Associate Planner

Planning Land Use Division: The Associate Planner in the Planning Department performs a variety of professional activities in support of the City's planning services. In this journey-level class, incumbents conduct planning research and analysis on moderate to difficult projects. Work requires the exercise of considerable independence in preparing planning studies and reports on well-defined assignments and making presentations on such projects.  The Land Use Planning Division administers zoning regulations, reviews development projects and assists the community in its efforts to plan for the City's physical, cultural, environmental, and socio-economic future.  If current planning activities are assigned, work will include data collection, provision of information to the public at the zoning counter, processing development applications, and environmental review. If policy planning activities are assigned, work will include ordinance and plan revisions, data collection and analysis, and other land use studies.

Public Works Transportation Division: The Associate Planner in the Public Works Department works on a variety of programs and initiatives, such as developing and implementing the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans and other transportation plans; analyzing traffic safety data for the Vision Zero program to identify and prioritize projects and policies that will improve public safety; supporting transportation capital improvement projects and developing Complete Streets projects; and coordinating with transit providers, primarily AC Transit, on transit projects affecting Berkeley, including service planning and bus stop improvements. Additional duties may include assisting in grant applications, grant compliance, procurement of consultants, and consultant contract management.

Health, Housing and Community Services: The associate planner in the housing services unit of the health housing and community services department performs a variety of professional activities in support of the city's affordable housing and community development programs. Work requires the exercise of considerable independence and sound judgment in evaluating proposed development projects' compliance with applicable environmental and affordable housing regulations.  These regulations typically include the federal NEPA, local inclusionary housing and housing mitigation fee and condominium conversion programs.  The associate planner also prepares clear,  concise  and complete written agreements with project sponsors using provided guidelines.

Rent Board: The Associate Planner in the Rent Stabilization Board performs a variety of professional activities within the Rent Board’s Administration and Policy Unit. Incumbents are expected to exercise considerable independence when performing housing and planning related research, investigating property and building development history, and reviewing development projects that pose potential impacts to existing residential buildings and their occupants.  Assigned activities may include staffing of Rent Board committees, presenting to elected officials at public meetings, management of consultant contracts, data collection and analysis, and report writing. The Rent Stabilization Board assists the Planning Department with review of applications for condo conversion, short-term rental, and demolitions or conversions of existing residential buildings.