Job Information
Job Category
Land Use
Company Name
County of Nevada
Position Level
Supervisory
Job Description
The County of Nevada Planning Department is hiring a Senior Planner and Principal Planner. Please be sure to apply for all jobs and all levels of positions which you feel you may be qualified for. The closing date is 10/4/26, and interviews will be held 10/16/26. Please note: minimum qualifications may be found by clicking on the blue hyper-links to the FULL job descriptions.
Principal Planner | Job Details tab | Career Pages
Senior Planner | Job Details tab | Career Pages
PRINCIPAL PLANNER
Nevada County is seeking a dynamic and experienced Principal Planner to join their team. In this role, you will lead complex planning projects, supervise a dedicated team, and play a key role in crafting the future of our vibrant and scenic county. The Planning Department applies community land-use policies and strives to meet the needs of individuals and businesses. It is their goal to protect the environment to ensure Nevada County remains a desirable place to live, work, and recreate.
Example of Duties:
- Plans, organizes and supervises the activities of professional and technician staff involved in the processing of land use permits
- Leads and manages complex planning projects, including those related to new development, environmental studies, and community plans
- Trains employees in work procedures, standards and safety practices, and reviews work in progress or upon completion for compliance with standards
- Communicates effectively with stakeholders, including the public, developers, and elected officials
- Interprets and applies provisions of law, rules, regulations and policies related to land use planning matters, including environmental laws
- Prepares and reviews RFPs (Request for Proposal) and RFQs (Request for Qualifications) for services to be retained by the Planning Department
- Attends and makes presentations at Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Zoning Administrator, interagency, committee, and other meetings and conferences
Typical Knowledge:
- Thorough knowledge of rural planning and development and local government policies and procedures
- Thorough knowledge of specialization such as land use planning/zoning, transportation planning, environmental planning, urban design, housing, historic preservation or economic development
- Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation
- Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations including recent changes
- Principles and practices of supervision, training and personnel management
- Citizen involvement techniques and processes
- Knowledge of computer programs and applications including GIS programs and applications
To review the job specification and additional requirements, please click here.
Education and Experience Required
Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university in Planning, Environmental Studies, Ecology, Geography, Land Use Economics or related field AND four years of increasingly responsible experience in land use planning or management, including at least one year as a team supervisor or program manager.
*A Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Planning, Public Administration or related field may be substituted for two years of experience.*
AICP Certification highly desirable.
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SENIOR PLANNER
Nevada County is looking for a Senior Planner to work on Advance Planning and Current Planning projects. The position will be responsible for the processing of larger and more complex current planning projects, including reviewing those projects for compliance with CEQA. The incumbent will also prepare and implement state-mandated General Plan elements and amendments, ordinance amendments and supervise and lead one of the basic functions of the office (Resource and Advance and/or Current Planning).
Examples of Duties:
- Plans, organizes, coordinates, and supervises the work of assigned professional and technical staff; reviews and directs the work as necessary.
- Compiles information into final reports and presents or supervises the presentation of reports and studies to the County Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors and others.
- Coordinates work with others in the Community Development Agency; participates in the formation of policies and procedures; evaluates the effectiveness of established policies and procedures and recommends improvement.
- Reviews projects for compliance with County zoning regulations and codes, prepares ordinance amendments and updates to the County’s General Plan.
- Holds public meetings and workshops on Current Planning and Advance Planning projects.
- Participates in the selection, training and evaluation of assigned staff.
Education and Experience Required
- Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in planning, community development or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
- Plus, 3 years of responsible professional planning experience at a level equivalent to Nevada County’s Associate Planner classification.
- AICP certification highly desirable.
For full job description and application process, please click here.
We offer you an extensive benefit package including, but not limited to, CalPERS retirement, medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts (FSA). Nevada County is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program through the Department of Education.
Why Nevada County? Our leadership values employee development and engagement, promotes open and transparent communication, sets us up to be a high-performing organization, and recognizes our contributions. Our leadership connects with the community, listens to them, and provides significant programming to keep us safe and healthy.
We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
US Citizenship Required?
No
Will security clearance be required?
Yes
Salary Range
Senior $96,283.20 - $117,540.80; Principal $131,352.00 - $160,347.20 annually
Application Deadline
10/04/2026
Position Type
Permanent Full-Time
Travel
None
Primary Language Required
English
Industry
public administration and government regulation
Job Location
Location Address
Eric Rood Government Administration Center
950 Maidu Avenue, Suite 170
Nevada City, California
95959
Contact Information
Hiring Contact Name
Tasa Proberts
Phone Number
(530) 470-2560
Website
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mynevadacounty/classspecs