Senior Planner

Job Description:

Senior Planner

Description

CAREER DESCRIPTION

SENIOR PLANNER

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

This recruitment is open to the public and is being held to establish an Open eligible list to fill current and future Senior Planner vacancies within OC Waste & Recycling. The eligible list established from this recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange

This recruitment will open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will close on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 11:59 PM (PT). Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

THE DEPARTMENT
OC Waste & Recycling(OCWR)is an organization dedicated to providing waste management services, protecting the environment, and promoting resource recovery in order to preserve the life of our landfills and ensure a safe and healthy community for current and future generations. OCWR operates three active regional landfills (North, Central, South), four household hazardous waste collection centers, material recovery (metal and mattresses), three compost facilities, monitors 20 closed landfills, and administers municipal solid waste collection, recycling, and planning for County unincorporated areas. OCWR is a nationally renowned waste management department responsible for a network of sanitary landfills and is committed to its exceptional record of regulatory compliance and excellence.

THE OPPORTUNITY
OCWR is seeking a forward-thinking individual with strong communication skills to support the Compliance Support Division’s California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Habitat Section. This position is primarily main responsible for ensuring CEQA compliance for OCWR projects.

Job duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Analyze proposed projects and prepare initial studies (IS) to determine the appropriate level of environmental review in compliance with CEQA guidelines and County CEQA procedures manual
• Research, compile, and analyze environmental data; develop recommendations related to CEQA documents
• Prepare Notices of Exemption, IS, Addendums, Negative Declarations (ND) and Mitigated Negative Declarations (MND) pursuant to CEQA
• Manage CEQA consultants in the preparation of specialized studies (e.g. air quality impact) and Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs)
• Review and prepare comments on CEQA documents and specialized studies to ensure compliance with CEQA documents
• Advise OCWR staff and County Counsel (COCO) regarding CEQA procedures, standards, and regulatory requirements
• Lead and participate in project meetings with consultants and/or internally with OCWR staff on CEQA projects, including providing yearly training on CEQA-related matters
• Develop and oversee Mitigation, Monitoring and Reporting Programs (MMRP) for OCWR projects
• Maintain OCWR CEQA data and project documentation
• Support public outreach efforts related to CEQA and educate the community about environmental issues and regulations
• Review of agenda staff reports (ASRs) for CEQA compliance language and recommended actions
• Assist with development and review of Requests for Proposals (RFP), Scope of Work (SOP), Vendor Fee Schedules, Notices to Proceed (NTP) for CEQA consultant services
• Review and approve payment requests by consultants in County applications such as Expeditor
• Review and determine available budgets for Qualified Vendor List (QVL) consultants for proposed projects

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will have the required minimum of four (4) years or more of progressively responsible planning experience with two (2) years of experience in CEQA compliance analysis and environmental planning and will possess a bachelor’s degree in urban or regional planning, environmental studies, or related field from an accredited college or university. A master’s degree in any of these fields can substitute for one of the four (4) years of experience

The successful candidate will be experienced in providing leadership and direction to staff to ensure delivery of efficient, high-quality services specific to current planning projects

In addition, the ideal candidate will also demonstrate extensive knowledge, skills, and functional expertise in t the following core competencies:

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws, County ordinances, and codes related to planning and development projects
• Knowledge in the theory, principles and techniques of the planning profession and development process to properly implement zoning, grading, building and development related regulations
• Ability to interpret and apply County of Orange codified ordinances, and applicable state codes and regulations
• Knowledge in the principles and practices of regional, county and city planning principles and techniques of the planning profession
• Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint)
• Understanding of the physical, social, technical and economic implications involved in regional, county, city and environmental planning

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION & COLLABORATION

• Present complex information in a clear, logical and concise manner both orally and in writing
• Build effective working relationships with various governmental organizations, review boards, engineers, inspection teams, developers and other stakeholders
• Manage conflict professionally and diplomatically
• Prepare clear, accurate, and grammatically correct written materials, including reports, public notices and correspondence

ANALYTICAL & ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS

• Analyze data, conduct research, and draw conclusions, to make appropriate recommendations to accomplish business objectives
• Manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines
• Organize and prioritize job duties and tasks effectively

LEADERSHIP

• Provide training and technical guidance to OCWR project engineers, project managers and administrative staff
• Promote collaboration and accountability with staff, partners, and the public to support successful project outcomes

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Click here to view the complete classification description, minimum qualifications, and working conditions for Senior Planner.

LICENSE REQUIREMENT
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License to carry out the essential functions of the job.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum and/or desirable qualifications. After screening, applicants who meet the minimum and/or desirable qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process.
Structured Oral Interview | SOI (Weighted 100%) Candidates will be interviewed and rated by a qualification appraisal panel of job knowledge experts. Each candidate's rating will be based on responses to a series of questions designed to elicit the candidate's qualifications for the job. Only the most successful candidates will be placed on to the eligible list.

Eligible List
Once the assessment has 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.

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 procedures.
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 (Download PDF reader) to review the policy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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.

Questions?

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact John Duckson at 714-834-4655 or by email at [email protected]

EEO INFORMATION

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

Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan 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

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

Closing Date/Time: 2/18/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$99,944.00 - $134,700.80 Annually