Senior Planner

Salary: $9,850.86 - $11,973.78 Monthly
Location : Chula Vista, CA
Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Various Departments
Opening Date: 10/23/2026
Closing Date: 11/18/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Description and Essential Functions
The Senior Planner performs the more difficult professional planning and environmental review work including research, analysis and technical studies in the development of planning projects and related planning activities; ensures project compliance with a wide variety of local, State and Federal requirements; provides assistance in interpreting, analyzing, and complying with environmental policies, rules and regulations; performs initial environmental studies; and performs related work.
Vacancies currently exist in both the Development Services and Housing and Homeless Services Departments.

This position is scheduled to receive a 5% salary adjustment the first full pay period of January 2027.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This is the advanced journey level class within the Planner series. Employees in this class are distinguished from the Associate Planner by the performance of the full range of duties and are generally assigned the more complex and difficult work projects, including serving as project lead and/or project manager. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit and the Development Services Department.

Supervision Received and Exercised
Receives direction from an assigned supervisor. May exercise functional or technical supervision or lead responsibility on a project basis.

Essential Functions
Functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: Coordinate and perform the more complex and difficult planning and environmental work on various projects including the review of revisions to the General Plan, General Development Plans (GDP), Sectional Planning Area (SPA) plans, Specific Plans, Multiple Species Conservation Plan and other land use plans and policy documents, regional issues, environmental issues, site development, building and grading plans, subdivision and parcel maps, environmental analysis and similar applications; research, review, and analyze information and data for the preparation of comprehensive planning and environmental reports on both current and long-range issues; plan, organize and conduct research studies regarding land use, zoning, community design and environmental issues; prepare reports, recommendations and presentations; perform highly technical research in zoning changes, zoning variances, conditional use permits and other planning matters including population, housing, transportation, land use and economic studies and growth management; administer and implement various environmental plans and programs, such as California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); review projects for compliance with CEQA, NEPA and any local environmental programs, regulations and/or standards; determine if projects meet provisions of these plans/programs; review and manage for small and large projects, Environmental Impact Reports (EIR), Negative Declarations, addenda, and exemptions for compliance with CEQA; oversee and prepare consultant contracts; prepare and/or review mitigation measures; prepare and distribute CEQA notices; conduct initial studies pursuant to CEQA and produce Negative Declarations; manage large and small complex projects involving Mitigated Negative Declarations, Environmental Impact Reports, and Environmental Impact Statements; develop and coordinate project compliance with a wide variety of local, State, and Federal requirements; coordinate field analysis and studies on a variety of planning topics; develop new ordinances and resolutions; participate in the administration of land use regulations, the City's General Plan, General Development Plans, Sectional Planning Area (SPA) plans, Specific Plans, Multiple Species Conservation Plan, environmental review and design review; provide support at the permit counter as necessary; review development proposals for conformance with General Plan/City zoning; communicate with and assist developers, property owners and the public regarding laws, policies, regulations, standards and procedures with respect to the submission of plans, and processing of applications; implement requirements; identify problems and assess alternatives for projects; recommend project approval or denial; act on behalf of the Zoning Administrator as necessary; conduct meetings and hearings as necessary; act as a project manager for the complex departmental assignments and projects which may include planned communities, redevelopment areas and special planning or development projects; manage and assist in the creation of SPA plan design and development standards and guidelines including zoning, financing and precise planning for specific development zones within SPA planning areas; prepare and present reports related to local and regional planning and zoning issues; make recommendations on a wide variety of planning subjects including zoning changes and subdivision maps; attend meetings of the City Council, Planning Commission and Design Review Committee and provide technical support to various agencies and community groups as required; serve as project leader on complex departmental assignments and projects; provide written and oral information to the public on a wide range of planning and environmental issues, including current, long term and capital improvement projects; attend meetings and make presentations to various committees, commissions, professional and community groups; build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service; and perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Any combination of education and/or experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Four years of increasingly responsible experience in planning involving city and/or regional planning work, including environmental-related program assignments AND training equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning, architecture, landscape architecture, environmental studies, natural resources management or a closely related field.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Physical Demands and Working Conditions
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of: principles and practices of land use and urban planning, environmental law and zoning; State and local laws and regulations on planning and zoning; the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and other governmental environmental policies, rules, and regulations; Environmental Assessment; Federal, state, and local environmental regulatory agency requirements; environmental review procedures and redevelopment area issues; research methods as applied to the collection, tabulation and analysis of statistics and information affecting public planning; Engineering drawing and topographic mapping; English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation; computer equipment and software applications related to assignment.
Ability to: read and interpret complex policies, rules and regulations; develop and implement appropriate compliance procedures; review and analyze technical studies; conduct site inspections; collect, tabulate and compute planning statistics; organize and conduct various planning research studies; maintain records and prepare reports; make oral presentations at various meetings; operate computer equipment and software applications related to assignment; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions
On a continuous basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time, intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone, write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; occasionally lift or carry weight of 15 pounds or less. See in the normal vision range with or without correction; hear in the normal range with or without correction. Primary work is performed indoors in a carpeted and air-conditioned office environment with fluorescent lighting and moderate noise level. Some movement is required from office to office and there is exposure to the external environment when going to outlying offices, meeting, or performing field inspections. Work is frequently disrupted by the need to respond to in-person and telephone inquires.

