Planner I/II/III

Kings-County; Hanford (CA); On-site; USD 63,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

Kings-County is seeking motivated professionals to join our planning team as Planner I/II/III. You will support current and long-range planning by reviewing land use permits, analyzing land divisions, preparing reports, and helping enforce county planning regulations.

This role offers growth as experience increases. Responsibilities include assisting with general plan development, preparing communications, and presenting findings to boards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in urban or regional planning, public administration, geography, political science, or related field.
• Planner I: no prior professional planning experience required.
• Planner II: at least 1 year of professional planning experience at Planner I level with Kings County.
• Planner III: at least 2 years of professional planning experience at Planner II level with Kings County.

Responsibilities

• Review land use permits, analyze land divisions, conduct planning studies, and prepare reports to support county regulations.
• Administer and interpret zoning ordinances and planning policies to assist applicants and the public.
• Monitor development applications from submission to final permits and perform periodic reviews of conditional approvals.
• Prepare written communications and presentations for the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, and community groups.

Job description

Planner I/II/III

Level I: $63,107.20 - $77,043.20 Annually

Level II: $69,721.60 - $85,113.60 Annually

Level III: $77,043.20 - $94,016.00 Annually

We are seeking motivated and detail-oriented professionals to join our team! In this role, you will support both current and long-range planning efforts by reviewing land use permits, analyzing land divisions, conducting planning studies, preparing reports, and helping carry out County land use regulations and policies. This position also offers opportunities for professional growth within the Planner series as experience is gained.

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Some duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities may be performed in a learning capacity for entry-level (I Level) positions.

• Provides information and assistance to developers, property owners and the public regarding laws, policies, regulations related to the submission of plans, processing of applications and implementation requirements.
• Receives and processes applications for rezoning, general and specific plan amendments, use permits, environmental clearance, variance, and related zoning items.
• Administers, interprets, and enforces provisions of the County Zoning Ordinance and other planning laws, policies and standards to potential applicants and the public.
• Monitors status of development applications from acceptance to issuance of final permit and conducts periodic reviews of conditional permits.
• Reviews, investigates, and processes various plans and applications for subdivisions, housing and commercial developments, variances, use permits, and business licenses; determines conformity with laws, policies, regulations, and procedures; recommends approval, identifies problems and alternatives.
• Plans and conducts research studies and prepares reports and recommendations regarding land use, zoning, urban design, population trends, transportation, housing, redevelopment, and community service needs.
• Assists with the review, development, or revision of the various elements of the General Plan, environmental documents, plans, ordinances and other policies and procedures.
• Develops and maintains statistical reporting systems; compiles, analyzes and interprets data relating to environmental conditions, social, economic, and housing trends, community needs, demographic trends, and zoning problems and prepares appropriate documentation.
• Prepares a variety of written communications, including analytical reports, correspondence, and drafts of revisions to local ordinances, policies, and procedures; directs the preparation of graphic materials.
• Assists with the county’s Housing Grant portfolio, including prequalification’s and grant administration and monitoring.
• Performs occasional field surveys, inspections, and investigations related to planning and zoning projects or requests.
• Makes effective oral and graphic presentations or prepares material for presentation to the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, and community groups; answers questions and provides information and assistance to the public in person, on the telephone and in writing.
• May act as liaison with other agencies, departments, and planning sections.
• Attends various meetings, briefings, and workshops related to planning assignments.
• Conducts special research projects.
• Provides training to subordinate and less experienced staff and volunteers as assigned.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Please note: Work experience for the last 15 years must be included in the work history portion of your application. It is also important that your application show all the relevant education and experience that you possess, even if it extends beyond the required past 15 years. A resume may be attached, but is not a substitute for completing the application and supplemental questions. Failure to submit a completed application may eliminate you from the recruitment.

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education:

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in urban or regional planning, business or public administration, geography, political science, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• Planner I: None Required.
• Planner II: One (1) year of professional planning experience at a level equivalent to the classification of Planner I with Kings County.
• Planner III: Two (2) years of professional planning experience at a level equivalent to the classification of Planner II with Kings County.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Licenses:

• Possession of a valid California driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of appointment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation and fingerprint check. Ability to travel frequently within and outside the County.

For a complete description of duties and qualifications, view the detailed job specifications:

Planner I Planner II Planner III

All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed. Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the selection process may include the following:

1. Screening committee (pass/fail) and/or
2. Written examination (pass/fail) and/or
3. Oral examination (100%) This may include a written practical component (100%) to determine placement on the eligible list.

Note: Those applicants who are among the top 40 written test scores will be invited to participate in the oral examination process.

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Veteran's Preference Application

You must submit a certified DD-214 and a new request form for each application submission prior to the closing date.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Final Date to Apply: October 8, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

Subject Matter Expert Review: Week of October 8, 2026

Human Resources Interview: Week of November 3 & 4, 2026

Department Interview: TBD