City Planner - City of Oceanside (CA) : Job Details

Salary : $125,844.00 - $168,588.00 AnnuallyLocation : City of Oceanside, CAJob Type: Full TimeJob Number: 26-05Department: Development ServicesOpening Date: 07/21/2025Closing Date: 8/15/2025 4:00 PM Pacific IntroductionTHE CITY OF OCEANSIDE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERCURRENT SALARY FOR THIS POSITION IS UNDER REVIEW FOR COMPARISON AGAINST THE LABOR MARKET.The City of Oceanside is accepting applications for the position of City Planner to lead the Planning Division of the Development Services Department. The Planning Division is responsible for land use planning under the auspices of federal, state, regional, and local laws, ordinances, and City policies, and serves the community by providing balanced, professional recommendations to the public and City decision makers as they define, shape, and implement Oceanside's vision. Under direction of the Development Services Director, the City Planner will plan, organize, and direct the operations of the City's Planning Division; coordinate development and implementation of the City's General Plan; guide future development of the City including administration of the City's adopted Zoning Ordinance and certified Local Coastal Program; supervise professional staff on both advance and current planning projects; and perform other duties as required. As one of the few remaining coastal cities with vacant properties, Oceanside offers exciting and dynamic opportunities for Planning professionals to manage entitlement projects along the coastline and throughout the City, and see them through full construction. Come join Oceanside's Development Services team!ABOUT THE DEPARTMENTThe Development Services Department is composed of Planning, Engineering, Building, and Code Enforcement, and provides current and long-range land use planning, plan checking and inspection services for development projects, and enforcement of the Oceanside City Code. The Division is responsible for land use planning pursuant to federal, state, regional, and local laws, ordinances, and City policies. As a growing, dynamic coastal city, Oceanside provides many unique planning opportunities that require thoughtful and innovative coordination with the community, developers, and resource agencies. Examples of DutiesThe City Planner plans, directs, and implements the General Plan and zoning ordinance relative to: community growth and development; management of natural resources; proposed development, including future housing strategies. The City Planner develops and administers the Planning Division budget; provides high level of expertise in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and California Coastal Act implementation; manages, selects, assigns, and evaluates the work of subordinate supervisory, professional, and support staff; directs, participates in, and performs research for City land use and environmental studies; investigates and makes recommendations on matters relating to City planning and zoning; facilitates Planning Commission meetings and other Commission meetings as assigned; manages and prepares staff reports and presentations at Planning Commission meetings, City Council meetings, and other public meetings; represents the City before public agencies, businesses, civic groups, and other organizations; coordinates interdepartmental review of development projects and oversees staff recommendations on such; and, performs other related duties and responsibilities as required.Minimum Qualifications Knowledge of:

• Theory, principles, and practices of land use planning, zoning, and community development;
• CEQA, California Coastal Act, California Planning Law, Subdivision Map Act, and relevant City ordinances;
• Regional planning organizations and their programs
• Other State, County, and City laws and regulations affecting land use planning;
• Pertinent Federal and State laws, codes and regulations including recent changes;
• Principles and practices of supervision, training, and personnel management;
• General principles of historic preservation and economic development;
• Research methods and statistical principles related to urban growth and development;
• Methods of preparing effective technical reports and presentations;
• Budgeting procedures and techniques;
• Recent trends, current literature, and sources of information related to municipal planning and administration;
• Local government procedures and practices;
• Citizen involvement techniques and processes; and,
• California Coastal Commission procedures.

Ability to:

• Prepare, revise, and implement sound planning policies and programs for the City;
• Analyze and apply data from recent governmental planning studies;
• Plan, direct, and coordinate the work of subordinates;
• Learn and effectively utilize project management, land development tracking, and permitting software;
• Coordinate work of the department in collaboration with other departments;
• Speak effectively in public;
• Prepare clear and comprehensive reports;
• Prepare and administer a division budget;
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with public groups and organizations;
• Be innovative and influential in highly visible/controversial projects;
• Manage multiple, high-priority projects and issues effectively and meet deadlines;
• Develop successful working relationships at various levels of the City organization;
• Resolve internal and external customer complaints;
• Interpret research data for reports and apply mathematic techniques in practical situations;
• Read with the ability to comprehend technical and legal materials; and,
• Effectively lead, supervise, evaluate, and mentor subordinates.
• Operate a motor vehicle;
• Operate standard office equipment including a personal computer using program applications appropriate to assigned duties.

Experience and TrainingExperience: Six years of public sector land use planning experience, including at least two years of supervising professional level planning staff.Training: ABachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Planning or a closely related field. A Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Planning or a closely related field is highly desirable. License/Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain, a valid California Driver's License. An AICP certification is highly desirable.Working Conditions and Selection ProcessEnvironmental Conditions: Office environment; exposure to computer screens; extensive public contact. Occasional travel to work sites or other sites for meetings, or to undeveloped areas of the City for field visits. Field sites may include construction sites, steep terrains, agricultural areas, and habitats of native flora and fauna, insects, native animals and endangered species.Physical Conditions: Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for walking, sitting and standing for prolonged periods of time; speaking and hearing to exchange information; visual acuity to read and interpret specifications and drawings.Selection Process: All applications will be reviewed and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. The process may include a written and/or oral examination to assess job-related education, experience and training. Candidates who successfully complete the examination process will be placed on an eligible list according to their scores and will remain eligible for employment consideration for a minimum of six months.Note: Prospective employees will undergo, and must successfully pass, a background reference check (including fingerprinting) and a medical examination. Drug screening may be required.RESUMES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS.CANDIDATES WHO REQUIRE A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION IN THE SELECTION PROCESS SHOULD STATE THEIR NEEDS IN WRITING WHEN SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION.THE PROVISIONS IN THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. ANY PROVISION CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.CITY OF OCEANSIDEUnrepresented Middle Management (Non-Safety)Benefit SummaryThe following is a highlight of benefitsRetirement Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS)

