Job Information
Company Name
City of San Jose
Position Level
Managerial
Job Description
Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José. About the Department This City’s Planning Division provides oversight and assistance towards the City's growth and development in relation to regulations related to land use, zoning ordinances, development standards, neighborhood plans, and environmental impacts. The Citywide Planning Team is the section of the Planning Division that maintains the Envision San Jose 2040 General Plan and is responsible for all long-range planning functions of the department. The Citywide Planning Teams is also responsible for the updating of the City’s ordinances and policies relating to land use and urban planning, including the subdivision ordinance, zoning ordinance, and sign ordinance.The Planning Division is seeking to fill two Planner IV Full-Time positions: one on the Housing Element and Housing Policy Team and one on the Permit Center Team.
The Division is seeking applicants for one Planner IV on its permit center team. This position that is responsible for directly supervising a team of planning professionals who process an annual average of 1,300 administrative Planning permits and zoning verification applications, review about 3,800 building permits for zoning compliance, and provide public information services. This Planner IV oversees day-to-day team operations, manages staff workloads, provides staff development and training, facilitates process improvements, and coordinates across Planning Division teams and with interdepartmental partners. The Citywide Planning Team is seeking a Planner IV to lead its Housing Element and Housing Policy Team that is composed of a team two Planners (Planner I/II/III) and reports to a Principal Planner. The Housing Element and Housing Policy Team is responsible for implementing and monitoring the programs and policies identified in the City’s recently updated Housing Element. This position and team are also responsible for regular reporting and monitoring related to the City’s progress in implementing its Housing Element and progress toward its housing goals. The team will also be responsible for other special projects related to housing, and also responding to inquiries from housing developers and the public. The duties will require close collaboration with other City departments, and creative analytical thinking to formulate and administer City policies and programs to facilitate new housing. Duties and Responsibilities- Supervises subordinate planning staff, including: prioritizing and assigning work, training, editing documents prepared by subordinate staff, and general review of work performed by the team under supervision, conducting performance evaluations, making hiring, termination and disciplinary recommendations.
- Supervises a team of planners in one or more of the following projects:
- Managing studies relating to formulating land use policies and General Plan designations
- Developing special plans and planning policies
- Developing housing elements, plans and programs
- Gathering and analyzing socioeconomic and demographic data
- Mentor staff to prepare them for future promotional opportunities.
- Coordinates with other City departments and other planning agencies on matters relating to assigned planning programs.
- Meets with applicants, community members, or other interested parties to problem-solve on issues associated with long-range plans and policies, and land use regulations.
- Prepares complex technical reports, responses, and position statements with respect to planning ordinances, regulations, and policies.
- Represents the City and Planning Division at meetings and conferences and consults with citizens, property owners, developers, and professional consultants on various planning and land use issues.
- Makes presentations before the City Council, Planning Commission, Historic Landmarks Commission, neighborhood and community groups, and/or other agencies.
Required Skills / Experience / Education
Minimum Qualifications Education Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in urban or regional planning, urban studies, architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, urban geography, environmental studies or a closely related field. Experience Five (5) years of professional planning experience that includes three (3) years journey-level experience. Acceptable Substitution: Master’s Degree or sixty (60) semester units of graduate course work from an accredited college or university in urban or regional planning, urban design, urban studies, architecture, landscape architecture, urban geography, or environmental studies or a closely related field can substitute for two (2) years of planning work experience at the City of San Jose's Planner II/ III level or equivalent. Licensing Requirements (such as driver’s license, certifications, etc.) Possession of a valid driver's license may be required. AICP certification is desirable. Form 700 This position requires a disclosure of outside investments, real property interest, income, and business positions. You must complete and file an “Assuming Office Form 700” with the City Clerk’s Office within the first 30 days of employment with the office. The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations. Creativity - Addresses objectives and problems while questioning traditional assumptions/solutions in order to generate creative ideas and new ways of doing business; exhibits creativity and innovation when contributing to organizational and individual objectives; seeks out opportunities to improve, streamline, reinvent work processes. Leadership - Leads by example; demonstrates high ethical standards; remains visible and approachable and interacts with others on a regular basis; promotes a cooperative work environment, allowing others to learn from mistakes; provides motivational support and direction. Multi-Tasking - Can handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously; has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current position(s). Political Skill - In taking action, demonstrates an understanding and consideration of how it will impact stakeholders and affected areas in the organization. Problem Solving - Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome. Project Management - Ensure support for projects and implement agency goals and strategic objectives. Supervision - Sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness. Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills - Develop effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills. Communication Skills - Communicates and listens effectively and responds in an timely, effective, positive and respectful manner; written reports and correspondence are accurate, complete, well- organized, legible, concise, and in proper grammatical form; responds to statements and comments of others in a way that reflects understanding of the content and the accompanying emotion; asks clarifying questions to assure understanding of what the speaker intended, ensures consistent communication takes place within area of responsibility.US Citizenship Required?
Yes
Will security clearance be required?
No
Salary Range
$144,777.36 - $176,314.32 Annually
Application Deadline
08/06/2026
Position Type
Permanent Full-Time
Travel
None
Primary Language Required
English
Industry
Government
Job Location
Location Address
200 E Santa Clara St
3rd Floor
San Jose, California
95113-1903
Contact Information
Hiring Contact Name
Phone Number
(408) 535-7883
Website
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sanjoseca/jobs/5416485/planner-iv-planning-building-and-code-enforcement-department