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The City of Sausalito Invites Applications for the Position of 

PRINCIPAL PLANNER

(Salary: $9,286 - $12,382 Monthly) 

($4,286 - $5,715 Biweekly) 

Plus an excellent benefits package

Open until filled; First Review cutoff 5/5/25 at 7:59AM  

Under general direction, the Principal Planner performs the most complex and sensitive planning duties; and serves as staff resource in technical areas to plan, organize and coordinate programs and projects for professional, technical and clerical staff in a fast-paced work environment and highly engaged community. The Principal Planner provides supervision of the current and long-range planning projects and programs. Exciting long-range projects include the Housing Element Update and a variety of housing-related initiatives.

The Department of Planning and Development is currently recruiting for one (1) Senior Planner that will serve as the County of Santa Clara’s Agricultural Permitting Ally.

With 890 farms, over 288,000 acres of land, and over $310 million of produce, Santa Clara County’s vibrant community is composed of a diverse, multicultural population with agriculture that is driven by dedicated farmers and farmworkers who call Santa Clara County home. The County is seeking a new and key team player with general planning experience as well as a strong agricultural planning acumen to serve as an agricultural permitting ally (Senior Planner). A Senior Planner in this role would help farmers understand what rules and regulations apply to agricultural worker housing and would help applicants navigate the various permits and departmental approvals that are required. As an ally for agricultural permitting, this Senior Planner would focus on making the process of development more approachable and accessible and will explore options and alternatives with prospective applicants to provide housing on their farm or ranch, or establish new or expanded agricultural producing businesses, while maintaining the asset of agriculturally viable land throughout the rural unincorporated county areas. The agricultural permitting ally is a unique role that will be responsible for assisting farmers with agricultural worker housing and other agricultural-specific permitting, including but not limited to: assisting farmers through the County of Santa Clara’s building permitting process; helping farmers resolve code violations and maintain compliance with land use and building codes and standards; identifying opportunities for streamlining agricultural worker housing; promoting and supporting the production of safe and livable housing inventory for agricultural workers through the County of Santa Clara; and, working with local, state, and federal partners to connect farmers with resources. This Senior Planner will also assist in public counter inquiries and day-to-day activities of the Department as needed. The County of Santa Clara is committed to addressing the challenges that impact farmworker housing shortages and conditions.

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.
• 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.
• Agricultural Permitting Ally: General requirements of building permit processing, resolving code violations, and maintaining compliance with land use and building codes and standards as it relates to agricultural worker housing and other agricultural-specific permitting.

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 April 21st, 2025.

Under limited direction, to provide service to the public and permit applicants, to coordinate the review and analysis of development applications for cities, agencies and other county departments, to conduct planning studies, feasibility studies, master plans and concept plans, to research and analyze planning data, to make policy, ordinance and program recommendations, and to administer zoning, planning or parks and recreation development programs. The Senior Planner will be working for the Department of Planning and Development.

