Principal Planner

Job Description:

Principal Planner

Description

Description

Principal Planner
Full-Time, Regular Employment Opportunity

Under the direction of the Assistant Director of Community Development or Planning Officer, the Planning Division is organized into teams which are overseen by Principal Planners who plan, direct, perform and supervise a variety of complex technical planning activities, and related work as required, relative to the assigned area of responsibility.

• The Current Planning Team reviews and acts or makes recommendations on planning applications and performs reviews of building permit applications and business licenses for zoning compliance.
• The Administrative Support Team supports the Planning Officer and all Planners for the City. This position may act as the Zoning Administrator, overseeing regulatory processes and issues related to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and other regulatory compliance and requirements, process improvements, training needs, coordination with area governments and other administrative and supervisory functions.
• The Policy Planning Team works on study issues, new area plans, and General Plan updates, conducting intergovernmental reviews of other agencies' proposals and pending legislation.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the principal-level class in the professional Planner series that exercises independent judgment on diverse and specialized current and long- range planning activities with accountability and ongoing decision-making responsibilities associated with the work. Incumbents are responsible for planning, organizing, supervising, reviewing, and evaluating the work of assigned staff performing professional, technical, and analytical duties and are responsible for providing professional level support to the Planning Officer in a variety of areas. Performance of the work requires the use of independence, initiative, and discretion within established guidelines and scope of practice.

Essential Job Functions

(May include, but are not limited to, the following):

• Plans, schedules, assigns, reviews, supervises, and participates in the work of planning staff in the Community Development Department; trains staff in work procedures and safe work practices; evaluates employee performance, counsels employees, and effectively recommends initial disciplinary action; assists in selection and promotion.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, work plans, policies, and priorities for the division; recommends within division policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Participates in annual budget preparation; identifies and recommends future resource needs; prepares detailed cost estimates with appropriate justifications; monitors expenditures.
• Monitors activities of an assigned planning work unit; identifies opportunities for improving service delivery and procedures; provides recommendations concerning process changes; reviews with appropriate management staff; implements improvements.
• Supervises and advises staff involved in the interpretation and application of environmental laws, land use development principles, and various land use laws as they relate to urban planning.
• Conducts a variety of complex studies on specialized and complex planning issues and City policy initiatives; determines the scope of work; conducts strategy meetings; coordinates internal meetings with other departments; makes recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council.
• Coordinates and/or participates in the preparation of reports and studies on current and long-range planning projects and policy documents and activities, including the General Plan; assists professional staff in determining the feasibility and impact of proposed projects.
• Manages the most complex planning projects requiring interdepartmental and regional planning agency coordination; serves as subject matter expert to staff and represents the City to external agencies.
• Prepares revisions to the zoning code; drafts and updates ordinances.
• Administers the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); reviews and provides comment on environmental impact reports.
• Participates in the review and processing of the City's zoning, subdivision, and related land development regulations; proposes modifications to meet changing circumstances.
• Reviews and comments on development and policy proposals in nearby cities and provides comment on impact to City development.?
• Serves as liaison for assigned functions with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces.
• Prepares reports and other written materials; supervises the establishment and maintenance of working and official division files; ensures the proper documentation of operations and activities.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of urban planning.
• Answers questions and provides information to the public; investigates and responds to complaints and inquiries from the public, other departments, and agencies.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Demands:
This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds.

Some positions may be required to conduct site visits. When assigned to field inspection , must possess mobility to work in changing site conditions; possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend, to climb and descend ladders; and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 40 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.

Environmental Conditions:
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or the public in interpreting and enforcing divisional policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in urban planning, architecture, or related field; AND Seven (7) years of professional experience in city or regional planning activities, including prior lead or supervisory experience.

A master’s degree in urban planning, architecture, or related field from an accredited college or university may substitute for two (2) years of professional planning experience.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Principles and practices of budget administration and monitoring.
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Modern principles, practices, and techniques of current and long-range planning, architecture, urban design, and historic preservation.
• Methods of environmental impact analysis including traffic impact studies, historic resource evaluations, and archaeological resource studies.
• Theories, principles, and practices of site plan review, land use, urban design, architecture, and land development in the public sector.
• Relationships between current implementation activities and long-range goals.
• Arithmetic and statistical techniques.
• Research methods and techniques.
• Recent and on-going developments related to the operations of the assigned department.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping, technical report writing, and preparation of correspondence.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service, by effectively working with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Administer budgets; monitor revenue and expenses, as required.
• Conduct analytical studies; compile technical, statistical, and economic information, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations.
• Read and interpret architectural drawings and plans, maps, specifications, and reports.
• Review development proposals for compliance with City policy and sound planning principles.
• Successfully navigate sensitive community planning and development issues and balance competing interests.
• Perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Maintain accurate records and files of work performed.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the division and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, documentation, and other written materials.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.

Licenses/Certificates:
Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license or the ability to provide alternative transportation as approved by the appointing authority and a safe driving record.

Desirable Qualifications
Possession of a valid Certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners

Application and Selection Process

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a City of Sunnyvale employment application and responses to the supplemental questions to the Department of Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 11, 2026 (postmarks or faxes are not accepted). Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience or skills relevant to this position. Electronic applications may be submitted on-line through the City's employment page at Sunnyvale.ca.gov and click Jobs. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

EXAM PROCESS

Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position. Based upon a review of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the examination process or selection interview on Thursday, May 28, 2026. The exam is dependent on the number of qualified applicants. (Note: The examination process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Director of Human Resources).

SELECTION PROCESS

Those candidates that receive a passing score on the examination will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year, in accordance with the City's Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies. Top candidates on the eligibility list will be invited to participate in a selection interview with the department, scheduled for the week of June 8. Any candidate that is selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a background history check, as well as a medical exam(s) administered by a City selected physician(s) before hire.

Prior to starting work, all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.

INFORMATION ABOUT PROOF OF EDUCATION

Any successful candidate selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e., original copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts).

Any successful candidate selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e., copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts). An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential evaluation service at the candidate’s expense. Candidates may utilize any third-party agency for the evaluation. If you search ‘education equivalency verification’ or similar online, you will obtain results for agencies that provide this evaluation service. A conditional job offer cannot be made until the education has been evaluated and submitted to the Department of Human Resources.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Positions in this job classification are represented by the Sunnyvale Managers Association (SMA).

For assistance on how to fill out your job application, watch the following video:

• How to Apply for a City of Sunnyvale Job- YouTube (5:13)

The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

The City of Sunnyvale is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state, or local laws. The City of Sunnyvale is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 730-7490 or [email protected].

Summary of Management SMA Benefits

Notice of CFRA (California Family Rights Act) Rights and Obligations

Closing Date/Time: 5/11/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$153,784.00 - $192,230.00 Annually