Salary : $121,758.00 - $152,204.00 Annually
Location : City of San Luis Obispo, CA
Job Type: Regular Full Time
Department: Housing Policy and Homelessness Programs
Opening Date: 09/10/2026
Closing Date: 10/1/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt

JOB DESCRIPTION
The City of SLO is looking for a Principal Planner to join the Community Development Department and lead the Housing & Homelessness Section of the Planning Division who demonstrates exceptional leadership, strategic thinking and technical expertise.

The City is seeking a strategic, forward-thinking Principal Planner to join the Community Development Department and lead the Housing & Homelessness Response Section of the Planning Division. In this role, you will guide major planning initiatives, shape housing policy, and collaborate with departments, partner agencies, service providers, and elected officials to support some of our most impactful community priorities.

The ideal candidate understands how land use, regional coordination, development feasibility, social services, and equity intersect to influence housing stability. You will work closely with residents, organizations, and advisory bodies to develop solutions that meet today's needs while planning for a more resilient and inclusive future.

If you are interested in learning more about the role and what day-to-day duties may include, please contact

If you're ready to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the well-being of our community, we encourage you to apply.

Selected candidates will be invited to in-person interviews on Tuesday, October 20, 2026-please hold the date.

Please note: Hiring incentives are not guaranteed but may be valued up to $5,000 for positions deemed hard to fill by the Director of Human Resources. For those candidates who live 50 or more miles from San Luis Obispo County, relocation assistance up to $10,000 may be available. In addition, the City is also honoring service credit towards vacation accrual for completed public sector years of service.
JOB SUMMARY:
Plans, organizes, and manages planning projects and services of one or more sections of the Planning Division; manages major planning programs, studies, development project review, and policy development involving the interpretation of complex laws and sensitive land use, housing, and homelessness response issues; supervises staff, coordinates work with other agencies, and makes presentations to the executive team, Planning Commission, City Council, and other boards, committees, and commissions; and serves as a departmental and City liaison.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:
This is a management classification requiring thorough knowledge of physical, social, and economic principles of urban planning; the ability to integrate diverse planning activities with the overall objectives of the community and City Council; and leadership skills to supervise a section within the Planning Division. Incumbents have a broad range of independence in overseeing project assignment, scheduling, and workload of the assigned professional and technical planning staff, and functions as technical expert for planning-related activities and programs. The Principal Planner class is distinguished from the next lower class of Senior Planner by its broader management responsibilities and full supervision of professional and technical planning staff. The Principal Planner class is distinguished from the Deputy Director of Community Development/City Planner by the latter's overall responsibility for all sections in the Planning Division and assisting the Community Development Director with overall administration of department activities.
SUPERVISION

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Receives general direction from the Deputy Director of Community Development/City Planner.
Exercises general supervision and direction over professional, technical, administrative support, and intern planning staff.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks that may be found in positions of this class.)

• Plans, organizes, supervises, assigns, reviews, evaluates, and approves the work of professional and technical staff in the implementation of a wide variety of planning, zoning, environmental review, housing program, and homelessness response activities; determines appropriate project priorities and project schedules; selects and oversees the work of consultants; estimates resources needed.
• Provides leadership, coaching, mentoring, training, and policy guidance and interpretation to staff; promotes organizational and employee development.
• Initiates, researches, prepares, and presents major reports, proposals, and recommendations to the Community Development Director, Deputy Director of Community Development/City Planner, Planning Commission, City Council, and other boards and commissions.
• Provides exemplary customer service to all individuals by demonstrating a willingness to be attentive, understanding, responsive, fair, courteous, and respectful, and to actively participate in maintaining a positive customer service environment.
• Analyzes and applies complex laws, rules, and regulations to planning projects and policy decisions.
• Coordinates planning review and approvals with other City departments and outside agencies in matters involving land use, environmental and development issues, regional planning policies, and housing and homelessness issues.
• Assists with preparation and management of the Community Development Department's budget and performance measures.
• Meets with regional partners, community groups, and other organizations; acts as the City's liaison to advisory bodies, such as boards, commissions, and committees.
• Coordinates and oversees staff and consultants on the completion of environmental review tasks associated with assessments of private development and City projects.
• Acts on behalf of the Deputy Director of Community Development/City Planner in his or her absence.
• Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:

