Planner II

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 City of Oakland is looking for dedicated people to contribute to the success of our community. The Bureau of Planning is currently recruiting to fill several Planner II positions. This offers an exciting opportunity to participate in shaping the future of Oakland. The ideal candidates are highly motivated professionals with the ability to work effectively with City staff, appointed and elected officials, and a racially and culturally diverse community of public stakeholders. Oakland is a racially, ethnically, linguistically and economically diverse community, and the City of Oakland welcomes candidates with diverse and multicultural skill sets. The Bureau of Planning supports the mission of the City of Oakland to transform practices in City government to promote racial equity in government and the community we serve. There are four Planning Divisions: Development Planning, Zoning, Strategic, and Operations. The Development Planning and Zoning divisions process current planning entitlements. These divisions process multiple design reviews, 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. Development Planning and Zoning staff are expected to work a small percentage of hours at the permit center as well as review applications for new zoning cases using Microsoft 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 updating its Land Use and Transportation Element; Open Space, Conservation, and Recreation Element; Noise 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 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 creating an Alternative Plan for Senate Bill 79 and a Regional Shoreline Adaptation Plan. Strategic Planning Staff are also expected to work a small percentage of hours at the permit center. The Planning Operations Division is responsible for providing customer service to the public at the permit center counter, through online appointments, on the phone, and via email regarding planning policies and procedures, active projects, zoning permit requirements and related building issues. The unit processes applications at the staff level which includes Small Project Design Review applications, Zoning Clearances, and Letters of Determination. This unit works closely with the Building Bureau and the other planning divisions.

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 judgment related to zoning entitlement review, with backup as needed
• Able to communicate with the public on the phone, by email, and through community engagement meetings
• Able to conduct research on best practices and formulate recommendations based on the research.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Planning and conducting research studies regarding land use, zoning, subdivisions, environmental impact, and urban design.
• Processing planning permits, environmental review applications, subdivision modifications, and plan check modifications/additions/alterations to structures.
• Monitoring the preparation of environmental impact studies and reports, working with consultants and interdepartmental teams.
• Developing studies, designs, and plans of current projects or specific phases of the General Plan.
• Conducting rezoning studies, including background research, site visits, review of regulations, survey maps, and public meetings.
• Participating in all work levels of routine planning studies, including outline of work methodologies, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Providing information and assistance on projects to developers, property owners, and the general public regarding laws, policies, regulations, standards, and planning procedures.
• Responding to complaints and answering questions from the public regarding planning and zoning.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• Good camaraderie amongst staff in the Bureau of Planning; knowledge is shared, staff supports one another, and experienced staff mentor and help newer team members.
• 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.
• The work is rewarding in that you see proposals that you analyzed developed.
• The Planning Bureau 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
• Navigating processes that are not well documented
• Demanding workload due to current vacancies which the city is actively working to fill

Competencies Required:

• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims.
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Establishing Credibility: Doing what one commits to doing and respecting the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others.
• Informing: Proactively obtaining and sharing information
• Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing