PLANNING MANAGER

PLANNING MANAGER SALARY: $120,521.20 - $154,734.84 ANNUALLY

Location: City of Stockton, CA Job Type: Full-Time (Regular) Job Number: 0126-07157 Department: Community Development Division Planning (1820) Opening Date: 01/12/2026

DESCRIPTION

The City of Stockton is seeking to fill a Planning Manager position to oversee an Advanced Planning Section in the Community Development Department. The Planning Manager for Advanced Planning Section will be responsible for the strategic implementation of a recently adopted General Plan Update that requires further conformity compliance with the zoning map and ordinance.

REQUIREMENTS

Management Opportunity

• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Tentative Interview Date: TBD

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate has supervisory experience in local government planning with strong technical and analytical skills, effective oral and written communication competencies, and extensive knowledge and expertise complying with the California Environmental Quality Act, California Subdivision Map Act, and California Planning and Zoning Law.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Planning Manager will be responsible for:

• Managing the activities of a subsection within the Planning Division
• Assigning, training, directing, and evaluating the work of subordinates, including supervisory staff
• Selecting staff as needed
• Performing disciplinary action when appropriate
• Overseeing and coordinating research, administrative, and technical activities necessary to achieve planning project objectives and to maintain departmental information programs
• Checking and analyzing information such as population and economic growth estimates, demographic, housing, and land use data
• Directing the utilization of computers and software programs for various technical projects and studies
• Developing plans and recommending changes in policies and procedures
• Evaluating information related to the application process and recommending approval, disapproval, or alternative approaches
• Coordinating and performing evaluations and analyses pertaining to the elements of the comprehensive General Plan, area plans, environmental impact reports, implementation, redevelopment, and capital improvement plans, programs, and related municipal ordinances and policies
• Preparing reports and recommendations and state and federal applications and documents
• Conferring with personnel from other departments and agencies in coordinating assigned work
• Meeting with representatives of community organizations and other groups to encourage cooperative action or to resolve problems
• Making oral presentations before commissions, committees, community groups, and boards of other governmental agencies
• Making special investigations of a technical nature regarding planning projects
• Reporting conclusions and recommendations in technical report form, or in form for publication
• Directing the preparation and design of maps, charts, models, sketches, and other graphic presentations
• Preparing reports, presentations, correspondence, and other written materials

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the management level in the professional planning series. Incumbents provide management direction for the Citys Planning Division. Incumbents in this class exercise considerable independent judgment and initiative while overseeing major planning projects that require considerable professional knowledge and the use of independent judgment.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

Manages the activities of a subsection within the Planning Division Assigns, trains, directs, and evaluates the work of subordinates, including supervisory staff Selects staff as needed Performs disciplinary action when appropriate Oversees and coordinates research, administrative, and technical activities necessary to achieve planning project objectives and to maintain departmental information programs Checks and analyzes information such as population and economic growth estimates, demographic, housing, and land use data Directs the utilization of computers and software programs for various technical projects and studies Develops plans and recommends changes in policies and procedures Evaluates information related to the application process and recommends approval, disapproval, or alternative approaches Coordinates and performs evaluations and analyses pertaining to the elements of the comprehensive General Plan, area plans, environmental impact reports, implementation, redevelopment, and capital improvement plans, programs, and related municipal ordinances and policies Prepares reports and recommendations and state and federal applications and documents Confers with personnel from other departments and agencies in coordinating assigned work Meets with representatives of community organizations and other groups to encourage cooperative action or to resolve problems Makes oral presentations before commissions, committees, community groups, and boards of other governmental agencies Makes special investigations of a technical nature regarding planning projects Reports conclusions and recommendations in technical report form, or in form for publication Directs the preparation and design of maps, charts, models, sketches, and other graphic presentations Prepares reports, presentations, correspondence, and other written materials

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience:

• Possession of a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in City or regional planning, urban planning, or a closely related field
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional planning experience
• A Masters degree in City, regional, or urban planning, public administration, or closely related field may be substituted for one year of the professional planning experience

