Principal Planner

Principal Planner

We are currently seeking a talented and experienced Principal Planner to join our team of professionals. This position offers great opportunity for dynamic, motivated self‑starters to work on a variety of work assignments. You’ll be a member of our highly respected team of professionals with a full complement of resources to support you and exciting projects to keep you challenged.

• Oversight and strategic management of complex development entitlement applications
• Leadership in zoning code updates and development standard modernization
• Direction of planning studies and long‑range/policy planning initiatives
• Advisory support to local agency planning departments
• Navigation of state and federal permitting processes
• Ensuring compliance with CEQA and NEPA requirements
• Management of multiple high‑level projects with firm deadlines
• Have excellent oral and written communication skills for preparing and presenting planning reports and projects
• Are creative problem‑solvers
• Can work on several projects or issues simultaneously
• The ability to manage projects effectively and meet firm deadlines

• Graduation from a recognized College or University with a Bachelor’s degree in planning, landscape architecture, public administration, geography, architecture, civil engineering, environmental sciences
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in California municipal planning
• Deep expertise in complex entitlement processing
• Strong working knowledge of CEQA (NEPA experience a plus)
• Experience working directly for or alongside California city or county planning agencies
• Confidence presenting to Planning Commissions, City Councils, and stakeholders
• Exceptional writing and communication skills
• Strategic problem‑solving abilities

Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000

Benefits include health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; paid holidays, paid time off, matching 401K Plan, wellness programs and more. Interwest is committed to Career Progression through paid training and step increases for additional certifications and licenses.

SAFEbuilt is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor.

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