Job Description--Land Use Planner

Job Description: Land Use Planner

Reports to: Executive Director

Salary Range: Depends on Experience

Type of Position: Full Time Exempt

Responsibilities:
The Senior Planner will help implement the organizational plan and work program of LandWatch Monterey County. Upon assignment by the Executive Director, the Senior Planner may carry out any of the following tasks:

• Research land use actions and trends to identify policies in support of and that work counter to the mission, goals, and objectives of LandWatch Monterey County.
  
  
• Assist with the drafting of a comprehensive, countywide land use agenda.
  
  
• Research and write issue papers, brochures, fact sheets, Op Ed pieces, newsletter articles and similar materials to educate elected officials, the public and the media on the need for comprehensive land use reform and related issues.
  
  
• Prepare staff reports and make presentations to the Board of Directors on specific projects, the LandWatch program, and overall strategy.
  
  
• Conduct education and coalition-building activities and help develop opportunities for partnerships that will create mutually beneficial relationships and educate diverse groups on the principles underlying sound land use policy.
  
  
• Work to create a broadly based, active, countywide coalition of interests and coordinate the work of coalition participants to develop and mobilize support of LandWatch’s land use reform activities.
  
  
• Work collaboratively with City and County representatives, governing boards and commissions to implement policies in support of LandWatch’s objectives.
  
  
• Provide technical assistance to LandWatch members on projects and policies, as directed by the Executive Director.
  
  
• Cultivate major donor prospects for LandWatch.
  
  
• Carry out other work as assigned by Executive Director.

Fundraising activities assigned to the Land Use Planner may include managing and cultivating a small group of major donor prospects. The fundraising responsibilities of the Land Use Planner will be overseen by the Deputy Director.

Desirable qualifications for the position include:

• Familiarity with a range of policy issues including transportation, housing, community development, air quality, water quality, water policy, natural resources, and land conservation.
  
  
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills including the ability to interact successfully with local officials, community leaders, board members, committees, staff, volunteers and the public, to organize and facilitate meetings and events, and to conduct negotiations, find common ground and develop consensus among disparate interests.
  
  
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to make public presentations to large and small groups, and research and draft policy papers and other documents, media and public education materials, opinion pieces, and articles.
  
  
• Fluency in both Spanish and English, and a strong familiarity with the Latin American community.
  
  
• A bachelor’s degree in a related field, plus at least five years of experience working for a public agency or nonprofit in a related field.

To apply for any of the positions available, please send a letter of interest, resume, and four to five page writing sample to:

Chris Fitz, Deputy Director
LandWatch Monterey County
Box 1876
Salinas, CA 93902
Telephone: 831-759-2824, Ext. 12
FAX: 831-759-2825

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06/05/01