REGIONAL PLANNER / EMERGENCY APPOINTMENTS FIRE

About the role

The Department of Regional Planning is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Regional Planner vacancies related to the windstorms and wildfires that have devastated communities across the County. This position offers an initial period of up to 90 days, with the possibility of permanent employment upon successful completion of an assessment.

Responsibilities

• Participates in the research, writing, and public engagement regarding the adoption of the County's general plan and other specialized plans.
• Participates in the research and drafting of zoning, subdivision, and land use regulations.
• Analyzes complex planning problems, prepares population and planning projections, and conducts on-site evaluations.
• Responds to public inquiries on General Plan policy and subdivision/zoning regulations.
• Processes and evaluates subdivision, zone change, variance, and conditional use permit applications.
• Conducts field inspections, prepares staff reports, and coordinates with other public agencies.
• Prepares and presents findings in support of recommendations for official action, including preparing graphics and exhibits.
• Works collaboratively with other sections and divisions within Regional Planning, other County departments, and public/private organizations.
• Serves as a primary point of contact for fire survivors, responding to inquiries regarding rebuilding procedures.
• Operates unmanned aircraft systems (drones) to support post-fire damage assessment and data collection.
• Collaborates with community leaders to guide property owners through the rebuilding process.
• Conducts on-site evaluations to determine the feasibility of rebuilding on fire-damaged properties.
• Facilitates public workshops to assist survivors with rebuilding application submittals.
• Investigates and enforces unpermitted land use activities during the rebuilding phase.
• Develops and implements innovative enforcement protocols in coordination with regulatory agencies.
• Prepares and submits state and federal grant applications to secure funding for fire recovery and rebuilding initiatives.
• Researches and analyzes property ownership, recorded documents, and zoning histories to support rebuilding eligibility and compliance.
• Prepares visual materials to communicate findings and key issues to decision-making bodies.
• Utilizes digital planning tools and software to accept applications, review fee waiver requests, and generate reports, maps, databases, and visual updates on rebuilding progress.
• Works collaboratively with other Regional Planning sections, County departments, and public/private stakeholders to coordinate project activities and resolve issues related to fire recovery efforts.

Requirements

• Option I: A bachelor's degree in Urban or Regional Planning from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Option II: A bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university, with specialization in Environmental Studies, Geography, Urban Studies, Public Administration, Public Policy, Landscape Architecture, Architecture, or Urban Design, and 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 four-year college or university and one year of urban or regional planning experience.
• 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.

Physical Class

Light physical effort, including occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

Special Requirement Information

In order to receive credit for any degree such as a Bachelor's, Master's, or course work, you MUST include a legible copy of the official diploma, official transcripts, or official letter from the accredited institution which shows the area of specialization with your application at the time of filing or within seven (7) calendar days from application submission. Candidates expecting to qualify under Option II, MUST provide a copy of their official college transcript to indicate the course work.