Principal Planner

The City of Del Mar is recruiting for a seasoned Principal Planner assigned to the Current Planning Division of the Planning and Community Development Department. The Planning Department is responsible for managing land use, processing development applications, and ensuring compliance with local zoning and design ordinances, the General Plan, the Local Coastal Program, and environmental regulations (CEQA).

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned professional with desire to lead complex and sensitive planning projects and experience in many aspects of municipal planning, preferably in a coastal community. This position oversees day-to-day operations of the Current Planning Division, including interpreting provisions of the City’s municipal code, administering the design review process, managing complex and controversial development projects, overseeing customer service delivery, and supervising several employees.  See the position flyer: https://www.delmar.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/12327/Principal-Planner-flyer  

About the Recruitment
The position is open until the needs of the City are met, so interested applicants are encouraged to apply immediately and must submit an application and supplemental questionnaire. The first review of applications will begin on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 8:00 a.m.  

The Essential Duties

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the class.

The following general duties are performed by the Principal Planner classification regardless of assignment to Long-Range Planning or Current Planning:

• Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates the work of assigned Planning Division’s staff; develops, imple­ments and tracks work plans to achieve planning/community development objectives; contributes to budget development and monitors operational and program performance against the budget; participates in the development and implementation of schedules, work processes, systems and procedures to achieve the department’s annual goals.
• Supervises and evaluates the performance of assigned staff; establishes performance requirements and personal development targets; monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development; subject to management concurrence, administers disciplinary action to address performance deficiencies in accordance with the City’s personnel rules and policies.
• Provides day-to-day leadership and works with staff to ensure a high-performance public service-oriented work environment that supports achieving the Department’s and the City’s mission.
• Reviews environmental technical and federal studies and evaluates findings with consultants, internal departments, and public agencies Coordinates federal and state environmental review and permitting for City Capital Improvement Projects; advises other departments of environmental and permitting requirements and recommends a course of action; prepares environmental documents; coordinates public notice requirements; coordinates with local, state, and federal agencies to prepare appropriate clearances and to secure regulatory permits; coordinates public information workshops; participates in contractor preconstruction meetings to brief contractors on environmental requirements.
• Interprets provisions of the City’s municipal code and associated state and federal regulations for staff, City boards, developers and the public; researches and responds to officials’ requests for information.
• Ensures the maintenance of appropriate planning records, maps and files.
• Keeps informed of current trends in the planning field, including legislation, court rulings, and professional practices and techniques; evaluates their impact on City operations and recommends any needed policy and procedural improvements.
• May assume the responsibilities of the department head in the Director’s absence and, as assigned, represent the City at regional meetings and when working with outside agencies.
• Personally manages complex, highly visible, sensitive and/or controversial projects,  including meeting with developers, architects, engineers; preparation and review of agenda reports for the City Council, Planning
• Commission; reviews and authorizes Notices of Decision and Notices of Exemptions for development projects; administers various capital improvement plan projects; analyzes planning issues and determines project priorities/schedules; manages project resources to completion.

In addition to the general duties listed above, the Principal Planner assigned to Current Planning will be responsible for the following:

• Oversees Planning and Community Development Department customer service including public counter operations and resolving complex citizen complaints and requests regarding current planning activities.
• Administers the City’s design review process and prepares agenda reports on development applications received.
• Prepares for and manages input for Design Review Board, Planning Commission and City Council meetings; serves as a professional/technical resource to these bodies; prepares and makes oral presenta­tions to decision-makers and the public.