• Federal, state, and local planning laws, policies, and regulations, such as the Subdivision Map Act, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), various state housing laws including density bonus law and the Housing Accountability Act (HAA), Zoning Regulations, General Plan Policies, Historic Preservation Ordinance, Community Design Guidelines, and Historic Preservation Program Guidelines.
• Theories, principles, procedures, standards, practices, information sources, and trends in the fields of current and advanced planning; land use, physical design, demographic, environmental, and social/economic concepts as applied to municipal planning.
• Local government organization and the functions and applications related to a municipal planning department.
• Research methods and statistical techniques used in planning.
• Methods and techniques for making effective public presentations of complex information.
• Terminology, symbols, methods, and techniques used in planning and planning exhibits, such as site plans, grading plans, and architectural elevations.
• Principles of staffing, selection, training, supervision, performance evaluation, and discipline.
• Project management principles and program evaluation practices.
• Budgeting practices.

Ability to:

• Perform and coordinate technical current, advanced, and project-planning activities, such as the collection, analysis, and preparation of reports and recommendations pertaining to complex issues and policy matters; make accurate recommendations based on study findings.
• Develop, interpret, and apply laws, policies, procedures, regulations, maps, specifications, census data, site and building plans, graphs, and other statistical data.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within departmental guidelines.
• Plan, organize, and complete projects and lead and motivate employees to meet established deadlines.
• Prepare clear, concise, and complete technical planning documents, oral and written reports, and correspondence.
• Direct the preparation of visual displays, such as maps, graphs, and statistical charts.
• Operate computer hardware and use information systems and related word processing, data base, spreadsheet, and graphics presentation software programs.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with City Council members, other boards and commissions, staff supervisors, management, consultants, community groups, citizens, and applicants.
• Represent the City effectively in meetings with commissions, community groups, governmental bodies, the media and the public.
• Work with diverse populations and maintain an inclusive environment.

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Graduation from a four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in urban planning or a closely related field.
and
Five years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience, preferably including two years in a lead or supervisory capacity.
or
An equivalent combination of education and experience.
A master's degree in planning, public administration, or a related field; professional certification through the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) or a similar organization; or additional coursework in Planning or a related field (e.g., architecture, economics, environmental studies, historic preservation, urban design) is highly desirable.

BEFORE A FINAL OFFER IS MADE, CANDIDATE WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE:

• Live Scan Fingerprinting - DOJ

For a detailed spreadsheet of employee benefits by bargaining group, please view our

Retirement: California Public Employee's Retirement System (PERS). The City participates only in the medicare portion of Social Security.

Health: the City has a cafeteria plan for health, dental and vision insurance and contributes towards medical insurance. Employees may choose from several health insurance options. There are also two dental plans to choose from. See the Benefits Summary link to determine the contribution amount.

Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance: group term life and AD&D insurance is provided for all regular employees. The amount of coverage varies depending on the classification. Employees may purchase additional life and AD&D insurance for themselves and their dependents.

Vacation: employees receive 12 days per year increasing to 20 days after 20 years.

Holidays: employees receive 12-13 days per year depending on the classification.

Sick Leave: employees receive 12 days per year.

Administrative Leave: is a benefit available to management employees. The number of administrative leave hours varies depending on the classification.

Flexible Work Schedule: is available to many positions within the City organization.

Long Term Disability Insurance: is available for regular employees. The amount of benefit and contribution by employee varies by classification.

Deferred Compensation: is available for employees to set aside a portion of their salary on a pre-tax basis to supplement retirement.

Wellness Program: offered to help employees gain knowledge, skills and motivation to improve the quality of their lives and well-being.

Employee Assistance Program: a counseling and consultation service designed to help employees and eligible family members with a wide range of personal issues.

Flexible Benefits Program: available to help employees save taxes on: (1) Pre-tax health insurance premium deductions, (2) Unreimbursed/ uncovered medical expenses, and (3) Dependent care expenses.

Tuition Reimbursement: up to $1500 annually for job-related educational costs is available to employees who have passed probation.

Trip Reduction Incentive Program (TRIP): incentives are available for employees who voluntarily participate in alternative forms of transportation to and from work.

Computer Purchase Program: interest-free loans to employees who have passed probation and who purchase computers for personal use with City approved software configuration.

Professional Association for City Employees