City of Berkeley – Associate Planner

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment will be used to fill vacancies for all city departments. In order to be considered for any of the City’s permanent or temporary vacancies for Associate Planner during the next year, you must submit an employment application and responses to the supplemental questionnaire prior to the application deadline, and pass all examination phases.

Although the current vacancy is in the Planning Department, provided below are specific responsibilities for departments that staff Associate Planners: 

Associate Planner – Health, Housing and Community Services
The associate planner in the housing services unit of the health housing and community services department performs a variety of professional activities in support of the city’s affordable housing and community development programs. Work requires the exercise of considerable independence and sound judgment in evaluating proposed development projects’ compliance with applicable environmental and affordable housing regulations.  These regulations typically include the federal NEPA, local inclusionary housing and housing mitigation fee and condominium conversion programs.  The associate planner also prepares clear,  concise  and complete written agreements with project sponsors using provided guidelines.

Associate Planner – Public Works Transportation Division 
The Associate Planner in the Public Works Department works on a variety of programs and initiatives, such as coordinating with transit providers, primarily AC Transit, on transit projects affecting Berkeley, including service planning and bus stop improvements; supporting transportation capital improvement projects and developing Complete Streets projects; and developing and implementing the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans and other transportation plans. Additional duties may include assisting in grant applications, grant compliance, procurement of consultants, and consultant contract management.

Associate Planner – Planning Land Use Division
The Associate Planner in the Planning Department performs a variety of professional activities in support of the City’s planning services. In this journey-level class, incumbents conduct planning research and analysis on moderate to difficult projects. Work requires the exercise of considerable independence in preparing planning studies and reports on well-defined assignments and making presentations on such projects.  The Land Use Planning Division administers zoning regulations, reviews development projects and assists the community in its efforts to plan for the City’s physical, cultural, environmental, and socio-economic future.  If current planning activities are assigned, work will include data collection, provision of information to the public at the zoning counter, processing development applications, and environmental review. If policy planning activities are assigned, work will include ordinance and plan revisions, data collection and analysis, and other land use studies.

Experience
Two (2) years of professional planning experience. Progressively responsible related experience may be substituted for the college coursework on a year-for-year basis.

Other Requirements
A valid California driver’s license is desirable. Must be able to attend evening meetings as required.
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Ability to: Perform increasingly responsible and varied assignments under decreasing degrees of supervision; Understand and apply those aspects of federal, state and local laws, regulations, policies, procedures and standards pertaining to the planning process; Interpret maps, site and building plans and specifications, graphs and statistical data; Research, analyze, and summarize planning data both manually and with basic computer programs; Prepare clear visual displays, such as maps, graphs, and illustrations; Make clear and persuasive presentations of ideas; prepare clear, concise and complete technical documents, reports, correspondence and other written materials; Exercise sound independent judgment within established guidelines; Instruct others in work procedures and provide specific project direction; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

1. Review of applications for minimum qualifications for the position and to ensure all materials have been submitted.
2. Applicants meeting the minimum requirements will undergo a competitive review and assessment of their supplemental questionnaire and education/training and experience.