* * * This is NOT a job offer * * * The purpose of this occupational guide is to provide you with useful information to help you make career decisions. If you are searching for a job, please go to CalJobs (for jobs in California)     OR      JOBcentral (for jobs nationwide)

More Occupational Guides

Urban Planners

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) 642-3256


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.