What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Planner position at City of Vacaville?
With more than 600 employees, the City of Vacaville values work-life balance and offers flexible/hybrid work schedules, every other Friday off, employee social and wellness activities, casual dress days, competitive pay and a generous benefits and retirement package.
$117,105 - $142,361/Annually
A 2% COLA is scheduled for 11/1/2026
Working for the City of Vacaville comes with an excellent benefits package, including:
- Medical Insurance at affordable rates - City covers up to 85% of Kaiser Premium, other plans are also available
- Vision and Dental Insurance monthly premiums covered 100% by the City
- Healthcare double coverage opt-out incentive of $3,000 per year for eligible employees
- Paid sick leave, vacation leave, thirteen holidays and two floating holidays a year
- Up to 97.5 hours per year of Administrative Leave
- Tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment up to $2,200 per fiscal year
- Deferred compensation plan with up to 6% City contribution available
- California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) plan enrollment and Retiree Health Savings account
The Senior Planner in Community and Economic Development plays a crucial role in shaping the future of our community by contributing their expertise in urban planning, land use and community development.
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Develops and implements comprehensive community plans, zoning regulations, and policies that align with the City's near-term and long-term goals and objectives;
Evaluates and provides recommendations on land use proposals including zoning changes, conditional use permits, variances and environmental documents such as EIRs, MNDs and Categorical Exemptions;
Prepares reports, presentations, and documents that convey planning findings, recommendations, and progress updates, such as the General Plan Annual Progress Report to City officials and the public at public meetings including the City Council and/or Planning Commission per City of Vacaville and State standards;
Oversees planning projects (ensuring they are completed on time and within budget) and coordinates with other departments and agencies as necessary;
Supervises professional and technical personnel and assigns, reviews and evaluates work products and provides support and guidance to staff; and
Collaborates with local, regional, and State agencies, as well as external partners, to coordinate planning efforts and address issues.
For a complete job description, please click here.
The ideal candidate will take initiative, be flexible, work independently and have excellent organizational, oral and written communication skills. The candidate will possess strong interpersonal skills to successfully build solid relationships with staff, City leadership, partnering agencies, and other key stakeholders and enjoy the challenge of effectively managing a demanding workload of quickly shifting priorities and assuming ownership of key priorities and projects. Additional desirable skills in the ideal candidate include:
Strong knowledge of municipal planning principles, zoning regulations, land use and housing laws
Strong knowledge of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Proficiency in GIS, CAD, or other planning software
Understanding of sustainable and community-oriented planning practices
Exceptional communication and public engagement skills
Ability to work collaboratively in a team and manage multiple projects simultaneously
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE
Select positions may require the possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License and a satisfactory driving record as conditions of initial and continued employment.A completed City of Vacaville Employment Application and Supplemental Questionnaire must be received by the Human Resources Department at 650 Merchant Street, Vacaville, CA 95688 by 5:30 p.m., Monday, July 6, 2026.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line at www.cityofvacaville.gov. An application packet may also be requested in person at the Human Resources Department or by calling (707) 449-5101. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application packet.
IMPORTANT: Contact with candidates will primarily be via email. Make sure you list a current email that you check regularly with your application.
For ADA information and other Frequently Asked Questions, please click here.
Salary : $117,105 - $142,361