Typical Tasks

• Provides advanced level customer support for the preparation and processing of moderate to major development applications, re-zonings and plan amendments;
• Serves as a project manager for the preparation and review of master plans, concept plans, feasibility studies, development applications, zoning and plan amendments and annexations, and other planning-related documents by leading the process, supervising professional and technical staff, establishing procedures, setting goals, and assuming responsibility for the final outcomes;
• Supervises consultants and negotiates, executes and administers third-party consultant contracts, including fiscal controls such as budget tracking and verification of invoices;
• Serves as a program manager for a specialized portion of the planning program such as zoning administration, architectural review, Stanford administration, surface mining, historic resources, agriculture and park and open space related projects, and airport land use;
• Develops and manages complex planning studies, master plans, concept plans or feasibility studies and reports on topics, such as land use, housing, historic resources, environmental impacts and economic development, in support of new or updated plan policies, regulations or programs;
• Performs field inspections to gather data relevant to planning projects and the development review process, to verify that development projects comply with approved plans or to initiate actions necessary to correct violations of regulations or project conditions;
• Enters development permit information and permit process workflow data in a central database;
• Abstracts information from aerial photographs, subdivision maps, census reports, building permits, etc., for analysis in planning studies;
• Analyzes geographic information systems data and creates maps;
• Prepares plans, maps, graphs and other visual aids;
• Leads or serves on advisory committees or boards such as Bay Trail, Bay Area Ridge Trail Council South County Committee or zoning decision-making bodies, schedules and conducts meetings, assists elected officials and their staff with planning matters and constituent concerns;
• Prepares or manages personnel who prepare environmental documents in compliance with environmental laws such as the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) or the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA);
• Conducts in-depth property specific research including the review of deeds and other legal documents; 
• Prepares recommendations and presents detailed written and oral reports on complex development applications, standards, zoning ordinances, General Plan amendments or local or regional planning initiatives to decision-making bodies such as Board of Supervisors, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, Airport Land Use Commission, Historical Heritage Commission, Housing, Land Use, Environment and Transportation Committee, and San Martin Planning Advisory Committee;
• Assists in the training and supervision of subordinate staff; Analyzes and reviews complex land development applications, site plans and building permit applications for completeness and conformance with policies, ordinances, master plans, concept plans, County General Plan, conditions of approval, and State and Federal regulations, prepares conditions of approval where necessary, and takes discretionary action on certain land development projects that reviewed at the staff level, making required findings;
• Prepares and delivers presentations to community organizations, clubs, planning seminars, homeowners groups, etc.;
• Participates in meetings, conferences and workshops at local, regional and state levels;
• Assists in the administration of a functional unit;
• Conducts advanced outreach to community organizations, government agencies, developers and the public to encourage participation, resolve problems or obtain input;
• Answers inquiries and provides general information to the public regarding land use projects, permitting procedures, development policies, plans, zoning ordinances and other regulations;
• Provides information to the public regarding the permitting and development review requirements of other County departments such as Fire Marshal's Office, Environmental Health, Land Development Engineering, Geology, Roads and Airports, and Building, and County programs such as Williamson Act, Historic Preservation, and the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan;
• Resolves issues and complaints from the public or neighbors and permit applicants;
• Attends evening meetings;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
• Performs related work as required.

Employment Standards
Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college with a major in planning, architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, natural resources, social science or related field;

-AND -

Three (3) years of professional planning experience. A Master's degree in planning may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience. A Master's degree in a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

Possession of a valid California Driver's License prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County Driver's Permit.

Possession of license, registration or certification in a related field, such as American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), is desirable.

For more information and to apply, please visit:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Cupertino

The City of San Mateo Community Development Department is Looking for a Planning Manager

Why Join our Department?

The Community Development Department (CDD) has a staff of 57 FTEs and is organized into five divisions — Planning, Building, Code Enforcement, Housing and Neighborhood Services, and Business and Administrative Services. The Department’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, long-range planning, processing of new development applications, construction permitting and inspection, administration of the General Plan and Housing Element, and implementation of the City’s housing and code enforcement programs. You will be joining a talented team in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment dedicated to serving the San Mateo community. The Community Development Department’s core function is to ensure a quality-built environment, healthy neighborhoods, and a strong economic base in the City. Collaboration, innovation, respect, accountability, creativity, transparency, thoughtfulness, and informed risk-taking are attributes and competencies that we are seeking in the candidate.

With the recent adoption of a new General Plan and an updated Housing Element, the Planning Division is poised to lead multiple exciting initiatives in the coming years. These include a comprehensive Zoning Code Update, the implementation of over 100 Housing Element policies and programs, a historic policy update, and a full update to the City’s Downtown Area Plan. Additionally, a variety of significant planning projects, including multi-family and mixed-use developments around the City’s Caltrain stations and Downtown, are currently in the pipeline. If you are a planner eager to lead impactful projects and policy initiatives, San Mateo offers the ideal environment to make a meaningful difference.

Look to some of the reasons why the City of San Mateo is a great place to work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GTIzeSpc_g 

The Position

The Planning Manager oversees the operations of CDD’s Planning Division, which includes supervision of a team of 10 planners and management of all current and long-range planning functions of the City. The ideal candidate is a team player; is experienced and effective in all aspects of professional planning practices; has proven leadership, negotiation, and communication skills; works well with a variety of interest groups, individuals, and stakeholders. The Planning Manager serves as staff liaison to the Planning Commission and supervises preparation of the Commission’s agenda and compilation of required reports and documents, and acts as Zoning Administrator and performs all duties required thereof by the Zoning Code. The position exercises direct supervision over professional staff in the Planning Division, receives general direction from the Community Development Director and/or Deputy Community Development Director, and works collaboratively with other division managers within CDD.

