URBAN PLANNERS Number 175 Interest Area 11 1998
THE JOB
URBAN PLANNERS prepare plans for the development and revitalization of urban and rural areas. Most work for city, county, or other governmental agencies, where they help develop and carry out official policy regarding current and future land use. They are concerned with all aspects of the environment, including the location and design of buildings, transportation systems and with the protection of natural resources, including air and water quality and population density. Planners also consider social and economic factors that will be affected by land use changes.
Before producing development plans, planners conduct extensive studies of existing conditions and trends. They analyze trends in population and economic growth; estimate long-range needs for residential, commercial, and industrial development; and investigate property availability. To help evaluate land use alternatives, planners hold meetings and public hearings to get community reaction. They then summarize their findings and recommendations in written reports and submit these proposals to local authorities for adoption as the official general plan.
Planners working for local government agencies have additional tasks. They review applications for proposed development to determine conformity with broad general plan policies and with specific zoning and subdivision standards. They conduct studies to determine the potential environmental effects of each project and may also prepare or review detailed environmental impact reports for projects that are likely to have significant harmful effects. As part of this process, planners meet with property owners, developers, consultants, and interested citizens to discuss problems and solutions. After completing their review, planners recommend either approval, denial, or approval under specified conditions to the appropriate governing body.
The work performed by planners in private consulting firms varies with the client and the project; in most cases it is closely related to that done by public agency planners. Consultants prepare studies and general plans for planning departments that have insufficient staff or specialized expertise. They write environmental impact reports for proposed construction projects. Consultants also draft preliminary plans for private developments and work with planners and developers to negotiate changes and speed the project's approval.
A small number of planners work for land developers or construction firms on a variety of private projects.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Planners generally work in clean, well-lighted offices. However, they may spend much of their time outside the office, attending meetings or hearings, (sometimes after hours), or inspecting development sites.
Planners, planning students, and others interested in planning may join the American Planning Association (APA). Experienced Urban Planners may qualify by examination for membership in the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
The following information is from the California Projections of Employment published by the Labor Market Information Division.
Estimated number of workers in 1993 6,270 Estimated number of workers in 2005 8,540 Projected Growth 1993-2005 36% Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 2,140
(These figures do not include self-employment or openings due to turnover.)
Most opportunities will continue to be for all-around generalists, but there may be a demand for specialists in particular problem areas such as housing and transportation.
There are more qualified job seekers than planner jobs available, and employers are very selective. The number of persons training to enter the profession shows no sign of decline. Therefore, graduates can expect stiff competition for entry-level jobs, especially in metropolitan areas. Planners may have to accept nonprofessional positions such as Planning Technician to get started in the field.
WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
Government agency salaries for planners with a bachelor's degree and little or no experience start at about $2,300 to about $3,000 a month. Planners with a master's degree or one or two years of experience can start at $2,500 to $3,500 or more a month. Experienced planners can earn more than $5,000 or more a month and planning directors can earn more than $7,500 a month.
In private consulting firms, entry-level pay is usually lower than in government agencies, but top earnings are higher.
Planners normally work 40 hours a week, but may work longer when there are evening or weekend meetings to attend or pressing deadlines to meet.
Fringe benefits normally include paid vacation and sick leave, group health insurance, and retirement plans. Some companies offer profit sharing or stock options.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
A bachelor's degree in planning or a related field is the minimum requirement for professional-level jobs. Additional requirements for most jobs include a master's degree or several years of professional experience or both. Although it is possible to get started with only a bachelor's degree, intense competition for entry-level jobs and the increasing complexity of the work itself makes a master's degree advisable. Most authorities recommend an undergraduate degree in a field related to planning, such as geography, political science, or architecture followed by a graduate degree in planning. A degree in urban studies, environmental studies, or environmental planning programs requires the equivalent of two years of full time study to complete. A few universities have programs under which students may earn master's degrees in planning as well as in an allied field, such as architecture, in about three years of full time study.
Prospective planners should combine an aptitude for research with an interest in public affairs. They should be flexible and yet objective, able to analyze complex situations, see interrelationships, and draw reasonable conclusions. They must be able to work well with public officials, private citizens, and technical experts and to prepare effective written and oral reports.
An understanding of the political system, a knowledge of mathematics through calculus or linear algebra, and a foundation in probability and statistics is desirable. The ability to understand architectural drawings and computer graphics programs are increasingly important. Courses and experience in public speaking are helpful. For most jobs, a California driver's license is required.
ADVANCEMENT
Planners in government agencies normally progress through a series of increasingly more responsible and better paying positions on the basis of merit and experience. Eventually, some become division heads or planning directors. However, upward mobility in the public sector may be adversely affected by the current policy in some agencies to reduce staffing levels by not replacing mid-level planners who are not replaced. Transfer to a larger public or private organization is another way that planners may use to advance their careers.
Planners working in consulting firms may become project managers, partners, or start their own firms. Some experienced planners go into university teaching, which is often combined with consulting and research.
FINDING THE JOB
Since most jobs, particularly for beginners, are with government agencies, taking and passing civil service examinations is a good start for a planning career. If requested to do so, personnel departments will usually notify interested individuals by mail when specific examinations are scheduled.
Job listings are carried by newspapers; the APA News, the American Planning Association's Planning magazine; and The Job Finder, published monthly by the Western Governmental Research Association. Employers also recruit and interview job applicants at the American Planning Association's Job Market held as part of its annual membership convention.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
American Planning Association, California Chapter 1333 36th Street Sacramento, CA 95816 (916) 736-2434 www.rain.org/~calapa
American Planning Association 122 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60603 (312) 431-9100 www.planning.org
Department of City and Regional Planning University of California Berkeley 228 Wurster Hall Berkeley, CA 94720-1850 (510) 643-9440
RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
Architects No. 210 Landscape Architects No. 216
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th Ed., 1991) Urban Planner 199.167-014
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System Urban and Regional Planners 271050
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
(916) 262-2162.
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