation's service.
• Reviews projects for CEQA compliance; develops conditions of approval; and attends meetings to discuss findings.
• Provides and/or oversees Public Records research; and documents customer inquiries including tracking of requests.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Staff/Services Specialist II is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and is eligible for overtime compensation. These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING and EXPERIENCE

Considerable progressively responsible operations, project or staff experience related to the reporting level, complexity of work performed and other requirements leading to the acquisition of knowledge, skills and abilities of the position.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Five (5) years of land development planning, construction inspection, floodplain management, construction trades, materials testing, field surveying and/or other directly related Public Works construction experience;
• Must possess and maintain a valid California driver's license;
• Ability to walk on rough or uneven surfaces and climb ladders on construction sites including above or below grade on falsework or in trenches; and withstand exposure to dust, noise, chemicals, gas, fumes, heights, and inclement weather or hazardous conditions requiring moderate to heavy physical activities;
• Ability to take soil and concrete samples which requires the use of a shovel;