Senior Planner

Job Opportunity

The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for the position of Senior Planner! In this role, you will provide lead direction and conduct complex projects in the area of Transportation, Land Use, or Rent Stabilization. The current vacancy is in the Land Use Division of the Planning & Development Department. In the Land Use Division of the Planning and Development Department, the Senior Planner is responsible for managing complex and large projects, including General Plan updates, plans focused on Berkeley's Priority Development Areas, Zoning Ordinance amendments, grant-funded projects, and State-mandated reports and projects. In the Transportation Division of the Public Works Department, you will be responsible for managing program elements outlined in the Berkeley Vision Zero Action Plan, including administration, interdepartmental and interagency coordination, capital projects, and public awareness initiatives. You'll serve as project manager for major corridor and "quick build" capital projects on the Vision Zero High Injury Streets, and will lead the conceptual design, public engagement, environmental clearance and Berkeley City Council approval of these projects. When assigned to the Rent Stabilization Board, the Senior Planner leads projects and programs associated with Berkeley's Rent Ordinance, which regulates most residential rents in Berkeley, protects tenants against unwarranted evictions, and is intended to maintain affordable housing and preserve community diversity.

Minimum Qualifications

A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this classification is: Equivalent to graduation from a four year college or university with major coursework in city or regional planning, urban planning, or a field related to the work, and four (4) years of professional planning experience, including two (2) years at a level equivalent to that of the Associate Planner. Progressively responsible related experience may be substituted for the college coursework on a year-for-year basis. Must be able to attend evening meetings as required. A valid California driver's license is desirable.

Application Process

Applications must be received by 5:00 PM Pacific on August 3, 2026 and must include a completed application and answers to the supplemental questions. Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application. Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to View email address on click.appcast.io. Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.

Exam Process

The exam process will include, but may not be limited to:

• Application review for minimum qualifications (qualifying experience will be calculated based on the administrative review date)
• Written Exam (tentatively scheduled for the week of August 24, 2026)

Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews. Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to View email address on click.appcast.io at the time of application.

Pre-Employment Process

Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background check that may include, but is not limited to: confirmation of employment history, educational credentials and degrees, certificates, registrations, and licenses including driver's license; credit check; criminal history check; and Live Scan fingerprinting.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

The City of Berkeley is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All employment actions shall be administered regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, veterans' status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

Disaster Service Worker

All City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency/disaster.

Benefits

Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other benefits, including CalPERS pension and other retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and more. Benefit-eligible employees include those with a regular work schedule of at least 20 hours per week. Employees working less than 30 hours per week may receive pro-rated benefits.

Retirement CalPERS City employees are included in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is either 2% at age 62 (PEPRA members) or 2.7% at age 55 (Classic members).

Supplemental Retirement Income Plan (SRIP) The City contributes 6.7% of the first $32,400 of the employee's salary (up to $2,170.80 annually) into a 401(a) account. The City is not a member of Social Security, therefore only the Medicare portion is deducted from employees' salaries.

Deferred Compensation The City offers voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans with CalPERS or Empower. Employees may contribute up to the IRS maximum on a pre-tax basis.

Medical Plans Employees can choose coverage under Kaiser HMO or Sutter Health Plan HMO. The City contributes an amount equal to the cost of the Kaiser premium. Employees who have medical coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided medical coverage and receive a monthly stipend.

Dental Plan The City provides group dental benefits through Delta Dental of California. The City contributes up to the family coverage for the plan, which covers 90% of the dental charges up to $2,000 annually per person. Orthodontic benefits are offered at a $2,000 lifetime maximum per person. Employees who have dental coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided dental coverage and receive a monthly stipend.

Vision Plan The City provides vision benefits through Vision Service Plan. The plan covers 100% for eye exams and lenses every 12 months with $25 copays. The plan also provides an allowance for frames every 24 months.

Life Insurance The City provides employees with a Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy in the amount of $50,000. Employees have the option to purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $300,000.

Sick Leave Employees earn one day of paid sick leave per month.

Vacation New employees accrue 80 or 120 hours of vacation annually, depending on classification. Vacation accrual rates increase with additional years of service. See the benefits and compensation table for details.

Holidays 15 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually

Uniform Allowance Employees in select classifications receive up to $1,400 annually (see MOUs)