Planning Manager

Salary : $11,233.58 - $14,980.92 Monthly

Location : CA 95020, CA

Job Type : Full-time

Job Number : FY 24 / 25 -00032

Department : Community Development

Division : Planning

Opening Date : 01 / 09 / 2025

Closing Date : 1 / 28 / 2025 5 : 00 PM Pacific

Planning Manager

Community Development Department

134,803 - $185,164 Annually Plus Excellent Benefits

This is a full-time, on-site position , designed for direct collaboration with the team and active participation in daily operations.

Opportunity to work a 9 / 80 schedule with every other Friday off.

The City of Gilroy is an equal opportunity employer and supports workforce diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Join our team!

ABOUT THE POSITION

The City of Gilroy is looking for a forward-thinking Planning Manager to lead our Planning Division and make a lasting impact on our community's future. This is an opportunity to shape the city's growth through innovative urban planning, strategic project management, and inspiring team leadership.

In this role, you'll direct and coordinate a talented team, overseeing current and long-range planning, environmental reviews, and special projects. You'll have the chance to supervise and mentor a diverse staff, implement cutting-edge policies, and streamline processes to ensure top-tier service and sustainable development. Your leadership will play a critical role in advancing the city's goals while fostering a collaborative, high-performance team environment.

If you're an experienced, passionate leader eager to shape the future of Gilroy and drive impactful change, we want you on our team. Join us in creating a vibrant, sustainable future for our community. Apply today!

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The City of Gilroy's Community Development Department is a forward-thinking team committed to fostering growth and enhancing the livability of our city. We take pride in providing exceptional customer service and delivering high-quality, efficient processes that benefit residents and businesses alike. Our collaborative approach spans across departments and with external partners, ensuring sustainable development that aligns with the City's goals. We're seeking an energetic and solutions-oriented Planning Manager who will thrive in this supportive, team-driven environment. Together, we strive to make a positive and lasting impact on Gilroy's growth and future!

IDEAL CANDIDATE KEY QUALITIES :

Professional Expertise :

• Proven leadership in urban planning, land use policy, and zoning administration, with in-depth knowledge of federal and state planning laws.
• Expertise in managing complex projects, including environmental review, zoning, and entitlement processing, while ensuring alignment with current regulations.
• Strong track record in supervising, training, and motivating teams to achieve high performance and meet project goals.
• Skilled in building relationships with internal teams, developers, community members, and external agencies to streamline processes and ensure effective collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, develop innovative solutions, and deliver projects on time and within budget.
• Familiarity with GIS and / or EnerGov Land Management System highly desirable but not required.

Personal Attributes :

EXCITING FIRST YEAR PROJECTS / ASSIGNMENTS :

QUALIFICATIONS

APPLICATION PROCESS

If you are interested in pursuing this exciting career opportunity please attach and submit the following required items with your NEOGOV application :

City Application Form - Candidates must complete the NEOGOV City of Gilroy application form for this position and submit online. Please prepare attachments prior to completion of the NEOGOV application as incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Apply Online : Go to . You can apply online by clicking on the job title you are interested in and clicking on the "Apply" link. After viewing the Job Description, click the 'Apply' tab. If this is the first time you are applying using our online job application, you will need to create an account and select a Username and Password. After your account has been established, you can import your resume from LinkedIn, upload it from a saved document on your computer, or manually enter your personal information. This application will be saved and used to apply for future job openings.

Recruitment Schedule - Key Dates

Only complete application packets will be reviewed. Only the most qualified applicants with the most relevant experience and education will be invited to continue in the selection process. In addition, final candidates for the position are required to pass an employment background check, State of California Department of Justice criminal records check, medical evaluation, and drug screen, given at the City's expense, prior to appointment. If special accommodations are necessary at any stage of the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Department right away 408-846-0228.

Attention : Communication regarding your status in this recruitment process will be conducted via e-mail. Be sure to include an e-mail address on the employment application. Applicants are responsible for notifying Human Resources of any changes to an e-mail address and / or other contact information.

