Salary : $142,297.44 - $174,717.48 Annually
Location : Oakland, CA
Job Type: Full Time Civil Service
Job Number: 26-AP277-07
Department: Planning & Building Department
Opening Date: 07/20/2026
Closing Date: 7/31/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: UM2

The Position

The Planner IV position plans, supervises, coordinates and participates in complex planning and zoning services; represents the Department at the City Planning Commission and public agencies; drafts ordinances and resolutions; makes presentations to various groups; trains and supervises assigned staff; and performs related duties as assigned.

There are four Planning Divisions: Development Planning, Zoning, Strategic, and Operations.

The Development Planning and Zoning divisions process current planning entitlements. These divisions process multiple design reviews, conditional use permits, variances and subdivisions, both at a staff level and before Planning Commission. Most of the zoning cases can utilize CEQA exemptions but sometimes more complex CEQA review is required. Development Planning and Zoning staff are expected to work a small percentage of hours at the permit center as well as review applications for new zoning cases using Microsoft Teams for live intake appointments. The Development Planning Division processes larger and more complex entitlement applications, typically requiring complex CEQA analysis, interdepartmental coordination and review, and discretionary action. Both divisions work dynamically to move high-quality housing, commercial and neighborhood development forward to serve the community.

The Strategic Planning Division works on a variety of projects and policy change. The Division is updating its Land Use and Transportation Element; Open Space, Conservation, and Recreation Element; Nosie Element, as well as a new Infrastructure Element. Planning and Zoning Code Amendments will accompany changes to implement these Elements. The Division continues to work on implementing many actions from the City's adopted Housing, Environmental Justice, and Safety Elements. All of these updates are making major policy changes to allow for more housing in Oakland and looking at providing 15-minute neighborhoods that provide a variety of land uses for residents to easily access. Other types of projects currently in progress include creating an Alternative Plan for Senate Bill 79 and a Regional Shoreline Adaptation Plan. Strategic Planning Staff are also expected to work a small percentage of hours at the permit center.

The Planning Operations Division is responsible for providing customer service to the public at the permit center counter, online appointments, on the phone and via email regarding planning policies and procedures, active projects, zoning permit requirements and related building issues. The unit processes applications at the staff level which includes Small Project Design Review applications, Zoning Clearances, and Letters of Determination. This unit works closely with the Building Bureau and other planning units.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Knowledgeable about land use planning law in California
• Knowledgeable about CEQA and how it relates to entitlement review
• Able to coordinate work with departments with differing objectives and roles
• Able to work in a high-stress, fast-paced environment
• Able to formulate independent judgement related to zoning entitlement review, with backup as needed
• Able to communicate with the public on the phone, email, and through community engagement meetings.
• Able to conduct research on best practices and formulate recommendations based on the research.
• Able to write staff reports and present to the Planning Commission and City Council.
• Able to lead major projects and direct consultants if they are involved in the projects.

What you will typically be responsible for (this may vary depending on the division):

• Planning, coordinating, directing and preparing complex projects and studies, including phases of the General Plan, current plans, and special studies.
• Processing planning permits, environmental review applications, subdivision modifications, and plan check modifications/additions/alterations to structures.
• Monitoring the preparation of environmental impact studies and reports, working with consultants and interdepartmental teams.
• Providing direction to the zoning staff, who advises property owners, developers, and the public about zoning and subdivision ordinances.
• Consulting with other City departments, community organizations, and public agencies regarding their interest in zoning, subdivision, and general plan development.
• Making presentations to City staff, neighborhood groups, professional organizations, Planning Commission, and City Council.
• Providing information and assistance on projects to developers, property owners, and the general public regarding laws, policies, regulations, standards, and planning procedures.
• Handling complaints and answering questions from the public regarding planning and zoning.
• Providing lead direction to or scheduling, assigning, supervising, and evaluating assigned staff.
• Drafting ordinances, resolutions, and reports for presentation to the City Council.
• Writig and editing reports, agendas, and minutes for the City Planning Commission; providing meeting support services to the Commission.

Read the complete job description by clicking

We are recruiting for Planner II, Planner III, and Planner IV positions. If you would like to be considered for the positions, you must submit separate applications for each posting. The Planner II posting can be found here: . The Planner III posting can be found here: Planner III.

*Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!
A few reasons you might love this job:

• Good camaraderie amongst staff in the Bureau of Planning: knowledge is shared, staff supports one another, and experienced staff mentor and help newer team members.
• This is a good place to grow: it's tough and challenging but you will be exposed to a lot of complex conditions and experiences in Oakland that you might not ever experience in a smaller and less diverse jurisdiction.
• Being able to work on policy changes that can positively affect the growth of the City of Oakland by creating an equitable and just city.
• The work is rewarding in that you see proposals that you analyzed developed.
• The Planning Bureau is a good mixture of newer staff with new ideas and goals leavened with a core of seasoned veterans who know process and historical context.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Working with the public can sometimes be difficult
• Working in a political environment within a bureaucracy
• Navigating processes that are not well documented
• Demanding workload due to current vacancies which the city is actively working to fill

Competencies Required:

• Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
• Coaching & Developing Others: Supporting others in stretching and expanding their capabilities
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims.
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
• Handling & Resolving Conflict: Managing interpersonally strained situations
• Informing: Proactively obtaining and sharing information
• Involving Others (Engaging Teams): Engaging others for input, contribution, and shared responsibility for outcomes
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Presentation Skills: Formally delivering information to groups
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing

Minimum Requirements for Application
This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City and Port of Oakland employees who maintain employment for the duration of the recruitment and pass all stages of the recruitment process. The open list will be for all other applicants who pass all stages of the recruitment process.
Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications may be acceptable.

Education:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in planning, architecture, landscape architecture, urban studies, geography or a related field. A Master's degree from an accredited college or university in city or urban planning may be substituted for one year of experience.

Experience:
Five years of progressively responsible urban planning experience including experience providing lead direction.

License or Certificate / Other Requirements
Successful incumbents in this position are expected to operate automotive vehicles in the performance of assigned duties. Due to the nature of the assignment and the hours worked, public transportation may not be a cost effective or efficient method for traveling to the various locations required. Individuals who are appointed to this position will be required to maintain a valid California Driver's License throughout the tenure of employment OR demonstrate the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as required in the performance of duties.
Desirable Qualifications:

• CEQA experience.
• Knowledge of land use planning practices, particularly entitlement review.
• Knowledge of state subdivision regulations.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification.

Supplemental Information
The Recruitment Process:
The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the "minimum qualifications" listed for each position.

Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.

Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.

In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.
For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be sent a writing exercise (weighted 100%), which will then be evaluated and rated by subject matter experts. You will have 7 days from the time you receive the exam link to complete and submit your written responses. The tentative date that the writing exercise will be sent to you for completion is the week of August 17, 2026.

Candidates requesting reasonable accommodations for the examination process must request accommodations no later than one week before they are scheduled to take the exam; otherwise, it may not be possible to arrange accommodations for the selection process. Please complete the Request for Reasonable Accommodation in Testing form by clicking on this link or by copying and pasting the link into your browser to open it: ; Send the completed form and any supporting documentation to the exam analyst: Mary Ann Gonzales at email [email protected].

Candidates who pass each s