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Architecture & Construction
Landscape Architect
Santa Cruz, CA
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: Friday,, September 11,, 2026 To apply,, go drectly to:: www..santacruzcountyjobs..com County Equity Statement Equity in action in Santa Cruz County is a transformative process that embraces individuals of every status, providing unwavering support, dignity, and compassion. Through this commitment, the County ensures intentional opportunities and access, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive and belong.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Santa Cruz County Parks has two vacancies on their Park Planning team. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and energetic team dedicated to shaping the future of the County's 70 parks, coastal access points, and open spaces, spanning the majestic redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains to the dramatic cliffs and sandy beaches along the Pacific Ocean. Park Planners oversee planning studies and capital projects through all phases of development, from property acquisition through design and construction. This recruitment is open at levels II-IV of the Park Planner series, and candidates may be selected at any level based on their qualifications and the needs of the department. Please apply to the level(s) for which you wish to be considered. You may apply to multiple levels, but a separate application must be submitted for each level. Under direction, Park Planners oversee master plan development, planning, design, and construction projects for parks and recreation facilities; prepare grant applications, construction documents, and master plans; administer grant, design, and construction contracts; conduct park planning and acquisition studies; may serve as project leaders or technical specialists; and perform other related duties as required. Park Planner II is the journey level in the park planner series. Incumbents independently perform professional planning assignments with limited supervision. This class differs from the Park Planner I in that it is responsible for design and management of assigned projects. Incumbents may provide assistance to lower level park planners and may make presentations to internal and community groups as well as decision-making authorities. Park Planner III is the senior or advanced journey level in the park planner series. Incumbents use independent judgment to perform diverse, complex assignments, which require extensive coordination with other land use agencies, County departments, other agencies and public groups. Additionally incumbents are required to make presentations to the public, the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors. This class is distinguished from the lower level park planners and handles controversial and technically complex assignments. Incumbents may serve as project leader on multi-faceted programs or planning efforts. Park Planner IV is the department resource and specific subject area expert in the park planner series. This level requires possession of a valid design license or certificate of registration as an architect, civil engineer and/or landscape architect from the State of California. Incumbents are expected to perform any field or office assignment with a minimum amount of supervision and work under general direction as a project manager in charge of a small group of subordinate park planners and/or paraprofessional staff, public study groups or planning staff engaged in a wide variety of responsible park development work and other major projects. Park Planner IV may also review and approve complex plans and specifications prepared by lower level park planners to assure conformity to State and/or County design criteria and standards. The Park Planner IV class differs from the higher class of Park Planning and Development Manager, who is at a full supervisory level and responsible for the design section of the Department.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
View the knowledge and abilities required for each job classification here: https://www.jobapscloud.com/SCRUZ/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?
ClassNumber=
GW2 THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The successful candidate is a collaborative and technically capable park planning professional who brings projects from concept through implementation.
They will bring:
A strategic mindset that balances community needs, environmental considerations, regulatory requirements, funding opportunities, and practical construction realities. Skilled experience in park planning, design, development, or related public-sector work. Exceptional analytical skills when researching complex issues, evaluating alternatives, interpreting regulations, and developing recommendations. The ability to work effectively with County departments, public agencies, consultants, community members, and stakeholders. A commitment to public service, with a passion for creating high-quality parks and recreation spaces while being a responsible steward of public resources.
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:
Park Planner II:
One year of professional park planning experience equivalent to a Park Planner I at Santa Cruz County.
Park Planner III:
One year of experience that is equivalent to a Park Planner II at Santa Cruz County. OR Two years of experience in landscape architecture or closely related professional experience with a Bachelor's Degree in parks planning, architecture, civil engineering, landscape architecture or related field.
Park Planner IV:
One year of park planning experience equivalent to a Park Planner III at Santa Cruz County. (Additional for Park Planner IV). Possession of a valid design license or certificate of registration as an architect, civil engineer and/or landscape architect from the State of California.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
LICENSE/CERTIFICATE:
Possession of valid California class C driver license, or the ability to provide suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority
THE EXAMINATION
Your application and supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed to determine if you have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job announcement. If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and experience as described on your application and supplemental questionnaire. You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental questionnaire. If during those six months it is necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to remain on the eligible list.
THE COMMUNITY
Stunning Santa Cruz County has approximately 270,000 residents and is situated in the northern area of Monterey Bay, 70 miles south of San Francisco and 35 miles southwest of the Silicon Valley. The County's natural beauty is apparent in its pristine beaches, lush redwood forests, and rich farmland. The County enjoys an ideal Mediterranean climate with low humidity and approximately 300 days of sunshine a year. The area's unique shops and restaurants, coupled with a multitude of cultural and recreational activities, including theatre, music, art as well as golfing, surfing, hiking, and biking, offer a wealth of leisure activities. There are numerous local higher education institutions including Cabrillo College and the University of California, Santa Cruz, with two additional State Universities less than an hour away. These elements make Santa Cruz County a great place to live, work, and play!
HOW TO APPLY
Apply online at www.santacruzcountyjobs.com or mail/bring an application and supplemental questionnaire to: Santa Cruz County Human Resources Department, 701 Ocean Street, Suite 510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For information, please call (831) 454-2600.
Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY:
711. Applications will meet the final filing date if received: 1) in the Human Resources Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date. Women, people of color and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. If you have a disability that requires test accommodation, please call (831) 454-2600. To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S. Some positions may require Fingerprinting and/or Background Investigation.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS
The supplemental questions are designed specifically for this recruitment. Applications received without the required supplemental information will be screened out of the selection process. Employment experiences referred to in your response must also be included in the Employment History section of the application. Supplemental questions are cumulative by level: Park Planner II (Q1-2), III (Q1-3), and IV (Q1-4).
Note:
Please answer the questions below as completely and thoroughly as possible, as your answers may be used to assess your qualifications for moving to the next step in the recruitment process. 1. Describe in detail your experience with park planning and design and the development and implementation of master plans and improvement plans for parks and open spaces. Include any experience with natural resource management. Please be specific about your role, the process you used, and the outcome of your efforts. 2. Describe a park planning or development project in which you collected and analyzed data or other technical information to develop or support a recommendation. What information did you evaluate, and how did your analysis inform the recommendation or outcome? 3. Describe a park planning, development, design, or construction project in which you coordinated with multiple stakeholders. Who did you coordinate with, what was your role, and how did you address differing needs or project requirements? 4. Provide an example of a major park planning, design, development, or capital project in which you served as a project manager, technical lead, or subject matter expert. Describe your role in detail, including how you navigated conflicts or solved problems, and how you managed competing priorities and deadlines to successfully complete the project.
HIGHLIGHTED BENEFIT OFFERINGS
Medical, Dental, and Vision Medical coverage is available through CALPERS with the County paying a majority portion of the cost for the employee and dependents. Depending on the dental plan, the County may cover the cost of employee and eligible dependents. The County pays for the cost of an employee vision plan and the employee may purchase dependent coverage. Retirement and Social Security Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average compensation of three years. County participates in Social Security. Life Insurance County paid $20,000 term life insurance policy. Employees may purchase additional life insurance. Paid Leave Twenty-two days the first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years of service. Available for vacation and/or sick leave. The County observes 14 paid holidays per year.
Note:
Provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.
