Senior Planner (Multiple Vacancies)

Salary : $126,660.00 - $163,284.00 Annually
Location : City of Santa Cruz, CA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 27-024
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 10/15/2026
Closing Date: 11/5/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

The Position
The City of Santa Cruz Community Development Department is seeking two Senior Planners, one in Advance Planning and one in Current Planning, to oversee complex professional land use and urban planning projects.
The Current Planning Division is looking for a senior-level planner to guide high-profile development projects through the City's planning process. The ideal candidate will be able to manage complex current planning processes with limited oversight, interpret and apply state legislation, deliver standout customer service, and help shape the future of our city. If you thrive in a community that cares deeply about what gets built, this is your role.

The Advance Planning Division is seeking a senior-level planner to shape our long-term vision. You will manage projects to update and maintain the policy and planning tools that guide our community's future, including the General Plan, Local Coastal Program, area plans, and zoning ordinance, while advancing our Housing Element goals and other key policy initiatives. If you enjoy working with a passionate, engaged community, you'll feel right at home.

To learn more about the Community Development Department, please visit The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Regular, Full Time, Part Time, Limited Term, and Temporary Senior Planner vacancies that may occur during the life of the list. The eligible list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.
Recruitment # 27-024

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

• On Thursday, 11/05/26 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:
  1. Application- online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
  2. Response to supplemental questions- will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.

• Week of 11/09 and 11/16/26: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment by 11/25/26.
• Week of 11/30 and 12/07/26: Interviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exercise.

Under direction, the Senior Planner manages, oversees, reviews and performs complex professional land use and urban planning work, such as current planning, advance planning, implementation of the City's General Plan, development review, management of Citywide pre-application review, and major, complex planning projects; provides direction and training to assigned staff; and, performs other related duties as assigned.
Typical Duties
(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below.)

• Develops and implements goals, objectives, policies and priorities for assigned functional areas; plans, coordinates, directs and processes complex projects and conducts research studies; analyzes information and data and makes recommendations for action; negotiates, prepares and administers consultant services contracts; prepares reports and recommendations regarding land use, zoning, urban design, population trends, transportation, community needs, housing and environmental issues; recommends the use of land for residential, commercial, industrial and community uses.
• Provides lead direction to professional, technical and office support staff in assigned functional areas; instructs staff in work procedures; participates in the review and evaluation of work performed.
• Coordinates and participates in the review and processing of various plans and applications for subdivision, housing and commercial developments; reviews and processes variances and other development permits and applications; collects and evaluates information related to the application process and determines conformity with laws, regulations, policies and procedures; recommends approval or alternative approaches; conducts project site inspections.
• May be assigned to investigate and respond to complaints of zoning code violations.
• Supervises, coordinates and participates in the update and implementation of the General Plan; drafts and coordinates adoption of ordinance amendments.
• Manages complex and controversial planning projects; manages public participation and project budget.
• Acts as Deputy Zoning Administrator.
• Supervises special functions of the assigned division such as code enforcement, historic preservation, and code amendments.
• Facilitates interdepartmental coordination of complex planning projects; confers with personnel from other departments and agencies in coordinating work activities; meets with representatives of community organizations and other groups to encourage cooperative action or to resolve problems.
• Interprets, applies and explains federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations, including the California Environmental Quality Act (C.E.Q.A.) and the National Environmental Protection Act (N.E.P.A.).
• Provides information and assistance to developers, property owners and the public regarding laws, regulations, standards, policies and procedures related to the submission of plans, processing of applications and implementation requirements; investigates and answers the more complex questions from the public regarding planning, zoning and environmental issues.
• Writes and edits reports and agendas for the City Planning Commission, Zoning Administrator and Historic Preservation Commission; serves as staff to the Planning Commission and Historic Preservation Commission; coordinates, prepares and provides meeting support services to the Commission and other groups, including reviewing draft materials and preparing comments; drafts hearing notices, organizes meetings and work sessions ensuring timely notification of appropriate parties; makes presentations and prepares material for the City Council, commissions, boards and community groups.
• May coordinate and administer grant applications or contracts.
• May manage the work of consultants performing planning projects or studies.
• Serves as technical advisor to City staff and officials, public agencies and members of the public.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking on slippery, level and uneven surfaces, kneeling, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in preparing reports using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires both near and far vision in reading written reports and work-related documents. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. Additionally, the incumbent in this position works outdoors in all weather conditions, including wet, hot and cold. The need to lift, drag and push files, paper and documents weighing up to 25 pounds is also required.

Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

Minimum Qualifications
The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:

Education and Experience

• A Bachelor's degree in urban or regional planning, or a related field.
• Four years of increasingly responsible experience in urban or regional planning.

Knowledge:

• Principles, practices and techniques of municipal planning.
• Land use, physical design, demographic, environmental, economic and social concepts as applied to municipal planning.
• Applicable agencies, laws, codes, and regulations related to area of assignment.
• Statistical methods and research techniques applicable to the preparation of municipal planning studies.
• Methods and techniques for record keeping and report preparation and writing.
• Methods and techniques for making effective public presentations of complex information.
• Principles and practices of program development, administration and evaluation.
• Methods and techniques of scheduling work assignments.
• Office practices, methods and equipment, including a computer and applicable software.
• Grant writing and administration.
• Contract negotiation and administration.
• Methods and techniques of supervision and training.

Abilities:

• Coordinate and perform complex professional planning work in assigned program area.
• Plan, organize, and direct the work of assigned staff; assist with the training and evaluation of staff; organize, prioritize and follow-up on work assignments.
• Perform thorough research and analysis of complex planning-related issues and develop appropriate recommendations for action.
• Interpret, explain and apply applicable, policies, procedures, standards, laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to the municipal planning process, including the California Environmental Quality Act (C.E.Q.A.) and the National Environmental Protection Act (N.E.P.A.).
• Review complex project plans and concepts to determine compliance with the general plan and plan principles.
• Interpret technical manuals, maps, site and building plans and specifications, graphs, sketches, drawings and modeling and statistical data.
• Coordinate and/or participate in community planning and information sessions.
• Research, collect and analyze a variety of information relative to planning activities and projects; conduct project inspections.
• Make adjustments to standard operating procedures to improve effectiveness and comply with regulatory changes as appropriate.
• Participate in the establishment of division and/or department goals, objectives and methods for evaluating achievement and performance levels.
• Assist with budget development and monitoring.
• Negotiate and oversee contracts and manage the work of consultants.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Make effective public presentations of complex technical information.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with developers, contractors, consultants, advisory bodies, City staff, other governmental agencies, and the public.
• Willingness to attend evening meetings as required.

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver's license or the ability to provide alternate transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in urban or regional planning.

Career Ladder

• Principal Planner
• Senior Planner
• Associate Planner II
• Associate Planner I

LEAVE

Vacation - 80 hours/year up to 5 years, 120 hours/year 6-10 years, add 8 hours for each additional year up to a maximum of 160 hours/year.

Management Vacation - 80 hours per year

Sick - 12 days/year

Holidays - up to 11 days/year, plus 3 floating holidays
INSURANCE - (available to employee and eligible dependents)

Medical - Depends on plan selected; City generally pays at least 90% of the cost of coverage. Participating members will contribute an additional $50 per pay period toward health care benefits.

Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program - City currently pays full cost of employee and family coverage.

Life - City provides a $25,000 life insurance policy.

Long Term Disability - City provides a long term disability plan.
RETIREMENT

All regular employees become members of Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) 2% @ 62 (3 year average) plan. Prior PERS membership may affect retirement formula. Employees contribute 13.5% of their salary to PERS on a pre-tax basis. An employee is vested after 5 years of membership. No Social Security is withheld.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS (not all inclusive)

457 Deferred Compensation Plan

Accident Protection Insurance

Cancer and Critical Illness Insurance

Credit Union

Direct Deposit

Discount Bus Pass Program

Flexible Spending Plans for Health & Dependent Care

Longevity Pay (2.5% of salary after 10 years)

Medical Reimbursement

Supplemental Life Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

Vehicle Allowance- $120 per month
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