Principal Planner

JOB The City of Santa Cruz is seeking an innovative and collaborative Principal Planner to oversee the Advance Planning Division of the Community Development Department. We are proud to be an HCD-designated Prohousing city that met our 5th Cycle RHNA targets in every income category, certified our 6th Cycle Housing Element on time, and is already ahead of schedule for meeting our very-low- and low-income 6th Cycle RHNA targets. Join a forward-thinking team committed to shaping a vibrant and sustainable future for our community. The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Regular and Temporary Principal Planner vacancies that may occur during the life of the list in the Current Planning, Advance Planning, Environmental and Resource Planning, and Transportation Planning divisions. The eligibility list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.

Recruitment #26-071APPLICATION

AND SELECTION PROCESS

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

On Thursday, 06/11/26 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit: Application- online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.

Response to supplemental questions- will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application. Week of 06/15 and 06/22/26: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment by 07/03/26.Week of 07/06 and 07/13/26: Interviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exercise.

Basic FunctionUnder general direction, plans, organizes and directs the work of a major function of the assigned department, such as advance planning; current planning; transportation planning, capital planning, development planning, environmental, natural resource, utility or other related planning work; plans, organizes, supervises, reviews and participates in the work of assigned staff; coordinates activities with other divisions, City departments, outside agencies and organizations; makes recommendations to the City Council, Commissions and a variety of related boards and committees; and performs other related duties as required.

Distinguishing CharacteristicsThe Principal Planner is the classification responsible for planning, organizing and directing the work activities of the advance planning or current planning divisions of the Planning Department or work activities of the Transportation Division of the Public Works Department or environmental and resource planning activities of the Water Department. This classification is distinguished from the next higher classification of Assistant Director, Deputy Director, Transportation Manager (requires Professional Engineer or Traffic Engineer license) in that the latter positions are responsible for assisting the Director with overall administration of department activities.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below.) Manages, supervises and participates in the development and implementation of division or program goals, objectives, policies and procedures; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures for improving organizational performance and meeting division goals; establishes and maintains a customer service orientation within the division or program. Supervises and evaluates employees; provides or coordinates staff training; recommends the selection, promotion and discipline of employees; reviews the work of staff to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations, including the California Environmental Quality Act (C.E.Q.A.) and the National Environmental Protection Act (N.E.P.A.); supervises the work of professional planning and engineering consultants retained for the development of plans, specifications, studies and reports. Oversees and participates in the development of the annual division or program budget; participates in the forecast of necessary funds for staffing, materials, services and supplies; administers and monitors the approved division or program budget; negotiates, prepares and administers contracts, proposals and agreements. Serves as a technical advisor to the Director, Assistant Director, City staff, City Council and Council appointed advisory boards, commissions and committees on issues related to assigned area. Monitors and evaluates current trends related to the area of assignment, including legislation, court rulings and professional practices and techniques; recommends policy and procedural modifications accordingly. Prepares and coordinates development of reports, ordinances, applications and presentations for City Council; commissions such as the Planning Commission, Zoning Administrator, Water Commission, Parks & Recreation Commission, Transportation and Public Works Commission, and Downtown Commission; community groups; regulatory agencies and a variety of other boards, groups, and commissions. Ensures timely action on City Council directives, and City Commission initiatives; serves as staff to Council appointed boards, commissions, and committees. Develops and maintains records, statistics and reports. Researches federal and state grant funding sources; prepares or directs the preparation of grant and permit applications; appears before a variety of agencies, boards and commissions related to the application process; assures compliance with grant or permit requirements; prepares and reviews a variety of staff reports, resolutions, ordinances, environmental impact reports, negative declarations and related documents required for project implementation. Directs, coordinates, reviews and participates in data collection, analysis, plan formulation, implementation and maintenance. Represents the department to other City departments, other agencies, civic groups and the public; coordinates activities with other divisions, City departments, outside agencies and organizations. Evaluates proposed legislation and regulations and coordinates with internal and external representative(s) as appropriate on legislative or regulatory issues with potential impact to the City. Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification. As manager of the

Current Planning Division:

Directs the administration of the zoning and subdivision ordinances in connection with development applications; supervises staff engaged in review of permit applications and plans for compliance with applicable ordinances, and supervises and coordinates code enforcement activities.

