Jacob Lutz
Corralitos,CA
Summary
Emerging Policy Planner with a strong background in housing related projects. Compiles, analyzes and models information from diverse sources to build data-driven resource base for effective planning. Well-versed in Santa Cruz County trends and needs. Currently developing my skills as a policy planner by analyzing local policies, state laws, and leading new projects in Santa Cruz County. Experience in this position involves GIS, state law analysis, local code review, ordinance development, and public speaking. and analysis of spatial data from a variety of drone camera sensors. Looking to establish myself in city planning by further advancing my knowledge and expertise in city planning, policy development, and GIS analysis. My undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and GIS has laid a firm foundation for my career path and aspirations.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Policy Planner
County of Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
01.2024 - Current
- Reviewed existing policies, procedures, and regulations to ensure compliance with organizational objectives.
- Identified potential problems and created solutions to mitigate risks associated with projects.
- Conducted research on new methods of planning and implementation techniques.
- Created detailed staff reports outlining current status of projects and identified areas for improvement or optimization for elected officials.
- Developed communication strategies to keep stakeholders informed of progress throughout the lifecycle of projects.
- Drafted and performed presentations to commission bodies presenting new ordinances.
Drone Pilot and Technician
CITRIS Initiative for Drone Education and Research
Santa Cruz, CA
08.2023 - 12.2023
- Conduct drone surveys through three sensor types: Red, Green, Blue (RGB), multispectral, and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data of the landscapes.
- Drone surveys conducted in remote California State Parks.
- Conduct in-depth pre- and post-flight checks for safety and operational compliance.
- Maintained proficiency in field to maximize personnel and airspace safety.
- Increasing GIS skills through the input and compiling of data gathered from various drone sensors.
- Processing and analysis of large amounts of drone data.
- Development of maps, datasets, and reports for the California State Parks.
- Frequent interaction and involvement with the public answering questions about our drone surveys.
Office Assistant I
County of Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
06.2023 - 08.2023
- Head data and GIS analyst for the Policy division in Community Development and Infrastructure (CDI).
- Assisted in Santa Cruz County's 6th cycle draft Housing Element.
- Helped facilitate public outreach for robust public involvement and consolidated public comments on the draft Housing Element.
- Developed results of our interactive mapping tool I helped create. Created a statistical report of the public's responses to where and what kind of housing they would like to see in Santa Cruz County in the next 8 years.
- Led the housing site inventory station for our department's public community open house meeting for the release of our draft Housing Element.
- Assist other related divisions with many different data and GIS analysis needs.
- Researched constraints to development and prepared maps of housing sites for the 6th Cycle Housing Element using GIS tools.
Policy Intern
County of Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
01.2023 - 06.2023
- Data collection and researcher for updating the Housing Element for the county's General Plan.
- GIS analyst for the Policy division of the Planning Division.
- Took over management of the Housing Site Inventory project for our county's Housing Element.
- Website development and editing.
- Community outreach.
- Assistance in drafting the Housing Element document which is sent to the Government of California.
Assistant Farm Manager
Jammera Ventures LLC
Scotts Valley, CA
08.2020 - Current
- Irrigation system deployment
- Farm equipment repair and maintenance
- Oversee crop harvesting.
Drone Pilot Training Program Cohort
CITRIS Initiative for Drone Education and Research
Santa Cruz, CA
01.2023 - 06.2023
- Paid apprenticeship learning aerospace safety and efficiency.
- Exploring basic principles and practices in aerospace and engineering.
- Developing flight skills through hands on instruction from Part 107 certified pilots.
- Create mission plans through DroneDeploy and Google Earth.
- Apply drones to the development of projects through research and cinematography.
- Experience flying various drone models in both autonomous and manual flights.
Warehouse Associate
LNPG
Scotts Valley, CA
05.2016 - 08.2020
- Product stocking and sorting
- Inventory management
- Customer invoice fulfillment and shipping.
Research Farm Assistant
Plant Sciences Inc
Watsonville, CA
12.2019 - 03.2020
- Worked on field research station, assisting in irrigation installs for agricultural science test plots.
Plant Sampler
Plant Sciences Inc
Watsonville, CA
05.2019 - 09.2019
- Assisted the caneberry breeding manager in data collection and the day to day activities associated with plant breeding
- Led sampling projects in remote locations
- Commuted daily to the Central Valley
- Monitored pesticide levels, pest infestation, and collected this data
- Sampled plant health for diseases.
Assistant, Basketball Coach
High School Boys
Abraham's, Aptos, CA
10.2018 - 01.2019
- Assisted head coach who carried primary responsibility
- Filled in as head coach when needed, for multiple games and practices
- Higher level of skill development with high school boys than middle school girls team
- More challenging discipline.
Head, Basketball Coach
Middle School Girls, Abraham's
Aptos, CA
08.2018 - 10.2018
- Had sole responsibility for practice, skill training, discipline, and all management related to the team
- Communication and interaction with coaches from other teams, referees, parents, and team members.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Environmental Studies, Geographic Information Systems
University of California
06.2023
Associate of Science - Health Science, Liberal Arts
Cabrillo College
05.2021
High School Diploma -
St. Abraham's Classical Christian Academy
05.2018
Skills
- Database management
- Part 107 certified drone pilot
- ESRI Certified
- Oversee operations
- Collaborative and leadership skills
- Public speaking
- Writing and reports
- Land Use Planning
- Data collection
- Knowledgeable in Excel, Word, JMP, Python, QGIS, and ArcGIS
- Independent learner
- Excellent people skills and interaction
- First Aid/CPR
Timeline
Policy Planner
County of Santa Cruz
01.2024 - Current
Drone Pilot and Technician
CITRIS Initiative for Drone Education and Research
08.2023 - 12.2023
Office Assistant I
County of Santa Cruz
06.2023 - 08.2023
Policy Intern
County of Santa Cruz
01.2023 - 06.2023
Drone Pilot Training Program Cohort
CITRIS Initiative for Drone Education and Research
01.2023 - 06.2023
Assistant Farm Manager
Jammera Ventures LLC
08.2020 - Current
Research Farm Assistant
Plant Sciences Inc
12.2019 - 03.2020
Plant Sampler
Plant Sciences Inc
05.2019 - 09.2019
Assistant, Basketball Coach
High School Boys
10.2018 - 01.2019
Head, Basketball Coach
Middle School Girls, Abraham's
08.2018 - 10.2018
Warehouse Associate
LNPG
05.2016 - 08.2020
Bachelor of Arts - Environmental Studies, Geographic Information Systems
University of California
Associate of Science - Health Science, Liberal Arts
Cabrillo College
High School Diploma -
St. Abraham's Classical Christian Academy
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