THE CITY OF GILROY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

AND SUPPORTS WORKFORCE DIVERSITY.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS, AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Persons appointed to this position on a full-time basis will receive the following benefits :

Health Allowance and Flexible Benefits Plan

Depending upon the number of dependents the health allowance ranges from $939.36 to $2,480.68 per month for core health benefits. Subject to specific rules, a cash back program is also available with proof of other medical coverage. City employees participate in the PERS Health Program, and may choose their medical coverage from a variety of providers. The City's flexible benefits plan includes medical and dental coverage as core benefits. A range of optional benefits including vision care and medical and dependent care accounts are also available. A term life insurance policy equal to annual salary, long-term disability plan, and an employee assistance plan are provided at City expense.

Other Benefits

The City currently offers the PERS 2.5% at 55 pension plan for "classic" members and 2% at 62 for "new" members. Currently, the City pays the full employer portion of the retirement contribution for "classic" members and 50% of the total normal cost for "new" members. The "classic" member contribution of 8% is a pre-tax payroll deduction; "new" members shall pay 50% of the total normal cost as set by CalPERS. Anyone hired on or after January 1, 2013 will be subject to the applicable provisions, retirement formulas, and plan benefits / restrictions associated with the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013.

Vacation, Sick Leave, Holidays

Annual vacation ranges from two to four weeks per year, based on years of service with the City of Gilroy. Employees accrue eight hours of sick leave each month. Employees receive 44 hours of personal leave time and 56 hours of administrative leave time in July of each fiscal year which must be used during the fiscal year (pro-rating in year of hire / separation). The City observes 10 paid holidays each year.

Medicare / Social Security

Employees participate in Medicare (1.45% for both the employer and employee) as this is a mandated federal program. City of Gilroy does not participate in Social Security.

Payroll

All City employees are paid monthly, on the first business day of each month for the prior calendar month via direct deposit.

Representation

Persons appointed to this position are covered by the Gilroy Management Association (GMA) Memorandum of Understanding.

The supplemental information that you provide will be evaluated along with your completed application. This includes the required documents (i.e. cover letter, resume, or certifications) and responses to the supplemental questions below. Some questions may include multiple parts (i.e., (a), (b), (c), (d), etc.). Please make sure to address each part of the question in your answers. Responses to the supplemental questions that indicate, "see resume" are considered incomplete. The information you provide will be used to further identify those applicants who are best qualified to continue in the selection process for this position. Note : Failure to provide all of the required documents will result in the application being rejected as incomplete. Please refer to the "Application Process" section of the job announcement for required documents. By checking the 'Yes' response below, I indicate that I have read these instructions under "Application Process" for submitting a complete application and have attached all the required documents. I understand that written responses to the supplemental questions along with attachments as noted in the job announcement are required in order to evaluate my qualifications for this position and for my application to be considered complete.

Please indicate your highest level of education.

Describe the techniques you use to ensure projects move efficiently through the planning entitlement process while balancing the needs of the development community with the policies, procedures, standards, and code requirements of governmental agencies. Provide specific examples of projects you were directly responsible for and how your approach led to successful outcomes.

Share your in-depth experience with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), including your role in reviewing and interpreting complex environmental documents. How have you ensured compliance while balancing the needs of stakeholders?

Identify a major planning issue you believe the City of Gilroy will need to address within the next five years. Explain why this issue is significant and describe how you would approach developing solutions to address it.

Please describe your experience where you were a formal supervisor and include the following information for each position : (a) your job title, (b) dates of employment (c) number of employees you supervised.

How would you describe your management style? What specific strategies or techniques do you use to foster teamwork among your staff and motivate them to achieve peak performance?

Please list 3-5 work-related references with contact information, one of which shall be a developer and one that is an employee you directly supervise / supervised. (Note : references will not be contacted without candidate's authorization and this step is not completed until after the interview process.)

Required Question

Salary : $134,803 - $185,164