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The Associate Planner supports the Town’s planning and development functions by reviewing and analyzing a variety of land use and development applications to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. This position provides technical assistance and guidance to property owners, developers, and the public on zoning, design review, environmental assessment, and related planning matters. The Associate Planner also prepares staff reports, presents recommendations to the Planning Commission and Town Council, and contributes to long-term planning initiatives that promote thoughtful, sustainable development consistent with San Anselmo’s General Plan.

*The Town welcomes applicants with diverse experience levels. Candidates with less planning experience are encouraged to apply and may be alternatively considered for the Assistant Planner position ($88,716–$107,844), depending on experience and qualifications.

TO VIEW JOB ANNOUNCEMENT, CLICK JOB PDF OR JOB ANNOUNCEMENT URL BELOW.

The City of Half Moon Bay Community Development Department invites qualified candidates to apply for the position of Senior Planner.  The Department is seeking an attentive and well-qualified Senior Planner Supervisor to join the Planning Division. The Senior Planner reviews and manages complex development projects through the entitlement process, oversees professional planning assignments, manages long-range planning studies, and incorporates meaningful community engagement into planning initiatives. At any given time, the Senior Planner may be interpreting zoning regulations, managing consultant work, preparing detailed project analyses, or advising the public on planning matters.

The Senior Planner reports to the Community Development Director and supervises more junior planners. Senior Planners may also serve as project manager for major private development proposals and City planning projects, serve as Deputy Zoning Administrator, and act as staff liaison to the Planning Commission.

• Manage a variety of complex planning projects, including residential, commercial, and mixed-use development.
• Apply policies and procedures of the City’s Local Coastal Program (LCP), General Plan, and zoning regulations.
• Direct consultant services for CEQA and technical reviews.
• Conduct and present analyses of planning proposals; prepare staff reports and recommendations.
• Facilitate public engagement and represent the City at meetings, workshops, and hearings.
• Provide guidance to architects, contractors, developers, and the general public regarding development standards.
• Supervise and mentor planning staff in best practices and project review.
• Coordinate interdepartmental project review and collaborate with external agencies.
• Attend evening and weekend meetings as required.

The Department of Planning and Development is currently recruiting for one Senior Planner vacancy:

This Senior Planner will play a crucial role in reviewing complex professional-level tasks related to land use and planning laws, zoning, housing, discretionary entitlements with associated report writing for consideration by the County Zoning Administrator and/or Planning Commission, and the review of building permits and environmental analysis under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Senior Planner will also serve as the lead on assigned projects, which may include overseeing a number of programs (examples include: County General Plan & Housing Element, Surface Mining and Reclamation Act, Santa Clara Valley Ag Plan, and Habitat Plan) and works independently, assuming responsibility for more complex projects (such as Stanford master planning), and must be resourceful and responsive to specialized assignments from Executive Management or the Board of Supervisors. The Senior Planner may also be responsible for reviewing development and parcel maps/subdivision proposals, as well as building plans, and permits. The County will be embarking upon a comprehensive General Plan Update, and other various vision plans and may be expected to oversee and manage these efforts. The County also processes large and complex private development applications for large private institutional uses, new quarries, places of worship and agricultural processing campuses. A Senior Planner with areas of expertise related to long-range/comprehensive planning and/or major project development processing experience, coupled with strong CEQA experience is desired. 

In addition to meeting the employment standards for a Senior Planner, candidates must possess in-depth knowledge and working experience in two (2) or more of the following areas:

• Preparing advanced California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documents (e.g., Initial Studies, Mitigated Negative Declarations, Environmental Impact Reports).
• Experience in complex medium- to large-scale development entitlement projects such as campus planning, industrial, commercial, housing, agricultural housing or processing developments, or similar projects requiring advanced CEQA processing, staff report writing, data management and analysis, public outreach and public hearings.
• Experience in the management of CEQA and technical consultants, including meeting coordination, reviewing work products, and contracting/billing. Experience in managing consultants to ensure the project is completed within the approved timeline and budget with the proper deliverable is required.
• General requirements of the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA), preparation of annual surface mining inspection reports, and review and approval of Financial Assurance Cost Estimate (FACE), Reclamation Plans, and Mining Plans (desired, not required).
• Analytical understanding of State laws and regulations impacting land use and local government, with directly related work products that include major ordinance revisions and creation and processing of new programs. This would include preparation of professional staff reports of summarized data, conclusions and recommendations.
• Have conducted as a lead project manager or co-project manager long-range, comprehensive planning projects; e.g., general plan updates, major zoning ordinance amendments, specific plans, vision plans, etc., with working knowledge of the principals and practices of such working documents.

