Job Information
Company Name
City of Santa Rosa
Position Level
Entry
Job Description
CITY PLANNER
CITY OF SANTA ROSA – PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
APPLY ONLINE ONLY:
IMPORTANT: Applications must be submitted online through the City of Santa Rosa’s recruitment website. Applications submitted through Craigslist, by email, mail, or other methods will NOT be accepted.
THE POSITION
The City of Santa Rosa is seeking a City Planner to join a team of professionals performing highly responsible work in the fields of urban planning and environmental analysis.
Join the City and be part of a dynamic and professional team serving a vibrant and growing community.
The current vacancy will support the Development Review section and is intended for a journey-level planner capable of independently managing a range of professional planning assignments.
Primary responsibilities include reviewing and processing development and entitlement applications, reviewing associated environmental documents, reviewing building permits for compliance with planning requirements, and preparing and presenting staff reports and recommendations to the Zoning Administrator, Design Review and Preservation Board, Planning Commission, City Council, and other decision-making bodies.
The position will exercise professional judgment in evaluating development proposals, identifying and resolving planning issues, coordinating with applicants and other City departments and agencies, and providing timely and effective customer service to the public.
Depending on workload and Division needs, the position may also support the Advance Planning section on long-range planning and policy initiatives.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
We are looking for candidates with excellent oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and a commitment to providing excellent customer service.
The ideal candidate will have:
• Experience analyzing and reviewing new development and land use proposals
• Professional planning experience in a public-sector environment
• Strong knowledge of planning principles and practices
• Experience with environmental review
• Experience with development review and land use planning
• Experience serving the public in a city or county planning environment
• The ability to manage multiple projects and priorities independently
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to prepare and present staff reports and recommendations
• Experience working with applicants, consultants, stakeholders, and community members
• A commitment to serving diverse communities and working collaboratively with the public
Knowledge of GIS and/or permit software is desirable, as is experience with Accela or a comparable electronic permitting and development-review system.
Experience managing application workflows, referrals, plan review comments, conditions, and electronic records is also desirable.
The ability to communicate in Spanish as well as English is highly desirable.
TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
City Planners perform a broad range of professional planning duties, including:
• Advise property owners and the general public regarding land use, zoning, and development requirements
• Review development proposals for consistency with the General Plan, zoning regulations, and design standards
• Review rezoning, variance, conditional use permit, subdivision, design review, and related applications
• Conduct planning studies and analyze social, economic, population, and land use data
• Prepare written and graphic reports on planning matters and General Plan elements
• Assist with environmental review requirements and regulations
• Prepare recommendations and staff reports for public hearings
• Make presentations to the City Council, Planning Commission, boards, committees, and community groups
• Respond to public inquiries and complaints
• Research and draft ordinances and other planning documents
• Coordinate with architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, developers, engineers, consultants, and members of the public
• Manage consultant contracts for environmental and other planning documents
• Provide technical support to commissions, boards, committees, and community groups
• Represent the City on planning-related committees
• Assist with the training and orientation of new planners and interns
• Identify and implement improvements to planning processes and services
QUALIFICATIONS
A combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying.
For consideration at the City Planner level, a Bachelor’s degree in Planning or a related field and at least one year of professional-level planning experience is desired.
Related fields may include:
• Geography
• Biology or other life sciences
• Environmental studies
• Political science
• Government
• Architecture
• Civil engineering
• Surveying
• Atmospheric science
The ideal candidate will have independent professional planning experience in a public planning environment.
BENEFITS OF CITY EMPLOYMENT
The City of Santa Rosa offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
• Competitive salary
• Retirement through CalPERS
• Competitive vacation and sick leave package
• Choice of health plans
• Employer-paid vision and dental coverage
• 9/80 work schedule
• 13 paid holidays annually, plus 1 to 3 floating holidays depending on start date and years of service
• $500 annual wellness benefit
• Paid Family Leave
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualifying employer
SELECTION PROCESS
Applications will be carefully reviewed and evaluated.
Applicants possessing the most desirable qualifications, based on a review of application materials and especially the supplemental questionnaire, will be invited to continue in the selection process.
