City of Dana Point
The City of Dana Point's Community Development team is seeking a dynamic individual that possess excellent communication skills and is solutions oriented to assist in leading the City's advanced planning efforts to ensure the City’s goals, policies and regulations achieve the long-term vision of the City.
This is a Continuous Recruitment that is subject to close once a sufficient number of qualified applications are received.
First Application Review will be January 26, 2026.
Discover what makes our team unique!
Watch our recruitment video and see why employees love working here.
Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
DEFINITION Under general direction, assist in planning, organizing, directing, and supervising the work of assigned employees within the Planning Division; perform the most difficult and complex professional work related to current and/or long range planning; make oral and written presentations; provide information and assistance to developers, the business community, and the public on planning and development related matters; and perform other related duties as assigned.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS The Principal Planner is the supervisory level class in the professional planning series. The incumbent reports to the Planning Manager or their designee. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the performance of the most complex planning tasks requiring a high degree of knowledge related to all areas of current and advanced planning. The Principal Planner is further distinguished by the performance of supervisory activities such as assigning work, monitoring project progress, and providing technical assistance and training to other professional and technical staff. Assignments are broad in scope and require the use of considerable independent judgment in making technical decisions and guiding work to completion. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all operating procedures and policies related to assigned areas of responsibility, work independently and exercise judgment and initiative.
This position is at-will and exempt under FLSA standards.
Essential job functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: (Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job).
Supervise, plan, train, review, and participate in the work of assigned staff responsible for current and/or long-range planning; perform the most complex and sensitive current and long-range planning work within the unit.
Plan, direct, coordinate, review, and participate in data collection, data analysis, plan development and implementation for a wide variety of planning, zoning activities, and policy development.
Provide assistance and guidance to personnel, the development community, business community, public, and other agencies.
Develop and implement goals, policies, and procedures; develop long and short-range plans.
Research funding sources and coordinates grant application and administration. Assists in budget preparation.
Review plans and tours sites; recommend issuance of permits and determine need and level of review.
Prepare statistical and narrative reports and findings; compile data and prepare reports.
Advise developers regarding development applications and processes; interpret and explain ordinances, regulations, and directives regarding development practices; suggest improved design for developments; provide recommendations regarding development permits, use permits, variances, tentative tract maps, other zoning applications, and general plan amendments.
Participate in economic development planning; analyzes economic models and supervises data compilation relative to General Plan policies and zoning to implement Economic Development goals and objectives.
Coordinate staff work and review reports for such bodies as the Planning Commission, City Council, and other City and regional approval bodies.
Attend and participate in public meetings as required.
Coordinate assigned planning activities with other departments, divisions, and outside agencies and organizations.
Work closely with and provide information to consulting planners as necessary.
Monitor and ensure City compliance with state and federal laws, guidelines, and standards governing planning activity.
Manage contracts for services.
Maintains expert knowledge of urban planning, transportation planning, principles and practices, research methods, codes, regulations, ordinances, management principles, and applicable laws.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge of:
Operations, services and activities of a municipal urban planning program.
Advanced principles and practices of urban and regional planning, transportation planning, zoning, land use and architectural design.
Site planning techniques and methods.
Laws and statutes underlying the general plan, zoning, and subdivision regulations.
California Coastal Commission policies and procedures.
Methods and techniques of research and analysis.
Methods and techniques of technical report writing.
Current literature and information sources in the field of urban planning.
Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
Principles of contract administration.
Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
Principles and procedures of record keeping.
Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
Safe work principles and practices.
Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
Ability to:
Coordinate and direct assigned planning activities.
Supervise, direct and coordinate the work of assigned staff.
Interpret and apply general and specific plans, zoning ordinances, coastal zone regulations, CEQA regulations, architectural guidelines, and other related development policies.
Oversee professional service contractors.
Research, compile, and analyze a variety of complex data and draft guidelines, ordinances, procedures, and related material.
Read and interpret plans and maps.
Respond to difficult and sensitive public inquiries.
Develop and present oral and written staff reports and policy recommendations to the Planning Commission, City Council and other groups as needed.
Perform plan checking activities.
Provide excellent customer service to the general public, providing information and resolving inquiries or complaints.
Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Education and Experience 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:
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in urban planning or a closely related field and six years of progressively responsible work in municipal planning and community development.
A Master’s degree in a related field is highly desirable.
License or Certificates
Possession of an AICP certification is highly desired.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Physical Requirements: Position requires the ability to perform light lifting and carrying; sitting for prolonged periods of time; occasional walking, standing and/or bending. Continuous hand use and finger dexterity are needed to use computer keyboard and operate standard office equipment; may require occasional pushing and picking. This position also requires the ability to read architectural drawings, plans, specifications, technical reports, contracts and other records. Good hearing is required when communicating on the telephone or in person.
Work Environment: Primarily office environment with controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Occasional field work where incumbent may be exposed to construction and traffic noise; dust, gas or fumes; walking on uneven ground; machinery and construction equipment. High volume of work with tight deadlines and performs overtime work beyond regularly scheduled hours.
