County of Alameda

Under general supervision, to perform work in planning and zoning; to assist a Senior Planner or Planner III in completing planning studies; to administer zoning and subdivision regulations; and to prepare environmental assessments and impact reports.    

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES  

Planners II are assigned planning or zoning duties in the Planning Department.  Incumbents work on the less difficult planning projects under the supervision of a Senior Planner, or they assist a Planner III with a major planning project.  With experience, they assume responsibility for carrying out projects of expanded scope.  Positions in this class differ from those in the next higher class of Planner III in that Planners III carry out major projects in planning with a considerable degree of independence.  Positions of Planner II differ from those in the next lower class of Planner I in that Planners I perform professional planning duties at an entry-level and training capacity. After one year in this class, incumbents may be eligible for promotion to the next higher class of Planner III.

NOTE:    The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed. 

1.  Under direction of a Planner III or Senior Planner, prepares background studies for the General Plan, Plan Elements and Amendments, assists in preparing specific plans, environmental impact reports, zoning studies, analysis of subdivision and zoning applications and reports on conformance with the General Plan of proposed public projects.  Degree of project responsibility varies with respect to the Planner II's experience and the complexity of the project.

2.  Presents work projects to Boards and Commission, as appropriate, for which he or she has had major responsibility.

3.  Consults with department planners and with other public and private organizations in the preparation of planning assignments.

4.  Provides information to the public concerning planning data and plan policies; explains ordinance requirements and application procedures.

Either I

Experience:

The equivalent of one year full time experience in the class of Planner I in the Alameda County classified service. 

Or II

Education:

Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with a major in planning or a related field such as architecture, landscape architecture, geography, urban/environmental studies, economics, sociology, public management/administration. If Bachelor’s degree is not in a related field, major must show nexus to planning work experience.  

AND  

The equivalent of two years full time professional experience in county, city, or regional planning.  

NOTE:  A Master's degree from an accredited college or university in city, regional, or urban planning or a related field, may be substituted for one year of the required experience. The Master’s degree in a related field must show nexus to planning work experience.  

Special Requirements:   Candidates may be required to possess and maintain a valid California Driver’s License and may be required to drive in the performance of duties.   On an as needed basis, it may be necessary for Planners to attend night and/or weekend meetings regarding projects that they are assigned.  

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.  

Knowledge of:  

• The principles of land use, city, regional, and environmental planning and zoning administration.
• Elements of public administration, economics, and sociology.
• Implications of economic, population, and sociological trends on land development and community planning.
• Elementary statistical methods.
• Proportion, spatial relationships, and aesthetic concepts of physical planning.
• Laws relating to planning, zoning, subdivision and environmental protection.
• Basic GIS principles.  

Ability to:  

• Apply the principles, methods, and techniques involved in city and regional planning.
• Plan and organize.
• Make decisions and exercise judgement.
• Analyze and problem solve.
• Demonstrate interpersonal sensitivity.
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Use basic GIS software.

JE:nw  Revised  8/31/76

JG‑S:tt  Revised 3/5/91

JG:tc  Revised 5/10/91

Updated 2/4/00

Old doc: 0359h

New doc:  Jobspecs\2930

DRH:pf  Revised 8/24/04

CSC Date    9/29/2004

DRH:jf Revised 3/9/18

CSC Date: 6/20/18

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.