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 County employment.

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.
• Analyzes complex planning problems, prepares population and other planning projections, housing needs, and parking studies.
• Responds 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 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, 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.
• 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.
• Serves as a primary point of contact by staffing the public counter, hotline, and email to respond to inquiries from fire survivors regarding rebuilding procedures.
• Operates/coordinates unmanned aircraft systems (drones) to support post-fire damage assessment and data collection.
• Collaborates with community leaders to inform and 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.
• Proactively identifies and enforces unpermitted land use activities during the rebuilding phase.
• Investigates complaints related to unpermitted debris removal and construction, ensuring enforcement actions are taken when necessary.
• Develops and implements innovative, efficient 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—including maps, graphics, and exhibits—to effectively communicate findings and key issues to the Board of Supervisors, Regional Planning Commission, and other 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.