Project Planner

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The City of Santa Barbara is seeking to fill 2 Project Planner positions for vacancies in the Public Works Department and Community Development Department.

Public Works Department: The mission of the Public Works Department is to provide the community with the sustainable foundation to thrive by delivering quality services and public infrastructure through efficient and fiscally responsible practices, including the community’s needs for transportation, water, wastewater and public facilities. 

Community Development Department: The mission of the Community Development Department is to assist the public in managing the development of the community in order to protect and preserve the quality of life, promote a sound economic base and appropriate design, and ensure safe construction, all in balance with the constraints of the City’s environment and resources. 

THE POSITION

Project Planner for Public Works

The Project Planner for the Public Works Department will act as planning staff on a wide variety of complex projects in environmental review and technical studies requiring regulatory review and recommendations supporting presentations outside agency meetings, along with internal interest groups. Assignments can include policy and ordinance reviews; development of implementation programs; preparation of annual reports; advanced report preparation; and other complex and controversial special studies. This position also coordinates, delegates, and reviews the work of project team members and professional consultants and other planners on complex projects or special studies; explains regulations and procedures; research information; interprets data; and works with other City Departments and agencies as a representative of the Engineering Division. This position specifically supports the Public Works Department’s Engineering Division in its delivery of an extensive Capital Improvement Program that supports a wide range of City projects—including Airport, Waterfront, Streets, and Water/Wastewater infrastructure—similar in scale and complexity to work typically performed by consulting firms. To support this program, the Project Planner position requires strong skills in client and project management; preparation and implementation of CEQA/NEPA compliance; public outreach; mitigation and monitoring; habitat restoration; regulatory permitting; and technical expertise in local resource areas.

Learn more about the Public Works Department here.

Project Planner for Community Development 

The Community Development Department is seeking a knowledgeable, motivated and proficient Project Planner for the Long Range Planning and Special Studies section. The Project Planner classification is the highest level of professional planner and acts as a project manager for a variety of controversial and complex projects/programs that can involve significant policy considerations and substantial public input. Note that the eligibility list established for this position may be used to fill other future staffing needs within the Planning Division.

This is a great opportunity for an experienced planner interested in managing long term, high profile projects with significant internal and external collaboration and public engagement, while making a difference in the community via policy development and implementation. Typical work assignments for the Project Planner position in Long Range Planning includes implementation of programs from the 2023-2031 Housing Element , including research and development of new policies and regulations to meet the housing needs of everyone in the community. Other work assignments include General Plan updates (including the 8-year Housing Element cycle), Local Coastal Plan amendments, annual reporting on the General Plan and Housing Element and special studies in support of policy changes, providing a unique opportunity to work cooperatively with multiple City departments, Coastal Commission staff, and subject matter experts. 

Under minimal supervision, the Project Planner manages projects requiring extensive policy analysis and independently makes presentations and represents the City at Board, Commission, City Council, and community interest group meetings. Assignments can include General Plan and Local Coastal Program updates or amendments, ordinance amendments, development of implementation programs, preparation of annual reports, and advanced research and report preparation. This position also coordinates, delegates, and reviews the work of project team members, professional consultants, and other planners on complex projects or special studies; explains regulations and procedures; and works with other City Departments and agencies as a representative of the Planning Division .

Learn more about the Community Development Department here.

Please note: The eligibility list for this recruitment may be used to filled other position vacancies while the list remains active.

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services and activities of complex planning projects.
• Principles and practices of urban planning, zoning and growth management.
• Principles and practices of project planning.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws and regulations.
• Principles of the California Environmental Quality Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.
• Principles of business letter writing and report preparation.
• Principles and practices of technical research and analysis.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.

Ability to:

• Negotiate and manage complex planning projects with consultants and developers.
• Administer contracts with outside consultants.
• Prepare and conduct presentations.
• Review development proposals in order to ensure compliance with laws, regulations and policies.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Organize and correlate statistical data.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:
  - Making observations
  - Communicating with others
  - Reading and writing
  - Operating assigned equipment and vehicles

Experience and Training Guidelines
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

• Four to five years of increasingly responsible urban planning experience including one year of project management responsibility.

Training/Education:

• Equivalent to a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning, geography, public administration, business administration or a related field. (such as Biology, Archeology, GIS, Environmental Studies)

License or Certificate:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license.

Desirable Training and Experience:

• Knowledge of California Coastal Act

It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed, and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as “See application”, “Extensive Experience”, or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.   

The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

There is currently one vacancy within the Public Works Department and one vacancy within the Community Development Department.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

OPEN & CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT: Because this recruitment is open and continuous, applicants are encouraged to submit completed applications as soon as possible. The filing period for an open and continuous recruitment may be closed at any time. 

FOR FIRST CONSIDERATION CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM ON NOVEMBER 20, 2026.