Please complete a thoughtful and thorough supplemental questionnaire.
Incomplete responses, or responses such as “See Resume,” may not be considered.
ABOUT THE PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
The Planning & Economic Development Department provides a wide range of development services to the community, develops long-range plans for the growth of Santa Rosa, and reviews development proposals for consistency with those plans.
The Department includes:
• Planning
• Building and Code Enforcement
• Engineering and Development Services
• Economic Development
• Parking
ABOUT SANTA ROSA
Santa Rosa is located approximately 55 miles north of San Francisco and 30 miles east of the Pacific Ocean. With a population of approximately 180,000, Santa Rosa is the county seat of Sonoma County and the center of trade, government, commerce, and medical services for the North Bay.
The surrounding area is home to more than 100 wineries and vineyards, numerous parks and recreational facilities, and a nationally recognized cycling community.
Santa Rosa offers many amenities associated with larger cities, including a symphony, performing arts center, theater productions, and internationally recognized restaurants, while retaining a strong community atmosphere.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The City of Santa Rosa is committed to building a workforce reflective of our community and establishing a lasting culture of equity and belonging within our organization.
Our collective talents and expertise contribute to high-quality public services that support a vibrant, resilient, and inclusive City for our community and visitors.
We celebrate a diverse workforce and welcome all qualified candidates to apply.
The City does not discriminate on the basis of disability in employment.
Requests for reasonable accommodations needed to participate in the recruitment process may be made by submitting a Request for Reasonable Accommodation Form within five (5) business days of being notified that an event requiring accommodation is occurring.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications must be submitted online through the City of Santa Rosa’s official recruitment website.
APPLY HERE:
Required Skills / Experience / Education
Knowledge of: Principles and practices of urban planning and zoning; laws underlying general plans, zoning and land divisions; current literature, information sources and research techniques in the field of urban planning; applicable environmental laws and regulations; computer software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.
Ability to: Analyze and compile technical and statistical data and prepare reports; utilize computer software to prepare professional reports, spreadsheets, maps and presentations; perform complex professional planning work with a minimum of supervision; conduct and analyze planning studies and present the findings in an understandable manner; apply planning principles and practices to specific problems and formulate recommendations; communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing; interpret and explain planning and zoning programs to the general public; work under pressure and meet established deadlines; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, representatives of other agencies, municipal officials and the public.
Experience and Education: Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience – Sufficient independent planning experience of a professional nature in a public planning environment. A minimum of one year of experience is required at the City Planner level. Typically this experience would be comparable to that gained in the City of Santa Rosa’s Planning & Economic Development Department.
Education – Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from a college or university with major study in planning or a related field considered useful in city planning work. (For City Planner level)
License or Certificate: This classification requires the ability to perform work at various locations. Individuals must be physically capable of operating a motor vehicle safely and possess a valid, Class C, California Drivers License, or be able to demonstrate the ability to travel on scheduled or unscheduled visits to various City facilities or work locations which may or may not be reachable by public transportation.
US Citizenship Required?
No
Will security clearance be required?
No
Salary Range
$94,144.00 - $132,519.00 Annually
Other Benefits
The Benefits of City Employment
In addition to offering a rewarding work environment, opportunity for career growth, and an excellent salary, the City of Santa Rosa provides a generous suite of benefits, including retirement through CalPERS, a competitive leave package with vacation and sick leave, your choice of health plan, and top of the line employer paid (free to you) vision and dental coverage. More information regarding benefits associated with this position can be found on our Miscellaneous Employee Benefits Page.
Additional benefits include:
A (9/80) Work Schedule
13 paid holidays annually, plus 1 to 3 ‘floating holidays’ per year, depending on start date and years of service
$500 annually for wellness
The City is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) Employer
Paid Family Leave
Application Deadline
10/13/2026
Position Type
Permanent Full-Time
Travel
None
Primary Language Required
English
Industry
Municipal
Job Location
Location Address
100 Santa Rosa Ave
Santa Rosa, California
95404
Contact Information
Hiring Contact Name
City of Santa Rosa
Phone Number
(707) 543-3060
Website
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/srcity/jobs/5117713/city-planner?page=1&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs