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Grow & Thrive

Are you ready to take the next step in your planning career? Do you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment? The City of San Bruno, located adjacent to San Francisco International Airport, is seeking passionate, forward-thinking Senior Planners to help shape the future growth and development of our community.  The Senior Planner plays an important role in guiding land use, zoning, and community planning initiatives that align with the City's vision and strategic goals.

 

This is your opportunity to make a real impact by working on transformative projects working as part of a team of dedicated planners.

 

About the Department

The Community Development Department is responsible for planning the physical development of the community and ensuring that new development and modifications to existing development are completed in compliance with City and State laws. The Department provides technical information to residents, business owners, developers, and commissions regarding local codes, ordinances, and other related issues. The Planning Division reviews development plans, use permits, and other planning entitlements, and prepares land use plans focusing on the long-term growth and future development of the City.

 

Senior Planner

 

Definition

Performs complex professional planning work and provides direction, coordination and supervision of planning studies in the areas of both current and long-range planning; assists in the administration of zoning regulations and the planning and land use activities of San Bruno; and to do related work as required. This is a Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) exempt position.

 

Supervision Received

Works under general direction of the Planning Manager or designee.

 

Supervision Exercised

None generally, but may supervise other support staff, part-time or temporary employees or volunteers, as assigned.

 

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs duties and responsibilities of the Assistant/Associate Planner and:
• Manages complex land use applications, analyzing for compliance with Federal, State and local regulations, policies and guidelines.
• Prepares agreements and manage consultant work as needed for planning tasks.
• Implements Housing Element programs and policies.
• Assists in the administration, review and revising of the zoning ordinance, general plan, and subdivision ordinance.
• Plans, organizes, and implements activities related to land use and planning for the future development of the City, including population estimates and demographics, economic growth, land use, zoning, and social statistics.
• Coordinates planning activities with other City departments and other planning agencies.
• Serves as technical advisor, including both verbal and written presentations, to the Planning Commission.
• Represents the City concerning planning matters at neighborhood, community and regional organizations.

 

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

Theory, principles and practices of governmental planning and zoning; State and County laws and regulations relating to municipal planning, zoning and development; statistics and statistical analysis as applied to land use, transportation, zoning and master plan studies; principles and techniques involved in the development, implementation, and maintenance of the City’s long range plans; and current trends in federal, state and local planning.

 

Ability to:

Collect and analyze complex data and formulate well-developed recommendations and alternative courses of action for difficult planning and land-use problems, including revisions in a General Plan consistent with State Law and local needs; review and evaluate architectural plans for compliance with zoning regulations and other local, State, and Federal requirements; demonstrate sound professional judgment and logical reasoning using both creativity and pragmatism; establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with public and private officials and with members of the public; and speak clearly, forcefully, and effectively before professional, governmental, civic and business groups.

 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

 

• Any combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge and ability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position, with a typical path as follows:

 

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a major in planning or related field. At least four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in public planning work. A Master's degree may substitute for one year of the required experience.

 

How to Apply

Applications may be submitted online at BambooHR.  Applications must be received by 5:00 pm on December 15, 2025. You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible before the recruitment is closed. The City of San Bruno utilizes a merit-based selection system. Such a system is competitive and based on broad outreach efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to take part in a process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the position.

 

Equal Opportunity Statement
The City of San Bruno is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and as such does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, gender, religion, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or national origin in its employment actions, decisions, policies and practices.  If you require special accommodations, please contact us at HR@sanbruno.ca.gov.

We’re looking for thoughtful urban planners to join the Planning Department and help us shape Lafayette’s future!

Are you excited about shaping communities and making a lasting impact? The City of Lafayette (pop. 24,000) is looking for an experienced Senior Planner to play a key role in maintaining our city’s charm while supporting thoughtful growth and development.

Located just 20 minutes from San Francisco via BART, Lafayette offers a vibrant downtown, scenic hillsides, and top-rated schools. Our residents value a small-town atmosphere with personalized service, and we need a dynamic planner to help guide the city's future.

Join a team of dedicated, energetic, and talented professionals in a city that truly values its employees. If you have a passion for urban planning, exceptional analytical skills, and a commitment to community development, we want to hear from you.

Please note: Cover Letter is required.

We’re looking for thoughtful urban planners to join the Planning Department and help us shape Lafayette’s future!

The City of Lafayette (pop. 24,000) is looking for an entry-level professional in urban planning -- our next Planning Technician. This role will be expected to provide clear analysis and excellent customer service. The Planning Technician will have the opportunity to work in the field of current planning, including review of development and land use applications, zoning, site plan and environmental review.

Located just 20 minutes from San Francisco via BART, Lafayette offers a vibrant downtown, scenic hillsides, and top-rated schools. Our residents value a small-town atmosphere with personalized service, and we need a dynamic planner to help guide the city's future.

Join a team of dedicated, energetic, and talented professionals in a city that truly values its employees. If you have a passion for urban planning, exceptional analytical skills, and a commitment to community development, we want to hear from you.

Please note: Cover Letter is required.

We’re looking for thoughtful urban planners to join the Planning Department and help us shape Lafayette’s future!

Are you excited about shaping communities and making a lasting impact? The City of Lafayette (pop. 24,000) is looking for an experienced Assistant Planning Director to play a key role in maintaining our city’s charm while supporting thoughtful growth and development. The ideal candidate is an experienced professional in urban planning who has a proven track record for providing high level analysis, excellent customer service skills, and exceptional leadership. They will be able to demonstrate an interest in community development and a passion for working with residents and staff to make the City vital, safe and attractive. 

Located just 20 minutes from San Francisco via BART, Lafayette offers a vibrant downtown, scenic hillsides, and top-rated schools. Our residents value a small-town atmosphere with personalized service, and we need a dynamic planner to help guide the city's future.

This is a challenging job in a great city! Join a team of dedicated, energetic, and talented professionals in a city that truly values its employees. If you have a passion for urban planning, exceptional analytical skills, and a commitment to community development, we want to hear from you.

Please note: Cover Letter is preferred, but not required.

The Staff Landscape Architect will oversee design elements of all park development/landscape improvement projects, prepare landscape designs, construction documents and specifications, perform construction observation and troubleshooting, provide general project management and administration, and represent the agency at public meetings.

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This is highly technical and professional work for a person at a senior staff/management level. The work performed will support MRCA’s operation of nature parks within greater Los Angeles, land acquisition and capital improvement Workprograms, and other efforts related to public access, open space conservation, habitat restoration, and urban park development. 

Ability to speak Spanish and a current landscape architect license issued by the State of California are required.

Supervision

This position reports to the Deputy Executive Officer. Assorted tasks may be supervised by Executive Staff and may include participation in multi-division teams. The position may supervise other staff at the entry-level or intermediate project manager level. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Produce landscape improvement plans, details, and specifications, at conceptual design, schematic design,  and construction document phases with both hand-drawn graphics and CAD techniques.
• Coordinate with Construction Supervisors to monitor progress of in-house staff (force account) and subcontractors, assure compliance with plans and specifications, and troubleshoot as needed.
• Coordinate with Site Managers to monitor landscape maintenance activities and improvements; troubleshoot as needed. Provide input and guidance on long-term management plans for existing and new facilities.
• Sign/stamp plans. Interpret and apply applicable ordinances, regulations, and standard operating procedures.
• Produce early concept designs for a variety of project types.
• Identify and scope improvement projects for existing facilities.
• Monitor and track project budgets and spending.
• Review and approve landscape plans, details, and specifications prepared by others for park development projects.
• Coordinate the assessment and removal of architectural barriers.
• Make reports about improvement projects to Executive Staff, Governing Board, funders, and the general public.
• Conduct a bi-annual Request for Qualifications for various professional disciplines to maintain a current list of qualified consultants.
• Review proposal submissions from environmental design consultants and make recommendations to project managers.
• Attend senior staff meetings and participate in management discussions.
• Oversee agency design standards. Research new products and technologies.
• Perform Construction Administration tasks and respond to RFIs from contractors and construction management consultants.
• Specify and procure supplies for improvement projects and work closely with vendors.
• Produce written materials including construction specifications, staff reports, text for publication, proposals, progress reports, and a variety of other documents.
• Determine project scope, options, and alternatives to overcome constraints. Revise as often as needed to address unexpected conditions.
• Maintain good habits of answering and responding to incoming telephone calls, correspondence, and when communicating and providing customer service to citizens who seek assistance.
• Maintain positive relationships with coworkers, representatives of other government agencies, non-profit organizations, homeowner’s associations, and the public at large.
• Lead and participate in group hikes, project site tours, and kayak trips with project stakeholders.
• Represent the agency in public forums.
• Perform related duties as required.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Write and coordinate grant proposals and research new funding opportunities for land acquisition, park development, and related planning efforts.
• Perform day-to-day administration of grants, prepare required reports and ensure conformance with grant agreements. 

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required remain in a stationary position, occasionally move about inside the office to access supplies and office machinery, frequently communicate and exchange information, review handwritten, electronic and facsimile documents, and operate a computer and other office productivity machinery. The employee must occasionally move items weighing up to 20 pounds inside the office.

During project site surveys, the employee is regularly required to position self to perform measurement and inventory tasks, frequently move about work sites, operate a mobile system to complete checklists, travel to various park sites, frequently operate measuring tools to record measurements indoors and in outdoor weather conditions, transport tools between vehicles and work sites on a daily basis, and occasionally ascend/descend a ladder to access areas of work.

Required Hours and Location

Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week with some scheduling flexibility. The position will work out of the Los Angeles River Center and Gardens and will be required to travel to various other locations. Offices at the River Center are spread among multiple buildings and floors. Remote working or a hybrid schedule may be allowed, subject to supervisor approval.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Education and Experience

• B.L.A, B.A. or B.S. degree. 
• Completion of Landscape Architecture degree (bachelor or masters). Completion of an approved extension certificate program meeting education requirements for State of California licensure may be substituted.
• Four (4) years of experience with landscape architect duties. 
• Work experience directly managing landscape improvement projects with force account or via design/build relationship. Provide at least three (3) examples of completed projects.
• Experience in the public sector in park planning and design is desired.
• Ability to speak Spanish is required.

Training and Certification

• Current, valid Landscape Architect license with the State of California.

Knowledge of:

• State of California Building Code and ADAS requirements for public facilities.
• Intermediate proficiency with AutoCAD, BlueDAG, and Land F/X software, or ability to learn.
• Construction practices for architecture and landscape improvements.
• California Environmental Quality Act requirements, or ability to learn.
• Basic proficiency in email and Office 365, or ability to learn.
• Office practices and procedures.

Ability to:

• Cooperate with coworkers and revise project approach as needed to accommodate concerns.
• Travel to various park sites to conduct site evaluations and evaluate projects.
• Maintain files and records in an orderly manner.
• Prioritize varying tasks and projects to manage multiple projects at once.
• Work independently to handle multiple tasks under deadlines.
• Revise work approach to address changed conditions.
• Complete projects and follow oral and written directions.
• Consistently follow established procedures.
• Exercise discretion and sensitivity to confidential information.
• Communicate to a variety of audiences about projects and objectives.
• Read maps and navigate through greater Los Angeles, in both urban developed and undeveloped open space areas.

Competencies:

• Accurate use of measuring devices for distance, height, slope and adjacencies. 
• Demonstrated creativity and ability to troubleshoot landscape construction issues
• Spatial analysis.

• Excellent oral and written English language skills. Not required to be a native English speaker, but fluency in English will be required.

• Excellent organizational skills.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the course of work including the general public. 

This job announcement is not intended to, and does not, create an employment contract of any kind and does not create any express or implied contractual obligations. Employment at MRCA is at-will without exception. The employee and MRCA may terminate employment at any time with or without advance notice and with or without cause.

Any provision contained in this job announcement may be modified or revoked at any time without notice.