For a complete list of duties, reference our job specifications at https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/DocumentCenter/Home/Index/86

There is currently 1 full-time, regular hire vacancy.

With an emphasis on customer service, the Community Development Technician I/II (CDT) performs a variety of specialized technical work to support the review of building permits and planning permits. Duties include verifying completeness and accuracy of applications, tracking the progress of applications routed to other divisions and County departments, conducting permit history research, and reviewing minor building and planning permits. Additionally, the CDT educates applicants about the permit process, explains general to moderately complex permitting policies and procedures, and determines and collects fees. Duties for the CDT will include:

• Assists the public and developers with planning, zoning, building, and development questions including the entitlement process.
• Provides customer service at the public counter, by telephone, or by other means of communication regarding applicable ordinances, regulations, requirements, processes, and procedures related to permitting, planning, land use/zoning, and County regulations and requirements.
• Assists staff and the public with the review of a variety of building and land development permit applications for accuracy and completeness to ensure conformance with legal standards, and compliance with County requirements; inputs information into the computer system; routes plans and information.
• Reviews building permit applications, engineering and architecture plans, specifications, and supporting documents for completeness and compliance with County requirements.
• Explain plan review corrections to architects, engineers and contractors and provides information in response to code-related inquiries.
• Performs a wide range of moderately complex clerical and paraprofessional administrative and office support duties in support of the Department.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS RECRUITMENT, CLICK JOB URL BELOW.

Permit Technician: $41.98-$51.04 per hour

Assistant Planner: $50.88-$61.84 per hour

(5-step range) On-site, full-time, benefited position, FLSA non-exempt

 One Position available – filled at one of the classifications

The City of Saratoga has an exciting opportunity to join our Community Development Department, Planning Division. There is currently one (1) vacancy which will be filled either as Permit Technician or Assistant Planner.

This front-line team member in the City's Planning Division will provide a high level of customer service by effectively assisting the public and City staff. The position, regardless of classification level, will report to the Development Manager and work collaboratively with the Associate and Senior Planner team.

ABOUT THE POSITIONS

Permit Technician: This position serves as the first point of contact for the Planning Division planning counter, providing technical support for permit processing and zoning compliance. The Technician reviews applications for completeness, processes routine permits, researches property information, and guides applicants through the permitting process while ensuring compliance with city codes and ordinances. View the job description.

Assistant Planner: This position serves as the first point of contact for the Planning Division planning counter. This entry-level professional planning position provides analytical support for planning projects and development review. The Planner conducts research, performs site visits, prepares staff reports, reviews applications for zoning compliance, and assists with planning studies while developing expertise in local planning regulations and procedures. View the job description.

About the Position:  The Planning Department is seeking TWO interns who are interested in learning about open space conservation and planning for ecologically sensitive recreation. Their responsibilities may include researching and compiling project information, supporting community and stakeholder engagement, assisting with environmental review and documentation, researching new programs and initiatives, conducting field surveys and data collection, and using computer-based systems such as GIS, Microsoft Excel and Adobe Illustrator for analysis of data and preparation of documents related to Midpen lands and facilities. The interns will work as a team and individually on assignments, including opportunities for field work to gain experience in data collection techniques and tools and on-the-job training in project management, planning research, analysis, and written communication.  For additional information about the position, see the Job Description on our website. The expected start date for the interns is on or after July 7, 2025. We have limited flexibility to change the start date.

About Midpen: Midpen helps plants, animals and people thrive throughout the greater Santa Cruz Mountains region by preserving a greenbelt of more than 70,000 acres of public open space with 250 miles of trails in 27 extraordinary preserves, permanently protected for natural resource conservation and ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. Midpen is a public agency with a focused mission that guides our work, and where every employee makes an impact. If you are looking for an outstanding opportunity to contribute to the legacy of open space protection, natural resource restoration, outdoor recreation and environmental education, learning from and working with an incredible team of like-minded colleagues, we invite you to apply for this position! For more information, please visit our Intern Program Brochure and check out the Working for Midpen video on our Employment Opportunities page.

