The City of San Marcos is currently recruiting for a qualified Principal Planner to join the Planning Division of the Development Services Department. Historically one of the fastest growing cities in San Diego County, this is an exciting time to be a part of the City of San Marcos. San Marcos is purposefully shaping its emerging community, and as a Principal Planner, you will help guide that legacy.
Summary Description
Under administrative direction, manages, oversees, coordinates, and participates in the most complex and difficult work of staff responsible for providing current and long range planning related services and activities in assigned program areas; manages multiple sensitive and complex projects in the areas of assignment requiring highly independent coordination with other City staff as well as outside agencies and groups; provides direct supervision to professional planning staff; and provides responsible administrative and highly complex technical staff assistance to the Planning Division Director.
Public Service
Serving the public is paramount to all that we do at City of San Marcos. We are driven to serve the more than 95,000 residents who count on us every day. Our Principal Planner must be responsive, tactful, collaborative, and accountable to our community and customers. This includes working with our residents and other stakeholder groups to deliver projects that make a positive impact.
The Right Perks-
Earn a competitive salary, with a scheduled 5% salary range adjustment effective July 1, 2026.
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Our 9/80 work week means you'll have every other Friday off. Flexible work arrangement may be accommodated once you've had an opportunity to fully jump into the roles and responsibilities of the position and are working effectively with your team.
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Generous health benefits for you and your family (all medical premiums employer paid at 90%, including family plans). Benefits effective the first of the month after hire date.
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Ample time off: 14 paid holidays, 96 hours of sick leave and beginning at 80 hours of vacation leave annually.
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Family focused benefits - 4 weeks of city paid maternity / paternity leave for new parents welcoming a new family member and 1 week of city paid grandparent leave for employees expanding their extended family.
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Participate in the CalPERS retirement system (Classic members 2% @ 55, New members 2% @ 62), and Social Security.
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Enhance your career by taking advantage of our Tuition Reimbursement Program - up to $1,500 per fiscal year which can also be used towards student loan repayment.
Recruitment Timeline
Application period closes: June 16, 2026 - 4:00pm
First Interview: TBD
Second Interview: TBD
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.
Knowledge of:
Operations, services, and activities of a community planning and development program; advanced principles and practices of zoning, community planning, and site planning; development practices and development review procedures and requirements; project management principles and practices; City General Plan policies and implementation and City ordinances; principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation; organization and functions of various agencies involved in the planning processes; permitting requirements for state and federal agencies; recent developments, current literature, research methods, and sources of information related to municipal planning, urban growth, and development; methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation including for complex development proposals; methods and techniques of eliciting community participation in planning and development issues; modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and supporting software applications; pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including laws underlying general plans, land use planning, zoning, and land divisions including applicable environmental laws and regulations.
Ability to:
Independently perform complex and sensitive planning duties in the development, implementation, and modification of City plans and regulations requiring a high level of technical expertise; recommend and implement goals, objectives, policies and procedures for providing assigned services, activities, and operations; prepare and interpret codes and policies and apply to specific situations; coordinate and direct assigned sections and/or functional areas within the City’s Planning Division; supervise, organize, and review the work of staff involved in assigned program areas; select, train, and evaluate staff; serve as project manager on multiple complex and sensitive projects involving coordination with other departments and outside groups and organizations; plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines; staff and manage assigned commissions and committees; understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities; interpret, analyze, apply, implement, and explain pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including City codes and departmental policies and administrative directives; analyze projects and potential projects for consistency with zoning ordinance standards, planning and environmental regulations, general planning principles, General Plan policies, and architectural quality; ensure project compliance with state, federal, and local rules, laws, and regulations; independently coordinate necessary communication between staff, developers, and other agencies; understand, evaluate, and interpret complex technical engineering, architectural, structural, landscape, and topographical plans, maps, legal documents, and related documents; utilize engineering and architectural scale to read plans; prepare and analyze highly technical and administrative reports, statements, and correspondence; effectively present technical information and respond to questions from groups of managers, council members, committee and commission members, and the general public; effectively represent the City to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the unit; work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies; read, analyze, and interpret information from professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations; operate modern office equipment and computers including specialized computer applications; demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Education/Training
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in urban planning, regional planning, environmental studies, architecture, or a related field. A Master’s degree is desirable
Experience
Six years of increasingly responsible, professional urban planning experience in local government, including project management, administrative, and/or supervisory responsibility.
License or Certificate
Professional certification, or membership in the American Planning Association (APA) and American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), although not a requirement, will receive favorable consideration.
