Principal Planner

City-of-Santee,-C; Riverside (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Santee seeks an experienced planning professional to assist in directing the Planning Division within the Planning and Building Department. You will provide technical direction, supervise staff, and manage current and advanced planning projects, including land use, zoning, and budget processes.

The role supports development of ordinances, General Plan updates, and public engagement, with hybrid/remote work up to 2 days per week at the Director's discretion.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning or related field; five years of professional planning experience; master's degree and AICP desirable.
• Recent experience defined as relevant experience obtained within the last ten years.
• Experience in directing, coordinating and administering planning operations; supervising staff and managing budgets.

Responsibilities

• Plans, coordinates, and directs workload and operations of the Planning Division.
• Manages the development and execution of ordinances, Municipal Code changes and General Plan updates.
• Interfaces with developers, architects, engineers and others in long-range and current planning.
• Supervises review and management of planning projects, including land use, project processing and budgets.
• Represent City in community and at public/professional meetings, including City Council.
• Responds to citizen complaints and requests.
• selects, trains and evaluates assigned staff.
• Conducts studies related to social, economic and physical development, and zoning enforcement.
• Assists in preparation and management of department budget and policies.

Skills

Planning leadership

Public administration

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Community Development, Urban Design or a closely related field

Master's degree in Planning, Public Administration or related field

AICP certification (desirable)

Job description

Under the general direction of the Director of Planning and Building, assists in the direction, coordination and administration of the activities of the Planning Division in the Planning and Building Department; provides technical direction and advice on professional planning operations; performs difficult and complex professional current and advanced planning work; provides supervision for professional, technical and clerical staff; and performs related duties as assigned.

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.

• Plans, coordinates, and directs workload and operations;
• Manages the development and execution of new ordinances, Municipal Code changes and General Plan updates;
• Interfaces with developers, architects, engineers and others involved in both long-range and current planning;
• Supervises the review and management of planning projects, including, but not limited to, land use consistency, project processing and project budget;
• Represents the City in the community and at public and professional meetings, including City Council and outside agencies;
• Responds to difficult citizen complaints and requests;
• Selects, supervises, trains and evaluates assigned staff;
• Conducts complex, detailed studies relating to the social, economic and physical development of the community and in zoning enforcement;
• Assists in the preparation and management of the department budget;
• Assists in establishing department policies and standards; and
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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

Hybrid/remote work will be available for up to a maximum of 2 days per week at the Department Director's discretion.

Any combination of education and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of this classification is qualifying. An example would be:

EDUCATION: A bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Community Development, Urban Design or a closely related field, and

EXPERIENCE: Five (5) years of increasingly responsible and recent professional experience in planning, redevelopment, housing, or public administration.

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

"Recent" experience is defined as relevant experience obtained within the last ten (10) years.

PANEL INTERVIEW:

Tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, September 29, 2026.

SELECTION INTERVIEW:

Tentatively scheduled for the week of October 5, 2026.

The City may change these testing and interview dates at its discretion due to departmental staffing and operational needs.

The applicant selected will be subject to a criminal history investigation through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and a thorough background check. 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.