Senior Planner

The City of Morgan Hill focuses on meeting our core values of teamwork, innovation, customer service, professional growth, and overcoming challenges.  If you share these core values and have a passion to serve our community, this may be the position for you!  The City of Morgan Hill Development Services Department is responsible for Planning, Building, Housing and Economic Development functions within the City.  The City also offers a 2.5% @ 55 single highest year option for CalPERS Classic Members and 2% @ 62 for CalPERS PEPRA Members.

JOB SUMMARY:
Under direction of the Community Development Director/Development Services Director or designee, the Senior Planner conducts various professional activities related to the City's land use planning program, including serving as project manager for current planning, long-range planning and special studies environmental review, data analysis and related work as required.  The Senior Planner may also acts as a front-line manager, supervising professional planning staff including Associate Planners, Assistant Planners and/or Planning Technicians to implement the City's land use planning program.  The Senior Planner is expected to have substantial experience and expertise in the field of land use planning and to apply knowledge and skills gained through specialized training and depth of experience to complete complex long-range and/or current planning projects or assignments.  The position requires the exercise of considerable initiative and discretion; the use of seasoned and independent judgment; and excellent communication and coordination skills.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:
This position plays a key leadership role within the City's Planning Division.  This is a management classification that conducts day to day planning activities including conduct of land use entitlements, delivery of customer service, coordination with outside agencies and compliance with State and local regulations and that includes supervision of, mentoring or technical assistance to other planners and support staff and which may play a key role in development of the City's General Plan and other long-range planning activities.  In addition, this position is responsible to conduct major planning projects and reports.

IDEAL CANDIDATE:
The ideal candidate will be an accomplished long-range planning professional with a demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-year, policy-focused planning initiatives that shape a city’s long-term growth and development. They will bring deep expertise in General Plan development, Specific Plans, Design Guidelines, Zoning Code updates, Annexations, area plans, housing-related policy documents, and other advanced planning studies, and will be able to translate technical analysis into clear, actionable policy direction.

The successful candidate will demonstrate mastery in the following areas:

• Advanced planning leadership — Proven experience managing comprehensive long-range planning projects from initiation through adoption, including scoping, public engagement, interdepartmental coordination, and policy development with a focus of preparing this work in-house and without the use of a consultant.
• Policy development & analysis — Ability to synthesize demographic, environmental, economic, and land-use data into well-reasoned policy recommendations that support the City’s long-term vision.
• General Plan & regulatory expertise — Strong understanding of state planning mandates, CEQA, housing-related legislation, and best practices in urban planning, with experience ensuring compliance across long-range planning documents.
• Community engagement & equity — Demonstrated success designing and implementing inclusive engagement strategies, including outreach to Spanish-speaking residents, renters, youth, and other historically underrepresented groups.
• Interagency coordination — Experience collaborating with regional agencies, county partners, and neighboring jurisdictions to align long-range planning efforts and advance shared goals.
• Strategic thinking & problem solving — Ability to anticipate challenges, evaluate alternatives, and develop creative, data-driven solutions to complex land-use and policy issues.
• Communication & facilitation — Skilled at presenting complex planning concepts to diverse audiences, including elected officials, advisory bodies, community groups, and technical stakeholders.
• Leadership & mentorship — Commitment to supporting and developing planning staff through coaching, technical guidance, and collaborative project leadership.
• Customer service & professionalism — A strong customer-service mindset, with the ability to build trust, maintain positive relationships, and represent the City with professionalism and integrity.

Overall, the ideal candidate will be collaborative, solutions-oriented, and committed to advancing Morgan Hill’s long-term vision through thoughtful, data-driven planning. They will excel at working independently and as part of a team, and will thrive in a dynamic environment that requires initiative, sound judgment, and exceptional communication skills.

APPLICATION and SELECTION PROCESS:
If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please apply on-line at www.morganhill.ca.govand submit the following items:  

• A completed City of Morgan Hill employment application    
• Responses to the supplemental questions    
• Resume  
• Cover Letter  
• Copy of Certificates (if applicable)

Final Filing Date: Friday, August 14, 2026.

The following duties are performed personally, in cooperation with the Community Development Director or designee and/or in coordination with other City staff and community groups. Additional duties may be assigned.

1. As a project manager for current planning projects, including applications for general plan amendments, development agreements, zoning variances or changes, use permits, planned developments, site approvals, annexations, urban serve boundary adjustments, preliminary review applications, etc. achieves the following outcomes:
   • Permitting of high-quality land use development within Morgan Hill consistent with the City's General Plan, zoning ordinance and other policies.
   • Use of effective communication, delivery of high-quality customer service, and establishment of positive working relationships with members of the community, elected officials, appointed boards and commissions, teammates in other City departments, staff of outside agencies, development industry representatives, and other stakeholders, promoting a positive image for the City Hall team.
   • Compliance with applicable state laws, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and others as applicable.
   • Consistency with work program objectives, project processing timelines and other performance measures.
2. Serving in a lead role for special long-range planning projects, such as a comprehensive General Plan update, preparation of area plans, zoning code changes, or other special studies achieves the following outcomes:
   • Completion of complex, long-range planning projects consistent with work program timelines.
   • Advancement of the use of land use planning "best practices" within Morgan Hill.
   • A demonstrated commitment to providing adequate opportunity for community stakeholders to be fully engaged within the City's long-term planning and land use policy development processes.
   • •Successful collaboration with representatives of other cities, the County and other public agencies which have an interest in land use planning in Morgan Hill.
3. As a member of the Departmental management team, participate in strategic planning to accomplish Departmental objectives, provide mentoring and expertise to support the planning team and serve as a front-line supervisor to achieve the following outcomes:
   • Efficient and timely delivery of planning services.
   • Full cost-recovery conduct of the land use entitlement process.
   • Professional development opportunities for teammates leading to increased overall performance.
   • Selection, management and supervision of consultants to provide expedited permitting and CEQA review consistent with Departmental budget objectives.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education & Experience:

1. Possess a Bachelors degree from an accredited college in urban planning, architecture, public administration or field closely related to the work.
2. Four years of city planning experience.
3. Experience in municipal land use planning is desirable.
   
   

Licenses & Certificates:

1. Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license in compliance with adopted City driving standards.
2. AICP Certification is desirable.
   
   

Other Requirements:

1. Must be willing to attend evening meetings.
   
   

Knowledge of:

1. Current principles, practices and techniques of urban planning.
2. Current supervisory principles and practices.
3. Zoning principles and methods.
4. Economic forecasting and statistical research methods.
5. Environmental issues as related to the planning process.
6. Applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations.
   
   

Skill in:

1. Planning, assigning, directing and reviewing the work of a professional staff and support staff.
2. Implementing, interpreting and explaining complex policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
3. Conducting analytical studies, compiling statistical and economic data, evaluating alternatives, and making sound recommendations.
4. Reading and interpreting maps and specifications.
5. Providing outstanding customer service (internally and externally).
6. Facilitating multiple forms of community engagement.
7. Use of common office software including Microsoft Office.
   
   

Ability to:

1. Manage complex near-term and long-term land use planning projects consistent with the City's objectives for timeliness and quality.
2. Exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
3. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
4. Represent the City effectively in meetings with others.
5. Prepare clear, concise and competent reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
6. Perform the essential functions of this position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Employee frequently is required to sit, stand, walk, use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, or crouch.
2. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception, the ability to adjust focus.
   
   

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Employee generally works 90% indoors and 10% outdoors.
2. The work environment indoors is usually in a temperature-controlled office; some travel is required.
3. Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.