Senior Urban Planner

Jobtailor; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Irvine, CA seeks an experienced planner to lead policy planning projects and coordinate complex land use reviews. You will work under senior staff, prepare entitlement applications for a CA public agency, and evaluate proposals ranging from General Plan amendments to variances.

The role requires 5–10 years of planning experience, a related bachelor's degree, and preferred APA/AICP certification. Hybrid work options may be available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in planning, architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, natural resources, or social science.
• 5-10 years of professional planning experience on large or complex projects.
• Master’s degree may substitute for one year of experience.
• License or certification in APA or AICP is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage policy planning projects within Planning departments under the direction of senior staff.
• Prepare and review land use entitlement applications for a California public agency.
• Evaluate complex land development proposals (General Plan amendments, rezoning, variances, etc.).
• Coordinate CEQA compliance and manage environmental consultants.
• Present findings at public hearings before Planning Commission, City Council, or other bodies.
• Plan, manage, and participate in advanced planning projects.
• Represent the department at committees when needed and pursue new business opportunities.

Skills

Policy planning

Project management

CEQA

Data analysis

Public hearings

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in planning or related field

Master's degree in planning (preferred)

Tools

GIS

AutoCAD

Job description

Responsibilities

• Manage policy planning projects and programs within Planning departments, under the general direction of the Principal Planner, Senior Principal Planner, and/or Director.
• Comprehensive experience preparing and reviewing land use entitlement applications for a California Public Agency.
• Evaluate complex land development proposals (Pre-Applications, General Plan amendments, Text Amendments, Re-zonings, Conditional Use Permits, Variances, Annexations, land subdivisions and other development requests.)
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to varying work environments such as working directly at a client site, from an assigned office location, able to work remotely, and/or from other locations as necessary.
• Gather, analyze, and present data in the form of written, graphic, or oral reports and presents findings and recommendations before the approving body (Planning Commission, City Council, Board of Supervisors and other bodies) at public hearings.
• Plan, manage, and participate in the preparation of advanced planning projects.
• Coordinate California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance, manage environmental consultants, and review CEQA documentation, including mitigation monitoring or reporting program requirements associated with current and advanced planning projects.
• Plan and participate in meetings of various civic, business and community organizations.
• May lead a team on a planning initiative as assigned.
• May represent the Planning Department at the Architectural Committee, Historical and Landmarks Commission, and other planning advisory committees as needed.
• Act as a company representative while actively pursuing new business opportunities.
• Customarily and regularly exercise discretion and independent judgment.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in planning, architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, natural resources, or social science.
• 5-10 years of professional planning experience managing projects and working on larger or more complex planning issues.
• A Master’s degree in planning may be substituted for one year of the required professional planning experience.
• An equivalent combination of experience and education sufficient to perform the essential job functions and provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.
• Possession of license, registration, or certification in a related field, such as American Planning Association (APA) or American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), is desirable.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid Class “C” California driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record is required.