Basic Requirements: Current enrollment in an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree program, or trade school in a relevant field or a recent graduate (within the last 12 months). Successful candidates will have a background in the natural sciences, park/open space management, land use/environmental planning, GIS/geography, biology, ecology, or another related field and experience with field data collection techniques. This internship requires strong organizational and analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and with a team. Experience with Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel, ArcGIS software, GPS equipment, Microsoft Excel, and Apple iPads is desired, and familiarity with Midpen preserves/trails as well as local flora, fauna, and natural history are a plus.   Possession of or ability to obtain a valid California driver’s license is required. Must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Working Conditions:  This position will report to the Planning Department at the Administrative Office in Los Altos, California.  Midpen offers a hybrid office/telecommute work environment for this position, which will be divided between onsite work, field visits, and limited home office work.  The selected individuals will be required to work a minimum of three days on-site per week, and assignments may vary between field and office work. Field work is conducted in rural or mountainous Midpen open space areas, which may involve working alone or with another intern in wildland areas, traversing rough difficult terrain sometimes with poison oak and dense vegetation, and carrying equipment weighing up to 25 pounds. This is a temporary position working 20 – 40 hours per week (within regular business days/hours). Regular business is conducted Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00am to 5:00pm. Interns may work up to a total of 950 hours over a 6-to-9-month period. This is a non-benefited position.

Ready to apply?  Great!  We welcome your application online at CalOpps.org.

Application deadline is May 11, 2025. Applicants with the most relevant experience and qualifications suitable for the position will be contacted for an interview.

The following application items are required to be considered*:

1. Fully completed CalOpps employment application 

2. Cover letter 

3. Resume 

4. Supplemental question responses

*Incomplete CalOpps employment applications, or applications without the required application items listed here, will not be considered for the position.

Virtual Interviews are planned for Thursday, May 22, 2025.  Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate individual schedules.

At Midpen, we believe open space is for all. Our public lands are shared spaces provided for the community by the community. All people, regardless of background, deserve respect, dignity, safety, and a sense of belonging. Midpen welcomes all people to enjoy the public open space preserves we hold in trust, supporting the mental, physical, and social well-being of our region.

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation

by contacting the Human Resources department at

(650) 691-1200 or via email at hr@openspace.org.

 Put your passion for Open Space to work!

We have an exciting opportunity for a full-time Associate Planner to join our team in Millbrae, San Mateo County.  

Reporting to the Planning Manager, the Associate Planner will be responsible for a wide range of current and long-range planning projects, including design review, conditional use permits, specific plan updates, plan checks, inspections, and creating and implementing new zoning ordinances as needed. The position includes both front counter and back-office responsibilities assisting applicants and residents, as well as regular attendance presenting planning projects at public hearings before the City’s various boards and commissions.

This unique opportunity offers a budding mid-level professional the ability to engage in a wide variety of planning projects with regional significance while serving a charming, diverse community with a small-town feel. The City of Millbrae offers interested applicants a competitive compensation and benefits package, a positive and collaborative working environment, opportunities for professional growth and advancement, and is conveniently located for commuters within walking distance from both BART and Caltrain.  

DEFINITION 

Under general supervision, performs a variety of professional planning work related to current and advanced planning; may assist with project planning and implementation for redevelopment projects; researches and analyzes a variety of planning-related data and information; and performs related work as assigned. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Associate Planner is the journey-level in the Planner class series.  Incumbents perform a wide range of the more complex planning functions, including current and advanced planning.  This class is distinguished from the Assistant Planner by the level and scope of work performed. 

SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED

Receives general supervision from supervisory or management staff in Community Development Department. May provide lead direction, work coordination, and training for lower-level staff.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties listed below are illustrative only and are not meant to be a full and exhaustive listing of all of the duties and responsibilities of the position.

