Principal Planner

Applications are accepted exclusively through the City of Ventura Career Site:
www.cityofventura.ca.gov/jobs . Submissions through other websites or methods will not be accepted.

Pay & Benefits

Whether you're starting your career journey or seeking new opportunities, we welcome all and offer:

• Competitive pay and benefits
• Strong supportfor professional development
• Vacation & Holiday Compensation
• Deferred Compensation
• CalPERS Retirement
• Tuition Reimbursement & Bilingual Pay
• Eligibility as a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer

Salary Range (DOQ):

• Principal Planner- $50.4729- $67.6342 Annually DOQ

About the Opportunity

The City of Ventura is seeking an experienced, motivated Principal Planner to join its Community Development Department. Under general direction, this position supervises Planning Division staff and performs advanced professional work in areas such as development review, General Plan updates, land use policy initiatives, environmental analysis, and community housing and economic development programs.

Key responsibilities include:

• Serves as a first-line supervisor for Planning Division staff, overseeing development review, long-range planning, and implementation of the General Plan, Local Coastal Program, and Specific Plans. Reviews complex site and building plans for design quality, neighborhood compatibility, historic context, and coastal considerations. Ensures accuracy and quality of reports, notices, and hearing materials.
• Performs advanced planning work, including development review, policy and ordinance analysis, environmental review, and long-range planning studies. Prepares and oversees complex reports and presents recommendations to management, committees, commissions, and City Council.
• Supervises, trains, and evaluates staff; assigns and monitors work to meet deadlines and performance goals. Provides technical guidance to staff, other departments, and the public.
• Assists with division work programs and budget development; monitors consultant work and serves as project manager on special assignments.
• Develops and implements policies, procedures, and code amendments supporting housing, land use, and coastal programs.
• Oversees public counter operations, ensures timely case processing, and maintains permit tracking systems.
• Represents the division at public meetings, including evenings as required.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications - Required

A combination of education, training and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in urban planning, urban design, landscape architecture, architecture, environmental studies, public administration, engineering or a closely related field and five years of increasingly responsible professional planning, former redevelopment agency work or related program management experience in the assigned area. Two years of first line supervisory experience or three years of lead responsibility or oversight of projects or programs are required. Professional planning experience in a California public agency is highly desirable.

License: Depending on assignment, possession of a valid California Class C driver's license may be required.

Certificate: Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable.

About the Department

The Community Development Department is responsible for guiding the City’s growth in a way that is safe, sustainable, and responsive to community needs. The department oversees planning and zoning, permit services, building and safety, code enforcement, housing, and redevelopment activities. Through these functions, Community Development ensures that new development and improvements to existing properties comply with City policies, zoning regulations, and building and safety standards.

Working collaboratively across divisions and with City leadership, commissions, and the public, the department supports economic vitality, protects neighborhood quality, advances affordable housing initiatives, and promotes long-term planning goals. Community Development plays a key role in shaping the built environment while balancing regulatory requirements, public safety, and community values.

How to Apply & Selection Process

Submit your online City job application and supplemental questionnaire by the filing deadline. Resumes may be attached but will not replace a completed application or supplemental questionnaire. All communication regarding your application will be via email, so please check your inbox regularly and ensure your contact information is current.

Application Deadline: Sunday, May 24, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Selection Process Timeline:

• Tentative date of Thursday, May 28, 2026 - Oral Panel Interviews
• Week of June 1, 2026 - Department Interviews
• As a condition of employment, selected candidates may be required to complete a background screening process.

This is the full supervisory classification in the Planner series. The Principal Planner is distinguished from the Senior Planner by supervisory responsibility for professional, technical, and clerical staff as well as supervision of consultant or contract services. This position is further distinguished from the Planning Manager by the latter's overall responsibility for managing all sections in the Planning division. Learn more about the Executive Assistant on the job description here .

The Eligibility List established for this classification may be used to fill other regular and temporary vacancies at the discretion of the City.

Additional Information

To learn more about the City’s hiring process, visit the City of Ventura Hiring Process page .

Questions? Contact the Recruitment Team:
recruitment@cityofventura.ca.gov

(805) 654-7802

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need an accommodation in a selection process, please notify the Human Resources Department in writing by the final filing date of the position you are interested in. The Human Resources address is: 501 Poli Street, Room 210, Ventura, CA 93001, (805) 654-7853, e-mail: recruitment@cityofventura.ca.gov.

The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to attract qualified applicants from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create an environment that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our workforce. We welcome you to join our team!

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• City of Ventura

• 805-654-7853

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