Senior Planner

Sacbar; Thousand Oaks, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 111,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Thousand Oaks is seeking an experienced Senior Planner to lead complex development reviews and long-range planning initiatives. You will manage multidisciplinary reviews, interpret land use laws, and guide projects from entitlement through hearings.

The role emphasizes clear communications, mentorship, and collaboration in a politically sensitive setting, with opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate has 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 and communicate clearly in public settings.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex development applications from review through final action with multi-department coordination.
• Interpret and apply General Plan, Specific Plan, Municipal Code, and CEQA requirements.
• Prepare staff reports, findings, and recommendations for decision-makers.
• Lead or contribute to long-range planning, housing initiatives, and code updates.
• Mentor junior staff and ensure quality and consistency of work products.

Skills

Project management

Land use law

CEQA

Written and oral communication

Leadership

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s degree in urban planning

Job description

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

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.