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Environmental Programs Department
The Environmental Programs Group is responsible for environmental review of VTA’s capital projects, VTA’s Sustainability Program, and VTA’s Stormwater Management Program. Environmental review includes preparation of federal and state environmental documents; compliance with environmental laws and regulations; acquisition of regulatory agency permits; management of mitigation plans and programs; and coordination on a wide range of environmental topics. VTA’s Sustainability Program is responsible for reducing the consumption of natural resources and the generation of greenhouse gases in the provision of transportation services through utility management, transportation electrification, climate action planning, waste reduction, and education. VTA’s Stormwater Management Program is responsible for complying with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit known as MS4. The Program aims to reduce pollution of local creeks and the Bay through the implementation of best management practices in project design and construction, educational initiatives for staff and the public, and enhanced maintenance and sustainable landscaping.
What You'll Be Doing:
Definition
Environmental Planner II: Under supervision, an Environmental Planner II manages environmental studies and environmental compliance programs; and assists in the review of land development applications and documents for impact on transportation systems and/or facilities; and supports VTA's sustainability program.
Environmental Planner III: Under direction, an Environmental Planner III performs comprehensive environmental planning, analysis, and administrative duties for transportation projects and environmental compliance programs.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Environmental Planner II:
This is the journey level in the Environmental Planner class series. Positions at his level are expected to be conversant with relevant environmental laws, regulations, and guidelines in order to achieve compliance of transportation projects. Incumbents conduct environmental analysis of projects in concert with other staff and consultants and may have responsibility for management of the environmental phase of minor projects or for specific portions of larger projects. This classification reviews environmental documents and development applications received from cities/regional agencies for project impact on the transportation system and/or facilities.
Environmental Planner III:
This is the advanced journey level in the Environmental Planning series. Positions at this level work independently on the largest and most complex projects directing, reviewing, and coordinating the work of assigned project staff, consultants, and representatives of other public agencies in multi-disciplinary teams. Incumbents conduct environmental analyses of transportation projects and programs with minimal supervision and are expected to be conversant in and achieve compliance with relevant environmental laws, regulations, and guidelines.
Positions at this level require the use of initiative and judgment in resolving problems and recommending effective courses of action. This classification is distinguished from the Environmental Planner II classification in that positions in this class may act in a lead capacity over the work of lower level staff and consultants.
Salary
Depending on qualifications, this vacancy may be filled at the II or III level.
Environmental Planner II: $49.45 - $64.30 Hourly / $3,956.00 - $5,144.00 Biweekly / $102,856.10 - $133,743.90 Annually
Environmental Planner III: $53.95 - $70.15 Hourly / $4,316.00 - $5,612.00 Biweekly / $112,216.00 - $145,911.90 Annually
Typical Tasks
Environmental Planner II:
Environmental Planner III:
Minimum Qualifications:
Employment Standards
Environmental Planner II:
Development of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is most typically obtained through training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a four-year degree in environmental studies, natural or physical science, transportation or urban planning, or a related field, and one (1) year of experience in compliance or monitoring of environmental issues. (A Masters Degree in environmental, transportation, or urban planning or related discipline may be substituted for one year of the required experience).
Environmental Planner III:
Sufficient training, education, and experience to demonstrate possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Development of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is typically obtained through a combination of training and experience equivalent to a graduation from an accredited college or university with a four-year degree in environmental studies, natural or physical science, transportation or urban planning, or a related field, and four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in environmental planning, including preparing and processing environmental documents for compliance with federal, state, and local environmental laws, regulations, and guidelines; managing related environmental compliance and mitigation programs; and reviewing environmental documents and development applications for project impact on transportation systems and/or facilities. (A Masters Degree in transportation or urban planning or related discipline may be substituted for one year of the required experience).
Knowledge of:
Environmental Planner II:
Environmental Planner III:
Ability to:
Environmental Planner II:
Environmental Planner III:
The Department of Planning and Development is currently recruiting for one Senior Planner vacancy:
This Senior Planner will play a crucial role in reviewing complex professional-level tasks related to land use and planning laws, zoning, housing, discretionary entitlements with associated report writing for consideration by the County Zoning Administrator and/or Planning Commission, and the review of building permits and environmental analysis under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Senior Planner will also serve as the lead on assigned projects, which may include overseeing a number of programs (examples include: County General Plan & Housing Element, Surface Mining and Reclamation Act, Santa Clara Valley Ag Plan, and Habitat Plan) and works independently, assuming responsibility for more complex projects (such as Stanford master planning), and must be resourceful and responsive to specialized assignments from Executive Management or the Board of Supervisors. The Senior Planner may also be responsible for reviewing development and parcel maps/subdivision proposals, as well as building plans, and permits. The County will be embarking upon a comprehensive General Plan Update, and other various vision plans and may be expected to oversee and manage these efforts. The County also processes large and complex private development applications for large private institutional uses, new quarries, places of worship and agricultural processing campuses. A Senior Planner with areas of expertise related to long-range/comprehensive planning and/or major project development processing experience, coupled with strong CEQA experience is desired.
In addition to meeting the employment standards for a Senior Planner, candidates must possess in-depth knowledge and working experience in two (2) or more of the following areas:
Filing Period and Application Procedure
Final Filing Date: Open until filled. The recruitment may be extended or closed as early as 10 days after the issue date. You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and to monitor this site for updated closing information.
The first review of applications is tentatively scheduled for the week of August 04, 2025.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS POSITION, PLEASE CLICK THE JOB ANNOUCEMENT URL OR JOB PDF BELOW.