Long Range and Current Planning Positions - City of Palo Alto, CA

The City of Palo Alto is seeking experienced city planners who enjoy working in a dynamic and growing community. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto is a vibrant community and home to many tech companies. In this unique opportunity, the City is looking for planning professionals for both the Current Planning and Long Range Planning teams.  These positions could be filled at a(n) Associate Planner, Planner, or Senior Planner level.

The Current Planning team processes entitlement applications and ensures conformance with applicable code and regulations. The team provides project guidance and advice, working with community members, developers, designers, engineers and other stakeholders through every step in the development process to achieve the best designs possible for our city.  

The Long Range Planning program engages with the community to guide and develop the City’s land use, community development, and housing policies and programs. Some of these areas include: comprehensive plan, housing element implementation, area plans, policy initiatives, below market rate housing, zoning code amendments, rental policy development and implementation. This fast-paced team offers an opportunity to work on a variety of strategic policy and projects that enhance and preserve the Palo Alto community for the future. 

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT The Palo Alto Planning and Development Services Department provides the City Council and community with creative guidance and effective implementation of land use development, planning, housing and environmental policies and programs in order to maintain and enhance the City’s safety, vitality, and attractiveness.

Depending on applicant qualifications, these positions may be filled at the appropriate level/salary of Associate Planner, Planner, or Senior Planner.  Mulitple positions may be filled through this posting.

For more information on the Planning and Development Services Department, click HERE.


IDEAL CANDIDATE
Ideal candidates will have a strong customer service focus and superior interpersonal skills. They will be able to establish and maintain effective relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including co-workers, management, elected officials, community members, and representatives of public and regulatory agencies.

The ideal candidates will have the following skills and experience:

• Ability to write clearly and communicate effectively, both in writing and in person.
• Ability to handle a variety of assignments, work independently and prioritize tasks, and adapt quickly to changing priorities. 
• Strong experience managing complex projects and competing priorities. 
• Strong technical skills, experience analyzing architectural and landscape plans, and familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, GIS, graphics/presentation programs, database management programs and other comparable programs.
• Experience presenting before Planning Commission or other Boards.  

• Knowledge of accepted practices of local and state laws and regulations relating to California municipal planning and zoning.

• For Current Planning, 2 years of experience processing major housing applications, including the implementation of state density bonus, Housing Accountability Act, SB330, and similar state legislation.
• For Current Planning, 5 years of experience implementing the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) including EIRs and MNDs.

• For Long Range Planning, experience with development of specific/area plans. Knowledge and experience with housing planning and policy development preferred.

• For Senior Planners, strong project management skills.
• Senior Planners for Current Planning will be a well-seasoned implementation planner serving at the senior level.  
• Senior Planners for Long Range Planning will have significant experience with Comprehensive or General Plan updates, policy initiatives, and zoning code updates. 
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is desirable.