Planner III (5291)

City and County of San Francisco•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

The San Francisco Planning Department is recruiting for one Temporary Provisional Planner III in its Environmental Planning Division. Under direction, the Planner III performs difficult and responsible environmental review work, participating in all phases of environmental review, analyzing environmental impacts and mitigation measures, coordinating complex environmental review cases, conducting complex initial environmental studies, and providing information to the public about environmental review procedures. The role evaluates projects for compliance with applicable environmental laws, regulations, and policies, and coordinates with project sponsors, consultants, regulatory agencies, and other City departments. The Planner III may also perform complex planning work in fields such as land use, zoning, urban design, economic development, housing, open space and recreation, code enforcement, historic preservation, real estate, waterfront, airport, and park planning, natural resource management, and emergency planning. The position is temporary provisional, limited to no more than three years, excluded from the competitive Civil Service examination process, and at will at the discretion of the Department Head. The position is expected to be subject to a Permanent Civil Service examination process at a later date; permanent appointment consideration requires successful participation in that examination and selection through an open competitive process. The department shapes land use to meet community needs and guide San Francisco’s future, with a vision of an equitable, inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous city. The position may require attendance at work-related activities outside normal working hours, including evenings and weekends, at local boards and commissions and community locations. Some positions may require a valid driver license or specialized experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and four years (8,000 hours) of verifiable full-time-equivalent experience in an urban, city, regional, or related planning environment; alternatively, a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in City, Regional, or Urban Planning, or a closely related field, and two years (4,000 hours) of verifiable full-time-equivalent experience in a related planning environment.
Qualifying planning experience may be in areas such as transportation planning, environmental planning, architecture, or urban design.
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications by the final filing date, unless otherwise noted.

Nice To Haves

Experience conducting or coordinating environmental review under CEQA and/or NEPA.
Experience preparing, reviewing, or coordinating Initial Studies, Negative Declarations, Mitigated Negative Declarations, Environmental Impact Reports, and related environmental documents.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental laws, regulations, policies, and procedures applicable to land use and development projects.
Experience evaluating environmental impacts and mitigation measures relating to air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, transportation, noise, biological and cultural resources, water resources, energy, hazardous materials, and other environmental topics.
Experience coordinating environmental review with project sponsors, consultants, technical specialists, regulatory agencies, and other governmental agencies.
Experience reviewing technical studies, environmental analyses, and consultant-prepared environmental documents.
Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex environmental and planning concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
Experience presenting environmental review findings and recommendations to planning commissions, boards, public agencies, community groups, and the public.
Experience using GIS, mapping, data analysis, or other technical tools to support environmental or planning analysis.

Responsibilities

Conduct difficult environmental impact evaluations of projects, including reviewing technical portions of Environmental Impact Reports involving modeling, surveys, analyses, and forecasts across environmental topics.
Review Environmental Impact Reports for compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
Coordinate environmental reviews for major public and private projects, including preliminary conferences and consultations with specialists, agencies, and Planning Department staff.
Prepare and present environmental review findings, recommendations, staff reports, technical reports, correspondence, and other documents for the City Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors, and other decision-making bodies.
Design, prepare, supervise, and review graphic presentations such as maps, reports, plans, presentations, charts, models, sketches, and graphs.
Review or coordinate federal, state, and local permitting processes, coordinate stakeholders, integrate required data and documents, and obtain regulatory approvals.
Supervise and review subordinate staff performing professional and sub-professional planning work, and oversee consultant planning work.
Prepare clear and concise staff reports and planning documents for the general public; prepare or assist with reports and planning studies; provide information on planning policies, practices, and procedures.
Coordinate planning matters with City, regulatory, and governmental agencies, and review documents prepared by other government agencies.
Represent the Department or Agency to government officials, community groups, developers, business organizations, and the public.
Interpret and explain legal, technical, and procedural aspects of planning work to agencies, commissioners, government officials, and the public.
Review project plans and supporting technical materials, including architectural, site, landscape, engineering, and other project documents, for consistency with environmental and planning requirements.
Attend meetings or participate in work-related activities outside normal working hours, including evenings and weekends, when required.