PRINCIPAL PLANNER

County of Fresno; Fresno (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Fresno invites applications for the position of Principal Planner, overseeing planning, development services, housing and community development, environmental analysis, and land use. The role leads multiple sections and ensures policy compliance and effective project reviews.

Requirements include a bachelor’s degree in a related field, four years of experience (one year supervisory); a master’s degree may substitute for one year.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree as listed above is required.
• Four (4) years of full-time, paid work experience equivalent to a Planner or Staff Analyst within the Fresno County Department of Public Works & Planning, with at least one year in a supervisory capacity.
• Possession of a master’s degree may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and manage several sections involved in planning, development services, housing and community development, environmental analysis, and land use.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Urban or Regional Planning, Engineering, Geography, Architecture, Public or Business Administration, Political Science, Environmental Science, or closely related field

Job description

INTERVIEWS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 3, 2026

Scheduled Salary Increase: 1% effective 11/9/2026

The Fresno County Department of Public Works and Planning invites applications for the position of Principal Planner. Incumbents are responsible for planning, directing, and managing several sections involved in planning, development services, housing and community development, environmental analysis, and land use.

Fresno County is working together for a quality of life for all. Our mission is to provide excellent public services to our diverse community.

OPTION !

Education

Possession of a bachelor’s degree that is acceptable within the United States’ accredited college or university system in Urban or Regional Planning, Engineering, Geography, Architecture, Public or Business Administration, Political Science, Environmental Science, or closely related field.

Experience (Option 1)

Four (4) years of full-time, paid work experience equivalent to that gained as a Planner or Staff Analyst within the Fresno County Department of Public Works & Planning, one (1) year of which must have been gained in a supervisory capacity.

Substitution (Option 1)

Possession of a master’s degree that is acceptable within the United States’ accredited college or university system may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

Experience (Option 2)

Four (4) years of full-time, paid work experience equivalent to that gained as a Planner or Staff Analyst within the Fresno County Department of Public Works & Planning, one (1) year of which must have been gained in a supervisory capacity.

AND

Four (4) years of full-time, technical paid work experience gained within a planning, transportation, housing and community development, development services, code enforcement, or resource management field.

Substitution (Option 2)

Possession of a master’s degree that is acceptable within the United States’ accredited college or university system may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

License

Possession of a valid Class “C” driver's license, or equivalent.

Note

Recruitment and/or certification may be limited to candidates possessing a specific education and/or experience background related to the specific position vacancy as authorized by the Director of Human Resources.

Selection Process

Pursuant to Fresno County Personnel Rule 4 - Selection Process, applicants may be required to complete an examination process and successful candidates will be placed on an employment list effective for a minimum of 3 months and certified in final rank order as vacancies occur.

• Tentative Interview Dates: November 3, 2026

Reasonable Accommodations

Positions in this classification are in Medical Group I - Light Physical Activity (Personnel Rule 8). This group includes positions which require only light physical effort and may include lifting of small, light objects and some bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, and reaching. Considerable walking or standing may be involved.

The County of Fresno is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application, examination, or selection process may contact Human Resources at [phone] at least five days prior to the scheduled date or deadline.

Eligible candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

The County of Fresno is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Fresno County to provide employment opportunity for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, or denial of medical family care leave, or any other non-job-related factor.

Analyst: Zachary Carter