Senior Planner

Salary : $95,270.28 - $128,618.02 Annually
Location : Santee, CA
Job Type: Full-Time with Benefits
Job Number: 2025-1113
Department: Planning and Building Department
Opening Date: 11/13/2025
Closing Date: Continuous

The Position
Upcoming Scheduled Salary Increase of 3% Effective July 2026

There are 2 (two) vacant positions to be filled
Under the direction of the Principal Planner, this at-will, mid-management position performs all phases of difficult, complex, professional and technical planning and related work; requires the exercise of a great amount of initiative in assuming continually difficult duties and responsibilities; requires great accuracy and comprehension in work produced with minimal review, instruction, direction and supervision; requires exercising independent judgment in determining priorities and preparing reports and recommendations; and performs other duties as required. This class is distinguished from that of Associate Planner by the complexity of analytical assignments related to both current and long-range planning, responsibility to obtain objectives, greater independence with which an incumbent is expected to operate, and may supervise administrative, technical and/or clerical staff.
~This is a non-telecommuting position~

Representative Duties
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Serves as a single point of contact for ministerial and discretionary planning projects, including but not limited to, managing intake of applications, reviewing for consistency with all relevant local, state and federal regulations, preparing staff reports and presenting at City Council, and ensuring compliance with conditions of approval;
• Plans, coordinates and provides support for intra and interdepartmental activities of the Planning Division;
• Prepares new and/or updates ordinances, amendments and General Plan Elements;
• Prepares and/or reviews environmental documents in compliance with state and federal environmental law;
• Manages as needed planning and environmental consultants including procurement, tracking work and ensuring invoices are appropriately paid;
• Represents the City's position before various boards, committees or technical advisory groups;
• Interfaces with developers, architects, engineers and others involved in projects;
• Represents the City in the community and at public and professional meetings;
• Responds to public complaints and requests;
• Conducts complex, detailed studies relating to the social, economic and physical development of the community and in zoning enforcement;
• Develops/recommends departmental policies and procedures and assist in implementing these policies/procedures upon their approval;
• Performs special projects related to planning; and
• Performs other duties as assigned.

~ For the complete job description, please go to the City of Santee's website at www.cityofsanteeca.gov~

Minimum Qualifications
Any combination of education and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of this classification. An example would be:
EDUCATION: A bachelor's degree in Planning, Public Administration, Community Development, Urban Design or a closely related field; and

EXPERIENCE: Four (4) years of increasingly responsible and recent professional level experience in current, long range and /or Environmental Planning, Development, or Housing.

A master's degree in a closely related field or an American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification may be accepted in lieu of one (1) year of experience.

A master's degree in Planning, Public Administration or related field, or an American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is highly desirable.

California experience in current, long range and/or Environmental Planning, Development, or Housing is highly desirable.
Public sector experience in current, long range and/or Environmental Planning, Development or Housing is highly desirable.

EVALUATION PROCESS: This recruitment is open until filled, so interested applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.Interested applicants must submit an online application and a completed supplemental questionnaire. Candidates whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the city will be invited to participate in the examination process for this position which may consist of any or all of the following components: Appraisal interview, a written exercise, or a practical skills assessment.

Special Requirements
The applicant selected will be subject to a criminal history investigation through the California Department of Justice (DOJ). A waiver for reference and background information must be completed.
City of Santee employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW GENERAL AND MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES BENEFIT SUMMARY
01

Do you have a bachelor's degree in Planning, Public Administration, Community Development, Urban Design or a closely related field? If it is in a related field, please specify which one.
02

Do you have four (4) years of increasingly responsible and recent professional level experience in current, long range and/or environmental Planning, Development, or Housing? If no experience, please put "N/A".
03

Although not required, is your professional planning or related planning experience listed above in California?

• Yes
• No

04

Although not required, is your professional planning or related planning experience listed above in the public sector? If yes, please list the name of the agencies. If no, please put "N/A".
05

Although not required, do you have a master's degree in Planning, Public Administration, or a related field? If related field, please specify which one. If none, please put "N/A".
06

Although not required, do you have an American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification?

• Yes
• No

07

Describe your experience serving as a single point of contact for ministerial and discretionary planning projects, including but not limited to, managing intake of applications, reviewing for consistency with all relevant local, state and federal regulations, preparing staff reports and ensuring compliance with conditions of approval. Please include where you obtained that experience, your title and list of notable projects. If no experience, please put "N/A".
08

Describe your experience managing planning and environmental contracts. If no experience, please put "N/A".
09

Describe your experience preparing new and/or updating ordinances, amendments and General Plan Elements. If no experience, please put "N/A".
10

Please describe your experience preparing and/or reviewing environmental documents in compliance with state and/or federal environmental laws. If no experience, please put "N/A".
11

Describe your experience presenting before a community board, committee, Planning Commission or City Council. Please include how often you presented. If no experience, please put "N/A".
12

I understand that this is an at-will, mid-management position.

• Yes
• No

13

I understand that this is a non-telecommuting position.

• Yes
• No

Required Question