Salary : $82,738.03 - $101,563.49 Annually
Location : Berkeley, CA
Job Type: Career
Job Number: 2026-11-3034
Department: Planning
Opening Date: 11/02/2026
Closing Date: 11/16/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for the position of Planning Technician! In this role, you will have the opportunity to assist the public and develop your knowledge in the areas of planning, zoning, and building and safety codes. You'll also review plans, zoning permit applications, and supporting documents for compliance with various regulatory requirements.
Other duties include researching and compiling information on a variety of planning issues, preparing public notices, performing field inspection work, and performing routine office tasks to support assigned program areas. The eligible list established from this recruitment will be used to fill permanent and temporary vacancies in the Land Use Planning Division.
See the full for more information about this job.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this classification is:
Completion of two (2) years of college and three (3) years of technical or office support experience with extensive public interaction providing information, and reviewing and processing documents. (Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in urban or transportation planning, architecture, construction management, engineering, public administration, or a closely related field can be substituted for the required experience.)
Must be able to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Berkeley to meet the program needs and to fulfill the job responsibilities. When driving on City business, the incumbent is required to maintain a valid California driver's license as well as a satisfactory driving record.
APPLICATION PROCESS Applications must be received by 5:00PM on Monday, November 16, 2026 and must include a completed application and responses to the supplemental questionnaire. Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.
Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.
Please be aware of unauthorized job postings and communications. Applications will
only be accepted via GovernmentJobs.com and we will only email candidates from the governmentjobs.com or berkeleyca.gov domain. If you encounter a suspicious job post or communication, please alert us at
EXAM PROCESS The exam process will include, but may not be limited to:
- Application review for minimum qualifications
- Multiple-Choice Exam (in-person, tentatively scheduled for the week of December 7, 2026)
Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews.
Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to at the time of application.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background check that may include, but is not limited to: confirmation of employment history, educational credentials and degrees, certificates, registrations, and licenses including driver's license; credit check; criminal history check; and Live Scan fingerprinting.
Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other , including CalPERS pension and other retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and more.
Benefit-eligible employees include those with a regular work schedule of at least 20 hours per week. Employees working less than 30 hours per week may receive pro-rated benefits.
RetirementCalPERS
City employees are included in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is either 2% at age 62 (PEPRA members) or 2.7% at age 55 (Classic members).
Supplemental Retirement Income Plan (SRIP)
The City contributes 6.7% of the first $32,400 of the employee's salary (up to $2,170.80 annually) into a 401(a) account. The City is not a member of Social Security, therefore only the Medicare portion is deducted from employees' salaries.
Deferred Compensation
The City offers voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans with CalPERS or Empower. Employees may contribute up to the IRS maximum on a pre-tax basis.
Medical PlansEmployees can choose coverage under Kaiser HMO or Sutter Health Plan HMO. The City contributes an amount equal to the cost of the Kaiser premium. Employees who have medical coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided medical coverage and receive a monthly stipend.
Dental PlanThe City provides group dental benefits through Delta Dental of California. The City contributes up to the family coverage for the plan, which covers 90% of the dental charges up to $2,000 annually per person. Orthodontic benefits are offered at a $2,000 lifetime maximum per person. Employees who have dental coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided dental coverage and receive a monthly stipend.
Vision PlanThe City provides vision benefits through Vision Service Plan. The plan covers 100% for eye exams and lenses every 12 months with $25 copays. The plan also provides an allowance for frames every 24 months.
Life InsuranceThe City provides employees with a Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy in the amount of $50,000. Employees have the option to purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $300,000.
Sick LeaveEmployees earn one day of paid sick leave per month.
VacationNew employees accrue 80 or 120 hours of vacation annually, depending on classification. Vacation accrual rates increase with additional years of service. See the for details.
Holidays15 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually
Uniform AllowanceEmployees in select classifications receive up to $1,400 annually (see )
(SEIU CSU)
01
Please indicate your highest level of education completed.
- Some High School
- High School or Equivalent
- Some College
- Associate's Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree or Higher
02
If you selected Some College, how many years of college have you completed?
03
If you have completed an Associate's, Bachelor's, and/or Master's degree, please list your major(s)/discipline(s).
04
Please list the job titles and employment dates that qualify as technical or office support experience involving extensive public interaction, information sharing, and document processing. Note: This experience must be clearly outlined in the Work section of your application.
05
I acknowledge that I have reviewed my application and my answers to all above supplemental questions for accuracy. I understand that an incomplete application, inconsistent or conflicting information, or incomplete answers to the supplemental questions may result in disqualification from the recruitment process.
Required Question
