SENIOR/PRINCIPAL PLANNER (DOQ)

City-of-SAN-Marcos,-C; San Marcos (CA); On-site; USD 104,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9/80 schedule

Health benefits (employer-paid 90%)

Paid holidays and generous leave

Family leave benefits

CalPERS retirement

Job summary

The City of San Marcos is seeking a Senior or Principal Planner to join the Planning Division of the Development Services Department. Serving a community of over 95,000 residents, the role focuses on complex planning and project management, including coordination with departments and outside agencies.

Senior Planner may provide supervision, while Principal Planner handles the most complex projects and leadership responsibilities. The City emphasizes public service and competitive compensation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning or related field preferred; master’s degree highly desirable. However, equivalent experience, certification, licensure and/or education from an accredited college or university will be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Four years of increasingly responsible professional land development or planning experience in local government, with project management responsibilities.
• Professional certification (APA/AICP) or membership is favorable but not required.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex professional planning and project management work, including current and long-range planning, development review, and environmental analysis.
• Coordinate with City departments, outside agencies and the community to deliver projects.
• Senior Planner may provide technical and functional supervision; Principal Planner manages the most complex projects and leads staff.

Skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in urban planning or related field

Master’s degree desirable

Job description

The City of San Marcos is currently recruiting for a Senior or Principal Planner to join the Planning Division of the Development Services Department. Historically one of the fastest growing cities in San Diego County, this is an exciting time to be a part of the City of San Marcos. San Marcos is purposefully shaping its emerging community and you will have an opportunity to help guide that legacy.

Summary Description

This recruitment may be filled at either the Senior Planner or Principal Planner level, depending on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Both levels perform complex professional planning and project management work involving current and long-range planning, development review, environmental analysis, and coordination with City departments, outside agencies and the community. The Senior Planner is the advanced journey-level classification and may provide technical and functional supervision to planning staff. The Principal Planner works at a higher level of responsibility, managing the most complex and sensitive projects and providing direct supervision and leadership to professional planning staff.

Public Service

Serving the public is paramount to all that we do at City of San Marcos. We are driven to serve the more than 95,000 residents who count on us every day. The successful candidate must be responsive, tactful, collaborative, and accountable to our community and customers. This includes working with our residents and other stakeholder groups to deliver projects that make a positive impact.

The Right Perks

• Earn a competitive salary.
• Our 9/80 work week means you'll have every other Friday off. Flexible work arrangement may be accommodated once you've had an opportunity to fully jump into the roles and responsibilities of the position and are working effectively with your team.
• Generous health benefits for you and your family (all medical premiums employer paid at 90%, including family plans). Benefits effective the first of the month after hire date.
• Ample time off: 14 paid holidays, 96 hours of sick leave and beginning at 80 hours of vacation leave annually.
• Family focused benefits - 4 weeks of city paid maternity / paternity leave for new parents welcoming a new family member and 1 week of city paid grandparent leave for employees expanding their extended family.
• Participate in the CalPERS retirement system (Classic members 2% @ 55, New members 2% @ 62), and Social Security.
• Enhance your career by taking advantage of our Tuition Reimbursement Program - up to $1,500 per fiscal year which can also be used towards student loan repayment.

Recruitment Timeline

Application period closes: September 24, 2026 - 4:00pm

First Interview: TBD

Second Interview: TBD

Senior Planner - $103,826.25 - $143,676.39 annually

Principal Planner - $124,487.70 - $172,268.03 annually

Education/Training

Senior Planner: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in urban planning, community development, geography, public administration, or a related field is preferred. A master’s degree is highly desirable. However, equivalent experience, certification, licensure and/or education from an accredited college or university will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Principal Planner: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in urban planning, regional planning, environmental studies, architecture, or a related field. A master’s degree is desirable.

Experience

Senior Planner: Four years of increasingly responsible professional land development or planning experience at a level comparable to an Associate Planner within a local government including project management experience.

Principal Planner: Six years of increasingly responsible, professional urban planning experience in local government, including project management, administrative, and/or supervisory responsibility.

License or Certificate

Professional certification, or membership in the American Planning Association (APA) and American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), although not a requirement, will receive favorable consideration.