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess a valid California drivers license
• Must be willing to attend evening meetings as required
• Knowledge of principles and practices of public administration, supervision, and management
• Objectives, principles, procedures, standards, practices, information services, and trends in the field of urban planning
• Land use, physical design, demographic, environmental, and social/economic concepts as applied to municipal planning
• Statistical analysis and mathematical concepts related to the planning process
• Application, modification, and interrelationships between ordinances, policies, standards, procedures, and practices associated with the planning function
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations
• Terminology, symbols, methods, and techniques used in planning and map drafting
• Local government organization and the functions and practices of a municipal planning unit
• Skill in planning, assigning, training, directing, and evaluating the work of others in work procedures
• Organizing, directing, and conducting complex planning studies and activities
• Performing and coordinating activities, such as the collection, analysis, and preparation of reports and recommendations
• Interpreting laws, policies, procedures, regulations, maps, specifications, site, and building plans, graphs, and statistical data
• Making persuasive presentations of ideas and recommendations
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted in the course of the work
• Exercising sound independent judgment within established guidelines
• Preparing clear, concise, and complete technical documents, reports, and correspondence

PROCESS

Only those applicants who best fit the needs of the City will be considered for this career opportunity. Applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed, and only the most qualified applicants will be invited to an interview with the Community Development Department.

VERIFICATION OF EDUCATION

If offered this position, you will be required to submit an official transcript from an accredited college or university validating your level of college education.

EXPERIENCE

Please detail below your qualifying experience. Include employer, title of supervisor, your title, and dates in position.

• Possession of a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in City or regional planning, urban planning, or a closely related field
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional planning experience
• A Masters degree in City, regional, or urban planning, public administration, or closely related field may be substituted for one year of the professional planning experience

SUPERVISORY EXPERIENCE

Please describe your experience with substantially updating or amending a General Plan, including policy development, and/or performing textual or map changes. Further, describe your experience with amending a zoning ordinance or map to address conformity with a General Plan. If no experience in this area, enter "N/A".

MANAGING COMPLEX PLANNING PROJECTS

Please describe your experience managing complex, major planning projects, such as amendments to a zoning ordinance or map or master development plan. Include details about the type of project and your role in managing the projects. Describe your involvement with coordinating and performing community outreach in relation to the project and addressing any community concerns/controversy that may have occurred. If no experience in this area, enter "N/A".

RESUME, COVER LETTER, AND PROOF OF EDUCATION

All applicants are required to submit a cover letter, resume, and proof of education (unofficial transcripts, grade report, or copy of diploma) as part of the application process. Failure to submit the required information will result in rejection from the process. Please address your cover letter to Director of Human Resources.

DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED PRIOR TO THE FINAL FILING DATE

You may submit the required documentation in the following ways:

1. Scan and attach to online application (preferred)
2. Email to andrelyn.petate@stocktonca.gov by the Final Filing Date (use "Planning Manager" in the subject line of the email)

NOTES

• Employee Benefits are subject to change through the collective bargaining process and are not guaranteed.
• For a detailed explanation of benefits currently in effect, click here to view a link to Mid-Management/Supervisory Unit Contract.
• The Supplemental Questionnaire is part of the examination process; accordingly, it should be completed carefully.
• It must be submitted with your official employment application.
• Do not indicate "See Resume" as an answer to any of these questions.
• I certify that the information provided is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.
• I understand that any falsification may cancel any terms, conditions, or privileges of employment.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

Prior to appointment, this position requires all eligible candidates to submit to and successfully pass a background investigation, which will include a California Department of Justice fingerprint clearance.

DRIVERS LICENSE

Do you possess, or are you able to obtain prior to employment, a valid California drivers license?

WORKING HOURS

This position may require working occasional evenings, nights, and weekends. I understand and, if selected, agree to this requirement.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

The City