County of San Diego
Senior Planner-Archaeology-25355010A
County of San Diego, San Diego, California, United States, 92189
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-the-Board + .30% Market Adjustment).
June 2027 – 3.30% increase to base pay (3% Across-the-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.***
Click here to view a detailed announcement including the duties and requirements of this position.
Exceptional Professional Planning Career Opportunity! Be part of a Progressive and Recognized Land Use/Environmental Program!
The Department - Planning & Development Services 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) proudly supports the long‑term health and sustainability of 29 unincorporated communities, home to over 500,000 residents. PDS handles projects ranging from mixed‑use, residential, commercial, affordable housing, renewable energy, and more. The department consists of nine divisions: Building Services, Code Compliance, Land Development, Long Range Planning, Housing, Project Planning, Support Services, Sustainability, and Policy, Outreach and Data.
Click here for additional information on PDS .
Project Planning The Project Planning division reviews privately‑initiated, discretionary projects and ensures compliance and conformance with federal, state, and local ordinances and policies including the General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and community plans. The division manages all aspects of new development projects in the county, including affordable and market housing, renewable energy projects, and commercial and mixed‑use projects. It engages with the public, stakeholders, consultants, and presents to the Board of Supervisors.
Senior planners in this division may manage a varied, complex portfolio of privately‑initiated development projects through the entitlement process, such as General Plan Amendments, Rezones, Major Use Permits, and Tentative Maps. Primary responsibilities include reviewing projects for compliance, coordinating with other divisions, managing schedules and budgets, preparing staff reports, outreach and communication, and presenting to decision‑making bodies.
The Position PDS employs Senior Planners with extensive expertise and leadership capabilities in overseeing highly advanced, complex, delicate, and challenging planning initiatives. Responsibilities include researching and preparing plans, reports, studies, and memos on land use, physical, social, and economic issues; synthesizing information, and presenting findings to stakeholders and elected officials.
Key Responsibilities
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.
Ideal Candidate Profile
Strong written and verbal communication skills; proven experience presenting to elected decision‑makers, management, community groups, and individuals.
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 with CEQA and other federal, state, county, and local environmental laws and ordinances.
Understanding of tribal histories, traditions, and legal frameworks.
Applicants with a tribal background are encouraged; tribal heritage or lived experience is a valuable asset.
If you believe you possess these qualities, the County of San Diego's Planning & Development Services would be an ideal place for your talents.
Work Location 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 18 structures, houses 19 departments, and features an employee gym.
Work Schedule The selected candidate may be assigned a hybrid schedule consisting of teleworking and on‑site work at the County Operations Center in Kearny Mesa.
Hiring Process and Timeline
Job Offer and Background Process begins after the interviews. Current County employees may be exempt from additional background screening.
Pre‑employment Medical Screening: approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
Anticipated Start Date: based on completion of 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.
Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency, in Anthropology with an emphasis in Archaeology, AND three (3) years of professional level archaeological experience related to land use/environmental planning (equivalent to a Land Use/Environmental Planner II within the County of San Diego); OR
A master’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency, in Anthropology with an emphasis in Archaeology, AND two (2) years of professional level experience as described above; OR
One (1) year of experience as a Land Use/Environmental Planner II with the County of San Diego.
Note: Register of Professional Archaeologists (ROPA) Certification is highly desirable.
Please attach a copy of your college diploma, official or unofficial transcripts, letter of verification, or foreign studies equivalency certification during Step 1 of the application.
For additional information on the Senior Planner classification,
click here .
Senior Planner – Project Planning Senior Planner – Project Planning
Senior Planner – Associate Project Planning Associate Planner – Project Planning
Condition of Employment Prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre‑employment medical screening before beginning county employment. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.
Evaluation Process Qualified applicants are placed on a six‑month employment list based on scores from the application and supplemental questionnaire. Review is conducted individually to confirm accuracy and qualification.
Veterans and Disability Inclusion The County of San Diego values veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. Reasonable accommodation may be made on a case‑by‑case basis.
