Senior Planner-Archaeology

Senior Planner – Archaeology

Interviews will take place the week of February 16, 2026.

Future Salary Increases:

• June 2026 – 3.80% increase to base pay (3.5% Across‑Board + .30% Market Adjustment)
• June 2027 – 3.30% increase to base pay (3% Across‑Board + .30% Market Adjustment)

** This hard‑to‑recruit position qualifies for the Employee Referral Reward Program. If a current County of San Diego employee referred you to apply for this position, please indicate the employee’s name on your job application in the space provided.

Exceptional Professional Planning Career Opportunity! Be part of a progressive and recognized land use/environmental program.

The County of San Diego seeks an experienced Senior Planner – Archaeology, Tribal Consultation and Cultural Resources. In this vital role, you’ll lead efforts to preserve San Diego County’s tribal and cultural heritage while guiding sustainable land use and environmental planning for our growing communities. This position focuses on strengthening government‑to‑government relationships through meaningful tribal consultation, ensuring compliance with cultural resources laws, and integrating tribal perspectives into development planning.

Planning & Development Services (PDS) supports the long‑term health and sustainability of 29 unincorporated communities, home to over 500,000 individuals, within San Diego County.

PDS employs Senior Planners who possess extensive expertise and leadership capabilities in overseeing highly advanced, complex, delicate and challenging planning initiatives. Senior Planners may conduct research and prepare plans, reports, studies, and memos on land use, physical, social, and economic issues; and synthesize and present information to internal and external stakeholders, advisory boards, and elected officials.

• Review environmental documents and consultant assessments for cultural resource impacts; provide expert recommendations.
• Conduct archaeological field investigations—including surveys, testing, excavation, monitoring, artifact analysis—and prepare compliance reports under CEQA, NEPA, NHPA, ARPA, NAGPRA, and local tribal laws.
• Facilitate, manage, and sustain government‑to‑government tribal consultation: plan and attend meetings, negotiate mitigation strategies, and co‑develop consultation protocols.
• Promote balanced growth that preserves cultural resources and protects environmental integrity.

• Strong written and verbal communications skills, including proven experience in presenting to elected decision‑makers, management, community groups, interest groups, and individuals.
• Demonstrated experience in successful, respectful tribal consultation and government‑to‑government relationship‑building with California Native American tribes.
• Skilled in meeting facilitation, conflict resolution, and navigating complex political environments.
• Experience in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and other relevant federal, state, county, and local laws and ordinances pertaining to the environment.
• Understanding of tribal histories, traditions, and legal frameworks.
• Applicants with a tribal background are encouraged; tribal heritage or lived experience will be considered a valuable asset.

PDS is located within the recently constructed and LEED‑Certified County Operations Center, a modern 44‑acre complex in the Kearny Mesa area of San Diego. The facility includes an employee gym/workout center.

The selected candidate may be assigned a hybrid schedule consisting of teleworking and working at the County Operations Center in Kearny Mesa.

• Job Offer and Background Process begins after the interviews. Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
• Pre‑employment Medical Screening:
  Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
• Anticipated
  
  Start Date:
  
  Based on successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign…