Principal Planner

City-of-SAN-Luis-Obispo-; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of SLO is seeking a strategic Principal Planner to lead the Housing & Homelessness Section within the Planning Division, guiding major initiatives, shaping housing policy, and coordinating with City departments, partner agencies, service providers, and elected officials.

The ideal candidate will apply expertise in land use, regional coordination, development feasibility, social services, and equity to advance housing stability, work with residents and advisory bodies, and help plan for

Qualifications

• Four-year college degree in urban planning or related field.
• Five years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience, preferably with lead/supervisory responsibilities.
• Master’s degree in planning or related field and professional certification (AICP) preferred or highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, supervise, assign, review, evaluate, and approve the work of staff on planning, zoning, housing, and homelessness programs.
• Provide leadership, coaching, mentorship, and policy guidance to staff.
• Prepare and present major reports and recommendations to the Community Development Director, Planning Commission, City Council, and other boards.
• Serve as liaison to advisory bodies and external partners; represent the City in meetings.
• Coordinate with City departments and outside agencies on land use, environmental and development issues.
• Assist with budget preparation and performance measures for the Community Development Department.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Public presentations

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in urban planning or related field

Master’s degree in planning, public administration, or related field; AICP or similar

Job description

The City of SLO is looking for a Principal Planner to join the Community Development Department and lead the Housing & Homelessness Section of the Planning Division who demonstrates exceptional leadership, strategic thinking and technical expertise.

The City is seeking a strategic, forward-thinking Principal Planner to join the Community Development Department and lead the Housing & Homelessness Response Section of the Planning Division. In this role, you will guide major planning initiatives, shape housing policy, and collaborate with departments, partner agencies, service providers, and elected officials to support some of our most impactful community priorities.

The ideal candidate understands how land use, regional coordination, development feasibility, social services, and equity intersect to influence housing stability. You will work closely with residents, organizations, and advisory bodies to develop solutions that meet today’s needs while planning for a more resilient and inclusive future.

If you are interested in learning more about the role and what day-to-day duties may include, please contact Tyler Corey

If you’re ready to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the well-being of our community, we encourage you to apply.

Selected candidates will be invited to in-person interviews on Tuesday, October 20, 2026—please hold the date.

Please note: Hiring incentives are not guaranteed but may be valued up to $5,000 for positions deemed hard to fill by the Director of Human Resources. For those candidates who live 50 or more miles from San Luis Obispo County, relocation assistance up to $10,000 may be available. In addition, the City is also honoring service credit towards vacation accrual for completed public sector years of service.

JOB SUMMARY

Plans, organizes, and manages planning projects and services of one or more sections of the Planning Division; manages major planning programs, studies, development project review, and policy development involving the interpretation of complex laws and sensitive land use, housing, and homelessness response issues; supervises staff, coordinates work with other agencies, and makes presentations to the executive team, Planning Commission, City Council, and other boards, committees, and commissions; and serves as a departmental and City liaison.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is a management classification requiring thorough knowledge of physical, social, and economic principles of urban planning; the ability to integrate diverse planning activities with the overall objectives of the community and City Council; and leadership skills to supervise a section within the Planning Division. Incumbents have a broad range of independence in overseeing project assignment, scheduling, and workload of the assigned professional and technical planning staff, and functions as technical expert for planning-related activities and programs. The Principal Planner class is distinguished from the next lower class of Senior Planner by its broader management responsibilities and full supervision of professional and technical planning staff. The Principal Planner class is distinguished from the Deputy Director of Community Development/City Planner by the latter's overall responsibility for all sections in the Planning Division and assisting the Community Development Director with overall administration of department activities.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from the Deputy Director of Community Development/City Planner. Exercises general supervision and direction over professional, technical, administrative support, and intern planning staff.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks that may be found in positions of this class.)

• Plans, organizes, supervises, assigns, reviews, evaluates, and approves the work of professional and technical staff in the implementation of a wide variety of planning, zoning, environmental review, housing program, and homelessness response activities; determines appropriate project priorities and project schedules; selects and oversees the work of consultants; estimates resources needed.
• Provides leadership, coaching, mentoring, training, and policy guidance and interpretation to staff; promotes organizational and employee development.
• Initiates, researches, prepares, and presents major reports, proposals, and recommendations to the Community Development Director, Deputy Director of Community Development/City Planner, Planning Commission, City Council, and other boards and commissions.
• Provides exemplary customer service to all individuals by demonstrating a willingness to be attentive, understanding, responsive, fair, courteous, and respectful, and to actively participate in maintaining a positive customer service environment.
• Analyzes and applies complex laws, rules, and regulations to planning projects and policy decisions.
• Coordinates planning review and approvals with other City departments and outside agencies in matters involving land use, environmental and development issues, regional planning policies, and housing and homelessness issues.
• Assists with preparation and management of the Community Development Department's budget and performance measures.
• Meets with regional partners, community groups, and other organizations; acts as the City’s liaison to advisory bodies, such as boards, commissions, and committees.
• Coordinates and oversees staff and consultants on the completion of environmental review tasks associated with assessments of private development and City projects.
• Acts on behalf of the Deputy Director of Community Development/City Planner in his or her absence.
• Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Federal, state, and local planning laws, policies, and regulations, such as the Subdivision Map Act, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), various state housing laws including density bonus law and the Housing Accountability Act (HAA), Zoning Regulations, General Plan Policies, Historic Preservation Ordinance, Community Design Guidelines, and Historic Preservation Program Guidelines.
• Theories, principles, procedures, standards, practices, information sources, and trends in the fields of current and advanced planning; land use, physical design, demographic, environmental, and social/economic concepts as applied to municipal planning.
• Local government organization and the functions and applications related to a municipal planning department.
• Research methods and statistical techniques used in planning.
• Methods and techniques for making effective public presentations of complex information.
• Terminology, symbols, methods, and techniques used in planning and planning exhibits, such as site plans, grading plans, and architectural elevations.
• Principles of staffing, selection, training, supervision, performance evaluation, and discipline.
• Project management principles and program evaluation practices.
• Budgeting practices.

Ability to

• Perform and coordinate technical current, advanced, and project-planning activities, such as the collection, analysis, and preparation of reports and recommendations pertaining to complex issues and policy matters; make accurate recommendations based on study findings.
• Develop, interpret, and apply laws, policies, procedures, regulations, maps, specifications, census data, site and building plans, graphs, and other statistical data.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within departmental guidelines.
• Plan, organize, and complete projects and lead and motivate employees to meet established deadlines.
• Prepare clear, concise, and complete technical planning documents, oral and written reports, and correspondence.
• Direct the preparation of visual displays, such as maps, graphs, and statistical charts.
• Operate computer hardware and use information systems and related word processing, data base, spreadsheet, and graphics presentation software programs.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with City Council members, other boards and commissions, staff supervisors, management, consultants, community groups, citizens, and applicants.
• Represent the City effectively in meetings with commissions, community groups, governmental bodies, the media and the public.
• Work with diverse populations and maintain an inclusive environment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Graduation from a four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in urban planning or a closely related field.

and

Five years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience, preferably including two years in a lead or supervisory capacity.

or

A master’s degree in planning, public administration, or a related field; professional certification through the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) or a similar organization; or additional coursework in Planning or a related field (e.g., architecture, economics, environmental studies, historic preservation, urban design) is highly desirable.

BEFORE A FINAL OFFER IS MADE, CANDIDATE WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE:

• Live Scan Fingerprinting – DOJ