Job Information
Job Category
Urban Design
Company Name
City of East Palo Alto
Position Level
Managerial
Job Description
The City of East Palo Alto Invites Applications for the Position of
PLANNING MANAGER
Salary
$150,156 – $182,515 Annually
$12,513 – $15,209 Monthly
Plus, an attractive benefits package
Deadline to Apply: September 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM
The City of East Palo Alto is seeking a dynamic, collaborative, and experienced Planning Manager. The Planning Manager plans, organizes, oversees, coordinates, and reviews the work of professional, technical, and administrative staff performing tasks related to all programs and activities of the Planning Division. The Planning Manager oversees current, advanced, and historic preservation planning activities. The selected candidate will ensure the effective use of the City’s planning resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service. The Planning Manager provides highly complex and responsible support to the Community and Economic Development Director in areas of expertise and performs related duties, as assigned.
This is an open competitive/promotional recruitment, meaning that it is open to qualified current EPA employees and any other applicants who meet the minimum qualifications. Two employment lists will be created: an internal promotional list and an open list of all other non-current EPA employees.
IDEAL CANDIDATE: The ideal candidate will:
- Be flexible, nimble, and able to adapt to shifting priorities in a dynamic political multicultural environment.
- Provide well-reasoned, objective recommendations grounded in best practices and free from personal or political bias.
- Possess the qualities essential for effective leadership, including empathy, decisiveness, integrity, emotional intelligence, and strong communication and listening skills.
- Have extensive experience with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
- Possess experience in planning and administering a General Plan.
- Possess the ability to plan and administer special programs or projects as directed by the City Council and Planning Commission.
- Have the ability to analyze, propose, and implement solutions for complex planning problems in an independent manner.
- Possess experience in annual budgeting, including estimating expenditures and projecting revenues.
- Possess experience resolving complex and sensitive customer service issues.
- Have municipal experience in overseeing the permitting functions of a department, including application, fee assessment and collection, application and plan review, permit issuance, inspection and occupancy.
- Possess experience in intergovernmental decisions and legislation affecting departmental operations and taking appropriate action.
Required Skills / Experience / Education
QUALIFICATIONS: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Education: Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in Land-Use Planning, Urban Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, Community Development, or a closely related field.
Experience: Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in urban planning with emphasis in current and advanced planning; and two (2) years of supervisory experience and training.
License and Certifications: License and Certifications:
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License and a good driving record, at the time of appointment.
SELECTION PROCESS: It is important to complete all required application materials. Applications will be reviewed in detail to identify the most qualified candidates to interview. The most qualified will be invited to a panel interview. Those who score the highest in the panel interview will be advanced to department interviews. In addition, the final candidates will be asked to provide one or more writing samples of a staff report they have written or a similar report that they have participated in writing. It is desired that the successful candidate begin employment as soon as possible.
APPLICATION PROCESS: To be considered for this exciting opportunity, candidates should apply through CalOpps.org. https://www.calopps.org/city-of-east-palo-alto. Complete an online application and the required supplemental questionnaire. All materials must be included to be considered a candidate.
Deadline to Apply: Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM
Additional inquiries about the position may be directed to Human Resources, [email protected], and cc: [email protected] with subject line: “Planning Manager Recruitment”, or call (650) 853-3100.
The City of East Palo Alto is not responsible for the failure of internet forms or email in submitting your application. Candidates with a disability who may require special assistance in any phase of the recruitment process should advise Human Resources
THE CITY OF EAST PALO ALTO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
US Citizenship Required?
Yes
Will security clearance be required?
No
Salary Range
$150,156 – $182,515 Annually
Other Benefits
BENEFITS OVERVIEW: The City of East Palo Alto offers a competitive benefits package, including choices among plan options for medical, dental, vision (VSP), life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and CalPERS.
Medical: The City contracts with Sutter Health and Kaiser Permanente. The City pays 100% employee-only Kaiser Coverage and 65% Dependent Coverage up to the Kaiser Coverage Plan.
Dental insurance: is through Delta Dental. The City pays the full cost for employees only.
Vision: Supplemental Insurance with VSP (employee paid)
Long-Term Disability: City paid.
Life Insurance: The City pays for coverage of Basic Term Life:
$100,000 Division Managers
Retirement:
CalPERS Classic Members – 2.5% @ 55 formula. Employee pays 8% employee contribution
CalPERS New Members—2% @ 62 formula. Employee pays 7.75% based on three (3) year average final compensation.
Sick Leave: 3.7 hours biweekly
Vacation: Accrual ranges from 80 – 200 hours per year based on years of continuous service with the City
Holidays: 13 Paid Holidays per year
Management Leave: Up to sixty (60) hours of Management Leave annually for those employees who are exempt from the overtime provisions of the FLSA.
Bilingual Pay: Additional $50 / per pay period.
Deferred Compensation Plan: The City offers an optional 457 Plan through Mission Square.
Employee Assistance Program: The City of East Palo Alto offers an employee assistance program for employees and dependents that provides counseling and other services for dealing with life’s challenges at no cost to the employee.
Flexible Spending Plan: Voluntary pre-tax employee contributions up to $2,650 for health care expenses and up to $5,000 for dependent care expenses per year.
Application Deadline
09/16/2026
Position Type
Permanent Full-Time
Travel
10%
Primary Language Required
English
Industry
Local Government
Job Location
Location Address
1960 Tate St
East Palo Alto, California
94303
Contact Information
Hiring Contact Name
Danielle
Website
https://www.calopps.org/east-palo-alto/job-20773387