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The Department of Planning and Development is currently recruiting for one Senior Planner vacancy:

This Senior Planner will play a crucial role in reviewing complex professional-level tasks related to land use and planning laws, zoning, housing, discretionary entitlements with associated report writing for consideration by the County Zoning Administrator and/or Planning Commission, and the review of building permits and environmental analysis under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Senior Planner will also serve as the lead on assigned projects, which may include overseeing a number of programs (examples include: County General Plan & Housing Element, Surface Mining and Reclamation Act, Santa Clara Valley Ag Plan, and Habitat Plan) and works independently, assuming responsibility for more complex projects (such as Stanford master planning), and must be resourceful and responsive to specialized assignments from Executive Management or the Board of Supervisors. The Senior Planner may also be responsible for reviewing development and parcel maps/subdivision proposals, as well as building plans, and permits. The County will be embarking upon a comprehensive General Plan Update, and other various vision plans and may be expected to oversee and manage these efforts. The County also processes large and complex private development applications for large private institutional uses, new quarries, places of worship and agricultural processing campuses. A Senior Planner with areas of expertise related to long-range/comprehensive planning and/or major project development processing experience, coupled with strong CEQA experience is desired. 

In addition to meeting the employment standards for a Senior Planner, candidates must possess in-depth knowledge and working experience in two (2) or more of the following areas:

• Preparing advanced California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documents (e.g., Initial Studies, Mitigated Negative Declarations, Environmental Impact Reports).
• Experience in complex medium- to large-scale development entitlement projects such as campus planning, industrial, commercial, housing, agricultural housing or processing developments, or similar projects requiring advanced CEQA processing, staff report writing, data management and analysis, public outreach and public hearings.
• Experience in the management of CEQA and technical consultants, including meeting coordination, reviewing work products, and contracting/billing. Experience in managing consultants to ensure the project is completed within the approved timeline and budget with the proper deliverable is required.
• General requirements of the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA), preparation of annual surface mining inspection reports, and review and approval of Financial Assurance Cost Estimate (FACE), Reclamation Plans, and Mining Plans (desired, not required).
• Analytical understanding of State laws and regulations impacting land use and local government, with directly related work products that include major ordinance revisions and creation and processing of new programs. This would include preparation of professional staff reports of summarized data, conclusions and recommendations.
• Have conducted as a lead project manager or co-project manager long-range, comprehensive planning projects; e.g., general plan updates, major zoning ordinance amendments, specific plans, vision plans, etc., with working knowledge of the principals and practices of such working documents.

Filing Period and Application Procedure

Final Filing Date: Open until filled. The recruitment may be extended or closed as early as 10 days after the issue date.  You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and to monitor this site for updated closing information.

The first review of applications is tentatively scheduled for the week of August 04, 2025.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS POSITION, PLEASE CLICK THE JOB ANNOUCEMENT URL OR JOB PDF BELOW.

The City of Berkeley invites applications for the position of Housing Inspector II (Certified)! In this role, you will perform skilled inspection work with City residential housing inspection programs. You will independently perform the full scope of work in the investigation, reporting and follow-up of housing deficiencies to gain compliance with housing, building, zoning, fire, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and related codes and regulations.

Assignments are varied and generally require close interaction with the public, providing information and interpretation of applicable ordinances, codes and regulations. We'll expect you to exercise considerable independence and discretion in conducting inspections, resolving complaints and enforcing inspection results.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is:

Equivalent to graduation from high school and at least two years of full-time experience equivalent to Housing Inspector or Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Inspector for a public agency. 

Must possess:

• An International Code Council (ICC) OR California (CA) certification in Residential Building or Housing Inspection or in Code Enforcement; and
• ICC or CA Residential or Commercial Electrical Inspector certification and ICC or CA Residential or Commercial Plumbing Inspector certification, or equivalent ICC or CA Legacy Certification for either Combination Inspector or Combination Dwelling Inspector.

Other requirements: 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, incumbent is required to maintain a valid California driver's license as well as a satisfactory driving record.

In addition to the qualifications above, the ideal candidate will have effective and courteous communication skills in order to discuss housing violations, violation remedy and necessary inspections and fees and participate in depositions and court hearings as requested. The ideal candidate can support a work environment that highlights efficiency and team collaboration in a professional and friendly atmosphere for the inspectors and administrative staff.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants must submit 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 ada@berkeleyca.gov. Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.

TO VIEW JOB ANNOUNCEMENT, CLICK JOB PDF OR JOB ANNOUCEMENT URL BELOW.

The Staff Landscape Architect will oversee design elements of all park development/landscape improvement projects, prepare landscape designs, construction documents and specifications, perform construction observation and troubleshooting, provide general project management and administration, and represent the agency at public meetings.

Para ver la versión de PDF en español, por favor desplácese hacia abajo.

This is highly technical and professional work for a person at a senior staff/management level. The work performed will support MRCA’s operation of nature parks within greater Los Angeles, land acquisition and capital improvement Workprograms, and other efforts related to public access, open space conservation, habitat restoration, and urban park development. 

Ability to speak Spanish and a current landscape architect license issued by the State of California are required.

This position reports to the Deputy Executive Officer. Assorted tasks may be supervised by Executive Staff and may include participation in multi-division teams. The position may supervise other staff at the entry-level or intermediate project manager level. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Produce landscape improvement plans, details, and specifications, at conceptual design, schematic design,  and construction document phases with both hand-drawn graphics and CAD techniques.
• Coordinate with Construction Supervisors to monitor progress of in-house staff (force account) and subcontractors, assure compliance with plans and specifications, and troubleshoot as needed.
• Coordinate with Site Managers to monitor landscape maintenance activities and improvements; troubleshoot as needed. Provide input and guidance on long-term management plans for existing and new facilities.
• Sign/stamp plans. Interpret and apply applicable ordinances, regulations, and standard operating procedures.
• Produce early concept designs for a variety of project types.
• Identify and scope improvement projects for existing facilities.
• Monitor and track project budgets and spending.
• Review and approve landscape plans, details, and specifications prepared by others for park development projects.
• Coordinate the assessment and removal of architectural barriers.
• Make reports about improvement projects to Executive Staff, Governing Board, funders, and the general public.
• Conduct a bi-annual Request for Qualifications for various professional disciplines to maintain a current list of qualified consultants.
• Review proposal submissions from environmental design consultants and make recommendations to project managers.
• Attend senior staff meetings and participate in management discussions.
• Oversee agency design standards. Research new products and technologies.
• Perform Construction Administration tasks and respond to RFIs from contractors and construction management consultants.
• Specify and procure supplies for improvement projects and work closely with vendors.
• Produce written materials including construction specifications, staff reports, text for publication, proposals, progress reports, and a variety of other documents.
• Determine project scope, options, and alternatives to overcome constraints. Revise as often as needed to address unexpected conditions.
• Maintain good habits of answering and responding to incoming telephone calls, correspondence, and when communicating and providing customer service to citizens who seek assistance.
• Maintain positive relationships with coworkers, representatives of other government agencies, non-profit organizations, homeowner’s associations, and the public at large.
• Lead and participate in group hikes, project site tours, and kayak trips with project stakeholders.
• Represent the agency in public forums.
• Perform related duties as required.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Write and coordinate grant proposals and research new funding opportunities for land acquisition, park development, and related planning efforts.
• Perform day-to-day administration of grants, prepare required reports and ensure conformance with grant agreements. 

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required remain in a stationary position, occasionally move about inside the office to access supplies and office machinery, frequently communicate and exchange information, review handwritten, electronic and facsimile documents, and operate a computer and other office productivity machinery. The employee must occasionally move items weighing up to 20 pounds inside the office.

During project site surveys, the employee is regularly required to position self to perform measurement and inventory tasks, frequently move about work sites, operate a mobile system to complete checklists, travel to various park sites, frequently operate measuring tools to record measurements indoors and in outdoor weather conditions, transport tools between vehicles and work sites on a daily basis, and occasionally ascend/descend a ladder to access areas of work.

Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week with some scheduling flexibility. The position will work out of the Los Angeles River Center and Gardens and will be required to travel to various other locations. Offices at the River Center are spread among multiple buildings and floors. Remote working or a hybrid schedule may be allowed, subject to supervisor approval.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• B.L.A, B.A. or B.S. degree. 
• Completion of Landscape Architecture degree (bachelor or masters). Completion of an approved extension certificate program meeting education requirements for State of California licensure may be substituted.
• Four (4) years of experience with landscape architect duties. 
• Work experience directly managing landscape improvement projects with force account or via design/build relationship. Provide at least three (3) examples of completed projects.
• Experience in the public sector in park planning and design is desired.
• Ability to speak Spanish is required.

• Current, valid Landscape Architect license with the State of California.

• State of California Building Code and ADAS requirements for public facilities.
• Intermediate proficiency with AutoCAD, BlueDAG, and Land F/X software, or ability to learn.
• Construction practices for architecture and landscape improvements.
• California Environmental Quality Act requirements, or ability to learn.
• Basic proficiency in email and Office 365, or ability to learn.
• Office practices and procedures.

• Cooperate with coworkers and revise project approach as needed to accommodate concerns.
• Travel to various park sites to conduct site evaluations and evaluate projects.
• Maintain files and records in an orderly manner.
• Prioritize varying tasks and projects to manage multiple projects at once.
• Work independently to handle multiple tasks under deadlines.
• Revise work approach to address changed conditions.
• Complete projects and follow oral and written directions.
• Consistently follow established procedures.
• Exercise discretion and sensitivity to confidential information.
• Communicate to a variety of audiences about projects and objectives.
• Read maps and navigate through greater Los Angeles, in both urban developed and undeveloped open space areas.

• Accurate use of measuring devices for distance, height, slope and adjacencies. 
• Demonstrated creativity and ability to troubleshoot landscape construction issues
• Spatial analysis.

• Excellent oral and written English language skills. Not required to be a native English speaker, but fluency in English will be required.

• Excellent organizational skills.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the course of work including the general public. 

This job announcement is not intended to, and does not, create an employment contract of any kind and does not create any express or implied contractual obligations. Employment at MRCA is at-will without exception. The employee and MRCA may terminate employment at any time with or without advance notice and with or without cause.

Any provision contained in this job announcement may be modified or revoked at any time without notice.