Location
Description
Why Work for the City of Millbrae?
Located in the heart of the Peninsula, the City of Millbrae is a vibrant community with a rich history and an exciting future. We are looking for an experienced planning professional to join our Community Development team and help shape the City's future through innovative planning, housing, economic development, and sustainable growth.
- High-Impact Projects: Lead complex planning initiatives involving mixed-use development, housing, environmental review, and economic development that directly influence the future of the community.
- Technical Leadership: Serve as the department's lead technical planning resource, providing guidance to planning staff, coordinating consultants, and collaborating with City leadership on major policy initiatives.
- Meaningful Work: Work with residents, developers, elected officials, and regional agencies to help create a vibrant community.
- Career Development: Build a rewarding career with professional development opportunities in a thriving Bay Area community.
If you are ready to take on challenging projects and make a lasting impact, we encourage you to apply.
About the Opportunity
We are excited to announce a full-time, permanent Principal Planner position in the Community Development Department. Under the general direction of the Planning Manager, the Principal Planner performs complex professional planning work involving current and advanced planning, environmental review, housing, economic development, and special projects, while serving as the department's lead technical planning resource.
Your Key Responsibilities May Include:
- Current & Advanced Planning: Leading complex planning projects involving land use, housing, economic development, zoning administration, General Plan amendments, Specific Plans, and environmental review.
- Development Review: Reviewing and processing complex development applications, including use permits, subdivisions, variances, zoning amendments, and architectural design review.
- Project Management: Coordinating consultants, developers, City departments, and public agencies while managing planning projects through completion.
- Policy Development: Preparing reports, resolutions, ordinances, and recommendations related to planning, housing, zoning, CEQA, and land use policy.
- Public Engagement: Presenting projects and policy recommendations to the Planning Commission, City Council, community groups, and other stakeholders.
- Technical Leadership: Providing guidance to planning staff, overseeing consultant work, and supporting continuous improvements to planning programs and processes.
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Public Administration, Housing, or a closely related field. A Master's degree is highly desirable.
Experience: Five (5) years of increasingly responsible municipal planning experience, including responsibility for complex planning projects.
Licenses & Certifications:
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record.
AICP certification is desirable.
Knowledge & Abilities:
Knowledge of municipal planning, land use, zoning, housing, economic development, and CEQA.
Experience reviewing development proposals, architectural plans, and design standards.
Strong project management, analytical, and organizational skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public presentations.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and build effective working relationships with elected officials, developers, consultants, staff, and the public.
Willing to work occasional evenings and weekends to attend meetings and community events.
To review the full Job description, click the Job Description URL below.
Benefits
Management Benefits
1) Leave accruals
- 11 days (88 hours) national holidays observed per year
- 40 hours Floating holiday leave per calendar year with cash out option
- 40 hours Management leave per fiscal year with cash out option
- 14 hours General leave per month (21 days/year); General leave accrual goes up with years of service
- Maximum accumulation of General Leave accrual is 1,040 hours (6 months)
2) Health Coverage
- $2,785.14/mo medical allowance towards CalPERS health plans in 2026
- $572/mo cash stipend for opting out of health coverage (proof of health coverage is required)
- Up to $300/mo cash stipend for selecting employee-only or employee+1 coverage
- You are still eligible for Dental and Vision coverage even if you opt out of Health coverage
3) Dental coverage
- City Paid Ameritas PPO plan through The Standard for employee, spouse, and dependent children up to age 26
- $2,000 annual maximum for each covered member
- Max Builder benefit
4) Vision coverage
- City Paid VSP Choice plan for employee, spouse, and dependent children up to age 26
5) CalPERS
- CalPERS retirement formula of 2.7% @ 55 for classic members or 2% @ 62 for PEPRA members
6) Other Benefits
- City paid Short Term and Long Term Disability insurance
- City paid Life insurance plan; coverage is 2.5 times the annual salary amount up to $400,000
- City paid AD&D insurance; coverage is 2.5 times the annual salary amount up to $400,000
- Deferred Compensation 457 and Roth Plans through CalPERS and/or MissionSquare
- Flexible spending accounts for medical, dependent care, transit, and parking
- Employee Assistance Program
- Additional group rate insurance plans available
Special Instructions
Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible!
Tentative recruitment timeline:
- (Open-until-filled) 1st Review of Applications: Monday July 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
- Oral board interviews: Week of August 3, 2026
- Second interviews: Week of August 10, 2026
Fine Print: The City of Millbrae is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accomodations with the employer. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.