JOB
**This position is open until filled with a first review date of July 13, 2026**
The City of Palm Desert provides exemplary and sustainable services, amenities and programs for the benefit of the local and surrounding communities. When you interact with a City employee, you will find our collaborative, driven and efficient staff working together to provide strategic solutions for the community and each other. We are a city focused on external and internal customer service and try to find a way to say “yes,” while not compromising the City’s or our own integrity.
Our efforts are guided by our core values:
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Integrity
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Stewardship
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Service
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Community
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Innovation
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Teamwork
Our employees are passionate about innovation, collaboration and growth, which is supported by the City’s Council and Executive Team. We are an environment that thrives on making changes, pivoting quickly, and is full of movers and shakers. We are constantly striving to improve processes and better our approach so that we can better support the needs of the City. If you have growth mindset and find change exciting, the City of Palm Desert may be your ideal working environment!
THE OPPORTUNITY
The City of Palm Desert is seeking a forward-thinking and collaborative Planning Manager to lead a high-performing team dedicated to shaping the community’s future. This exciting leadership opportunity is ideal for an experienced planning professional who enjoys overseeing complex planning initiatives, advancing innovative and customer-focused services, and guiding both long-range and current planning efforts. As a key member of the Development Services Department, the Planning Manager will play an important role in implementing the City’s General Plan, mentoring staff, managing impactful projects, and partnering with City leadership, agencies, and the community to support Palm Desert’s continued growth and success.
Appointment to this position is expected to fall within the salary range of $129,979 to $150,488; however, the final amount will be carefully determined based on the candidate’s knowledge, skills, qualifications, and an evaluation of internal equity within the organization. Exceptional candidates with highly relevant experience and credentials may be considered for compensation above the anticipated hiring range.
Under administrative direction, plans, schedules, assigns, and reviews the work of staff performing professional and technical planning work in support of programs, projects, and activities of the Planning and related Division in the Development Services Department; supervises and conducts long-range planning, current planning, and environmental compliance analysis; supervises and participates in the implementation of the City’s General Plan; manages the effective use of the City's planning resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service; emphasizes innovation, data-driven decision-making, and customer-focused service delivery in all planning and development activities; provides highly complex and responsible support to the Director of Development Services and Deputy Director of Development Services and others in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives supervision from the Director of Development Services or designee. Exercises direct and indirect supervision over professional, technical, and/or administrative staff. EXAMPLE OF DUTIES This is a management classification that manages the programs, projects, and staff within the Planning Division. Responsibilities include performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making. Incumbents are also expected to independently perform the full range of high-level professional planning duties. The incumbent organizes and oversees day-to-day activities and operations of the Division. Successful performance of the work requires an extensive background in professional planning, as well as skill in coordinating work with other City departments and external agencies. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Knowledge of:
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Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, standards, and procedures relevant to zoning and land use planning.
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Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and budget and contract development and administration.
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Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
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Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive planning program, including current and long-range planning.
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California housing laws and programs, including Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), Housing Element law, density bonus law, accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations, and ministerial approval processes.
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Principles, practices, theories, trends, and technical and legal issues of urban, land use, and regional planning, zoning, and environmental review.
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Geographic, socio-economic, transportation, political, environmental and other elements related to city planning.
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Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to planning, zoning, and environmental review.
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Methods and techniques of conducting public meetings and presentations.
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Authority and the role of the Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Committee, Architectural Review Commission, City Council in approving planning related projects.
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Methods and techniques of community engagement, public outreach, and facilitating public meetings and hearings.
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Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to planning, zoning, and environmental review.
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Research methods and statistical principles related to urban growth and development.
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Principles and practices of data-driven decision-making, including performance measurement, key performance indicators (KPIs), and use of data dashboards.
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Economic development principles as they relate to land use planning, redevelopment, and investment attraction.
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Grant development, administration, and compliance requirements for state and federal funding programs.
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Practices of researching planning and zoning issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
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Principles of advanced mathematics and their application to planning work.
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Record keeping principles and procedures.
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Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
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English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
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Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
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Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
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GIS programs and applications.
Ability to:
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Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, standards, and procedures related to planning, zoning, and development services.
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Provide leadership in the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, and practices for providing effective and efficient services.
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Plan, organize, assign, supervise, and evaluate the work of professional, technical and administrative staff; participate in the recruitment, training, motivation, and performance management of personnel including implementation of discipline procedures.
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Oversee and administer complex planning and development programs, projects, and activities ensuring alignment with department goals.
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Methods and techniques of community engagement, public outreach, and conducting effective public meetings and presentations.
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Research methods, statistical analysis, and data analytics techniques used in evaluating urban growth, development trends, and organizational performance.
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Principles and practices of data-driven decision-making, including the development and use of performance metrics and key performance indicators.
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Analyze operational needs and recommend and implement improvements to, procedures, policies, and service delivery methods to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
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Prepare and present clear, concise, and comprehensive reports, staff analysis to executive leadership, City Council, and appointed commissions/committees.
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Interpret planning and zoning programs to the general public; identify and respond to issues and concerns of the public, executive leadership, City Council, and appointed commissions/committees., and other stakeholders including advisory bodies and community members
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Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, and regulatory organizations and individuals.
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Communicate complex planning and development issues clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, to diverse audiences.
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Manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines in a dynamic and politically sensitive environment.
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Make accurate arithmetic and statistical computations.
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Establish and maintain accurate databases, records, and files.
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Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner.
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Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
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Utilize modern technology, data systems, and permit tracking software to support division and decision-making.
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Administer permit tracking software for division, coordinates with software consultant and Information Systems Department, and prepares tracking reports.
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Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
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Communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
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Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in urban planning, or environmental studies, or a related field with a master's degree in urban planning; AND six (6) years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience including at least two (2) years in a supervisory capacity.
Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable.
Licenses and Certifications:
May occasionally drive a personal or City vehicle. A valid and appropriate California driver's license and an acceptable driving record are required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; 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 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 up to 10 pounds with the use of proper equipment. Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals on a case-by-case basis.
Environmental Elements
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
