Description
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.
Ideal Candidate
Representative Duties, but not limited to:
- Serve as project manager for advanced and complex planning projects; evaluate proposals for consistency with Town policies, ordinances, the General Plan, and applicable state and federal laws.
- Prepare and present staff reports and recommendations to the ASCC, Planning Commission, and Town Council; attend meetings, clerk commission meetings, and make presentations as needed.
- Support the Planning and Building Director on high-priority programs, projects, and initiatives.
- Prepare written project analyses, identify key land use, design, and environmental issues, and recommend appropriate actions.
- Participate in long-range planning efforts, including updates to the General Plan and other planning documents.
- Coordinate and conduct community outreach related to development projects and Town initiatives; prepare informational materials and facilitate meetings.
- Serve as staff liaison to Town commissions and committees, providing technical advice and presentations.
- Oversee the development review process, including Staff Discretionary Review, CEQA compliance, and consultant coordination.
- Draft resolutions, ordinances, and findings; assist in budget preparation and project administration.
- Investigate code compliance complaints and prepare public information materials on Town codes and policies.
- Provide technical guidance and training to staff, interns, and other personnel as needed.
- Attend meetings, conferences, and training sessions to stay informed of current trends and best practices in planning.
- Maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other Town employees, and the public, applying principles of effective customer service.
- Other duties as assigned
Education and Experience:
- A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in land-use planning, urban planning, landscape architecture or a closely related field.
- A Master's degree is highly desirable.
- A minimum of five years of increasingly responsible planning experience preferably with a public agency, which must have included two years of project management or supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job as listed above.
- Considerable experience dealing with diverse public and private interests in the planning and development process. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License; ICS 100, 200, and 700 certification.
- AICP certification is highly desirable.
Special Instructions
To Apply: Please send a cover letter and resume to PVHR@portolavalley.net by 5:00pm, Monday, November 17, 2025
The Town is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Applicants with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting the Human Resources Department at pvhr@portolavalley.net or calling 650-851-1700.