PLANNING MANAGER

Salary : $120,521.20 - $154,734.84 Annually
Location : City of Stockton, CA
Job Type: Full-Time (Regular)
Job Number: 0126-07157
Department: Community Development
Division: Planning (1820)
Opening Date: 01/12/2026

DEFINITION

MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

TENTATIVE INTERVIEW DATE: TBD
The City of Stockton is seeking to fill a Planning Manager position to oversee an Advanced Planning Section in the Community Development Department. The Planning Manager for Advanced Planning Section will be responsible for the strategic implementation of a recently adopted General Plan Update that requires further conformity compliance with the zoning map and ordinance. The ideal candidate has supervisory experience in local government planning with strong technical and analytical skills, effective oral and written communication competencies, and extensive knowledge and expertise complying with the California Environmental Quality Act, California Subdivision Map Act, and California Planning and Zoning Law. The successful candidate has extensive experience developing, interpreting and applying General Plan policies, zoning ordinance and environmental regulation.

This is the management level in the professional planning series. Incumbents in this class possess considerable professional planning knowledge and exercise considerable independent judgment and initiative, while overseeing major planning projects and initiatives. The ideal candidate will be effective in managing consultants in the delivery of projects, which includes oversight of project scope development, requests for proposals, contract deliverables, schedules, meetings, outreach and budget.

Incumbents work a City of Stockton 9/80 schedule: 7:30am to 5:30pm Mondays through Thursdays; 8:00am to 5:00pm Fridays, with alternating Fridays off. May be required to work additional hours and/or weekends to provide critical support to key initiatives.

This is an At-Will (Unclassified/Represented) position. Incumbents in this position are excluded from the Civil Service system and are represented by the Mid-Management Bargaining Unit. Only those applicants who best fit the needs of the City will be referred to the hiring department. (Applicants who fail to fully complete the online application/supplemental questionnaire will be subject to rejection.)
Prior to appointment, eligible candidates may be required to submit to and successfully pass a background investigation, which will include fingerprinting.
Under direction, provides advanced management direction to professional planning staff; plans and coordinates complex professional work on difficult current and/or advanced planning projects; performs related work as assigned.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the management level in the professional planning series. Incumbents provide management direction for the City's Planning Division. Incumbents in this class exercise considerable independent judgment and initiative while overseeing major planning projects that require considerable professional knowledge and the use of independent judgment. This class is distinguished from the Senior Planner in that the latter performs as a lead worker and first line supervisor under the direction of a Planning Manager. This class is distinguished from Deputy Community Development Director/Planning in that the latter has overall management responsibility for the City's Planning Division.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES (Illustrative Only)

• Manages the activities of a subsection within the Planning Division; assigns, trains, directs and evaluates the work of subordinates, including supervisory staff; selects staff as needed; performs disciplinary action when appropriate.
• Oversees and coordinates research, administrative and technical activities necessary to achieve planning project objectives and to maintain departmental information programs.
• Checks and analyzes information such as population and economic growth estimates, demographic, housing and land use data.
• Directs the utilization of computers and software programs for various technical projects and studies; develops plans and recommends changes in policies and procedures.
• Evaluates information related to the application process and recommends approval, disapproval, or alternative approaches.
• Coordinates and performs evaluations and analyses pertaining to the elements of the comprehensive General Plan, area plans, environmental impact reports, implementation, redevelopment and capital improvement plans, programs and related municipal ordinances and policies.
• Prepares reports and recommendations and state and federal applications and documents; confers with personnel from other departments and agencies in coordinating assigned work; meets with representatives of community organizations and other groups to encourage cooperative action or to resolve problems.
• Makes oral presentations before commissions, committees, community groups and boards of other governmental agencies.
• Makes special investigations of a technical nature regarding planning projects; reports conclusions and recommendations in technical report form, or in form for publication.
• Directs the preparation and design of maps, charts, models, sketches and other graphic presentations; prepares reports, presentations, correspondence and other written materials.
• May act in the absence of the Deputy Community Development Director/Planning on a relief basis.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Experience:

Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in City or regional planning, urban planning, or a closely related field; and five (5) years of progressively responsible professional planning experience. A Master's degree in City, regional or urban planning, public administration, or closely related field, may be substituted for one year of the professional planning experience.

