Planner I/II/III

This is a continuous recruitment and will remain open until filled. The first review of applications will be on April 4th, 2025. 


The Department of Planning and Building is seeking highly motivated and results-oriented Planners to join the Current Planning and Long-Range Planning teams. The Planner position is part of a career series for Planner I, II, III and Senior Planner.

The Current Planning team serves the community in processing land use and land division entitlement applications, while working with stakeholders through every step in the development process. Lead by the Current Planning Manager and Supervising Planners, the team prioritizes customer service, processing efficiency, and community involvement to achieve the best outcomes for private and public projects. The team’s motto is “we are better together,” and we focus on collaboration with our internal and external team members. 

The Long-Range Planning team serves as leaders in community planning, housing initiatives, resource planning, and conservation strategies. Lead by the Long-Range Planning Manager and Supervising Planner, the team prioritizes efforts that result in meaningful outcomes. The team culture has a strong emphasis on investing in team members and having frank discussions.

The ideal candidate is passionate about government service, takes ownership in assigned roles and responsibilities, and thrives in formulating and communicating complex policy recommendations. San Luis Obispo County is experiencing a considerable amount of growth and development and we are looking for individuals who are excited and motivated to facilitate positive change in the community! The Planning and Building Department is seeking Planners at all skill levels that are excellent writers, capable of putting together composed reports and correspondence.

This recruitment may fill a position in the Department’s Current Planning or Long Range Planning division. This position will offer the right candidate an opportunity to work on a wide array of planning projects. The list of eligible candidates created from this recruitment may be used to fill future permanent, temporary, limited term, on-call or substitute vacancies in the department.

Click Here to view the full job description for Planner I.
Click Here to view the full job description for Planner II.
Click Here to view the full job description for Planner III.
Click Here to learn more about the San Luis Obispo's Planning & Building Department.

Typical Job Duties in Long Range Planning

• Work with the community, stakeholder groups, and decision-makers to update the County's General Plan, Local Coastal Plan, and Community Plans for the County's unincorporated communities.
• Process Land Use Ordinance amendments to comply with State law and to address emerging land use issues.
• Process Specific Plans for major development proposals in the unincorporated areas of the county.
• Manage the preparation of program-level Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) for Community Plans, Specific Plans, and countywide ordinance amendments.
• Administer countywide conservation programs to protect water supplies and agricultural land.
• The following principles guide the Long Range Planning team’s work:
  • We engage the public and stakeholders through a collaborative planning process
  • We collaborate internally by coming together to share ideas and apply our compatible strengths to accomplish shared goals
  • We seek opportunities to proactively educate the public about the planning process
  • We engage all segments of the population to shape land use policy options that meet the diverse needs of our communities
  • We present decision-makers with balanced plans that protect our natural resources and community character while meeting socio-economic needs for housing, jobs, and infrastructure

Typical Job Duties in Current Planning

• Work with the community, stakeholder groups, and decision-makers to implement the County's General Plan, Local Coastal Plan, Zoning Ordinances, and Community Plans for the County's unincorporated communities.
• Serve as a staff liaison to a designated Community Advisory Committee/Group within the unincorporated areas of the county.
• Participate in neighborhood workshops, preliminary and pre-application meetings with applicants.
• Review and process zoning amendments, variances, coastal development permits, airport land use consistency determinations, developments of regional interest, large commercial and residential sub-divisions development proposals in the unincorporated areas of the county.
• Prepare and assists with staff reports, Director’s Determinations, recommendations, public presentations, and public hearing packets for the Planning Hearing Officer, Subdivision Review Board, Airport Land Use Commission, Planning Commission, and the Board of Supervisors.
• Assist the general public, applicants, County agencies and departments with general information and reports, and respond to information requests for customer walk-ins, telephone calls, and emails relating to interpretation of Zoning Ordinance related to coastal development, permitted land uses, setbacks and land development regulations and standards.
• Manage and assist small groups of planners to facilitate the efficient processing of grading permits, wireless facility permits, subdivision review, airport land use review, and street naming/addressing review.
• Coordinate development review with various County departments, neighboring jurisdictions and regulatory agencies.
• Manage the preparation of project level Environmental Determinations including Initial Studies, Mitigated Negative Declarations, and Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) for residential, commercial, and industrial development proposals and other County agencies and departments.
• The following principles guide the Current Planning team’s work:

1. We engage the public and stakeholders through a collaborative planning process
2. We collaborate internally by coming together in small team (Permit Center, Coastal, Rural/Subdivision, Urban/Inland, and Environmental) to share ideas and apply our compatible strengths to accomplish shared goals.
3. We seek opportunities to proactively educate the public, and appointed and elected officials, about the planning process.
4. We engage all segments of the population to shape land use policy options that implement the vision of our communities.
5. We present decision-makers with balanced recommendation that protect our natural resources and community character while meeting socio-economic needs for housing, jobs, and infrastructure.

The ideal candidate will be an analytical thinker who creatively problem solves and can plan and organize their work, has a strong commitment to providing quality service to the community, and has a desire to support and help build a strong current planning section. The ideal candidate will bring a positive attitude, and thoughtful decision-making to the working environment. Knowledge of building code and zoning/planning regulations is preferred.

Additionally, the ideal candidate will have excellent interpersonal and presentation skills, planning expertise, and be effective at building relationships with stakeholders. Candidates will be self-motivated and solution-oriented, as well as have strong critical thinking and analytical skills, and a collaborative mindset. An understanding of federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to environmental and land use planning, including CEQA, is highly desirable.

If you possess these qualities and are excited to take on this unique opportunity, you are encouraged to apply.

Education and Experience
A combination of education, training, and experience resulting in the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes:

All levels: Graduation from an accredited institution with either a Bachelor's or Master’s degree in urban and regional planning, architecture, landscape architecture, geography, natural resources management, environmental, physical or life science, or a closely related field. In addition: 

Planner I: No additional experience.

Planner II: One year of professional level experience in urban and regional planning or environmental review and analysis.

Planner III: Two years of professional level experience in urban and regional planning or environmental review and analysis.

Senior Planner: Four years of professional level experience in urban and regional planning and environmental review/analysis or environmental impact assessment work which requires a state approved specialized professional license or certification.

Licenses and Certificates

Certain positions within this classification may require driving. When driving is an essential function of the position, a valid CALIFORNIA driver license will be required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.

This is a continuous recruitment; however, the posting can close at anytime without notice, therefore, prompt application is encouraged.

Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online. Apply for this position at governmentjobs.com/careers/slocountyca.  Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process. We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application.

 An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews.

Final candidates will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process.

If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at hr@co.slo.ca.us. Confidential inquiries are welcomed.

For further information regarding the County of San Luis Obispo, visit our website at www.slocounty.ca.gov. 

Salary : $66,622 - $104,978