• Conducts assigned planning projects involving land use, populations, structures, economic activities, housing, transportation, environmental and related subjects; conducts research, and confers with applicants, interested parties, and agency representatives to identify problems and opportunities; processes use permits, business licenses, and re-zoning and subdivision variances;
• Conducts studies and prepare reports and plans related to mid-range and long-range planning;
• Participates in revising and updating the General Plan, Parks Master Plan, and other planning-related laws, ordinances, and regulations; participates in regional planning initiatives as assigned; provides review and feedback on a variety of City plans and projects;
• Participates in drafting and implementing checklists, design guidelines, applicant guides/primers, policies, procedures, and other documents related to short-term and long-term planning, including obtaining required approvals;
• Analyzes data with respect to relevant laws, ordinances, regulations, and policies; determines methods to reconcile project conflicts with local and State law;
• Prepares professional staff reports of summarized data, conclusions, and recommendations; prepares staff analysis and reports regarding land use applications;
• Attends and makes presentations to the Planning Commission, City Council, Agency Board, other commissions, and the public;
• Receives and reviews planning applications; coordinates review with various City and outside agencies; assists with the creation and revision of plans and related documents; may lead a team on complex applications and long-range planning projects; responds to inquiries both orally and in writing; interprets planning policies, State laws and local ordinances within established parameters; explains City procedures in person, over the phone, and in writing;
• Drafts resolutions, findings, ordinances, and amendments to plans and related documents; prepares and oversees the preparation of graphs, charts, and other displays;
• Ensures that all public and private development proposals have been properly reviewed and noticed under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and State Law; 
• Provides information on City, regional, and State environmental, zoning, land use, development standards, and subdivision requirements to consultants, developers, property owners, and the general public;
• Works extensively on the computer to manage current planning caseloads, produce written documents, prepare maps and graphics, analyze data, create graphics, research on the internet, and communicate with others through email;
• May administer contracts and oversee the work of consultants; may coordinate staff assigned to planning projects as assigned; may serve as a liaison with other City departments on large development projects;
• May provide a variety of support to the department, other City agencies, commissions, or ad-hoc advisory groups; and
• Performs related duties as assigned.

JOB RELATED QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of: Mapping and drafting techniques involved in planning; design and plan review techniques; principles, practices, and purpose of municipal planning; laws and regulations related to city planning, including CEQA, State planning law, and subdivision map act; site and project design review techniques and requirements; nomenclature, symbols, methods, practices, techniques, and instruments used in planning, drafting, and mapping; statistics and statistical analysis as applied to land use, transportation, zoning, and master plan studies; principles and techniques of developing and maintaining a master plan; site planning, and architectural design; laws and other regulations relating to municipal planning; geographic information system (GIS) software, database software, word processing software, spreadsheets, and graphics software.

Ability to: Research, interpret, and apply local, State, and Federal laws and codes; collect, analyze, and interpret data pertaining to planning and zoning situations; apply urban, environmental, housing, zoning, and transportation planning principles and methods to local problems; assist with code and policy development related to planning and zoning; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; communicate effectively, orally and in writing; understand and interpret maps, plans, building elevations, specifications, and legal descriptions; operate personal computers and utilize planning applications and software used in office environments;  analyze and compile statistical, economic, and technical data; read, understand, and apply State laws, local ordinances and guidelines to permit applications; prepare well-written reports and oral presentations; make effective presentations in public meetings in a clear and concise manner; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, policy makers, developers, and the public; read and interpret architectural and construction plans; participate in project development.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. A typical way would be:

Education:  Graduation from a four-year college or university with major course work in city or regional planning, urban planning, public policy, or a closely related field.  Master’s degree in a related field is highly desirable.

Experience:  Three (3) years of previous professional experience as a current planner.  One (1) year of experience can be substituted by a Master’s degree.

Licenses:  Possession of a valid California Driver’s License and a satisfactory driving record, as determined by the City.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Speak clearly and understandably; operate standard computer programs. Ability to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Millbrae to meet program needs and fulfill the job responsibilities. When driving on City business, maintenance of a California driver’s license and satisfactory driver’s record is required. Must be able to actively participate in evening meetings.

