Associate Capital and Space Planner

HOW TO APPLY

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 10-20-2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Physical Planning, Development & Operations (PPDO) manages and oversees all University activities and services related to physical and environmental planning, design and construction, engineering, physical plant maintenance and operations, capital and space planning, space management, and the associated business services necessary to support these functions. The University's main campus is spread across more than 2,000 acres and includes over 500 buildings comprising more than 8 million square feet. The department oversees operating budgets of over $60 million, manages a project portfolio of approximately $990 million, and employs over 400 full-time staff to carry forth the duties necessary for campus development and operation.

More information can be found at: https://ppdo.ucsc.edu/campus-planning/capital-and-space-planning/

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Principal Capital and Space Planner, the Associate Capital and Space Planner provides support and planning services that guide the physical development of the campus, and assists in the strategic development and improvement of buildings and space to support UCSC's mission of research, teaching, and public service. The Associate Capital and Space Planner leads and supports reports and analyses of campus capital and space needs in an effort to ensure efficient use of campus funds and space. The incumbent works with campus leadership and clients to provide in-depth project programming, space utilization, and space visioning studies for all campus areas using a variety of planning tools: metrics, conceptual space plans, and test fit diagrams, and coordinates with campus technical experts on capital and space matters, such as the re-use of space.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $105,000.00/year - $115,000/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 007083 (PLNG SPEC 3) - Grade 23

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

50% - Capital Planning

• Provides capital planning services to campus clients, including financial strategy development and assistance in the budget process.
• Develops schematic space plan layouts and test fit diagrams related to capital projects.
• Works directly with campus partners to conduct preliminary feasibility tests related to capital projects.
• Prepares associated presentation and budget approval documents for distribution to campus stakeholders, leadership, and the UC Office of the President as necessary.
• Drives clients around campus in a University vehicle to visit job sites.

30% - Space Planning & Analysis

• Provides analytics in support of space and capital planning, and program requirements for long-term plans and capital projects.
• Configures and manages multiple large-scale data sets and utilizes campus-specific databases to gather and analyze information.
• Utilizes Google, Microsoft, AutoCAD, and other software systems.
• Prepares accurate, data-centric, written, and graphic reports and presentations for internal analysis, campus stakeholders, leadership, and the UC Office of the President using Google/Microsoft products and AutoCAD-type graphical software.

10% - Process Improvement

• Applies University policy to space and capital matters.
• Assists in managing and improving the organization and administrative office activities.
• Initiates and implements updates and improvements to office processes.

10% - Staffing

• Provides staffing to various University-wide and campus-wide committees, including consulting on space and building matters.
• Provides meeting support and prepares background materials as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area* and / or equivalent experience / training**
  • *Architecture, Urban/Regional Planning, Interior Design, Engineering, Public Policy, Public Administration, Business Administration, Facilities Management
  • **4 years of equivalent education, experience, training, or a combination of education and relevant professional experience in related areas.
• Demonstrated experience in capital planning, space planning, or other similar planning fields.
• Working knowledge and skill in architecture, construction management, or facilities management, with the ability to read and understand floor plans, program documents, and project budgets.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills sufficient to identify needs, conduct research, and develop innovative proposals and solutions.
• Demonstrated experience and skill in using analysis to draw systematic and rational conclusions from data.
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to prepare succinct correspondence, documents, and reports.
• Strong political acumen, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to deliver quality customer/client service, develop and maintain working relationships with clients, prepare and deliver presentations, communicate with University leadership, and resolve or negotiate sensitive planning issues.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to establish priorities and manage multiple activities to meet unit, campus, and University deadlines, and to work under pressure in a busy office with frequent interruptions, changing priorities, and short deadlines.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex policies, rules and regulations, procedures, and processes, including distilling and explaining complex issues in a concise manner in written, graphic, and verbal format.
• Demonstrated advanced experience using various computer programs to communicate ideas and produce technically accurate and easy-to-grasp presentation materials, including familiarity with Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Forms, with the ability and willingness to learn graphical software or programs (such as AutoCAD and ArcGIS) and other enterprise systems for the built environment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in a related area (i.e., Architecture, Interior Design, Urban/Regional Planning, Public Policy, Public Administration, etc.)
• Experience working with University planning manuals and a planning organization, including its operations, short and long-range development plans, infrastructure, current, ongoing, and proposed design and construction plans, and architectural history.
• Demonstrated ability to work with outside consultants and other project stakeholders such as UC Office of the President, Budget, and
  Physical Planning Development and Operations to ensure the University's goals are satisfied.
• Experience working in a higher education setting.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California and participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) pull notice program.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work a hybrid work schedule and must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.