Host: County of Ventura, Resource Management Agency, Planning Division
Region: Central California
Openings: 2
Project Focus: Affordable Housing, Climate Adaptation, Climate Mitigation, Ecosystem / Habitat Conservation, Energy Efficiency, Infrastructure Development, including Broadband, Renewable Energy, Urban Planning, Water Policy, Policy Planning
Skills Needed: Project Management, Research, Data Analysis, Data Collection, Critical Thinking, Self-Motivated

Service Needs & Plans

Ventura County adopted its General Plan in 2020, its Housing Element in 2021, and enacted a comprehensive revision to its Local Coastal Program to protect coastal environmentally sensitive habitat areas in 2022. There are hundreds of policies and programs included in the General Plan and Local Coastal Program addressing complex issues facing our County such as environmental justice, climate resilience, greenhouse gas reduction, energy and water resources, agricultural land conservation, protection of coastal resources/wildlife connectivity, and others. The County requests three Fellows to contribute to projects within all three policy sections of the County’s Planning Division.

Project Description

The Fellows will assist the Planning Division with the projects summarized below. Generally, these projects support the County’s efforts to effectively implement its General Plan, which includes policies that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, conduct robust public participation, protect natural resources, increase affordable housing development and conserve agricultural lands.

One Fellow will support the General Plan Implementation Section with the following projects:

1. Update County guidelines used to comply with the State’s California Environmental Quality Act and to identify potential environmental impacts of proposed development projects.

2. Develop alternative energy programs including green building techniques and energy efficiency incentive programs.

3. Update zoning ordinance policies related to oil and gas operations.

4. Conduct public engagement efforts (e.g., workshops, stakeholder meetings, website updates) for the implementation of various General Plan programs including, but not limited to, the energy programs, and designating Disadvantaged Communities.

5. Update zoning ordinance to allow for alternative fuels production in the industrial zone.

6. Assist with preparation of County-Initiated General Plan amendments and new web-based reports showing compliance with General Plan programs, including those related to climate action.

One Fellow will support the Area Plan and Resource Section with the following projects:

1. Facilitate the development and implementation of one or more of the following new Coastal Programs:

a. In-Lieu Fee Habitat Mitigation Program and Fee Adjustment Study

b. County-State Parks Mitigation Program for Coastal Sensitive Habitats

c. Interagency Coordination for developing Pesticide Reduction and Prohibition Regulations for the Santa Monica Mountains Region

d. Interjurisdictional Beach Management Plan for Hollywood and Silverstrand Beaches; and Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area Public Brochures for Fuel Modification, Pesticide Use, Dark Skies Outdoor Lighting, Predator Safe Enclosures in Wildlife Interface, etc.

2. Develop materials for planners and applicants related to the recently adopted regulations for environmentally sensitive habitat areas and wildlife corridors that can include the following:

a. Guidance document for determining the least damaging environmental alternative in the Coastal Zone

b. Applicant and planner checklists for development requirements associated with environmentally sensitive habitats

c.Templates and guidance documents for required on-site biological assessments, restoration plans, and vegetation management plans in fuel modification zones that retain sensitive vegetation

d. Forms for the evaluation of the suitability of proposed off-site mitigation areas; and other required post-adoption materials as needed or of interest to fellow.

3. Support and help facilitate trainings for planners and consulting biologists on newly adopted requirements for the inventory and regulation of biological resources.

4. Develop new identification guide for biologists Ventura County’s Locally Important Species. Please visit https://vcrma.org/en/ventura-county-locally-important-species-list

5. Attend local and regional meetings to learn about natural resource issues and projects.

One Fellow will support the Housing and State Mandates Section with the following projects related to the implementation of the County’s 2021-2029 Housing Element, which may include outreach and program implementation components:

1. Develop public information materials and homeowner tools for affordable housing, such as Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units in the Coastal areas, special needs housing, etc.

2. Analyze data and research projects to prepare the state-mandated annual progress report for the State Office of Planning and Research (OPR), and State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)

3. Conduct review of new state legislation and development of information materials for the public, Planning Division, and other agencies

4. Develop a possible application for the State’s prohousing designation, which would make the County eligible for state incentives and accelerated housing production

5. Coordinate a countywide forum of stakeholders, agencies, and utility service providers to discuss policies impacting infrastructure necessary for housing development.

Desired Skills

The ideal Fellows will be skilled in research methods, technical writing, and be critical thinkers who are comfortable interacting with and assisting the public. Project management skills are also desirable. Fellows will also possess a strong ability to synthesize and summarize technical information for the public and decision-makers and feel comfortable working both as a team member and independently. They ideally must be comfortable with a dynamic work environment where priorities can change daily. Experience with, knowledge of, and an interest in climate action programs, natural resource protection, housing, environmental justice, and resilient development are desired. It is anticipated that some portion of community engagement may be bilingual (English/Spanish) and ability to speak Spanish is a plus. The ability to use GIS software and database management skills is also a plus, and experience using the Microsoft Office suite (i.e., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) is critical.

Organization & Community Highlights

The County of Ventura is the second largest employer in the county with more than 8,000 employees in 26 agencies and departments. The Fellows will be serving in the Resource Management Agency’s Planning Division, which provides land use and planning services within unincorporated County areas. In addition to reviewing, updating, and maintaining the County’s Zoning Ordinances to be consistent with State law and County policy, the Housing and State Mandates Section and the Area Plans and Resources Section are also tasked respectively with implementing housing related programs in the County’s 2021-2029 Housing Element, and updating and maintaining the County’s Area Plans. The General Plan includes programs that focus on environmental justice and equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as prioritizing public engagement, infrastructure improvement, and climate resilience in disadvantaged communities.

The Planning Division has been recognized by the American Planning Association (APA) for projects that reflect the workplace culture and environment fostered by the Planning Division and the hard work of CivicSpark fellows and staff that contributed to the success of those projects.

Those award-winning projects include the following:
1.Ventura County 2040 General Plan (Available at: Ventura County General Plan (vcrma.org))
2.Ventura County Electronic-General Plan (Available at: Ventura County Electronic-General Plan (vcrma.org))
3.Ojai Valley Dark Sky Ordinance (Available at: Planning Division Ordinances (vcrma.org)) (See Section 8109-4.7 of the Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance).
The Division provides a supportive environment with a strong foundation for mentoring Fellows, encouraging Fellows to lead projects through initial project development, implementation, problem-solving, and reporting. Additionally, Fellows will have first-hand experience working in a professional, fast-paced environment where adaptability and flexibility are critical to managing frequently changing project priorities. Fellows will also gain skills in project management, policy research, technical writing, and public speaking, working both independently and in a team setting. Fellows will be mentored and given tools to highlight their developed skills in interviews and on resumes through practice interviews and professional support when deciding next steps.
Ventura County is situated along the California coast between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. The population is approximately 850,000, yet many of the cities within the county retain a small-town feel. Ventura County is the gateway to the Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary, and is close to the Los Padres National Forest and the Santa Monica Mountains.

Remote or On-Site Placement

Hybrid or On-site preferred, Remote possible