Principal Planner

City of Laguna Beach • Laguna Beach, CA

5d

About The Position

If you’re a planner who cares deeply about community, is passionate about housing solutions, and enjoys shaping policy as much as reviewing projects, Laguna Beach is calling. Help guide the future of Laguna Beach by advancing thoughtful housing strategies and long-range planning in one of California’s most iconic coastal communities. In Laguna Beach, planning isn’t just about development, it’s about balancing legacy, livability, and opportunity. Our city is known for its natural beauty, strong neighborhoods, and deep sense of place, and we’re committed to meeting today’s housing challenges with creativity, clarity, and care. This is a unique opportunity to work on meaningful housing and advance planning efforts in a technically rich and highly visible environment. You’ll have the chance to grow your expertise in: Housing policy and implementation, State housing law and compliance (including Housing Element work), Long-range planning and community visioning, Zoning updates and code modernization, Infill housing opportunities and neighborhood compatibility, Coastal planning considerations affecting housing, Environmental constraints and hazard areas, Public engagement and collaborative problem-solving. We’re a great match if… You’re energized by complex, one-of-a-kind projects and see each issue as a chance to problem-solve creatively. You care deeply about housing, design, community, and the environment, and want your work to make a lasting impact. You thrive on collaboration and believe that shared wins, mentoring others, and showing up for your team are part of the job. Current department needs include Housing and or Advance Planning. Candidates with experience in these areas are strongly encouraged to apply.

Requirements

• Education equivalent to completion of a four-year degree from an accredited university or college with specialization in urban planning, environmental design, architecture or geography, or a closely related field.
• Eight years of increasingly responsible experience in urban planning in either current or advanced planning.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in Housing and or Advance Planning.

Responsibilities

• Advance thoughtful housing strategies and long-range planning.
• Work on meaningful housing and advance planning efforts in a technically rich and highly visible environment.
• Grow expertise in housing policy and implementation.
• Grow expertise in state housing law and compliance (including Housing Element work).
• Grow expertise in long-range planning and community visioning.
• Grow expertise in zoning updates and code modernization.
• Grow expertise in infill housing opportunities and neighborhood compatibility.
• Grow expertise in coastal planning considerations affecting housing.
• Grow expertise in environmental constraints and hazard areas.
• Grow expertise in public engagement and collaborative problem-solving.

Benefits

• City paid health insurance for employees
• Retirement plans
• Paid time off
• Opportunities for professional growth and development through training and education programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal