Regional Planner

The County of Los Angeles is seeking a Regional Planner to assist with emergency response and fire recovery efforts. Responsibilities include researching and drafting planning policies, analyzing zoning applications, conducting field inspections, and preparing environmental documents. The position involves public engagement and collaboration on projects related to sustainability and recovery. A bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required. The job is located in Los Angeles, CA, and is not remote.
Overview

The Department of Regional Planning is recruiting a Regional Planner to support emergency response and fire recovery efforts following recent windstorms and wildfires. The position will begin with a 90‑day initial period with the possibility of permanent appointment upon successful performance assessment.

Essential Responsibilities
• Research, write, and engage the public on the adoption of the County’s general plan, area, coastal, community, and neighborhood plan policies, and other specialized plans.
• Draft zoning, subdivision, and other land‑use regulations.
• Analyze complex planning problems, prepare population and other planning projections, housing needs, and parking studies.
• Respond to public inquiries on General Plan policy, subdivision, and zoning regulations.
• Process applications for subdivisions, zone changes, variances, and conditional use permits and evaluate them for consistency with General Plan policy and zoning regulations.
• Conduct field inspections, prepare staff reports and public notices, coordinate with other agencies, and oversee public hearings.
• Analyze, review, and prepare environmental documents compliant with CEQA.
• Explain environmental regulations to the public and applicants.
• Investigate and analyze property ownership and zoning histories, gather data, and prepare staff reports.
• Investigate zoning violations and interact with enforcement agencies; may make court appearances.
• Prepare and present planning applications and related information to the Regional Planning Commission, community groups, and other stakeholders.
• Create graphics, exhibits, maps, and audio‑visual materials for presenting findings.
• Utilize computer programs and planning applications for processing fees, preparing reports, maps, spreadsheets, databases, and graphics.
• Collaborate with other sections, departments, and organizations on projects related to homelessness, sustainability, climate change, and equity.

Fire Recovery Assistance Duties
• Serve as primary contact at the public counter, hotline, and email for fire survivor inquiries.
• Operate and coordinate unmanned aircraft systems for post‑fire damage assessment.
• Collaborate with community leaders to guide property owners through rebuilding.
• Conduct on‑site evaluations to determine rebuilding feasibility.
• Facilitate public workshops for survivors’ application submissions.
• Identify and enforce unpermitted land‑use activities during rebuilding.
• Investigate complaints about unpermitted debris removal and construction.
• Develop and implement enforcement protocols with regulatory agencies.
• Prepare state and federal grant applications.
• Research property ownership, zoning histories, and eligibility for rebuilding.
• Create visual materials (maps, graphics, exhibits) for decision bodies.
• Use digital planning tools to accept applications, review fee waivers, and produce progress reports.
• Collaborate with regional planning sections and other stakeholders on recovery efforts.

Minimum Requirements
• Option I: Bachelor’s degree in Urban or Regional Planning from an accredited institution.
• Option II: Bachelor’s degree with specialization in Environmental Studies, Geography, Urban Studies, Public Administration, Public Policy, Landscape Architecture, Architecture, or Urban Design plus 15 semester or 22.5 quarter units of upper‑division courses in Urban or Regional Planning, Cartography, Urban Geography, or Environmental Planning.
• Option III: Bachelor’s degree and one year of urban or regional planning experience.
• A valid California Class C Driver License or an acceptable alternative transportation method.
• Physical Class II—Light (administrative roles may require occasional lifting to 10 lb).
• For degree credit, submit a legible copy of official diploma, transcripts, or letter detailing specialization within 7 calendar days of application submission.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The County of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Our policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, color, ethnicity, religious creed, protected family or medical leave status, disability, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, national origin, race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law.