Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks•Thousand Oaks, CA

52d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Thousand Oaks is seeking an experienced and collaborative Senior Planner to lead complex development reviews and long-range planning assignments. The position requires sound judgment, strong project management, clear communication, and the ability to work effectively in technically complex and politically sensitive settings. This is a stable organization with experienced leadership and a strong commitment to professional planning, offering professional development support, including conference attendance and continuing education opportunities. It also provides opportunities to broaden planning expertise, improve processes, and mentor developing staff.

Requirements

Substantial experience independently managing complex development or policy planning projects
Strong working knowledge of land use law, CEQA, and California housing legislation
Ability to analyze difficult issues, exercise sound judgment, and recognize when a matter should be elevated to management
Clear and concise written and oral communication, including effective presentations in public and politically sensitive settings
A collaborative leadership approach focused on accountability, mentoring, customer service, productive working relationships, and process improvement.
A valid Class C California driver’s license
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in urban planning or a closely related field.
Five or more years of responsible professional-level planning experience, including two years at a level comparable to an Associate Planner with the City of Thousand Oaks.

Nice To Haves

Strategic Thinker
Politically Astute
Results Oriented
Team Builder
Effective Communicator
Technically Knowledgeable

Responsibilities

Manage complex development applications from initial review through final action, coordinating multi-departmental review, outside agencies, applicants, consultants, and legal counsel as appropriate
Interpret and apply the General Plan, Specific Plan, the Municipal Code, the Subdivision Map Act, CEQA, California housing law, and other applicable requirements
Manage environmental review, including consultant-prepared technical studies and CEQA documents; identify issues, coordinate comments, and support timely, legally defensible documentation
Prepare and present clear staff reports, findings, conditions of approval, policy analyses, and recommendations to the Planning Commission, City Council, community groups, and other stakeholders
Lead or contribute to General Plan implementation, Specific Plan updates, Municipal Code amendments, housing initiatives, and other current and long-range planning programs
Negotiate and coordinate project conditions and mitigation measures; monitor schedules and deliverables, and manage consultant scopes, contracts, and invoices as assigned
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior planning staff and review work products for quality, consistency, and completeness