Regional Planner

County of Los Angeles•Los Angeles, CA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

This position involves participating in planning and zoning studies, analyses, and research. The role includes communicating with the public on planning issues and engaging in other planning and zoning activities. The County of Los Angeles, as the largest employer in Southern California with over 116,000 employees across more than 38 Departments, offers vital public services and a wide array of career opportunities. The County provides a strong public-sector benefits package, including diverse health care options, robust retirement plans, and flexibility for personal and professional growth.

Requirements

Option I: A bachelor's degree in Urban or Regional Planning from an accredited college or university.
Option II: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with specialization in Environmental Studies, Geography, Urban Studies, Public Administration, Public Policy, Landscape Architecture, Architecture, or Urban Design with 15 semester or 22.5 quarter units of upper division courses in Urban or Regional Planning, Cartography, Urban Geography and/or Environmental Planning.
Option III: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and one year of professional urban or regional planning experience applying land use planning principles by interpreting and implementing zoning regulations, advising the public on land use and development requirements, resolving zoning and code compliance issues, and developing or implementing long-range planning policies, General Plans, or other legislative land use initiatives.
Must provide a legible copy of all relevant official documents (diploma, official transcript, or letter/certificate) demonstrating education and specialization.
For Option II, transcript must demonstrate degree conferral date, unit count, and unit system (semester/quarter).
International degrees must be evaluated for equivalency to US standards and indicate units and unit system.
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
Must meet requirements and achieve a passing score of 70% or higher on Part I (multiple choice and/or simulation assessments) to proceed to Part II.
Must achieve a passing score of 70% or higher on Part II (technical writing project).

Nice To Haves

Experience with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Experience with planning and zoning studies, analyses, and research.
Experience communicating with the public concerning planning issues.
Experience in drafting zoning, subdivision, and other land use regulations.
Experience analyzing complex planning problems.
Experience preparing population and other planning projections, housing needs, and parking studies.
Experience processing applications for subdivisions, zone changes, variances, and conditional use permits.
Experience conducting field inspections.
Experience preparing staff reports and public notices.
Experience coordinating with other public agencies.
Experience investigating violations of zoning regulations.
Experience preparing and making oral presentations of planning development applications.
Experience preparing graphics, exhibits, maps, and other audio-visual illustrations.
Experience using computer programs or planning applications for data management and reporting.

Responsibilities

Participates in the research, writing, and public engagement regarding the adoption of the County's general plan, area, coastal, community, and neighborhood plan policies, and other specialized plans and studies such as the County’s Sustainability Plan.
Participates in the research and drafting of zoning, subdivision, and other land use regulations.
Participates in the analysis of complex planning problems, the preparation of population and other planning projections, housing needs, and parking studies.
Responds in writing or orally to inquiries from the public on General Plan policy, and subdivision and zoning regulations.
Processes applications for subdivisions, zone changes, variances, and conditional use permits.
Evaluates applications for consistency with General Plan policy, and compliance with zoning and subdivision regulations.
Conducts field inspections, prepares staff reports and public notices, coordinates with other public agencies, and follows all other necessary procedures for public hearings.
Analyzes, reviews and prepares environmental documents including Initial Studies, Negative Declarations, and both the draft and final versions of the Environmental Impact Reports in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Explains County and State environmental regulations to the general public and project applicants.
Investigates and analyzes property ownership, recorded property ownership and zoning histories; gathers and consolidates data from public records and other sources to assist in the development of written staff reports in support of recommendations for official action.
Investigates violations of zoning regulations, and discusses alleged violations with property owners, complainants, community groups, the Board of Supervisors, County Counsel, the District Attorney, and other enforcement agencies, and may make court appearances.
Prepares and makes oral presentations of planning development applications, zoning and other planning related information to the Regional Planning Commission, and civic, community, governmental, professional, and other interest groups.
Prepares graphics, exhibits, maps, and other audio-visual illustrations to present findings and critical issues of planning studies in support of the department's recommendations.
Uses computer programs or planning applications to accept applications and process fees and prepare reports, maps, spreadsheets, data bases and/or graphics in carrying out planning activities.
Works collaboratively with other Sections and Divisions within Regional Planning, other County departments, and public and private organizations in coordinating project activities and resolving problems pertaining to planning matters related to the department such as homelessness, sustainability, climate change, and equity.