Other Requirements: Must have the willingness and ability to work the hours necessary to accomplish the assigned duties, including evening and weekend hours; attend evening meetings; travel out of town to attend workshops, conferences, and seminars during work and non-work hours.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS 

1. Collaborate with Senior Leadership: Align departmental goals with organizational priorities, provide regular updates on key initiatives, and support decision-making to ensure the successful execution of community development project  

2. General Plan Implementation: Coordinating cross-departmental efforts, ensuring alignment with community needs, and driving initiatives that support sustainable growth and development  

3. Impactful Problem Solving: Identifying opportunities for improvement, fostering collaboration, and creatively finding solutions that enhance efficiency and contribute to the success of the department’s goals 

DESCRIPTION 

The Organization 

The City is comprised of 9 departments: City Manager, City Attorney, Strategic Communications & Public Affairs, City Clerk, Finance, Community Development, Human Resources, Cultural & Community Services, and Public Works. The City contracts with Ventura County for police services and is served by the Ventura County Fire District. With a FY 24/25 Operating and Capital Improvement Program budget of $271.4 million, and 397 personnel, the City’s services, work ethic, priorities, organizational structure, budget, and culture are motivated by a strong, well recognized and growing collaboration between the staff team and City partners. Through collaboration, the City team and its resources align to achieve extraordinary goals, be responsive to community needs, complete important projects, and deliver exceptional internal and external customer service. In turn, the city thrives by embracing the aspirational values of “service, flexibility, teamwork, performance, innovation, wellness, belonging and growth mindset” for fostering a community that drives positive change and enhances the quality of life for all residents. As described in the Citywide goals for 2024-2025, the City’s focus, practices, policies, programs, culture, values, and ethics are rooted in serving the community. For more information, please visit www.toaks.gov. 

The Position 

The City of Thousand Oaks is seeking an innovative and proactive Deputy Community Development Director – Operations with a forward-thinking perspective who will: 

• Oversee a portion of the Planning Division, code compliance, open space planning, CDBG/housing, and  administrative services. Manages administrative support to the department and establishes methods, procedures, and standards for office services.  

• Manage department-wide special projects and process improvement initiatives, including e-planning and e-permitting through a new land management system implementation,  

• Develops and implements organization development programs, department’s training programs, and coordinates agency personnel related issues, which may include payroll. 

• Develops and administers the operating budget for the department.   

• Supervises management information systems of the department, including, but not limited to, computer and software support, maintaining records and archives, and developing and maintaining a variety of databases.    

• Assist in integrating the City’s vision, goals, and people strategy with the business strategy of the Community Development Department. 

• Direct, plan, and organize Community Development services, programs, budget, and operations.  

• Manage budgeting, resource allocation, and performance metrics to optimize department efficiency and service delivery. 

• Craft and implement department and City objectives, goals, policies, and performance metrics within guidelines established by the City Council and City Manager.  

• Exercise a high degree of judgment and discretion along with political acumen and an understanding of the needs of the business community. 

• Serve as back-up liaison to the Planning Commission.  

• Performs other administrative duties as required to support each division within the department.   

CURRENT PRIORITIES AND INITIATIVES

The Community Development Department is experiencing a high volume of development applications, including residential, commercial, assisted living, and industrial projects. In addition, there is significant interest in downtown revitalization, including mixed-use projects. Some key initiatives on the horizon for the Deputy Community Development Director – Operations include: 

• Assisting with the ongoing implementation of the General Plan 

• Administration of process improvement initiatives, including e-planning and e-permitting  

• Leading staff to be innovative, collaborative, excel in community outreach, promote continuous improvement and continue moving forward in an enthusiastic and professional manner 

• Shaping and positively influencing the Community Development Department environment by supporting a culture of collaboration and project ownership by employees  

• Identification, development and promotion of innovative strategies and technological solutions to maximize service delivery. Working across department lines to promote collaboration in order to improve efficiencies 

• Development and implementation of key performance metrics to measure operational effectiveness, identify areas of success and areas for improvement  

• Planning and executing staffing and operational strategies to provide high quality, cost-effective services to external and internal customers 

• Refining the Land Management System, including coordinating the zoning code update, specific plans, and supporting the implementation of the Housing Element  

An Outstanding Opportunity Awaits!

Are you passionate 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.

The Role

As Senior Planner, you will take on meaningful and impactful projects, including:

• Managing complex development proposals and ensuring projects align with Lafayette’s vision.
• Conducting environmental impact reviews and guiding sustainability efforts.
• Advising architects, builders, and residents on zoning, land use, and development codes.
• Leading long-range planning initiatives to enhance Lafayette’s semi-rural character.
• Supervising and mentoring lower-level planners to support their professional growth and ensure high-quality work.
• Engaging with the community and local government to drive innovative solutions.