Planning Manager (20773387)

Description

The City of East Palo Alto Invites Applications for the Position of

PLANNING MANAGER

Salary:

$12,513 - $15,209 Monthly

$150,156 - $182,515 Annually

Plus, an attractive benefits package

Deadline to Apply: September 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM

The City of East Palo Alto is seeking a dynamic, collaborative, and experienced Planning Manager. The Planning Manager plans, organizes, oversees, coordinates, and reviews the work of professional, technical, and administrative staff performing tasks related to all programs and activities of the Planning Division. The Planning Manager oversees current, advanced, and historic preservation planning activities. The selected candidate will ensure the effective use of the City''s planning resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service. The Planning Manager provides highly complex and responsible support to the Community and Economic Development Director in areas of expertise and performs related duties, as assigned.

This is an open competitive/promotional recruitment, meaning that it is open to qualified current EPA employees and any other applicants who meet the minimum qualifications. Two employment lists will be created: an internal promotional list and an open list of all other non-current EPA employees.

IDEAL CANDIDATE: The ideal candidate will:

• Be flexible, nimble, and able to adapt to shifting priorities in a dynamic political multicultural environment.
• Provide well-reasoned, objective recommendations grounded in best practices and free from personal or political bias.
• Possess the qualities essential for effective leadership, including empathy, decisiveness, integrity, emotional intelligence, and strong communication and listening skills.
• Have extensive experience with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
• Possess experience in planning and administering a General Plan.
• Possess the ability to plan and administer special programs or projects as directed by the City Council and Planning Commission.
• Have the ability to analyze, propose, and implement solutions for complex planning problems in an independent manner.
• Possess experience in annual budgeting, including estimating expenditures and projecting revenues.
• Possess experience resolving complex and sensitive customer service issues.
• Have municipal experience in overseeing the permitting functions of a department, including application, fee assessment and collection, application and plan review, permit issuance, inspection and occupancy.
• Possess experience in intergovernmental decisions and legislation affecting departmental operations and taking appropriate action.

QUALIFICATIONS: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in Land-Use Planning, Urban Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, Community Development, or a closely related field.

Experience: Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in urban planning with emphasis in current and advanced planning; and two (2) years of supervisory experience and training.

License and Certifications: License and Certifications:

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License and a good driving record, at the time of appointment.

Possession of an American Institute of Certified Planners certification is desirable.