• Employees hired after January 1, 2013 are subject to the State laws of the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) in regard to retirement benefits. Each individual's benefits may differ. Consult with Employee Benefits for further details.
• Third Level 1959 Survivor Credit
• Survivor Continuation option

Additional Retirement Credit Purchase Options

• Buy additional Service Retirement Credit
• Service Credit for unused Sick Leave
• Buy additional Military Service Credit

Health InsuranceMedical:

• Kaiser HMO
• Blue Shield HMO
• Blue Shield PPO

Dental:

• Delta Preferred Option (DPO)
• Delta Care USA (DHMO)

Vision:

• Vision Service Plan (VSP)

Pre-Tax BenefitsHealth benefits are offered on a pre-tax basis and employees cannot add or delete coverage or benefits unless a qualifying event has occurred.Employee Assistance Program (EAP)The Anthem EAP is paid for by the City.

• Available to all members of your household
• 6 free confidential counseling visits per incident
• Self-service support online or by phone

Disability and Life InsurancesThe STD/LTD/LIFE and AD&D Voya premiums are paid for by City. Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance:

• First 90 days - benefits paid at 55% of weekly salary to a maximum weekly benefit of $700 for non-work related disability only
• Seven day waiting period unless hospitalized
• All sick leave must be exhausted before STD is used

Long-Term Disability Insurance:

• After 90 days - benefits paid at 66.7% of monthly salary to a maximum monthly benefit of $6,000 for any disability

Executive Life and AD&D Insurance:

• 1 ½ times annual base salary; minimum of $30,000 and maximum of $350,000 of Basic Life and AD&D

Voluntary BenefitsBenefits are employee paid.Supplemental Life Insurance through Voya:

• Premiums are determined by age
• Purchased up to a maximum $500,000 for employees
• Spousal coverage up to the employee amount
• Dependent coverage up to $10,000

Flexible Spending Accounts through BCC:

• Utilizes a debit card as a form of payment
• Health Care Spending Account - maximum annual deferral is $2,850
• Dependent Care Spending Account - maximum annual deferral is $5,000

Deferred Compensation - 457 and Roth IRA through Mission Square:

• 457 - Maximum annual pre/post-taxed amount is $22,500 for 2023; over age 50 may contribute an additional $7,500
• Roth IRA - Maximum post-taxed amount is $6,500; over age 50 may contribute an additional $1,000

Hyatt Legal

• Telephone and office consultations are avialable for an unlimited number fo personal legal matters with an attorney of your choice.

GotZoom Student Loan Relief

• Provides a no-obligation benefit analysis for federal student loans to identify, maximize and enroll employees into Federal Loan Repayment and Forgiveness Programs.

ScholarShare 529

• An easy to manage plan that helps make the most of your or a designated beneficiary's college savings with tax benefits.

Leave BenefitsVacation 1 - 5 years: 3.58 hours6 - 10 years: 5.12 hours11- 15 years: 6.65 hours16+ years: 8.19 hoursMaximum accrual:

• 360 hours for those hired before 7/1/95
• 300 hours for those hired 7/1/95 or after

Holidays:

• New Years' Day
• Martin Luther King Jr Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans' Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday after Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day
• 48 hours Floating Holidays per fiscal year
• 50 hours of Executive leave per fiscal year

Sick Leave:

• Accrual: 12 days per year

Max accrual: UnlimitedAnnual pay off: Up to 50% based on annual usageSick Leave pay off at separation:

• Sick leave paid out depends on years of service and whether an employee retires or terminates

Bereavement Leave:

• Three days for death of employee's immediate family member
• Two additional days may be charged to sick leave upon approval

Tuition ReimbursementUp to $2,000 per fiscal year.Shift Differential PayIf five hours of an employee's regularly scheduled work hours are between 6 PM and 6 AM, the employee shall receive an additional 5% for all hours actually workedSafety ShoesThe City will provide reimbursement up to $150 towards the purchase price of safety shoes to employees who are required to wear such shoes on the job.Term of Compensation PlanEffective July 1, 2022This is a summary of available benefits. It is not intended to provide full details of all programs. The appropriate Memorandum of Understanding, Compensation Plan and/or Benefit Plan Documents will govern any discrepancies and provide program specifics.01 Do you possess six years of public sector land use planning experience, including at least two years of supervising professional level planning staff?If No, you do not qualify for this position.

• Yes
• No

02 Do you possess a Bachelors degree in Planning or related field from an accredited college or university? If Yes, please attach a copy of your degree to the application.If No, you do not qualify for this position.

• Yes
• No

03 Do you possess a Masters degree in Planning or related field from an accredited college or university? If Yes, please attach a copy of your degree to the application.

• Yes
• No

04 Describe your work experience in directing and reviewing land use studies. 05 Do you possess AICP certification?If Yes, please attach a copy of your certification.

• Yes
• No

06 Describe your work experience in developing and administering a division or department budget. 07 Describe your work experience in staff supervision, and the specific positions you've supervised (include performance evaluation and disciplinary experience). 08 Describe your work experience in making presentations to commissions, City Council, agencies and the public. 09 Describe your work experience in administering the California Environmental Quality Act. 10 Describe your work experience in preparing analytical studies, projects and staff reports. 11 Describe your work experience in working with developers and community stakeholders. 12 Describe your work experience in working with the Resource Agencies and the California Coastal Commission. 13 CERTIFICATE OF APPLICANT: I certify that all statements and information provided in this application and any attachments are true, and I understand that any false or misleading statements or omissions of material facts may forfeit my right to employment considerations by the City of Oceanside.

• Yes
• No

Required Question