Regional Land Use Planner, Sonoran Institute

Regional Land Use PlannerSonoran Institute 

POSITION SPECIFICSStatus:   Full-Time Location: Morongo Basin Area, California Closing Date: Open Until Filled Salary Range:  $60,000 - $75,000 DOE & Excellent Benefit Package

POSITION SUMMARYThe Regional Land Use Planner will work in the Morongo Basin area of Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley with the Open Space Group to provide technical assistance in conservation and land use planning. The Open Space Group includes federal land management agencies, state agencies, local municipalities, and nonprofits citizens groups, all working collectively to protect open space.  The planner will help facilitate meetings and provide technical assistance for accomplishing an "open space" work plan that reflects mutual goals for conservation and land use planning in the region in support of open space protection.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES REQUIRED• Demonstrated experience working with local officials, interested citizens, non-governmental organizations, and federal agencies in a public process. • Demonstrated experience in comprehensive plan development and the design and administration of land use regulations. • Previous experience in conducting and/or supervising a wide range of technical analyses and studies, socioeconomic profiles, build out and other land use studies, cost of services studies, and natural resource mapping and analysis, including the development of Land Evaluation and Site Assessment  systems. Experience with Habitat Conservation Plans a plus. • Proven ability to design and manage inclusive public planning processes, including visioning and policy development. • Experience in integrating planning for both public and private lands with an emphasis on conservation values. • Familiarity with linkages between effective land use planning and economic development strategies. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. • Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office word processing and spreadsheet applications as well as PowerPoint. • Familiarity with the application of GIS technology, GIS capabilities a plus. • Experience in working in Western communities with diverse constituencies. • Ability to travel by car locally and regionally. • Ability to work and communicate collaboratively in a team environment for a nonprofit organization that supports community-based conservation.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS Advanced degree or equivalent experience in community planning or a related field and five to seven years of increasingly responsible experience in community-based planning, preferably with a focus on regional or multijurisdictional planning; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities. AICP certification is highly desirable.

APPLICATION PROCESS Please send cover letter, resume, and application to the address noted below.  Applications can be found on our website at www.sonoran.org. 

Sonoran Institute, Human Resources, 7650 E. Broadway Blvd., Suite 203, Tucson, AZ  85710 Fax:  520.290.0969 Email: carla@sonoran.org