Job Information
Company Name
City of Palo Alto
Position Level
Other
Job Description
Palo Alto is a community known for innovation and public service excellence. The City of Palo Alto is seeking an experienced city planner who enjoys working in a dynamic, vibrant community.
In this exciting opportunity, the Long Range Planning Group has a vacancy at the Senior Planner level. If you’re looking for an opportunity to make a difference by shaping the future of land use in the Palo Alto community, we encourage you to apply and join our Long Range Planning Group.
The Long Range Planning program engages with the community to guide and develop the City’s land use, community development, and housing policies and programs. This team is responsible for advancing City Council land use policy priorities and initiatives; Housing Element implementation; area plan development; Comprehensive Plan development and amendments; and managing the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, Below Market Rate (BMR) housing program, and Rental Registry Program. This fast-paced team offers an opportunity to work on a variety of strategic policy and projects that enhance and preserve the Palo Alto community for the future.
Required Skills / Experience / Education
Our ideal candidate will possess the following:
Ability to write clearly and communicate effectively; ability to prepare and write high quality staff reports, professional documents, and communications;
Ability to handle a variety of assignments and adapt quickly to changing priorities and assignments;
Experience in housing policy development, housing element program implementation, zoning code interpretations and amendments;
A strong customer service focus and superior interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with co-workers, management, elected officials, community members, and representatives of public and regulatory agencies;
Experience working with consultants;
Strong project management skills and experience;
Experience with area plan, specific plan, or General Plan/Comprehensive Plan development is highly desirable.
Minimum Qualifications
Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:
Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Historic Preservation or a directly related field from an accredited college or university. An advanced degree is highly desirable, and
Five years of suitable professional experience in urban planning (or substitute for up to two years of experience a master’s degree in planning or a related field).
Special Requirements: Possession of a valid California Driver’s License.
The City offers generous employee benefits, which can be found here.
US Citizenship Required?
Yes
Will security clearance be required?
No
Salary Range
$138,091.20 - $168,958.40 Annually
Other Benefits
Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits
CalPERS retirement
Opportunities for professional growth and advancement
Supportive team environment
Meaningful, engaging work serving the vibrant Palo Alto community
The City offers generous employee benefits, which can be found here.
Application Deadline
10/15/2026
Position Type
Permanent Full-Time
Travel
None
Primary Language Required
English
Industry
City Government
Job Location
Location Address
250 Hamilton Avenue
PALO ALTO, California
94301
Contact Information
Hiring Contact Name
HR
Phone Number
(650) 329-2696
Website
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/paloaltoca/jobs/5403335/senior-planner?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs