Associate Planner (Land Use)

The Sacramento Area Council of Governments is hiring an Associate Planner (Land Use) to support land use planning and housing policy initiatives in the Sacramento region. The role involves collaboration on various projects, including the Regional Housing Needs Allocation and MTP/SCS implementation. Candidates should have experience in land use planning and a desire to contribute to regional development. The position is based in Sacramento, CA.
Are you an experienced land use planner interested in joining a mission-driven team to help plan for the future of the Sacramento region? Do you thrive in a collaborative environment and want to be part of a forward-thinking agency that’s shaping the future of our communities?

The Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Associate Planner (Land Use). This is the fully competent level planning position within the Planning and Programing team, working collaboratively across an agency of 60 staff. Employees in this class independently provide land use planning, housing policy, and analytical support on various projects, including the Regional Housing Needs Allocation, land use elements of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (MTP/SCS), and implementation and tracking of the MTP/SCS.

If you’re looking to contribute your expertise in a supportive, collaborative setting where your work has regional impact, we encourage you to apply!

The Position:
This position will primarily provide support on SACOG’s various land use and housing planning activities under the direction of the Principal Long-Range Planner. Applicants would provide support across:

Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) and Housing Elements
• Provide support on RHNA Determination consultation, methodology development, and member agency and stakeholder engagement.
• Help produce regional data products and coordinate housing planner meetings to assist local governments with the preparation of Cycle 7 Housing Elements.

Housing Policy
• Lead SACOG’s evaluation and monitoring of progress towards both local government reforms to facilitate housing outcomes called for in SACOG’s long range plan as well as housing permits relative to those outcomes. Example reforms are summarized in SACOG’s “Mind the Gap” initiative.

MTP/SCS Land Use Implementation
• Monitor local projects and land use plans/updates and analyze their potential effects on relevant SACOG plans.
• Project, plan, and policy analysis, including MTP/SCS consistency letters, Blueprint letters (evaluating projects through the lens of the original 2004 Blueprint principles), and legislative analysis.
• Ongoing monitoring and inventorying of land use projects, including proactive tracking of local government routings, news publications, and city council/planning commission meetings.

The Organization

SACOG is the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the six-county Sacramento region. Formed as a Joint Powers Authority, SACOG is governed by a board of 31 elected officials that directly represent all six counties and 22 cities in the region, and one ex-officio member (Caltrans). While transportation is core to SACOG’s role as a Metropolitan Planning Organization, SACOG has over two decades of experience approaching regional issues from an integrated perspective that examines the linkages between transportation, housing, economic prosperity, environmental stewardship, and air quality. Under the leadership of its executive director, SACOG has a vision of a vibrant and thriving Sacramento region for all. Its mission is: SACOG convenes and connects the region to advance an equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future.

Our Commitment to Racial Equity
SACOG acknowledges that residents living in the greater six-county Sacramento region face significant inequities, resulting in disparities and divides that exist by race and ethnicity, by income, and by urban and rural areas. SACOG is committed to tackling inequities and disparities in all forms. SACOG is committed to advancing racial equity in order to build a thriving economy and healthy environment for all residents of the Sacramento region, particularly for Black, Indigenous, Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, and other communities of color, that have been historically disenfranchised and excluded. SACOG envisions a Sacramento region where race is no longer a predictor of life outcomes, and outcomes for all groups are improved.

SACOG employs a dedicated and professional staff of 60 who work together to advance solutions to some of the region’s shared challenges of transportation, housing, air quality, climate change and the protection of the region’s agricultural and natural resources. SACOG fosters an inclusive, mission driven, and fun employee culture and offers flexible schedules and a progressive telework policy.

Diversity at SACOG
SACOG values diversity and believes that a range of backgrounds brings a variety of ideas, perspectives and experiences that contribute to an innovative and collaborative environment in which talents are fully utilized, uniqueness is valued, and SACOG’s objectives are met. SACOG is committed to building a culturally diverse workplace. We welcome individuals of all backgrounds, orientations, and identities.

In addition to being an organizational value, we also uphold equal opportunity under the law. SACOG is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. SACOG provides fair and equal opportunity for all with no discrimination because of race, creed, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, age, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.

SACOG will make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental disabilities of an otherwise qualified individual who is an applicant or employee.

Why join SACOG?

Teamwork:
• We work towards a shared vision while cultivating a workplace of collaboration, trust, and transparency. We create space for individual strengths and experiences to achieve more, together.

Community:
• We intentionally build an inclusive community where people can be themselves, share ideas, and pursue solutions. Together, we address challenges that are too big for any one person or group to solve on their own.

Dedication:
• We have the courage to tackle new challenges head on. We are driven by the opportunity to leave a lasting, positive impact on the region. We are committed to quality performance as we accomplish the agency’s goals.

Innovation:
• We strive for continuous improvement by reimagining the work and the way we do it. We use data and input to measure our progress, extract new insights, and elevate our work. This allows us to pave new paths into the future.

Hybrid Position

As an integral part of our organization, employees will provide support in a flexible work environment. This position will have the ability to telework three days per week.

The remainder of the work week will be in-person. Employees are required to live within 200 miles of Sacramento.

We support telework because it:
• Enhances employee productivity, satisfaction, and ability to collaborate.
• Improves recruitment and retention
• Reduces greenhouse gas emission, vehicle miles travels (VMT), traffic and parking congestion, and air pollution

Search Schedule:
Filing Deadline: May 2
First Round Interviews: Week of May 19
Second Round Interviews: Week of May 26
Exercise: An exercise will be required for this position during the interview process.
Desired Start Date: June 9

Employees in the Associate Analyst classification perform a variety of professional-level duties requiring independent judgment, analytical expertise, and the ability to manage complex projects with minimal supervision. Key responsibilities include:
• Independently manage projects or programs from initiation through completion, including setting objectives, timelines, and methods for delivery.
• Conduct research and analysis on a wide range of complex and diverse issues; develop data-informed recommendations and solutions.
• Participate in agency planning and strategy discussions related to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Exercise independent judgment in selecting appropriate methods, tools, and techniques to achieve project goals.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and professional-level resource for complex studies, reports, and initiatives.
• Represent SACOG in meetings with the Board of Directors, elected officials, public agencies, legislative bodies, private and community organizations, and regulatory or governmental agencies.
• Communicate technical and policy information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences, both in writing and verbally.
• Work under general direction with significant autonomy; assignments are guided by broad goals and reviewed for soundness and alignment with policy – not for specific methodology.

We know and appreciate that everyone brings their own talents to a job. Ideal candidates will have a combination of:
• Long-range planning, land use planning, housing policy, or land development consulting experience, ideally in a California context
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
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