The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.
Why join the City of Oakland Planning & Building Department?
The City of Oakland is looking for dedicated people to contribute to the success of our community. The Bureau of Planning is currently recruiting to fill several Planner II positions. This offers an exciting opportunity to participate in shaping the future of Oakland. The ideal candidates are highly motivated professionals with the ability to work effectively with City staff, appointed and elected officials, and a racially and culturally diverse community of public stakeholders.
Oakland is a racially, ethnically, linguistically and economically diverse community, and the City of Oakland welcomes candidates with diverse and multicultural skill sets. The Bureau of Planning supports the mission of the City of Oakland to transform practices in City government to promote racial equity in government and the community we serve.
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, through 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 the other planning divisions.
We are looking for someone who is:
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Knowledgeable about land use planning law in California
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Knowledgeable about CEQA and how it relates to entitlement review
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Able to coordinate work with departments with differing objectives and roles
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Able to work in a high-stress, fast-paced environment
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Able to formulate independent judgment related to zoning entitlement review, with backup as needed
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Able to communicate with the public on the phone, by email, and through community engagement meetings
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Able to conduct research on best practices and formulate recommendations based on the research.
What you will typically be responsible for:
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Planning and conducting research studies regarding land use, zoning, subdivisions, environmental impact, and urban design.
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Processing planning permits, environmental review applications, subdivision modifications, and plan check modifications/additions/alterations to structures.
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Monitoring the preparation of environmental impact studies and reports, working with consultants and interdepartmental teams.
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Developing studies, designs, and plans of current projects or specific phases of the General Plan.
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Conducting rezoning studies, including background research, site visits, review of regulations, survey maps, and public meetings.
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Participating in all work levels of routine planning studies, including outline of work methodologies, conclusions, and recommendations.
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Providing information and assistance on projects to developers, property owners, and the general public regarding laws, policies, regulations, standards, and planning procedures.
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Responding to complaints and answering questions from the public regarding planning and zoning.
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 III posting can be found here: Planner III. The Planner IV posting can be found here: Planner IV.
Working for the City of Oakland
A few reasons you might love this job:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The work is rewarding in that you see proposals that you analyzed developed.
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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:
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Working with the public can sometimes be difficult
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Working in a political environment within a bureaucracy
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Navigating processes that are not well documented
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Demanding workload due to current vacancies which the city is actively working to fill
Competencies Required:
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Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
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Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
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Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims.
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Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
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Establishing Credibility: Doing what one commits to doing and respecting the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others.
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Informing: Proactively obtaining and sharing information
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Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
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Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
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Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
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Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
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Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
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Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
- Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace
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Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
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 copying and pasting the link into your browser to open it: https://cao-94612.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/Request-for-Reasonable-Accommodation-in-Testing-2.9.22-Fillable.pdf ; Send the completed form and any supporting documentation to the exam analyst: Mary Ann Gonzales at
[email protected]
Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you’re applying to a “restricted” posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass.
The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
What’s in it for you?
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Work/Life Balance: 37.5 hour work weeks
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15 paid holidays
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Vacation: 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
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Retirement: CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
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Health: The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care, and other HMO and PPO plans
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Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
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Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
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Sick leave: Employees accrue 12 days per year
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Deferred Compensation: 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
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Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.
- Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.
Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.
Disaster Service Workers
All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
How to Apply
Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca
If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).
Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact GovernmentJobs Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system. For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Mary Ann Gonzales at [email protected].