Note: All employees of the City of Dana Point are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be “Disaster Service Workers.” In the event of a declared emergency or an undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours and performing work significantly different from the employees’ normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.
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First Application Review will be January 26, 2026.
Discover what makes our team unique!
Watch our recruitment video and see why employees love working here.
Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
DEFINITION Under general direction, assist in planning, organizing, directing, and supervising the work of assigned employees within the Planning Division; perform the most difficult and complex professional work related to current and/or long range planning; make oral and written presentations; provide information and assistance to developers, the business community, and the public on planning and development related matters; and perform other related duties as assigned.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS The Principal Planner is the supervisory level class in the professional planning series. The incumbent reports to the Planning Manager or their designee. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the performance of the most complex planning tasks requiring a high degree of knowledge related to all areas of current and advanced planning. The Principal Planner is further distinguished by the performance of supervisory activities such as assigning work, monitoring project progress, and providing technical assistance and training to other professional and technical staff. Assignments are broad in scope and require the use of considerable independent judgment in making technical decisions and guiding work to completion. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all operating procedures and policies related to assigned areas of responsibility, work independently and exercise judgment and initiative.
This position is at-will and exempt under FLSA standards.
Essential job functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: (Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job).
Supervise, plan, train, review, and participate in the work of assigned staff responsible for current and/or long-range planning; perform the most complex and sensitive current and long-range planning work within the unit.
Plan, direct, coordinate, review, and participate in data collection, data analysis, plan development and implementation for a wide variety of planning, zoning activities, and policy development.
Provide assistance and guidance to personnel, the development community, business community, public, and other agencies.
Develop and implement goals, policies, and procedures; develop long and short-range plans.
Research funding sources and coordinates grant application and administration. Assists in budget preparation.
Review plans and tours sites; recommend issuance of permits and determine need and level of review.
Prepare statistical and narrative reports and findings; compile data and prepare reports.
Advise developers regarding development applications and processes; interpret and explain ordinances, regulations, and directives regarding development practices; suggest improved design for developments; provide recommendations regarding development permits, use permits, variances, tentative tract maps, other zoning applications, and general plan amendments.
Participate in economic development planning; analyzes economic models and supervises data compilation relative to General Plan policies and zoning to implement Economic Development goals and objectives.
Coordinate staff work and review reports for such bodies as the Planning Commission, City Council, and other City and regional approval bodies.
Attend and participate in public meetings as required.
Coordinate assigned planning activities with other departments, divisions, and outside agencies and organizations.
Work closely with and provide information to consulting planners as necessary.
Monitor and ensure City compliance with state and federal laws, guidelines, and standards governing planning activity.
Manage contracts for services.
Maintains expert knowledge of urban planning, transportation planning, principles and practices, research methods, codes, regulations, ordinances, management principles, and applicable laws.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge of:
Operations, services and activities of a municipal urban planning program.
Advanced principles and practices of urban and regional planning, transportation planning, zoning, land use and architectural design.
Site planning techniques and methods.
Laws and statutes underlying the general plan, zoning, and subdivision regulations.
California Coastal Commission policies and procedures.
Methods and techniques of research and analysis.
Methods and techniques of technical report writing.
Current literature and information sources in the field of urban planning.
Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
Principles of contract administration.
Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
Principles and procedures of record keeping.
Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
Safe work principles and practices.
Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
Ability to:
Coordinate and direct assigned planning activities.
Supervise, direct and coordinate the work of assigned staff.
Interpret and apply general and specific plans, zoning ordinances, coastal zone regulations, CEQA regulations, architectural guidelines, and other related development policies.
Oversee professional service contractors.
Research, compile, and analyze a variety of complex data and draft guidelines, ordinances, procedures, and related material.
Read and interpret plans and maps.
Respond to difficult and sensitive public inquiries.
Develop and present oral and written staff reports and policy recommendations to the Planning Commission, City Council and other groups as needed.
Perform plan checking activities.
Provide excellent customer service to the general public, providing information and resolving inquiries or complaints.
Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Education and Experience 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:
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in urban planning or a closely related field and six years of progressively responsible work in municipal planning and community development.
A Master’s degree in a related field is highly desirable.
License or Certificates
Possession of an AICP certification is highly desired.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Physical Requirements: Position requires the ability to perform light lifting and carrying; sitting for prolonged periods of time; occasional walking, standing and/or bending. Continuous hand use and finger dexterity are needed to use computer keyboard and operate standard office equipment; may require occasional pushing and picking. This position also requires the ability to read architectural drawings, plans, specifications, technical reports, contracts and other records. Good hearing is required when communicating on the telephone or in person.
Work Environment: Primarily office environment with controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Occasional field work where incumbent may be exposed to construction and traffic noise; dust, gas or fumes; walking on uneven ground; machinery and construction equipment. High volume of work with tight deadlines and performs overtime work beyond regularly scheduled hours.
Note: All employees of the City of Dana Point are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be “Disaster Service Workers.” In the event of a declared emergency or an undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours and performing work significantly different from the employees’ normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.
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