Senior Planner
Salary
$98,592.00 - $126,420.00 Annually
Location
City Hall - 300 E. Chapman Avenue Orange, CA
Job Type
Full Time Miscellaneous
Job Number
01681
Department
Community Development Department
Division
Planning Division
Opening Date
04/17/2026
Closing Date
Continuous
Join the City of Orange Community Development Department
as a Senior Planner!
To ensure your application is considered, apply by Sunday, May 10th - the recruitment may close at any time after that date.
Click here to learn more about the Citys Community Development Department!
Why work for the City of Orange?
In the City of Orange's Community Development Department, you can:
Instructions for Applying:
To ensure your application is considered, apply by Sunday, May 10th - the recruitment may close at any time after that date.
Attach a staff report that you have authored to your application submission. If you have not authored a staff report, no attachment is required.
DEFINITION OF THE POSITION
Under general supervision, a Senior Planner administers advanced and complex current and advance planning activities, including serving as project manager for complex development applications and special projects; administers specified activities in such areas as zoning, advance planning, and environmental impact studies, protection, and compliance, as well as the capital improvement program (CIP); provides technical direction to lower-level staff; provides information and assistance to property owners, developers, contractors and the public; provides complex professional assistance to the Community Development Department management staff, City Council, Planning Commission, Design Review Committee, and others in areas of expertise; oversees, reviews and performs a variety of studies and prepares and presents staff reports; and performs related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Senior Planners receive general supervision from Community Development Department management staff. May exercise technical and functional direction over and provide training to lower-level staff.
Examples of Duties
Click here for the full job description.
Typical Qualifications
See the job descriptions referenced above to review the knowledge, skills, and abilities that qualified candidates will possess.
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical and ideal way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in urban planning, community development, business or public administration, or a related field.
Five (5) years of professional experience in planning, zoning, and related community development activities, or two (2) years of experience as Associate Planner at the City of Orange.
Experience applying historic preservation principles is highly desirable.
Experience presenting to boards, commissions, community groups, or governing bodies such as City Councils is highly desirable.
Licenses and Certifications:
Supplemental Information
Physical Demands:
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to inspect City development sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary or construction access points; to operate a motor vehicle, and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
Working Conditions:
This position requires regular and reliable attendance and the employee's physical presence at the workplace. May be required to work various shifts, including, but not limited to, early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays, at a variety of City locations.
Environmental Elements:
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions; but may occasionally work in the field and be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
Disaster Service Worker:
All employees of the City of Orange are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be "Disaster Service Workers." In the event of a declared emergency or any undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours and performing work significantly different from the employees' normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.
City Mission, Vision, and Values:
Incumbents in all City positions are expected to exhibit the behavior characteristics reflected in the Citys Mission, Vision, and Values statements in the performance of their duties: The City of Orange is committed to excellent service for our residents, businesses, and visitors. As an organization, the City of Orange is the leader in delivering the highest level of service to meet current and future needs of the community. The Citys values include Teamwork, Integrity, and Excellence.
BENEFITS FOR ORANGE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
The City of Orange provides a generous array of benefits to employees in addition to maintaining competitive salaries. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees working from 20 to 35 hours.
The following is a partial list of benefits:
Salary Range. Salary Ranges are composed of six (6) steps, each approximately five percent (5%) apart. Advancements through the steps are generally made yearly and based on performance.
Retirement Benefits. Retirement benefits are provided by the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), including the Citys contribution toward the Fourth Level Survivors Benefit.
Effective January 1, 2013, newly hired non-safety employees who are "New" CalPERS Members, as defined by the Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 ("PEPRA"), will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2% at age 62 defined benefit plan with three year final compensation in accordance with Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA). New Members shall contribute half of normal cost of retirement as determined by CalPERS from their pensionable compensation, on a pre-tax basis, as set forth in California Government Code Section 7522.30.
An employee who is a "Classic" Member of CalPERS or a current member of another California public retirement system who is hired by the City of Orange on or after January 1, 2013, will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2.7% @ 55 benefit formula with one year final compensation. Employees contribute 8.00% of pension reportable salary on a pre-tax basis for this retirement benefit.
Social Security & Medicare. Employees do not pay into Social Security, however, do contribute 1.45% of salary towards Medicare.
Cafeteria Benefits Plan. The City pays up to $2,210 per month which can be applied towards CalPERS medical, dental, vision, health care reimbursement, and/or dependent care reimbursement. Under certain criteria, employees may elect to opt out of the Citys medical plan altogether and receive $500 per month.
Vacation. Employees earn 92 hours of vacation during the first year of service, and an increasing accrual annually up to 232 hours per year after 30 years of service. The City also provides an annual unused vacation payout plan.
Life Insurance. The City provides a term life insurance policy of $75,000.
Holidays. The City observes 11 paid holidays and provides 18 hours of floating holiday annually.
Administrative Leave. Employees receive 45 hours of administrative leave annually.
Sick Leave. Sick leave is accrued at a rate of 96 hours per year. Employees are eligible to convert unused sick leave to vacation on an annual basis. A partial payment (up to 50%) for accumulated unused sick leave is available to City employees who retire from the City.
Other Benefits. Most employees work a "9/80" alternate work schedule with City Hall closures every other Friday. Long Term Disability, an Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement (up to $1,500/fiscal year), Trip Reduction Program incentives, optional Deferred Compensation programs and Credit Union membership are a few of the additional benefits provided and/or available to employees.
For more information, please click here for the Orange Management Association Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Note: an updated MOU is in the process of being uploaded, so the current document may include outdated information. Please contact HR staff at hrinfo@cityoforange.org if you have any questions regarding contents of the MOU.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
A Medical Examination, Police Records Check, and thorough Background Investigation are required of all prospective employees.
In compliance with the Immigration Reform & Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), all job offers made by the City of Orange are contingent upon establishing proof of your legal right to work in the United States.
All benefited employees shall be subject to a twelve (12) month probationary period as a condition of employment.
The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. The types and levels of employee benefits provided, including City contributions toward benefit costs, are subject to change as a result of periodic contract settlements between recognized employee associations and the City of Orange.
The City of Orange is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
01
This position requires the possession and maintenance of a valid California Class C Drivers License with satisfactory driving record and proof of acceptable automobile insurance at the time of hire and through employment in the position. Can you meet this requirement?
02
This position requires the equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in urban planning, community development, business or public administration, or a related field. Do you meet this requirement?
03
Please indicate the highest level of formal education you have completed:
04
Please indicate which option below best describes your years of professional experience in planning, zoning, and related community development activities.
05
Do you meet the Secretary of the Interiors Professional Qualifications Standards in the areas of historic architecture, architectural history, architecture, or history?
06
Do you have experience presenting to boards, commissions, community groups, or governing bodies such as City Councils?
07
If you answered Yes to the question above, briefly describe your experience. If you answered No, type N/A below.
08
Do you have experience applying historic preservation principles?
09
If you answered Yes to the question above, briefly describe your experience. If you answered No, type N/A below.
10
Have you authored a staff report to be presented to a governing body? If so, please attach one that you have authored. If not, no attachment to your application is required.
Required Question
Employer City of Orange
Address 300 E. Chapman Avenue
Orange, California, 92866
Phone (714) 744-7255