Senior Planner

Senior Planner

Salary

$96,283.20 - $117,540.80 Annually

Location

Eric Rood Government Center (Western County), 950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City, CA

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

202400529

Department

Planning

Opening Date

09/03/2026

Closing Date

10/4/2026 8:00 AM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Definition and Class Characteristics

We are currently seeking applications for a Senior Planner and Principal Planner. Please be sure to apply for all jobs and all levels of positions which you feel you may be qualified for.

Nevada County is looking for a Senior Planner to work on Advance Planning and Current Planning projects. The position will be responsible for the processing of larger and more complex current planning projects, including reviewing those projects for compliance with CEQA. The incumbent will also prepare and implement state-mandated General Plan elements and amendments, ordinance amendments and supervise and lead one of the basic functions of the office (Resource and Advance and/or Current Planning).

Examples of Duties:

• Plans, organizes, coordinates, and supervises the work of assigned professional and technical staff; reviews and directs the work as necessary.

• Compiles information into final reports and presents or supervises the presentation of reports and studies to the County Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors and others.

• Coordinates work with others in the Community Development Agency; participates in the formation of policies and procedures; evaluates the effectiveness of established policies and procedures and recommends improvement.

• Reviews projects for compliance with County zoning regulations and codes, prepares ordinance amendments and updates to the County's General Plan.

• Holds public meetings and workshops on Current Planning and Advance Planning projects.

• Participates in the selection, training and evaluation of assigned staff.

Benefits:

This is a full-time position, and the County of Nevada offers an extensive benefit package including, but not limited to, CalPERS retirement, medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts (FSA). Nevada County is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program through the Department of Education.

Why Nevada County? Our leadership values employee development and engagement, promotes open and transparent communication, sets us up to be a high-performing organization, and recognizes our contributions. Our leadership connects with the community, listens to them, and provides significant programming to keep us safe and healthy.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

For full job description and application process, please click here.

Education and Experience Required

• Equivalent to a Bachelors degree in planning, community development or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
• Plus, 3 years of responsible professional planning experience at a level equivalent to Nevada Countys Associate Planner classification.
• AICP certification highly desirable.

Benefits Guide

The Benefits Guide is a comprehensive document for employees of the County of Nevada. Information contained in this summary of benefits is not a binding document. Refer to specific unit summaries and agreements (MOUs) for additional benefit information.

Health Insurance

The County sponsored plan is the PERS Gold PPO, but you can also choose plans from providers such as Anthem, Blue Shield, and PORAC (if you are a member) to suit your needs.

Health Insurance Plans

• Anthem Blue Cross Select HMO
• Anthem Blue Cross Traditional HMO
• Blue Shield CalPERS Access+ HMO
• Blue Shield Trio HMO
• Kaiser HMO
• PERS Gold PPO (County sponsored plan)
• PERS Platinum PPO
• PORAC (Available to PORAC members only)

Flexible Spending Accounts

The County offers employees the option to contribute to a pre-tax medical FSA and dependent Care FSA.

Life Insurance

Voya is the Countys life insurance provider. We offer the following products through Voya:

• Basic Accidental Death and Dismemberment
• Basic Term Life
• Optional Accidental Death and Dismemberment plans
• Optional Dependent Term Life
• Optional Term Life

Dental & Vision Insurance

Nevada County employees can opt to receive dental and vision insurance without opting for health insurance coverage as well. This will give employees more flexibility to match their choice of insurance plans to their specific needs. Ameritas Dental is the dental provider offered through Nevada County and Ameritas VSP Vision Care is our vision care provider.

Retirement

The County is a member of the CalPERS retirement system and also provides the opportunity for voluntary contributions to a 457 deferred compensation account through Nationwide by way of pre-tax and Roth payroll deductions.

CalPERS Miscellaneous Tiers: Tier 1 (Classic-former employee originally hired on or before 12/13/12 and are returning to Nevada County) 2.7% @ 55 Tier 2 (Hired by a CalPERS employer between 12/14/12-12/31/12 and coming to Nevada County with less than 6 months between separation from former CalPERS employer and hire date with Nevada County) 2%@60 Tier 3 (Hired by first CalPERS employer on or after 1/1/13 or having a break in service of more than six months between another CalPERS employer and Nevada County) 2%@62

CalPERS Safety tiers: Tier 1 (Classic-former employees originally hired on or before 12/13/12 and are returning to Nevada County) 3% @ 50. Tier 2 (Hired by a CalPERS employer between 7/2411-12/31/12 and coming to Nevada County with less than 6-months between separation from former CalPERS employer and hire date with Nevada County) 3% @ 55. Tier 3 (Hired by any CalPERS employer on or after 1/1/13) 2.7% @ 57. We encourage you to visit the CalPERS home page, www.calpers.ca.gov, to search related information about the retirement plans noted here so that you fully understand what your retirement formula means to you.

NEVADA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Any information on this page or documents and links are subject to change without notice.

Nevada County Human Resources Department

950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City, CA 95959 (530) 265-7010 option 2

Human.resources@nevadacountyca.gov

www.nevadacountyca.gov

01

Which of the following best describes your level of education?

• Did not graduate High School or GED
• High School or GED
• Some College
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree

02

This position requires a Bachelors degree in planning, community development or a closely related field from an accredited college or university. Please indicate your field of study.

03

How many years of responsible professional planning experience at a level equivalent to Nevada Countys Associate Planner classification do you have?

• I have not had a position equivalent to Nevada Countys Associate Planner
• Less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 or more years

04

The Senior Planner position requires an individual to work independently in performing the most difficult and complex professional planning work. This position is considered the advanced professional level classification in the planning series and may include supervisory responsibilities and training to less experienced staff within a functional unit in the Planning Department. Responsibilities include but are not limited to research, data collection and presenting information in a public forum, County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors. From the selection below, please indicate which best fits your experience and education.

• I have not had education, training, or experience in performing this task.
• I have had education or training in how to perform this task but have not yet performed it on the job.
• I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.
• I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.
• I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist or train them in doing this task because of my expertise.

05

Please describe your responsible professional planning experience at a level equivalent to Nevada Countys Associate Planner classification. (The job description for the Associate Planner is located on our County Job Listings page at www.mynevadacounty.com).

06

Required documents listed under the minimum requirements must be submitted with your application ("Education and Experience" section of the job flyer). This may include: copies of degrees, transcripts (unofficial copies are permitted), licenses and certificates. Please attach them electronically and submit them with your application; your application may be disqualified from further consideration if you fail to attach necessary documentation. Did you attach your required document(s)?

• Yes
• No, but I will reapply before the final filing date and will attach the required documentation

Required Question

Employer County of Nevada

Address 950 Maidu Avenue

Nevada City, California, 95959

Phone 530 265 7010

Website https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/