Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks; Thousand Oaks (CA); On-site; USD 111,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development support

Mentorship opportunities

Career growth

Job summary

The City of Thousand Oaks is seeking an experienced Senior Planner to lead complex development reviews and long-range planning assignments. The role requires sound judgment, strong project management, and clear communication in technically complex and politically sensitive settings.

As Senior Planner you will manage residential, mixed-use, commercial, and institutional projects through entitlement and public hearings, contribute to General Plan implementation, housing policy, and environmental

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning or related field.
• Five+ years of professional planning experience, including two years at Associate Planner level.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex development applications from initial review through final action, coordinating multi-departmental review and stakeholders.
• Prepare staff reports, findings, and recommendations for Planning Commission and City Council.
• Lead long-range planning, housing initiatives, and compliance with CEQA and housing law.
• Coordinate environmental review and CEQA documents and ensure timely, legally defensible documentation.
• Provide mentorship to junior planning staff and review work products for quality and consistency.

Skills

Strategic Thinker

Politically Astute

Results Oriented

Team Builder

Effective Communicator

Technically Knowledgeable

Education

Bachelor’s degree in urban planning or related field

Job description

The City of Thousand Oaks is seeking an experienced and collaborative Senior Planner to lead complex development reviews and long-range planning assignments. The position requires sound judgment, strong project management, clear communication, and the ability to work effectively in technically complex and politically sensitive settings.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• A stable organization with experienced leadership and a strong commitment to professional planning.
• Professional development support, including conference attendance and continuing education opportunities.
• Opportunities to broaden planning expertise, improve processes, and mentor developing staff.

SALARY

The anticipated hiring range for the Senior Planner position is $110,559-$138,198, with a full salary range up to $165,838. The City typically makes offers within the hiring range based on the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

DESCRIPTION

The Senior Planner serves as project manager for complex residential, mixed-use, commercial, industrial, and institutional proposals and guides projects through entitlement and public hearing processes. The position also contributes to long-range planning, General Plan implementation, Specific Plan and Municipal Code updates, housing policy, downtown revitalization, and environmental review.

Working under general direction, the Senior Planner independently develops analyses and recommendations, coordinates multi-disciplinary review, and prepares clear and well-supported work products for decision-makers. The position may provide lead direction, technical guidance, and mentorship to junior staff but does not exercise formal supervisory authority.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage complex development applications from initial review through final action, coordinating multi-departmental review, outside agencies, applicants, consultants, and legal counsel as appropriate
• Interpret and apply the General Plan, Specific Plan, the Municipal Code, the Subdivision Map Act, CEQA, California housing law, and other applicable requirements
• Manage environmental review, including consultant-prepared technical studies and CEQA documents; identify issues, coordinate comments, and support timely, legally defensible documentation
• Prepare and present clear staff reports, findings, conditions of approval, policy analyses, and recommendations to the Planning Commission, City Council, community groups, and other stakeholders
• Lead or contribute to General Plan implementation, Specific Plan updates, Municipal Code amendments, housing initiatives, and other current and long-range planning programs
• Negotiate and coordinate project conditions and mitigation measures; monitor schedules and deliverables, and manage consultant scopes, contracts, and invoices as assigned
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior planning staff and review work products for quality, consistency, and completeness

Job Video Link URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHWOYPo4vs0

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate should possess

• Substantial experience independently managing complex development or policy planning projects
• Strong working knowledge of land use law, CEQA, and California housing legislation
• Ability to analyze difficult issues, exercise sound judgment, and recognize when a matter should be elevated to management
• Clear and concise written and oral communication, including effective presentations in public and politically sensitive settings
• A collaborative leadership approach focused on accountability, mentoring, customer service, productive working relationships, and process improvement.
• A valid Class C California driver’s license

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in urban planning or a closely related field.

EXPERIENCE

Five or more years of responsible professional-level planning experience, including two years at a level comparable to an Associate Planner with the City of Thousand Oaks.

Core Competencies:

• Strategic Thinker
• Politically Astute
• Results Oriented
• Team Builder
• Effective Communicator
• Technically Knowledgeable

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

FILING DEADLINE: Recruitment may close at any time. Open until a sufficient number of qualified applicants has been received.

First review of candidates: Monday, October 5, 2026.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE: Applicants are required to complete the Supplemental Questionnaire. We will use it throughout the process to help determine each applicant's qualifications for the position. Additional information about the City is available on our website at www.toaks.gov.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The City of Thousand Oaks makes reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities to participate in the selection process. If you wish to request an accommodation in order to participate in the selection process, you must inform the Human Resources Department in writing no later than the final filing date. Applicants requesting an accommodation should document the request, including the type and extent of accommodations requested to participate in the selection process and/or perform the duties of the job for which they applied.

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE

In order to qualify for Veteran’s Preference, a Form DD214, or other acceptable proof of service, must be submitted by the deadline date/time noted in the job announcement. Any veteran who has successfully completed all phases of a selection process for employment with the City shall be granted a final interview regardless of his or her ranking on the eligibility list, provided he/she meets the criteria for an eligible veteran.

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.