Other Requirements:

• Must possess a valid California Driver's License.
• Must be willing to attend evening meetings as required.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public administration, supervision and management;
• Objectives, principles, procedures, standards, practices, information services, and trends in the field of urban planning;
• Land use, physical design, demographic, environmental, and social/economic concepts as applied to municipal planning;
• Statistical analysis and mathematical concepts related to the planning process;
• Application, modification and interrelationships between ordinances, policies, standards, procedures, and practices associated with the planning function;
• Applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations;
• Terminology, symbols, methods, and techniques used in planning and map drafting;
• Local government organization and the functions and practices of a municipal planning unit.

Skill in:

• Planning, assigning, training, directing, and evaluating the work of others in work procedures;
• Organizing, directing, and conducting complex planning studies and activities;
• Performing and coordinating activities, such as the collection, analysis, and preparation of reports and recommendations;
• Interpreting laws, policies, procedures, regulations, maps, specifications, site and building plans, graphs, and statistical data;
• Making persuasive presentations of ideas and recommendations;
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted in the course of the work;
• Exercising sound independent judgment within established guidelines;
• Preparing clear, concise, and complete technical documents, reports and correspondence.

This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirement of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent/applicant when possible.
THE PROCESS

Only those applicants who best fit the needs of the City will be considered for this career opportunity. Applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and only the most qualified applicants will be invited to an interview with the Community Development Department. A Resume, Cover Letter, and Evidence of Bachelor's Degree (copy of diploma, unofficial transcripts, or grade report) are required (see Supplemental Question #13).

ALL APPLICATIONS AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRES MUST BE COMPLETED FULLY AND SUBMITTED ON AN OFFICIAL CITY OF STOCKTON APPLICATION FORM. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRES WILL BE REJECTED AND CANNOT BE REVISED AFTER SUBMITTAL ON OR BEFORE THE FINAL FILING DATE. POSTMARKS, FACSIMILES, AND PHOTOCOPIES OF THE CITY'S EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. RESUMES ARE WELCOMED BUT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED AS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ONLY. PLEASE DO NOT STATE "REFER TO RESUME".
The information in this announcement concerning the terms and conditions of employment does not constitute either an express or implied contract, and these provisions are subject to change.

NOTE:

• After on-line submittal, immediate notification will appear on your screen indicating your application has been received. Please print this notice as proof of filing.
• Notification and correspondence will be sent via email only. No paper notices will be mailed to applicants. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure a correct email address is provided and that correspondence is being received.
• NeoGov.com: You will receive correspondence via the e-mail address you placed on your application. Some e-mail accounts have been known to place these e-mails in the spam/junk file. Please check your e-mail folders or accept e-mails ending with neogov.com.

In accordance with California Government Code section 3100, et seq., all City of Stockton employees are considered disaster service workers who may be required to report for duty, or remain on duty to address disaster service activities in the event of an emergency or disaster and are required to undertake an applicable loyalty oath.

This position is subject to Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) annual filing requirements. Please see the FPPC website, www.fppc.ca.gov, for more information.

The City of Stockton requires employees in this position to reasonably respond to emergencies at all times. Employees will be required to maintain primary residence within 45 minutes of City Hall in order to timely respond to emergencies and meet the health, safety, and welfare needs of the City. New employees have up to three (3) months from date of hire to comply with the requirement. Any interested candidates must be willing to adhere to this requirement throughout the duration of employment.
BARGAINING UNIT:
MID-MANAGEMENT
NOTE: Employee Benefits are subject to change through the collective bargaining process and are not guaranteed. For a detailed explanation of benefits currently in effect,
01

The Supplemental Questionnaire is part of the examination process; accordingly, it should be completed carefully. It must be submitted with your official employment application. Do not indicate "See Resume" as an answer to any of these questions.

