Salary : $115,332.00 - $154,584.00 Annually
Location : City of Oceanside, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-06
Department: Development Services
Division: Planning
Opening Date: 07/21/2025
Closing Date: 8/15/2025 4:00 PM Pacific

Introduction
THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

CURRENT SALARY FOR THIS POSITION IS UNDER REVIEW FOR COMPARISON AGAINST THE LABOR MARKET.

The City of Oceanside is accepting applications for the position of Principal Planner. There is currently one vacancy in the Development Services Department - Planning Division. The Planning Division is responsible for land use planning under the auspices of federal, state, regional, and local laws, ordinances, and City policies, and serves the community by providing balanced, professional recommendations to the public and City decision makers as they define, shape, and implement Oceanside's vision.

Under direction of the City Planner, the Principal Planner performs a wide variety of advanced urban and community planning, environmental review, zoning and subdivision administration; supervises major planning programs; assists in the coordination of daily administrative activities and supervision of other professional and technical staff for the Division; directs, supervises, leads, and participates in the work of subordinate personnel; and, performs other duties as assigned.

As one of the few remaining coastal cities with vacant properties, Oceanside offers exciting and dynamic opportunities for Planning professionals to manage entitlement projects along the coastline and throughout the City, and see them through full construction. Come join Oceanside's Development Services team!

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Development Services Department is composed of Planning, Engineering, Building, and Code Enforcement, and provides current and long-range land use planning, plan checking and inspection services for development projects, and enforcement of the Oceanside City Code. The Division is responsible for land use planning pursuant to federal, state, regional, and local laws, ordinances, and City policies. As a growing, dynamic coastal city, Oceanside provides many unique planning opportunities that require thoughtful and innovative coordination with the community, developers, and resource agencies.
Examples of Duties
The Principal Planner plans, assigns, supervises, and participates in general community planning involving land use, transportation, economic development, environmental protection, zoning and subdivision administration, special permit issuance, and data analysis functions; develops and implements work plans for complex projects and programs; assists in coordinating a program of staff assistance to the Planning Commission and other commissions and committees in planning matters, including the preparation of reports and recommendations; assists in developing policies, rules and procedures for the effective operation of the department, including establishing goals and objectives and priorities; coordinates routine departmental purchasing, personnel, budget and related administrative activities; makes oral presentations concerning planning programs and development projects to Planning Commission and to the City Council and other boards and commissions as required; makes authoritative interpretations of applicable regulations and policies; responds to difficult citizen complaints and requests for information; represents the City at community or professional meetings; makes presentations as required; meets with developers, architects, engineers and others involved in privately sponsored residential, commercial and industrial projects; assists in the review and evaluation of project plans for conformance to established land use regulations, codes and policies; oversees the preparation of ordinances, resolutions and reports to the City Council, Planning Commission and others regarding departmental planning activities; assigns work to subordinate personnel, providing instructions and answering questions; coordinates the scheduling and completion of work by determining operational priorities and resolving work load problems; reviews work for accuracy and completeness; evaluates work techniques and methods for conformance to established standards; coordinates program activities with other City departments and divisions, and with outside agencies; performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge of:

• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations including zoning and environmental protection.
• Principles and practices applicable in planning, land use, zoning, community development, environmental protection, redevelopment and housing programs.
• Development review processes and procedures.
• Methods and techniques of research and analysis as related to community development, growth and planning.
• Organization and functions of the various agencies involved in the planning process.
• Principles and practices of organization, administration, budgeting and supervision.
• Techniques and methods of report preparation and presentation.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, train and direct work of subordinate staff.
• Manage day-to-day operations of planning activities.
• Collect and analyze data and develop complex plans and reports.
• Develop and implement work plans for complex projects and programs.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Prepare amendments and interpret ordinances and formulate land use and housing policies.
• Prepare clear and concise written and oral reports.
• Interview, hire and supervise consultant teams.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with City officials and employees, public officials, developers, land owners, consultants and the general public.
• Interpret and make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations and policies.
• Deal firmly, tactfully, and fairly with contractors, engineers, developers and property owners.
• Supervise, lead, and train technical and clerical staff.
• Read and interpret construction plans, schematics, and blue prints.
• Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.
• Work well under pressure to meet deadlines.

Experience and Training
Experience: Five years of increasingly responsible professional land use planning experience working in a municipal planning department. Two years of lead or supervisory experience.
Note: Experience working with the California Coastal Commission, strong working knowledge of the California Environmental Quality Act and project permitting with local Resource Agencies is highly desirable.

Training: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in planning, public administration, community development, urban design or a related field. A Master's degree in planning, public administration, business administration or related field is desirable.

License/Certificate: Possession of an appropriate, valid California driver's license.
Working Conditions and Selection Process
Environmental Conditions:Office environment; exposure to computer screens; extensive public contact. Occasional travel to work sites or other sites for meetings, or to undeveloped areas of the City for field visits. Field sites may include construction sites, steep terrain, agricultural areas, and habitats of native flora and fauna, insects, native animals and endangered species.