Additional Information
Recruitment No. 26432010
To be considered, applicants must submit a city application by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date listed. Candidates whose applications indicate education and experience most directly related to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. All notices will be sent via email. Unless otherwise noted, a passing score must be achieved at each step of the selection process in order to have your name placed on the eligibility list for hiring consideration. The examination materials for this recruitment are validated, copyrighted and/or inappropriate for review.

Note: The virtual oral board is scheduled for Wednesday, December 9, 2026, and is subject to change if unforeseen circumstances arise.
The eligibility list established as a result of this recruitment will be for a duration of six (6) months, unless otherwise extended.
Middle Management/Professional Benefit Summary: Click
01

The supplemental questionnaire is used to further evaluate your experience and education to determine your eligibility for this position. Please answer each question accurately and thoroughly. To be considered for this position, the experience you indicate in your responses to the supplemental questions must also be described, in detail, on the Work History/Experience section of your Employment Application. Failure to complete the "Work History/Experience" section of the employment application will result in your application not being considered. Please do not refer your response to your resume. A resume will not be considered in determining your qualifications.

• I have read and acknowledge the instructions stated above.

02

EDUCATION
Which of the following best describes your highest level of education?

• Master's degree or higher
• Bachelor's degree
• Associate's degree
• Some college, but no degree
• High school graduate or equivalent

03

Please indicate your major field of study at the Bachelor's or Master's Degree level. (If none or not applicable, please type "N/A".)
04

EXPERIENCE
Which of the following best describes the length of your full-time, professional-level experience performing city and/or regional planning work, including environmental-related program assignments?

• Four or more years of experience.
• At least three years but less than four years of experience.
• At least two years but less than three years of experience.
• At least one year but less than two years of experience.
• Less than one year of experience.
• I do not have experience.

05

Describe your full-time, professional-level experience performing city and/or regional planning work, including environmental-related program assignments.
Your response MUST INCLUDE and FOLLOW the format below. Provide the following for EACH change in position or employer.
(A.) The name of employer;
(B.) Your official job title;
(C.) Length of experience (Number of years/months); and
(D.) Description of your specific duties that support this experience.
NOTE: We must be able to verify your responses against the Work History section of your application. Responses that are incomplete, do not address all of the items above, "See Resume" response(s), or responses in a narrative format will result in your application being rejected for lack of information.
If you do not have the experience, please indicate "no experience" below.

06

Which of the following areas do you have professional-level work experience in? (Check all that apply)
If none, please check "None of the above".

• General Plan and/or Housing Element Implementation
• State Housing Law (e.g. Density Bonus)
• Municipal Code implementation and interpretation
• Community outreach/special events
• Project Plan Review
• Policy and procedure implementation
• Project management
• Special studies and projects
• None of the above

07

POLICY DEVELOPMENT & IMPLEMENTATION
Please describe your professional-level experience in developing policies and implementation for General Plan elements and/or municipal code. Describe any involvement in community engagement with this experience.

Your response must include the following information and be structured in the following format:
A. Organization/agency where you gained your experience;
B. Length of employment (number of years/month);
C. Position title;
D. Description of project managed; and
E. Description of duties performed.
NOTE: Responses that are incomplete, do not address all of the items above, "See Resume" response, or responses in a narrative format will result in your application being rejected for lack of information.

If you do not have experience, please indicate "No experience."

08

DISCRETIONARY REVIEW / PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Please describe your professional-level experience in managing complex discretionary permits. Discuss your experience processing/managing an application from initial receipt of an application to project approval from a hearing body.

Your response must include the following information and be structured in the following format:
A. Orga