Senior Planner - Promotional

Applications are accepted exclusively through the City of Ventura Career Site:
www.cityofventura.ca.gov/jobs. Submissions through other websites or methods will not be accepted.

Pay & Benefits

Whether you're starting your career journey or seeking new opportunities, we welcome all and offer: 

• Competitive pay and benefits
• Strong support for professional development
• Vacation & Holiday Compensation
• Deferred Compensation
• CalPERS Retirement
• Tuition Reimbursement & Bilingual Pay

Pay (Salary DOQ):

• Senior Planner - $97,963.43 - $131,272.34

About the Opportunity

The City of Ventura is seeking a Senior Planner to join the Community Development Department. Under general direction, the Senior Planner leads and coordinates the day-to-day activities of a unit or program and performs advanced professional planning work in areas such as current and advance planning, environmental analysis, historic preservation, design review, affordable housing, CDBG/HOME grant administration, and economic development. Depending on the assignment, the Senior Planner may lead programs or major initiatives involving land use planning, community and federal grant programs, economic development, or other departmental priorities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Manages multiple complex projects and programs related to land use planning, CDBG/HOME, community revitalization, affordable housing, and economic development, coordinating with consultants and ensuring compliance with applicable City regulations, ordinances, and policies.
• Coordinates, reviews, and directs the work of professional and technical staff on assigned projects; establishes project scopes, provides guidance and training, and monitors progress to ensure timely and effective completion.
• Supports the development and implementation of new programs, policies, and procedures and may lead special task forces or initiatives related to land use planning, housing, community development, and implementation of the City's General Plan and Economic Strategy.
• Provides regular updates and reports to the Community Development Director, Planning Manager, or Principal Planner regarding project status, program activities, challenges, and recommendations.
• Builds and maintains effective working relationships with developers, neighborhood groups, community stakeholders, business representatives, and other partners to support collaboration, public engagement, and successful project outcomes.
• Conducts research, investigations, and analysis; evaluates proposals for new programs, services, and equipment; utilizes maps and geographic information systems (GIS) for spatial analysis; and performs surveys and statistical analyses of regulatory, administrative, fiscal, and operational issues.
• Prepares and delivers oral presentations, reports, and visual materials to the City Council, Planning Commission, City-appointed boards and committees, the California Coastal Commission, and other public agencies and stakeholders.
• Plans and facilitates neighborhood meetings, public hearings, and community engagement activities to communicate project information, gather public input, and address or resolve community concerns.
• Prepares comprehensive reports, technical analyses, findings, conclusions, and recommendations on complex and sensitive land use planning, economic development, affordable housing, and community development issues.
• Meets with and advises developers, neighborhood groups, community stakeholders, businesses, and governmental agencies regarding land use planning, economic development, CDBG/HOME programs, project proposals, application requirements, and regulatory processes.
• Assists with the preparation and administration of budgets for assigned units, major projects, or program areas.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications – Required

Any combination of education, training and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Economics, Architecture, Public Administration, Affordable Housing or closely related field, (a master's degree in a related area is desirable); AND four years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience, including at least two years professional experience in assigned specialty with some lead responsibility.

Certificate: AICP certification is desirable.

License: Depending on assignment, possession of a valid California Class C driver license may be required.

About the Department

The Community Development Department is responsible for guiding the City’s growth in a way that is safe, sustainable, and responsive to community needs. The department oversees planning and zoning, permit services, building and safety, code enforcement, housing, and redevelopment activities. Through these functions, Community Development ensures that new development and improvements to existing properties comply with City policies, zoning regulations, and building and safety standards.

Working collaboratively across divisions and with City leadership, commissions, and the public, the department supports economic vitality, protects neighborhood quality, advances affordable housing initiatives, and promotes long-term planning goals. Community Development plays a key role in shaping the built environment while balancing regulatory requirements, public safety, and community values.

How to Apply & Selection Process

***OPEN ONLY TO CURRENT REGULAR CITY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEES***

Submit your online City job application and supplemental questionnaire by the filing deadline. Resumes may be attached but will not replace a completed application or supplemental questionnaire. All communication regarding your application will be via email, so please check your inbox regularly and ensure your contact information is current.

Application Deadline: Monday, November 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Selection Process Timeline:

• 11/5/26 – Oral Panel Interviews
• Week of 11/8/26 – Departmental Interviews
• As a condition of employment, selected candidates may be required to complete a background screening process.

While the eligibility list for this classification may be used to fill other regular vacancies at the discretion of the City, this recruitment is specifically intended to fill the Senior Planner position within the Community Development Department. Candidates selected from the eligibility list will be considered for assignment to this department based on departmental needs and the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Learn more about the Senior Planner position by reviewing the job descriptionhere.

Additional Information

To learn more about the City’s hiring process, visit theCity of Ventura Hiring Process page.

Questions? Contact the Recruitment Team:
recruitment@cityofventura.ca.gov

(805) 654-7802

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need an accommodation in a selection process, please notify the Human Resources Department in writing by the final filing date of the position you are interested in. The Human Resources address is: 501 Poli Street, Room 210, Ventura, CA 93001, (805) 654-7853, e-mail:recruitment@cityofventura.ca.gov. 

The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to attract qualified applicants from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create an environment that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our workforce. We welcome you to join our team!