• I certify that the information provided is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any falsification may cancel any terms, conditions, or privileges of employment.

02

Prior to appointment, this position requires all eligible candidates to submit to and successfully pass a background investigation, which will include a California Department of Justice fingerprint clearance.

• If selected, I agree to submit to a background check, including fingerprinting, as stated above.

03

Do you possess, or are you able to obtain prior to employment, a valid California driver's license?

• Yes
• No

04

This position may require working occasional evenings, nights and weekends.

• I understand and, if selected, agree to this requirement.

05

The City of Stockton requires employees in this position to reasonably respond to emergencies at all times. Employees will be required to maintain primary residence within 45 minutes of City Hall in order to timely respond to emergencies and meet the health, safety and welfare needs of the City. New employees have up to three (3) months from date of hire to comply with the requirement. Any interested candidates must be willing to adhere to this requirement throughout the duration of employment.

• I understand this requirement and, if selected, will comply with the above.

06

Education: This position requires a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in City or regional planning, urban planning, or a closely related field. Please indicate the highest level of education you have completed. College units and/or degrees must have been received from an accredited college or university.* (The education history entered on the application must clearly and completely detail your level of education.)

• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree or higher
• I do not possess the minimally required educational qualifications.

07

*ACCREDITATION: Accredited colleges or universities are those that have been examined by a third-party accrediting agency to ensure acceptable levels of quality. Accreditation ensures that a degree obtained outside of the United States is equivalent to a degree obtained within the United States.
The City of Stockton requires degrees from educational institutions that have been accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency in the United States that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and/or U.S. Department of Education as a "reliable authority as to the quality of postsecondary education."
If you have received your postsecondary education from an institution that may not be accredited in the United States, it is your responsibility to provide proof of U.S. accreditation by the closing date and time of this recruitment.
You may contact the City of Stockton Human Resources office for an illustrative list of organizations that evaluate foreign colleges.

• I understand this requirement and will provide the necessary documentation, if required.

08

Verification of Education: If offered this position, you will be required to submit an official transcript from an accredited college or university validating your level of college education.

• I understand the above and will submit an official transcript upon request.

09

Experience: This position requires five (5) years of progressively responsible professional planning experience (or four (4) years with a Master's degree). Please detail below your qualifying experience. Include employer, title of supervisor, your title, and dates in position. (The work experience entered on the application must clearly and completely detail your level of professional planning experience.)
10

Please indicate your experience and scope of responsibility, if any, as a supervisor. Check all that apply. If no supervisory experience, check N/A.

• Day-to-Day Activities
• Discipline
• Hiring or Recommending
• Performance Evaluation
• Planning Workload
• Termination
• Training and Coaching
• N/A

11

Please describe your experience with substantially updating or amending a General Plan, including policy development, and/or performing textual or map changes. Further, describe your experience with amending a zoning ordinance or map to address conformity with a General Plan. If no experience in this area, enter "N/A".
12

Please describe your experience managing complex, major planning projects, such as amendments to a zoning ordinance or map or master development plan. Include details about the type of project and your role in managing the projects. Describe your involvement with coordinating and performing community outreach in relation to the project and addressing any community concerns/controversy that may have occurred. If no experience in this area, enter "N/A".
13

Resume, Cover Letter, and Proof of Education: All applicants are required to submit a cover letter, resume, and proof of education (unofficial transcripts, grade report or copy of diploma) as part of the application process. Failure to submit the required information will result in rejection from the process. Please address your cover letter to Director of Human Resources. DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED PRIOR TO THE FINAL FILING DATE.
You may submit the required documentation in the following ways:
1. Scan and attach to online application (preferred); or
2. Email to andrelyn.petate@stocktonca.gov by the Final Filing Date (use "Planning Manager" in the subject line of the email).

• I understand this requirement and will provide my cover letter, resume, and proof of education by the Final Filing Date by one of the methods above.

Required Question