Job Details

Job Overview

Land Use/Environmental Planning Manager – County of San Diego

Interviews will take place on an ongoing basis.

Future Salary Increases: June 2026 – 4.49% increase to base pay (3% Across-the-Board + 1.49% Market Adjustment); June 2027 – 4.49% increase to base pay (3% Across-the-Board + 1.49% Market Adjustment).

Note: This hard-to-recruit position qualifies for the Employee Referral Reward Program. If a current County employee referred you, please indicate the employee's name on your application.

The County is accepting applications for the Land Use/Environmental Planning Manager. This position is assigned to Planning & Development Services (PDS) within the Land Use/Environment Group (LUEG). Current vacancies are in Long Range Planning (LRP) and Project Planning. This list may be used to fill future vacancies in other PDS Divisions and other LUEG departments, including DPW and DPR.

Responsibilities

Project Planning – Reviews privately initiated, discretionary projects for compliance with Federal, State, and Local ordinances and policies (General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, CEQA, community plans). Manages all aspects of new development projects in the County, including affordable and market housing, renewable energy projects (e.g., solar, battery storage), and commercial/mixed-use projects. Engages with the public, management, stakeholders, and consultants; presents to appointed and elected officials, including the Board of Supervisors.

Long Range Planning – Develops and maintains long-range land use documents, programs, and policies in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations. Modernizes regulations to foster sustainable growth, protect the environment, and support public safety while addressing the needs of the County's 26 unincorporated communities. Emphasizes outreach and community engagement and cross-divisional collaboration (Housing & Transportation, General Plan & Community Plans, Sustainable Land Use, Operations & Regulations, Planning Services). The division emphasizes accessibility, inclusivity, integrity, and equity in public engagement.

Positions are located at the County Operations Center in Kearny Mesa, a 44-acre complex housing 19 departments. This recruitment aims to establish a six-month eligible list to fill immediate vacancies and may be used for future vacancies in other divisions and departments within LUEG.

Work Location: The selected candidates may have a hybrid schedule (telework/remote) and work at the County Operations Center in Kearny Mesa.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have the following experience, attributes, and traits:

• Successful outcomes in managing, mentoring, and coaching staff
• Professional project management experience in planning, land use, and environmental areas
• High motivation and progressive thinking
• Experience with state and federal permitting and in obtaining resource agency permits
• Strong willingness to learn and grow professionally
• Professional management perspective and objective demeanor in positive or challenging situations
• Customer-service mindset and experience fostering service within internal and external teams
• Experience reviewing and handling complex projects involving multiple functional groups and consultants
• Experience developing and implementing large, complex consultant contracts
• Effective verbal and written communication; ability to present and listen well
• Leadership that builds relationships, collaborates, and keeps projects moving forward
• Commitment to diversity and inclusiveness
• Visioning, consensus-building, planning, and programming skills
• Team-oriented, politically astute, problem-solver, able to mentor and train personnel
• Ability to facilitate meetings and monitor projects for on-time completion
• Confidence in presenting to elected officials, County staff, other agencies, residents, and leading project meetings with consultants and community members

Minimum Qualifications

Note: The County welcomes substitution of education with professional experience as described below.

1. A master's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university (or certified foreign equivalency) in urban studies, urban planning, geography, anthropology, biology, geology, ecology, zoology, environmental management, landscape architecture, engineering, or a closely related field; and three (3) years of professional-level regulatory planning, land use permit processing, long-range planning, or environmental management experience with a public or private land use agency at a level equivalent to Land Use/Environmental Planner III within the County; OR
2. A bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university (or certified foreign equivalency) in a related field; and four (4) years of professional-level regulatory planning, land use permit processing, long-range planning, or environmental management experience with a public or private land use agency at a level equivalent to Land Use/Environmental Planner III within the County; OR
3. One (1) year of experience as a Land Use/Environmental Planner III with the County of San Diego.

Note: Professional-level land use/environmental planning experience supervising/managing a multi-disciplinary team, acceptable to the County, may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis, for up to two years of the education requirement.

The Department of Human Resources uses Blind Applicant Screening to remove personally identifiable information from recruitments to promote fairness and inclusivity.

The most highly qualified candidates will be referred for an interview. Include experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience and Supplemental Questionnaire sections. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application.

Hiring Process and Timeline

• Job Offer and Background Process begins after interviews. Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
• Pre-employment Medical Screening typically conducted about 3 days after a successful background investigation.
• Anticipated Start Date will be based on successful medical screening or other mutually agreed date.

If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.

Other Information

Conditions of Employment: The County conducts a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening before beginning County employment. Additional background investigations may be conducted based on job-related activities. Current County employees may be excluded.

Evaluation Process: Names of qualified applicants are placed on a six-month eligible list based on evaluation scores. Ensure all information is complete and accurate; responses on the supplemental application are reviewed automatically, then individually for qualification.

The County supports veterans and values diverse, inclusive staffing. Veterans' resources are available for guidance and preference policies.

Disaster service worker designation applies under California Government Code Sections 3100-3109.