City of Santa Cruz, CA Jobs Hiring Now

The Position

The current vacancy is for Associate Planner I/II in the Public Works Department. The City of Santa Cruz is recruiting for an Associate Planner I/II to manage the stormwater development review, conduct inspections, and lead environmental compliance and watershed protection initiatives. This position oversees the City's Clean River, Beaches and Ocean Fund (Measure E) Oversight Committee, serves as the lead for the City's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, and administers consultant contracts and public education programs. The Associate Planner I/II works collaboratively with City staff, developers, regulatory agencies, consultants, and community stakeholders to implement programs and projects that protect water quality and enhance the City's waterways.

Associate Planner I salary range is: $8,107- $10,450 monthly ($46.77 - $60.29 hourly)
Associate Planner II salary range is: $8,919 - $11,496monthly ($51.46 - $66.32 hourly)

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Regular and Temporary Associate Planner I/II vacancies that may occur during the life of the list. The eligible list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.

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  On Thursday, 07/23/26 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:

  • Application- online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
  • Response to supplemental questions- will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.

• Week of 07/27 and 08/03/26: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment by 08/14/26.
• Week of 08/17 and/or 08/24/26: Interviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exercise.

Typical Duties

• Reviews and processes various plans and applications for subdivision, housing, commercial and public infrastructure developments; reviews and processes variances, design permits, conditional use permits, design permits and other discretionary permits.
• Determines conformity with laws, regulations, policies and procedures; recommends approval; identifies problems and analyzes alternatives.
• May be assigned to investigate and respond to complaints of zoning code violations.
• Plans, organizes and conducts research studies; determines appropriate data sources; conducts analysis of complex issues and data.
• Prepares reports and recommendations regarding land use, zoning, urban design, population trends, transportation, housing, community needs, parks, open spaces, water utility planning and/or environmental issues, depending upon area of assignment; recommends the use of land for residential, commercial, industrial, public infrastructure and community uses.
• Maintains, updates and analyzes demographic and other data related to community planning; participates in the review, development, revision and maintenance of general plan elements, environmental impact reports, plans, ordinances and/or other policies and procedures.
• Reviews plans, proposals, requests and studies presented by other City staff, developers, consultants, advisory bodies and members of the public; prepares analyses related to compliance, feasibility and impact.
• Interprets, applies and explains federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA).
• Provides information and assistance to developers, property owners and the public regarding laws, regulations, standards, policies and procedures related to the submission of plans, processing of applications and implementation requirements; communicates and coordinates with other City departments and outside agencies; coordinates the development review process on public and private projects.
• Resolves difficult issues, consults with experts, and determines need for technical resources.
• Determines consistent approaches in analysis, legal and regulatory interpretations, mitigation measures, permitting and scoping of projects.
• Oversees the preparation of environmental documents, permits, technical reports, and studies.
• Manages projects including consultants, contracts and budgets.
• Serves as staff liaison to commissions, advisory bodies and citizen groups, as assigned; assists in the preparation of meeting agendas for various commissions, boards and community groups, including reviewing draft materials and preparing comments; organizes meetings and work sessions ensuring timely notification of appropriate parties; prepares materials for and makes presentations to the City Council, commissions, boards and community groups.
• May prepare, coordinate and administer grant applications or contracts.
• May provide work coordination and project direction for other planning personnel and contract consultants.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban, Regional or Park Planning, Landscape Architecture, or Environmental Studies, or a related field depending on the assignment; and
• Six months minimum of professional related planning experience.

• Principles, practices and techniques of municipal planning, including current planning, advance planning, housing, community development, historic preservation, and/or parks and open space planning;
• Land use, physical design, demographic, environmental, economic and social concepts as applied to municipal planning;
• State and federal laws, policies, codes, permitting and regulations;
• Principles, practices and techniques of environmental planning and analysis, environmental impact assessment and review, permitting, mitigation, monitoring and reporting;
• Basic computer skills and competency.

• Perform thorough planning research and evaluation;
• Learn, interpret and apply a large number of codes, ordinances, policies and procedures;
• Communicate City ordinances, policies and decisions to the public in a courteous and effective manner;
• Effectively manage all assigned projects;
• Organize, prioritize and follow-up on work assignments;
• Read, interpret and record data accurately;
• Communicate issues or problems clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
• Prepare staff reports to the Zoning Administrator, Historic Preservation Commission, Planning Commission and City Council;
• Make effective oral presentations;
• Work effectively independently and as a member of a team;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with developers, contractors, consultants, advisory bodies, City staff, other governmental agencies, and the public;
• Willingness to attend evening meetings as required.

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban, Regional or Park Planning, Landscape Architecture or Environmental Studies or a related field depending on the assignment; and
• Two years of increasingly responsible related professional planning experience.

• Statistical methods and research techniques applicable to the preparation of municipal planning studies.
• Methods and techniques for making effective public presentations of complex information;
• Basic principles and practices of program development, administration and evaluation;
• Grant writing and administration;
• Contract negotiation and administration;
• Interpretation and application of CEQA law (for Water assignment)
• Building and park construction and landscape design (for Parks assignment).

• Perform thorough research and analysis of complex planning-related issues and develop appropriate recommendations for action;
• Interpret, explain and apply applicable, policies, procedures, standards, laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to the municipal planning process, including CEQA and NEPA;
• Interpret technical manuals, maps, site and building plans and specifications, graphs, sketches, drawings and modeling and statistical data;
• Learn and apply more complex principles, practices, techniques and regulations pertaining to assigned duties;
• Recommend adjustments to standard operating procedures to improve effectiveness and comply with regulatory changes as appropriate;
• Participate in the establishment of division and/or department goals, objectives and methods for evaluating achievement and performance levels;
• Consensus building among diverse and competing interests;
• Negotiate and oversee contracts and manage the work of consultants;
• Assist with budget development and monitoring.

Career Ladder

• Director of Planning and Community Development
• Assistant Director of Planning and Community Development
• Principal Planner
• Senior Planner
• Associate Planner I/II