Physical Conditions: Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for walking, sitting and standing for prolonged periods of time; speaking and hearing to exchange information; visual acuity to read and interpret specifications and drawings.
Selection Process: All applications will be reviewed and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. The process may include a written and/or oral examination to assess job-related education, experience and training. Candidates who successfully complete the examination process will be placed on an eligible list according to their scores and will remain eligible for employment consideration for a minimum of six months.
Note: Prospective candidates will undergo a background reference check and a medical examination, a drug screening may be required.
RESUMES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS BUT MAY BE ATTACHED.
CANDIDATES WHO REQUIRE A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION IN THE SELECTION PROCESS SHOULD STATE THEIR NEEDS IN WRITING WHEN SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. ANY PROVISION CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.
CITY OF OCEANSIDE

Management Employees of the City of Oceanside (Non-Safety)

Benefit Summary

The following is a highlight of benefits
Retirement
Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS)

• Employees hired after January 1, 2013 are subject to the State laws of PEPRA in regard to retirement benefits. Each individual's benefits may differ. Consult with Employee Benefits for further details
• Third Level 1959 Survivor Credit
• Survivor Continuation option

Additional Retirement Credit Purchase Options

• Buy additional Service Retirement Credit
• Service Credit for unused Sick Leave
• Buy additional Military Service Credit

Health Insurance

Medical:

• Kaiser HMO
• Blue Shield HMO
• Blue Shield PPO

Dental

• Delta Preferred Option (DPO)
• Delta Care USA (DHMO)

Vision:

• Vision Service Plan (VSP)

Pre-Tax Benefits

Health benefits are offered on a pre-tax basis and employees cannot add or delete coverage or benefits unless a qualifying event has occurred.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The Anthem EAP is paid for by the City.

• Available to all members of your household
• 6 free confidential counseling visits per incident
• Self-service support online or by phone

Disability and Life Insurances

The STD/LTD/LIFE and AD&D ING premiums are paid for by City.
Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance:

• First 90 days - benefits paid at 55% of weekly salary to a maximum weekly benefit of $700 for non-work related disability only
• Seven day waiting period unless hospitalized
• All sick leave must be exhausted before STD is used

Long-Term Disability Insurance:

• After 90 days - benefits paid at 66.7% of monthly salary to a maximum monthly benefit of $6,000 for any disability

Life and AD&D Insurance:

• 1 times annual base salary; minimum of $30,000 and maximum of $200,000 of Basic Life & AD&D

Voluntary Benefits

Benefits are employee paid.
Supplemental Life Insurance through Voya:

• Premiums are determined by age
• Purchased up to a maximum $500,000 for employees
• Spousal coverage up to the employee amount
• Dependent coverage up to $10,000

Flexible Spending Accounts through BCC:

• Utilizes a debit card as a form of payment
• Health Care Spending Account - maximum annual deferral is $3,200
• Dependent Care Spending Account - maximum annual deferral is $5,000

Deferred Compensation - 457 and Roth IRA through Mission Square:

• 457 - Maximum annual pre/post-taxed amount is $23,500 for 2025; over age 50 may contribute an additional $7,500
• Roth IRA - Maximum post-taxed amount is $7,000 for 2025; over age 50 may contribute an additional $1,000

MetlLife Legal Plan

• Telephone and office consultations are available for an unlimited number for personal legal matters with an attorney of your choice.

GotZoom Student Loan Relief

• Provides a no-obligation benefit analysis for federal student loans to identify, maximize and enroll employees into Federal Loan Repayment and Forgiveness Programs.

ScholarShare 529

• An easy to manage plan that helps make the most of your or a designated beneficiary's college savings with tax benefits.

Leave Benefits

Vacation:
All accurals are based on 80 hours in a paid status
1 - 5 years: 3.58 hours
6 - 10 years: 5.12 hours
11 - 15 years: 6.65 hours
16+ years: 8.19 hours
Maximum accrual:

• 360 hours for those hired before 7/1/95
• 300 hours for those hired 7/1/95 or after

Holidays:

• New Years' Day
• Martin Luther King Jr Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans' Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday after Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day
• 48 hours Floating Holidays per fiscal year
• Exempt employees receive 50 hours of Executive leave per fiscal year

Sick Leave:

Accrual: 12 days per year

Max accrual: Unlimited

Annual pay off: Up to 50% based on annual usage
Sick Leave pay off at separation:

• Sick leave paid out depends on years of service and whether an employee retires or terminates

Bereavement Leave:

• Three days for death of employee's immediate family member
• Two additional days may be charged to sick leave upon approval

Tuition Reimbursement

Up to $2,000 per fiscal year

Certification Pay

Determined by the head of the department, a $1.00 per hour will be given to employees with certain State of California Certifications on an as needed basis.

Bilingual and Notary Pay

Bilingual: $1.73 per hour for eligible employees

Notary: $.58 per hour for eligible employees
Safety Shoes

The City will provide reimbursement up to $200 towards the purchase price of safety shoes to employees who are required to wear such shoes on the job.
Uniforms

The City will provide an annual uniform allowance, for any public safety employee required to wear one, in the amount of $475.
Term of Compensation Plan

Effective July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2026

This is a summary of available benefits. It is not intended to provide full details of all programs. The appropriate Memorandum of Understanding, Compensation Plan and/or Benefit Plan Documents will govern any discrepancies and provide program specifics.
01

Do you possess five years of increasingly responsible professional land use planning experience working in a municipal planning department and two years of lead or supervisory experience?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in planning, public administration, community development, urban design or a related field?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess a Master's degree in planning, public administration, business administration or related field?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you possess AICP certification? If yes, attach a copy to your application.

• Yes
• No

05

Please describe your direct project experience in working with the California Environmental Quality Act. Include an estimate of the type and number of CEQA documents you have prepared, and a general description of a complex land development project for which an Environmental Impact Report was prepared that you directly managed.Please list the dates (From - To).
06

Please summarize your experience in working with the California Coastal Act and local implementing documents. Please also describe how you have worked with Coastal Commission staff.Please list the dates (From - To).
07

Describe your experience analyzing planning data, information, and code compliance requirements for discretionary entitlement applications. Please list the dates (From-To).
08

Describe your experience supervising staff. Include the number of employees supervised and the duties related to supervision.
09

CERTIFICATE OF APPLICANT: I certify that all statements and information provided in this application and any attachments are true, and I understand that any false or misleading statements or omissions of material facts may forfeit right to employment considerations by the City of Oceanside.

• Yes
• No

Required Question