Planner III

The Position

The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.

Why join the City of Oakland Planning & Building Department?
The Development Planning and Zoning divisions process current planning entitlements. We process multiple design review, conditional use permits, variances and subdivisions, both at a staff level and before Planning Commission. Most of the zoning cases can utilize CEQA exemptions but sometimes more complex CEQA review is required. While zoning staff generally do not work the permit center, they will be expected to review applications for new zoning cases using Teams for live intake appointments. The Development Planning Division processes larger and more complex entitlement applications, typically requiring complex CEQA analysis, interdepartmental coordination and review, and discretionary action. Both divisions work dynamically to move high-quality housing, commercial and neighborhood development forward to serve the community.
The Strategic Planning Division works on a variety of projects and policy change. The Division is starting on updating its Land Use and Transportation Element; Open Space, Conservation, and Recreation Element; Nosie Element, as well as a new Infrastructure Element. Planning and Zoning Code Amendments will accompany changes to implement these Elements. The Division continues to work on implementing many actions from the City’s recently adopted Housing, Environmental Justice, and Safety Elements. All of these updates are making major policy changes to allow for more housing in Oakland and looking at providing 15 minute neighborhoods that provide a variety of land uses for residents to easily access. Other types of projects currently in progress include Objective Design Standards and regulations for Short-Term Rentals.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Knowledgeable about land use planning law in California
• Knowledgeable about CEQA and how it relates to entitlement review
• Able to coordinate work with departments with differing objectives and roles
• Able to work in a high-stress, fast-paced environment
• Able to formulate independent judgement related to zoning entitlement review, with backup as needed
• Able to communicate with the public on the phone, email, and through community engagement meetings.
• Able to do research on best practices and formulate recommendations based on the research.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Performing research and analysis pertaining to General Plan, neighborhood plans, and special projects.
• Processing planning permits, environmental review applications, subdivision modifications, and plan check modifications/additions/alterations to structures.
• Monitoring the preparation of environmental impact studies, work with consultants in the preparation of Environmental Impact Reports.
• Providing direction to the zoning staff, who advises property owners, developers, and the public about zoning and subdivision ordinances.
• Consulting with other City departments, community organizations, and public agencies regarding their interest in zoning, subdivision, and general plan development.
• Making presentations to the City staff, neighborhood groups and professional organizations.
• Providing information and assistance on projects to developers, property owners, and the general public regarding laws, policies, regulations, standards, and planning procedures.
• Handling complaints and answering question from the public regarding planning and zoning.
• Providing lead direction to or scheduling, assigning, supervising, and evaluating assigned staff.

Read the complete job description by clicking the link below.
Planner III

*Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!
Working for the City of Oakland

A few reasons you might love this job:

• Good camaraderie amongst staff in the Bureau of Planning. People share knowledge and help one another. Seasoned staff mentor and support newer staff.
• This is a good place to grow. It’s tough and challenging but you will be exposed to a lot of complex conditions and experiences in Oakland that you might not ever experience in a smaller and less diverse jurisdiction.
• Being able to work on policy changes that can positively affect the growth of the City of Oakland by creating an equitable and just city.
• Zoning is rewarding in that you see proposals that you analyzed developed.
• Zoning is a good mixture of newer staff with new ideas and goals leavened with a core of seasoned veterans who know process and historical context.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Working with the public can sometimes be difficult
• Working in a political environment within a bureaucracy
• Not all processes are well documented
• Demanding workload due to current vacancies which the city is actively working to fill

Competencies Required:

• Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims.
• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
• Informing: Proactively obtaining and sharing information
• Presentation Skill: Formally delivering information to groups
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals

Minimum Requirements for Application

This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City employees who meet the minimum qualifications. The open list will be for all other applicants who meet the minimum qualifications.

Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications is acceptable.

Education:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in planning, architecture, landscape architecture, urban studies, geography, or a related field. A Master's degree from an accredited college or university in city or urban planning may be substituted for one year of experience.

Experience:
Four years of progressively responsible urban planning experience.

License or Certificate / Other Requirements
Successful incumbents in this position are expected to operate automotive vehicles in the performance of assigned duties. Due to the nature of the assignment and the hours worked, public transportation may not be a cost effective or efficient method for traveling to the various locations required. Individuals who are appointed to this position will be required to maintain a valid California Driver’s License throughout the tenure of employment OR demonstrate the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as required in the performance of duties.
Desirable Qualifications:
CEQA experience.
Knowledge of land use planning practices, particularly entitlement review.
Knowledge of state subdivision regulations.
American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification.

Supplemental Information

The Recruitment Process:

The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and Human Resources staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the “minimum qualifications” listed for each position.

Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.

Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.

In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.

For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be sent a writing exercise, which will then be evaluated and rated by subject matter experts. The tentative date that the writing exercise will be sent to you for completion is the week of August 5, 2024.

Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you’re applying to a “restricted” posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass.

The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

What’s in it for you?

• Work/Life Balance: 37.5 hour work weeks, and a flexible/hybrid remote schedule
• 15 paid holidays
• Vacation - 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
• Retirement - CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
• Health - The City of Oakland pays for the cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care and other HMO and PPO plans
• Dental - The City of Oakland pays for Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Vision - The City of Oakland pays for VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Sick leave - Employees accrue 12 days per year
• Deferred Compensation - 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
• Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Employee Training, & possible Telecommuting.

Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.

Disaster Service Workers
All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

How to Apply
Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca/default.cfm.

If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system.

The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*:

• CalPERS Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter Benefits
• Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
• Pension Benefits
• Deferred Compensation

* Specific benefits may vary depending on the assignedspecific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Employee Benefits Information Current MOUs may be reviewed here: City of Oakland Labor Agreements

Closing Date/Time: 7/30/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

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Oakland, California United States View Map