Supervises the interpretation of the City's zoning ordinance by division personnel; drafts ordinance amendments for the zoning ordinance and subdivision ordinance. Manages the evaluation and processing of all development review and zoning applications; including subdivisions, special use permits and large development applications. Meets with and advises developers and the general public regarding complex applications and processes; responds to the most complex and difficult inquiries and requests for information; provides information and resolves service issues and complaints. Acts as the City's Zoning Administrator; serves as staff representative to the Planning Commission; schedules public hearings before the Zoning Administrator, Historic Preservation Commission, City Planning Commission, and City Council. Oversees, reviews and negotiates on behalf of the City for all land development proposals including site design and environmental review. As manager of the

Advance Planning Division:

Directs implementation of the local coastal program and related coastal polices and prepares necessary amendments. Supervises administration of the City's comprehensive planning program and maintenance of the General Plan and its elements in conformance with state law requirements; directs the development of related information systems on land use, economics and demographics. Serves as the Planning Department's inter-jurisdictional coordinator with local, regional, state, and federal agencies including tracking legislation that may have an impact on land use within the City. As manager of the

Current Planning or Advanced Planning Division:

Supervises the implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (C.E.Q.A.) and other environmental regulations for City and private projects; advises other City departments on C.E.Q.A. guideline requirements; reviews environmental compliance issues with other agencies and City departments. Makes final determinations for compliance with C.E.Q.A. on behalf of the Director. Provides supervision to all Planning Department staff and to professional staff engineers and planners in other City Departments with respect to environmental analysis and review. Reviews environmental documents of other agencies whose projects have potential impact on the City, and provides responses on behalf of the City. As manager of environmental and resource planning in the

Water Department:

Supervises the implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (C.E.Q.A.) and other environmental regulations for City and private projects; reviews environmental compliance issues with other agencies and City departments. Coordinates the development of long range planning documents including but not limited to the Urban Water Management Plan, Water Shortage Contingency Plan, Long Term Demand Forecast. Participates in state, regional, and local efforts related to implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, the Integrated Regional Water Management Planning Act and water use efficiency planning. Reviews environmental documents of other agencies whose projects have potential impact on the City, and provides responses on behalf of the City. Coordinates compliance with water supply assessment requirements. Participates as a member of the department's senior management staff in policy development, administrative planning, coordination of work, and addressing department issues. As principal of transportation planning in the

Public Works Department:

Supervises the implementation of transportation and parking planning within the City. Coordinates the development of long range planning documents including but not limited to the Mobility and Land Use Elements, the Active Transportation Plan, the ADA Transition Plan, the Climate Action Plan, the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network Plan, the Sustainable Community Strategy, and other long-range plans and projects as they are approved. Participates in state, regional, and local efforts related to obtain grant funding and implementation of sustainable and effective transportation and parking plans, projects, and programs. Performs traffic, parking and transportation studies and develops requests for proposals and quotes to perform traffic, parking, and transportation studies. Participates as a member of the department's senior management staff in policy development, administrative planning, coordination of work, and addressing department issues. Provides supervision to transportation planning staff and to professional staff engineers and planners in other City Departments with respect to transportation analysis and review. Supervises, trains and evaluates professional, technical or other support staff, as assigned. Assists with the development and implementation of the Capital Investment Program. WORKING CONDITIONSPosition requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking on slippery, level and uneven surfaces, kneeling, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in preparing reports using a computer keyboard. The position also requires both near and far vision in reading written reports and work related documents. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. Additionally, the incumbent in this position works outdoors in all weather conditions, including wet, hot and cold. The need to lift, drag and push files, paper and documents weighing up to 25 pounds is also required. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Director of Planning and Community Development (PL)/Director of Water (WT)/Director of Public Works (PW) Assistant Director of Planning (PL) or Deputy Water Director (WT) or Assistant Director/City Engineer (PW) Transportation Manager (PW) Principal Planner (PL/WT/PW) Senior Planner (PL)/Transportation Planner I/II (PW) Associate Planner I/II (PL/WT)/Transportation Coordinator (PW)