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City Planner

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City Planner

Salary

$156,369.00 - $190,247.00 Annually

Location

Carlsbad, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

1195-2026

Department

Community Development

Opening Date

01/02/2026

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

The Position

This recruitment will remain open until filled.

Carlsbad - The Community

The City of Carlsbad is ideally situated in north San Diego County where a great climate, beautiful beaches and lagoons, and abundant natural open space combine with world-class resorts, family attractions, well planned neighborhoods, excellent schools, and a charming village atmosphere to create the ideal California experience. Covering nearly 40 square miles, the City of Carlsbad is currently home to about 115,000 residents. The city sets the standard for high-quality local government services and is home to corporate headquarters in technology, life sciences and action sports, supported by a thriving tourism market and nearly 40 percent preserved open space. Thanks to an award-winning growth management plan, the city's infrastructure and services keep pace with development and promote an excellent quality of life.

Basic Function

To manage, supervise and coordinate the programs and activities of the Planning Division within the Community Development Department; to coordinate assigned activities with other city departments, divisions and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Director and Assistant Director of Community Development. The ideal candidate will have the ability to balance technical skills, customer service, and supervisory responsibilities to manage a complex division of approximately 20 staff members.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is a single incumbent position reporting to the Assistant Community Development Director.

You Belong in Carlsbad

The City of Carlsbad embraces and recognizes the vital relationship of an inclusive, engaged work environment and innovative excellence. An equitable and inclusive work climate comprises personal experiences, values, and views shaped from differences of culture and circumstance. Our organization appreciates belonging, creativity, recognition and retention of its employees and is committed to hiring and developing motivated, productive and talented employees who provide services and enhance our quality of life. We work to embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our responsibility and goal.

First application review will be conducted the week of January 26, 2026.

Key Responsibilities

Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Planning Division.

Plan, direct, supervise, coordinate and participate in planning programs.

Develop and recommend division policies and procedures and direct their implementation upon approval.

Serve as planning staff to the City Council, Secretary to the Planning Commission and to other commissions and committees in city planning matters including the preparation and presentation of reports and recommendations relating to the social, economic and physical development of the community.

Supervise and participate in the most complex planning studies.

Make authoritative interpretations of applicable laws, regulations and policies.

Represent the city in the community and at professional and other business meetings required.

Participate in the preparation and administration of the recommended division work program and annual budget. Recommend adoption and assist in preparation of ordinances.

Coordinate City Planning activities with other city departments and divisions, and with outside agencies.

Manage employees through other supervisors; set goals and objectives; select, train, and motivate staff; assess performance and make salary recommendations.

Qualifications

To perform a job in this classification, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties as generally described in the specification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties in a specific job. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

Knowledge of:

+ Principles and practices of planning operations and administration

+ Principles and practices of organization, administration, budgeting and personnel management

+ Applicable federal, state and local planning laws and regulations

+ Organization and functions of the various agencies involved in the planning process

+ Strategic management techniques and methodology

+ Research methods and techniques and methods of report presentation

Ability to:

+ Plan, direct and coordinate activities related to the city’s planning programs

+ Provide administrative and professional leadership for the planning division

+ Properly interpret and make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations and policies

+ Collect and analyze data and develop complex plans and reports

+ Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing

+ Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals

+ Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs

+ Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with city officials and employees, the general public and representatives of other agencies

+ Select, supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff

+ Work well under pressure to meet deadlines

Experience & Education

Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major work in planning, public administration, business administration, community development, urban design or related field;

Five years of progressively responsible professional planning experience, including three years at a management supervisory level.

Desirable:

+ A master’s degree in planning, public administration, business administration, or related field

+ Certification in the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)

+ Medical Insurance

+ Dental Insurance

+ Vision Insurance

+ Flexible Spending Account

+ Life Insurance

+ Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance

+ Retirement under the CalPERS program, 2% @ 62 formula, Classic Members (those who are enrolled in CalPERS at another local agency) have the 2% @ 60 formula

+ Holidays- 11 scheduled

+ Floating Holiday- 2

+ Paid vacation

+ Executive Leave

+ Computer purchase loan

+ Tuition reimbursement

A detailed list of our benefits can be found here: Carlsbad Benefits (https://www.carlsbadca.gov/departments/human-resources/compensation/full-time-benefits)

Additional CalPERS information can be found here: CalPERS (https://www.calpers.ca.gov/page/about/laws-legislation-regulations/public-employees-pension-reform-act)

01

What is your highest level of education?

+ High School / GED

+ Associate's Degree / Trade school

+ Bachelor's Degree

+ Master's Degree or Higher

02

If you indicated Bachelor's Degree or higher, please indicate your area(s) of study. If not, type "N/A" in the space below.

03

How many years of professional planning experience do you have?

+ Less than 5 years

+ 5 - 10 years

+ 10 - 15 years

+ 15+ years

04

How many years of experience do you have supervising or managing employees?

+ Less than 3 years

+ 3 - 5 years

+ 5 - 10 years

+ 10+ years

05

Do you have an American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification?

+ Yes

+ No

Required Question

Employer

Carlsbad, City of (CA)

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