Senior Planner

Position Description

Open Until Filled
Priority Screen Date: 4/13/2026
Exam #: 26/41F22/03SA

All application materials must be received by the priority screening date for a guaranteed review. Applications received after this date will be considered on an as needed basis until the position is filled.

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and the process, be sure to read the Hiring Preference for Veterans and Eligible Military Spouses section located towards the end of this job flier.

The County of Monterey Housing and Community Development (HCD) Department is composed of four Divisions, including Development Services, Planning Services, Permit Center, and Administration. The department provides reasonable and safe development, planning for future needs of the County, and helps protect natural resources.

The Housing and Community Development (HCD) Department seeks Senior Planners who are results oriented individuals with a strong grasp of the principles and practices associated with land use planning and the ability to successfully perform analysis and interpretation of County planning policies. The Senior Planner is the advanced working level/lead worker class in the professional Planner series. Under minimal supervision, this position serves as the subject matter resource specialist to other planners in addition to performing the most difficult planning assignments. This position may work closely with the Supervising Planner or Principal Planner to formulate, organize and implement various planning projects and perform lead worker functions to include reviewing and checking the work of subordinate personnel for technical accuracy and factual content; determining level of priority and appropriate methodological analysis for studies; and assisting and training staff.

The Eligible List established by this recruitment process may be used County-wide to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.

This classification is part of a flexible series. Incumbents appointed at the lower level of the career series may be promoted up to the higher level of the career series subject to their meeting the employment standards for the higher class and a recommendation for their promotion by the appointing authority.

Examples of Duties

• Coordinates the review of planning projects or permit application reviews with staff, other departments and agencies; reports to higher level staff on the status of projects.
  
• Provides direction to professional staff in determining the level of significance, priority status and appropriate methodological analysis for studies; assists in the training, assigning and reviewing of staff work including a variety of planning projects and assists in establishing job standards and evaluation of work quality and performance levels.
  
• Serves as project leader in the planning and completion of planning research studies; conducts analysis and evaluation of land use proposals and processing of applications dealing with various planning matters; prepares elements of the general plan and performs environmental review and human resources planning; may staff citizens committees.
  
• Coordinates the review of zoning and subdivision matters for conformance with ordinances and regulations and performs the most difficult and complex planning studies and research involving the planning aspects of economic, social, environmental or other conditions by tabulating, analyzing and interpreting statistical and factual data to develop basis for conclusion.
  
• Research, analyze and write technical and comprehensive planning reports, ordinances, resolutions, legal notices, general plans and land use amendments; writes technical supporting papers and reports in connection with preparation of plans and evaluation of projects; resource electronic data bases for the purpose of formulating recommendations and presentations to others as necessary.
  
• Conducts studies and research involving the planning aspects of economic, social, environmental or other conditions by tabulating, analyzing and interpreting statistical and factual data to develop basis for conclusion; meets with technical and citizens advisory committees to present and discuss or formulate findings and policy recommendations.
  

To view the complete classification description, please visit the County of Monterey website: Senior Planner

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Thorough Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, techniques and quantative methods of county, rural, and local planning to include social, economic and environmental principles and their application to rural development.
• Resource management practices applied to land use planning and techniques and methods involved in the preparation and implementation of long-range plans and amendments.
• Federal, State, and local laws, procedures and regulations governing plan preparation, land development, environmental review and permit review process.
• Principles and techniques of research data gathering and planning data analysis including standard statistical methods and procedures.
• Computer and quantative methods, work processing and graphic techniques applicable to land use planning.
• The English language, punctuation, grammar and spelling.

Skill and Ability to:

• Research, analyze, evaluate and draw logical conclusions from data and prepare major planning projects and studies.
• Interpret, understand, explain and apply complex planning laws, rules, ordinances, codes and regulations applicable to planning projects and studies; read and interpret maps and aerial photos.
• Collect, analyze, interpret, apply data and draw conclusions for a variety planning projects.
• Coordinate major planning projects and extensive planning research studies; collect and tabulate statistical data and perform complex calculations to compute percentages, land acreages, and distances.
• Plan, coordinate, train, review and evaluate the work of staff; facilitate cooperation and consensus by participating and work cooperatively in a team framework.
• Communicate effectively by preparing clear and concise presentations; gain cooperation and consensus through discussion and tactical persuasion.
• Communicate effectively in writing by preparing clear and concise planning reports, correspondence and concise technical resolutions and plans.
• Communicate effectively by preparing a variety of clear and concise oral presentations and gain cooperation and consensus through discussion and tactical persuasion.
• Follow detailed oral and written instructions; resolve conflicts, develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Utilize a computer for office usage, systems and project application.

Examples of Experience/Education/Training

Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:

Education:

Completion of all course work leading to a Bachelor's degree in planning or a closely related field if planning courses were included as part of the curriculum.

Experience:

Approximately three years of experience performing professional level planning duties for a planning agency comparable to an Associate Planner position in Monterey County.

Additional Information

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The required conditions of employment include, but are not limited to the following:

• Possess a valid California Class C driver license at the time of appointment and possess and maintain a satisfactory driving record or provide evidence of suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency.

BENEFITS:
The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the Unit J Benefit Summary Sheet . This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

NOTES:

• As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions.
• Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9.
• If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.

Application and Selection Procedures

Apply On-Line at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/montereycounty

or

Hard copy applications may be obtained from and submitted during normal business hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM by contacting:

Housing Community Development Department

Attn: Human Resources

168 West Alisal Street, 3rd Floor

Salinas, CA 93901

Phone: (831) 755-5238 Email: [email protected]

The selection process is tentative, and applicants will be notified if changes are made. To assess applicants' possession of required qualifications, the examination process may include an oral examination, pre-examination exercises, performance examination, and/or written examination. The competitive examination process includes submittal of required application materials. A complete application package will include:

• A completed County of Monterey Employment Application

• Responses to the Supplemental Questions

All application materials must be received by the priority screen date for a guaranteed review. Resumes, cover letters, letters of interest, and other correspondence will not be accepted as a substitute for required application materials. All required application materials will be competitively evaluated. Those applicants that are determined to be the most appropriately qualified will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

HIRING PREFERENCE FOR VETERANS AND ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSES
The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses (i.e., surviving spouses of veterans, spouses of totally disabled veterans, and spouses of active-duty service members) and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To obtain a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application, please visit the Human Resources website or click on the following link: Click Here to View the Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application

To apply for veterans’ preference points, veterans or eligible military spouses must complete and email a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application with supporting documentation of their eligibility within 5 business days of submitting your job application to [email protected]

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

Monterey County is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. Monterey County is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Stephanie Ahumada, Human Resources Analyst II, at (831) 755-5238, or [email protected] .

http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/human-resources/human-resources/benefits/benefit-summary-sheet

Closing Date/Time: Continuous