The County embraces diversity and inclusive values.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Future Salary Increases:
June 2026 – 3.80% increase to base pay (3.5% Across-the-Board + .30% Market Adjustment).
June 2027 – 3.30% increase to base pay (3% Across-the-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.***
Click here to view a detailed announcement including the duties and requirements of this position.
Exceptional Professional Planning Career Opportunity! Be part of a Progressive and Recognized Land Use/Environmental Program!
The Department - Planning & Development Services 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) proudly supports the long‑term health and sustainability of 29 unincorporated communities, home to over 500,000 residents. PDS handles projects ranging from mixed‑use, residential, commercial, affordable housing, renewable energy, and more. The department consists of nine divisions: Building Services, Code Compliance, Land Development, Long Range Planning, Housing, Project Planning, Support Services, Sustainability, and Policy, Outreach and Data.
Click here for additional information on PDS .
Project Planning The Project Planning division reviews privately‑initiated, discretionary projects and ensures compliance and conformance with federal, state, and local ordinances and policies including the General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and community plans. The division manages all aspects of new development projects in the county, including affordable and market housing, renewable energy projects, and commercial and mixed‑use projects. It engages with the public, stakeholders, consultants, and presents to the Board of Supervisors.
Senior planners in this division may manage a varied, complex portfolio of privately‑initiated development projects through the entitlement process, such as General Plan Amendments, Rezones, Major Use Permits, and Tentative Maps. Primary responsibilities include reviewing projects for compliance, coordinating with other divisions, managing schedules and budgets, preparing staff reports, outreach and communication, and presenting to decision‑making bodies.
The Position PDS employs Senior Planners with extensive expertise and leadership capabilities in overseeing highly advanced, complex, delicate, and challenging planning initiatives. Responsibilities include researching and preparing plans, reports, studies, and memos on land use, physical, social, and economic issues; synthesizing information, and presenting findings to stakeholders and elected officials.
Key Responsibilities
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.
Ideal Candidate Profile
Strong written and verbal communication skills; proven experience presenting to elected decision‑makers, management, community groups, and individuals.
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 with CEQA and other federal, state, county, and local environmental laws and ordinances.
Understanding of tribal histories, traditions, and legal frameworks.
Applicants with a tribal background are encouraged; tribal heritage or lived experience is a valuable asset.
If you believe you possess these qualities, the County of San Diego's Planning & Development Services would be an ideal place for your talents.
Work Location 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 18 structures, houses 19 departments, and features an employee gym.
Work Schedule The selected candidate may be assigned a hybrid schedule consisting of teleworking and on‑site work at the County Operations Center in Kearny Mesa.
Hiring Process and Timeline
Job Offer and Background Process begins after the interviews. Current County employees may be exempt from additional background screening.
Pre‑employment Medical Screening: approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
Anticipated Start Date: based on completion of 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.
Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency, in Anthropology with an emphasis in Archaeology, AND three (3) years of professional level archaeological experience related to land use/environmental planning (equivalent to a Land Use/Environmental Planner II within the County of San Diego); OR
A master’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency, in Anthropology with an emphasis in Archaeology, AND two (2) years of professional level experience as described above; OR
One (1) year of experience as a Land Use/Environmental Planner II with the County of San Diego.
Note: Register of Professional Archaeologists (ROPA) Certification is highly desirable.
Please attach a copy of your college diploma, official or unofficial transcripts, letter of verification, or foreign studies equivalency certification during Step 1 of the application.
For additional information on the Senior Planner classification,
click here .
Senior Planner – Project Planning Senior Planner – Project Planning
Senior Planner – Associate Project Planning Associate Planner – Project Planning
Condition of Employment Prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre‑employment medical screening before beginning county employment. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.
Evaluation Process Qualified applicants are placed on a six‑month employment list based on scores from the application and supplemental questionnaire. Review is conducted individually to confirm accuracy and qualification.
Veterans and Disability Inclusion The County of San Diego values veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. Reasonable accommodation may be made on a case‑by‑case basis.
The County embraces diversity and inclusive values.
#J-18808-Ljbffr