a description

The City of Half Moon Bay Community Development Department invites qualified candidates to apply for the position of Senior Planner. The Department is seeking a well qualified Senior Planner Supervisor to join the Planning Department. Senior Planner reviews and manages complex development projects through the entitlement process, oversees professional planning assignments, manages long-range planning studies, and involves meaningful community engagement in planning initiatives. At any given time, a senior planner may be interpreting zoning regulations, managing consulting work, preparing detailed project analyses, or advising the public on planning matters.

Senior Planners report to the Community Development Director and supervise more junior planners. Senior planners may also serve as project manager for major private development proposals and city planning projects, serve as deputy zoning official, and serve as staff liaison to the Planning Commission.

Basic job functions

• Manage a variety of complex planning projects, including residential, commercial and Evolution of versatile use.
• Enforce the city’s Local Coastal Program (LCP) policies and procedures, General Plan, and zoning regulations.
• Direct consulting services for CEQA and technical reviews.
• Conduct and analyze planning proposals; Preparing staff reports and recommendations.
• Facilitate public participation and represent the City at meetings, workshops, and hearings.
• Providing guidance to architects, contractors, developers and the general public regarding development standards.
• Supervise planning staff for best practice planning and project review.
• Coordinate project review between departments and collaborate with external agencies.
• Attend evening and weekend meetings as required.

Perfect filter

The ideal candidate will be a collaborative, team-oriented professional who thrives in a small town coastal community environment. They will have:

• Strong knowledge of CEQA, California Coastal Code, Subdivision Map Code, and other state/federal planning regulations.
• Experience managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Skills in project management, public engagement, and staff supervision.
• Ability to balance current and long-range planning work while providing excellent customer service.
• Clear and effective communication skills, both written and verbal.

Minimum qualifications

education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in urban/Regional planninglandscape architecture, environmental studies, or a closely related field.

expertise: Five (5) years of experience in career planning. A master’s degree in a related field may substitute for one (1) year of experience.

Licenses/Certificates: Possession of a satisfactory California Class “C” driver’s license

benefits

Retirement: Classic employee pierce receives 2% at 55; One employee in the highest year and one PEPRA employee receives 2% at 62, with the highest 3 years. Classic employees pay a 7% employee contribution and PEPRA employees pay half of the regular costs (currently 6.5%). The City of Half Moon Bay does not participate in Social Security, except for required medical care.

health insurance: An employee can choose from medical plans offered through Calpers. Dental insurance is available through Delta Dental and Vision coverage through VSP. The city provides an allowance of $1,900 per month, which can be used for medical premiums. Any unused portion may be considered as additional compensation.

Dental and vision premiums are paid by the employer up to family coverage.

Other insurance: The city provides long-term disability coverage equal to 2/3 of monthly salary up to a maximum of $6,000/mo.

life insurance: The city provides coverage equal to 1 x your annual base salary.

Holidays: 14 paid holidays per year.

vacation: Accrual of 12 days per year for the first four years; Increasingly thereafter to 23 days per year after 21 years.

Administrative leave: 12 days a year. Sick leave: Accumulated at a rate of 12 days per year.

Education incentive: $1,500 per year for qualifying expenses upon approval.

Deferred compensation: Voluntary participation in ICMA or Calpers 457 plans is available.

Special instructions

Application process

Deposit Deadline: Friday, November 7, 2025, 5:00 p.m

To be considered, submit a complete online application and current calopps resume. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Applicants are responsible for ensuring all documents are received.

Selection process Applicants’ qualifications will be evaluated based on the information provided in the employment application. The examination process may consist of an application evaluation, an oral interview, and a written exam. The City reserves the right to use alternative testing procedures if necessary. City communication regarding selection will be by mail. Please ensure you have access to the email on your order. The final interview/assessment will be held in Half Moon Bay.

Equal opportunity employer

The City of Half Moon Bay is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, or sexual orientation. Candidates who require accommodation in the hiring process should advise Human Resources when submitting their application.

Supplementary information

Public Personnel Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Department Section 3100, all City of Half Moon Bay employees are required to perform the duties of a designated Disaster Service Worker in the event of an emergency or disaster.

An employee must complete SB 1343 sexual harassment prevention training within six months of hire and every two years thereafter.