Filing Period and Application Procedure

Final Filing Date: Open until filled. The recruitment may be extended or closed as early as 10 days after the issue date.  You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and to monitor this site for updated closing information.

The first review of applications is tentatively scheduled for the week of August 04, 2025.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS POSITION, PLEASE CLICK THE JOB ANNOUCEMENT URL OR JOB PDF BELOW.

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.

The Town of Portola Valley is seeking a Senior Planner to help guide thoughtful development, protect our natural character, and enhance the quality of life that makes our community so special. If you’re a creative, collaborative planning professional who enjoys both strategic visioning and hands-on project work, this is your chance to make a direct and lasting impact in a close-knit town setting!

Under the general direction of the Planning and Building Director, our Senior Planner will perform professional level work related to municipal planning, zoning, housing, and environmental analysis; reviews and will manage complex development projects; perform professional duties in support of long range planning studies, interpret and enforce various zoning regulations of the Town; completes complex and technical assessments and prepares written analyses; provides professional assistance to the public; presents information and reports to the Architecture Site Control Commission (ASCC), the Planning Commission, and the Town Council; and performs related work as required. 

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS 

• Opportunities to expand your skills and grow within our organization. 

• Collaborate with a variety of agencies and professional disciplines. 

• Enjoy a newly remodeled, modern office space designed for collaboration and productivity. Position equipped with a City-issued laptop, sit/stand desk, and other modern workplace tools.  

• Opportunity for hybrid flexibility: potential for one day per week telework after six months of employment.  

DESCRIPTION 

The City of Thousand Oaks Community Development Department is excited to announce a rewarding career opportunity for a motivated Associate Planner to join our dynamic team! If you are results-oriented, bring a positive attitude, thrive on creativity, and are passionate about making a difference through public service, this is the place for you.  .  

As an Associate Planner, you will play a key role in shaping the community’s future by managing a variety of current and long-range planning projects.  Working under general supervision, you will:   

• Conduct professional Planning work involving land use, zoning, and community development.  

• Review, analyze, and process development applications of moderate to complex scope.  

• Prepare and present staff reports, plans, and recommendations to decision-making bodies. 

• Collaborate with residents, businesses, and stakeholders to promote thoughtful growth. 

• Contribute to long-range plans and projects that align with the City’s General Plan and vision.  

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Manage and process applications for development projects, including residential, mixed-use, commercial, industrial, and institutional proposals.  

• Facilitate in-person and virtual permit submittals.  

• Respond to phone and email inquiries. 

• Consult and advise property owners, architects, engineers, contractors, and the public regarding applications, City policies, codes, and other plans.   

• Prepare clear and concise technical documents, reports, correspondence and other written materials.  

• Exercise sound independent judgement.  

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those encountered in the course of work.   

• Attend and present information to City Council, Planning Commission, Administrative Hearing Officer, and community meetings as assigned.  

• Plans, organizes and conducts research studies and prepares recommendations regarding land use, zoning, urban design, population trends, transportation, housing and environmental needs, updates and analyzes demographic and other data required for the planning function, participates in the review, development or revision of the various of the General Plan, environmental impact reports, plans, ordinance and other policies and procedures.  

• Independently performs responsible and varied professional planning duties.  

• Provide sound recommendations based on detailed analysis and project evaluation.   

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.

TO VIEW JOB ANNOUNCEMENT, CLICK JOB PDF OR JOB ANNOUCEMENT URL BELOW.

Have you ever thought about a career in Urban Planning?  

Are you interested in working on a variety of complex projects and gain an opportunity to grow your career in urban planning?

Are you experienced in a variety of land use, development, or environmental issues?

Do you have excellent project management and writing skills?

Are you interested in participating in re-envisioning Simi Valley into a vibrant self-sustaining City?

Then we may have an exciting opportunity for you!

POSITION DETAILS:

• Full-time regular position
• 9/80 work schedule, with alternating Friday or Monday off
• Salary range $40.84 to $52.37 hourly with Excellent Benefits

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

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

Education/Training: 

• Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning, geography, public administration, environmental science, or a closely related field.

Experience: 

• Two years of increasingly responsible experience in urban planning in current, comprehensive, housing, or environmental planning.

License or Certificate:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license.
• Possession of an AICP certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners is highly desirable. 

JOB DESCRIPTION:

https://www.simivalley.org/home/showpublisheddocument/391/636478228229900000

WHY SIMI VALLEY?

Looking for a thriving community with amazing career opportunities and a high quality of life? Simi Valley has it all! From scenic landscapes to a welcoming atmosphere, it's the perfect place to live and work.

CLICK HERE to check out our exclusive video to see what makes Simi Valley so special—whether you're looking for a rewarding career or just an incredible place to call home, you won’t want to miss it!