Planner III - PBES

Job Description

The Napa Valley

The Napa Valley, internationally known for its fine wines, exciting restaurants, and world-class resorts, is home to 140,000 residents who share a strong sense of community and a legacy of preserving and protecting our rich agricultural heritage.

Located in the heart of California's preeminent wine region, the Napa Valley is also part of the dynamic San Francisco Bay Metropolitan Area. With its sunny Mediterranean climate and proximity to the mountains and ocean, the Valley offers residents easy access to virtually unlimited shopping, dining, and cultural and recreational opportunities.

The Napa Valley's strategic location, natural and cultural resources, history of responsible land use planning, and attractive quality of life provide the ideal mix of small-town living and big-city amenities.

Napa County as an Employer

As an organization, the County is dedicated to improving the lives of our citizens and reflecting the best of the community's values: Respect, Accountability, Dedication, Integrity, and Innovation. LEARN MORE HERE.

The Position

The Department of Planning, Building, & Environmental Services (PBES) partners with the community to promote the health, safety, and sustainability of Napa County by providing a range of development services while balancing agricultural, environmental, and economic vitality. PBES is comprised of ten divisions: Building, Code Compliance, Engineering, Environmental Health, Natural Resources, Parks, Planning, Geographic Information Systems, and Staff Services. Learn more about PBES HERE .

Planner III performs a variety of responsible professional planning duties in the field of current and advance planning; prepares, processes and presents environmental analysis reports, reviews technical reports, conducts zoning research, and prepares findings and planning agenda items; disseminates zoning/regulatory and permitting process information to the public and provides assistance to the public and developers on complex planning matters; and, as assigned, performs business process analysis and oversees interdepartmental permitting coordination and ensures the efficiency of the Department's permit tracking systems. This position is expected to perform the full range of planning duties with a significant degree of independent judgment and responsibility. Positions assigned to this class may also apply specialized and advanced level knowledge, skills, and abilities in the area to which they are assigned and may serve as a lead worker to lower-level planning staff.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Experience and Education:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

Experience:

Three (3) years of responsible professional experience in the planning, natural resources, water resources, sustainability/energy field or related field. Note: A Master's degree in a related field may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

Education:

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in urban, regional, land use or environmental planning, environmental policy, environmental science, hydrogeology or related field is required.

License or Certificate*

Possession of a valid California driver's license.

Member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) for land use planning positions is preferred.

*Any license, certification, or registration required for this position shall be maintained (i.e. active and in good standing) at all times during employment with Napa County. For continued employment with Napa County, you must maintain such license, certification, or registration to meet the minimum qualifications of this position.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Agreed Winter Time Off:

• 32 hours of Winter Time Off

THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Online Application Deadline

By 5:00 PM, PST, Wednesday September 30, 2026

Application Screening & Supplemental Question Scoring

Tentatively scheduled for the week of October 5, 2026

Supplemental questions will be scored by subject matter experts. The most qualified applicants from scoring the supplemental questions will be invited for an Oral Panel Interview.

Oral Panel Interview

Tentatively scheduled for the week of October 26, 2026

The Human Resources Department reserves the right to change the recruitment process at any time.

Example of Duties

Click here to review the full job description including the example of duties and job requirements: Planner III

Benefits
Learn more about the benefits package for this position here.

ADA Accommodation
Applicants requiring accommodation during the application and/or selection process pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act should contact County of Napa Human Resources at (707) 253-4303.

Disaster Service Worker
Napa County employees automatically become Disaster Service Workers. This means that when Napa County experience emergencies (earthquakes, wildfire, power outage, etc.) you may be asked to pivot from your regular duties to provide critical services to those affected by the emergency (Cal. Gov. Code § 3101.)

Napa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

PUBLIC SERVICES EMPLOYEES BENEFITS INFORMATION

SALARY -
Salaries are based on a five-step range. Appointments are usually made at the beginning step with advances occurring at six months and the completion of each year thereafter. Salary rates are reviewed annually.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS INFO -
Click here for additional benefits information forPublic ServicesEmployees:
https://www.countyofnapa.org/DocumentCenter/View/25886/Benefits-Summary---Public-Service-Employee-PSE

THESE BENEFITS DO NOT APPLY TO EXTRA HELP POSITIONS

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

PHYSICAL STANDARDS -
Certain designated County positions require a candidate to pass a physical examination prior to appointment. Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of this examination.

FINGERPRINTING -
All employees hired into allocated positions or extra help positions will be fingerprinted.

SELECTION PROCESS -

FOR POSITIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT - The selection process will include an oral board interview, psychological assessment, background investigation, and a pre-employment physical exam.

Closing Date/Time: 9/30/2026 5:00 PM Pacific