Principal Planner; Parks

Salary: $ - $ Annually USD

This position is open until filled. A first review of applications will occur during the week of May 11, 2026. Applicants submitted after the first review are not guaranteed consideration. The recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review date. The vacancy may be hired as a Principal Planner (Parks) or a Senior Planner (Parks) level.

• Manage day‑to‑day operations of the Current or Advance Planning sections, ensuring efficient and effective service delivery.
• Regularly present to the City Council, Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, and other commissions, community groups, and advisory bodies.
• Ensure appropriate environmental review of development projects and policy documents in conformance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Manage preparation of environmental documents, review staff and consultant work, provide guidance to other departments, and ensure required documentation is filed.
• Manage consultant contracts, develop scopes of work, establish timelines and project schedules, secure funding, prepare contracts, verify insurance, authorize invoices, provide direction, and review technical studies and documents.
• Identify resource needs, establish schedules and methods for providing services, and review with management. Participate in developing the department operating budget and allocate resources efficiently.
• Participate in selecting, hiring, training, motivating, and evaluating assigned personnel; coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; and implement discipline procedures.
• Serve as planning representative for various City project teams and committees.
• Coordinate federal and environmental review and permitting for City Capital Improvement Projects and CDBG‑funded projects and programs; participate in contractor preconstruction meetings.
• Review and prepare responses to referrals from other agencies or organizations regarding proposed policies and development applications; monitor status of proposed projects and coordinate City input.
• Perform related duties as required.

Supervise the Current Planning section, coordinate the review of development projects, including Annexations, Planned Development Permits, Conditional Use Permits, Plot Plans, and other permits. Assign and manage post‑entitlement plan review processing; oversee and review the work of current planning staff; support staff planners in preparing reports and presentation materials for public hearings and other community meetings.

Manage multiple complex development proposals and prepare complex and technical staff reports. Review architectural and engineering plans for conformance with the City’s Zoning Code and General Plan. Manage and staff assigned boards, commissions, and committees involved in adopting and implementing City plans and regulations. Administer permit tracking software and prepare permit tracking reports.

Supervise the Advance Planning section, overseeing the preparation and implementation of long‑range policy documents, including the Escondido General Plan and Climate Action Plan.

Coordinate monitoring and reporting on the City’s progress in housing and climate resiliency; manage preparation of City‑initiated specific plans and amendments; and provide policy advice to the City Planner and leadership to ensure compliance with state and federal policies.

Knowledge of:

• Capital improvement program operations and community planning and development program.
• Zoning, parks planning, and site planning principles.
• Development review procedures and requirements.
• Project management principles.
• City General Plan policies and ordinances.
• Supervision, training, and performance evaluation principles.
• Urban planning literature and research methods.
• Technical report preparation and presentation methods.
• Community participation elicitation techniques.
• Grant funding and contract administration practices.
• Federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to planning, zoning, parks, and conservation.
• CEQA processes.

Ability to:

• Perform complex planning…