What are the responsibilities and job description for the REGIONAL PLANNER position at Los Angeles County Department of Human Resources?
TYPE OF RECRUITMENT
We will be accepting online applications from Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) until Thursday, August 27, 2026, 5:00 p.m. (PT). All applications must be received before 5:00 p.m. (PT) on Thursday, August 27, 2026, to be accepted.
Why work for us?
With more than 10 million residents, Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the nation! As the largest employer in Southern California, over 116,000 employees in more than 38 Departments, we provide vital public services as diverse as law enforcement, property assessment, public health protection, water conservation, cultural activities and many more
We are dedicated professionals committed to preserving the dignity and integrity of the workplace as well as protecting the rights of each employee. The County has more than 2,300 different job descriptions, offering a lifetime of opportunities and careers! We offer one of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the country. Join us and discover a rich selection of health care options, robust retirement plans and the flexibility to work, relax, and rejuvenate to reach your fullest personal and professional potential.
An individual who participates in planning and zoning studies, analyses and research; communicates with the public concerning planning issues and engages in other planning and zoning activities.
For more information, please view the classification specification: Regional Planner
Follow us on Social Media!
Essential Job Functions
Participates in the research and drafting of zoning, subdivision, and other land use regulations.
Participates in the analysis of complex planning problems, the preparation of population and other planning projections, housing needs, and parking studies.
Responds in writing or orally to inquiries from the public on General Plan policy, and subdivision and zoning regulations.
Processes applications for subdivisions, zone changes, variances, and conditional use permits.
Evaluates applications for consistency with General Plan policy, and compliance with zoning and subdivision regulations.
Conducts field inspections, prepares staff reports and public notices, coordinates with other public agencies, and follows all other necessary procedures for public hearings.
Analyzes, reviews and prepares environmental documents including Initial Studies, Negative Declarations, and both the draft and final versions of the Environmental Impact Reports in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Explains County and State environmental regulations to the general public and project applicants.
Investigates and analyzes property ownership, recorded property ownership and zoning histories; gathers and consolidates data from public records and other sources to assist in the development of written staff reports in support of recommendations for official action.
Investigates violations of zoning regulations, and discusses alleged violations with property owners, complainants, community groups, the Board of Supervisors, County Counsel, the District Attorney, and other enforcement agencies, and may make court appearances.
Prepares and makes oral presentations of planning development applications, zoning and other planning related information to the Regional Planning Commission, and civic, community, governmental, professional, and other interest groups.
Prepares graphics, exhibits, maps, and other audio-visual illustrations to present findings and critical issues of planning studies in support of the department's recommendations.
Uses computer programs or planning applications to accept applications and process fees and prepare reports, maps, spreadsheets, data bases and/or graphics in carrying out planning activities.
Works collaboratively with other Sections and Divisions within Regional Planning, other County departments, and public and private organizations in coordinating project activities and resolving problems pertaining to planning matters related to the department such as homelessness, sustainability, climate change, and equity.
Requirements
OPTION I:
OPTION II:
OPTION III:
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and one year of professional urban or regional planning experience applying land use planning principles by interpreting and implementing zoning regulations, advising the public on land use and development requirements, resolving zoning and code compliance issues, and developing or implementing long-range planning policies, General Plans, or other legislative land use initiatives.
WITHOLD INFORMATION:
LICENSE:
PHYSICAL CLASS:
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:
To receive credit for your education, include a legible copy of all relevant official documents. For Option I and III, include a legible copy of your diploma, official transcript, or letter/certificate from an accredited institution demonstrating your specialization. For Option II, you must include a copy of your transcript demonstrating the date the degree was conferred, number of units and the type of unit system used (e.g., semester, quarter). All documents provided must be in English. If not in English, then translation is required. International degrees must be evaluated for equivalency to US standards and indicate the number of units and unit system. Documents marked as unofficial will not be accepted. For more information on our standards for educational documents, please visit: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/070812_PPG123.pdf ;
If you are unable to attach the document to your application, please send the document to csears@hr.lacounty.gov within seven (7) calendar days from the last day of filing and indicate the exam name and number on the subject line.
We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.
Additional Information
Once we have identified that you meet our requirements, an invitation regarding the following assessment processes will be sent:
EXAMINATION CONTENT
- Professional Potential
- Achievement
- Coping with Uncertainty
- Responsibility
- Working to High Quality Standards
- Willingness to Learn
- Working Relationships
- Analyzing Information
- Learning Quickly
- Generating New Ideas
- Using Time Efficiently
- Adapting to Change
- Deductive Reasoning
Applicants must meet the requirements and achieve a passing score of 70% or higher on Part I (multiple choice and/or simulation assessments) in order to proceed to Part II (technical writing project).
MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST/SIMULAR ASSESSMENTS ARE NOT REVIEWABLE BY CANDIDATES PER CIVIL SERVICE RULE 7.19.
PART II: A technical writing project weighted 35% measuring:
- Written Expression
- Professional/Technical Knowledge
- Critical Thinking
TRANSFER OF TEST COMPONENTS:
TEST PREPARATION:
ELIGIBILITY AND VACANCY INFORMATION:
APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION:
We only accept applications filed online. Applications submitted by U.S. mail, fax, or in person are not accepted. Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" green button at the top right of this posting. This website can also be used to get application status updates.
Please fill out the application completely. Provide relevant job experience including employer's name and address, job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week, and description of work performed.
We may verify information included in the application at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of information could result in refusal of application or rescission of appointment. Copying verbiage from the Requirements or class specification as your work experience will not be sufficient to demonstrate meeting the requirements. Doing so may result in an incomplete application and may lead to disqualification.
We will send notifications to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address. If you choose to unsubscribe or opt out from receiving our emails, it is possible to view notices by logging into Governmentjobs.com and checking the profile inbox. It is every applicant's responsibility to take steps to view correspondence, and we will not consider claims of missing notices to be a valid reason for re-scheduling an exam part. Register the below domains as approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk mail.
- info@governmentjobs.com
- talentcentral@shl.com
- noreply@proctoru.com
- donot-reply@amcatmail.com
- csears@hr.lacounty.gov
- szhang@hr.lacounty.gov
New email addresses need to be verified. This only needs to be done once per email address and can be done at any time by logging in to govermentjobs.com and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of the online application and to prevent incorrectly entered email addresses.
Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number, so include yours when applying.
For those who do not have access to a computer or the internet, we provide access to complete an application at public libraries throughout the county.
All applicants must file their application online using their own user ID and password. Using a family member's or friend's login information may erase a candidate's original application record.
___________________________________________________________________________
Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI):
The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. We are committed to promoting Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.
TESTING ACCOMMODATION:
If you require an accommodation to fairly compete in any part of the assessment process, you will be given the opportunity to make a request when completing your application. Please note, you may be required to submit documentation from a qualified medical provider or other qualified professional to support your request for a testing accommodation.
Testing Accommodations Coordinator: TestingAccommodations@hr.lacounty.gov or appropriate contact info
Teletype Phone: (800) 899-4099
Alternate Teletype Phone: (800) 897-0077
California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922
Department Contact Name: Channon Sears
Department Contact Phone: (213) 738-2008
Department Contact Email: csears@hr.lacounty.gov
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Employment Information
Any language contained in the job posting supersedes any language contained below.
This document is intended to provide general information about the recruitment process of the County of Los Angeles. Applicants with questions about a specific job posting should contact the exam analyst listed on the posting.
Equal Employment Opportunity/Non-Discrimination Statement:
The County of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to non-discrimination in the County workforce, regardless of age (40 and over); 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. For more information, please visit: https://employee.hr.lacounty.gov/eeo-programs/.
Testing Accommodations for Applicants:
The County of Los Angeles complies with all federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact the testing accommodation coordinator listed on the job posting. Hearing impaired applicants with telephone teletype equipment may leave messages by calling the teletype phone number on the job posting. For more information on accommodations, please visit: https://hr.lacounty.gov/accessibility/.
Fair Chance:
The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except as otherwise permissible under applicable laws, you will not be asked to provide information about conviction history unless you receive a conditional offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct and adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and will also consider potential mitigating factors, which may include, but is not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with County Fair Chance Policies and the Fair Chance Act (Gov. Code Section 12952).
Employment Eligibility:
Final appointment is contingent upon verification of U.S. citizenship or the right to work in the United States.
Career PathFinder:
Resources to help current and prospective employees plan a career with Los Angeles County are available. To explore career paths to and from nearly all job titles, please visit our interactive Career PathFinder application at http://career-pathfinder.hr.lacounty.gov.
Veteran’s Credit:
Pursuant to the County Charter and County policy, in all open competitive examinations (i.e., examinations open to everyone), the County of Los Angeles will add a credit of 10 percent of the total credits specified for such examination to the final passing score of an honorably discharged veteran, as well as the spouse of a deceased or disabled veteran, who served in the Armed Forces of the United States under specific conditions.
For more information on veteran’s credit, please visit: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/205102_PPG_115.pdf (Download PDF reader)
Revised September 2025