About the Department
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Planning Manager
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The City of Petaluma is seeking a Planning Manager to lead the Planning Division of its Community Development Department. Planning Division staff oversee day to day functions including but not limited to development review and long-range planning efforts helping to shape the city’s next chapter. Reporting to the Community Development Director and as a key member of the Community Development Department’s leadership team, you will guide policies, projects, and partnerships that thoughtfully balance preservation with development. The ideal candidate will support Petaluma’s continued growth in a way that is sustainable, inclusive, and responsive to community needs. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting impact in a city that values collaboration, innovation, and high-quality planning. It's an exciting time to join the Petaluma team as a number of efforts are underway - adoption of its General Plan 2050, updates to its Zoning Code and Specific Plans, and creating a Fairgrounds Plan.
This recruitment will be open for three weeks, and closes on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 11:59pm. Interviews for this recruitment are tentatively scheduled to be held the week of June 8, 2026.
SALARY AND BENEFITS PACKAGE
- SALARY RANGE: $144,372.80 - $175,468.80 annually
- FOR YOUR HEALTH AND WELL BEING:
- MEDICAL INSURANCE: Choice of a variety of CalPERS Health Plans. City pays ~95% of the Bay Area Kaiser premium for employee & eligible dependents; or alternative option to receive Medical Cash Back (if you have medical coverage elsewhere). Please see the 2026 Health Plan Contribution Memo
- DENTAL & VISION INSURANCE: Coverage for employees & eligible family members, paid for by the City.
- LIFE INSURANCE: 1.5x annual compensation up to maximum of $200,000. Option to purchase additional insurance. Long-Term Disability up to 60% of your current monthly salary after eligibility requirements are met and subject to maximum amounts.
- EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Support and benefits, for you and eligible family members, paid for by the City.
- WELLNESS BENEFIT: $500 annual allowance (is subject to the annual budget approval process and may change in the future.)
- FOR YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE:
- CALPERS RETIREMENT PACKAGE
- 2% at 60 for classic CalPERS members
- 2% at 62 for PEPRA CalPERS members
- DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: Voluntary participation in your choice of three plans.
- CALPERS RETIREMENT PACKAGE
- FOR YOUR WORK / LIFE BALANCE (annual amounts):
- Vacation: 80 Hours, increasing with years of service, up to 5 years service credit towards vacation accrual rate for prior qualifying employment.
- Sick Leave: 96 hours
- Administrative Leave: 80 hours (per fiscal year)
- Holidays: 12 fixed and 1 floating
- Other Exceptional Benefits:
- Paid Parental Leave – up to 8 weeks of paid time for qualifying family bonding
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Employer
For more information regarding the benefits associated with this position, visit our website and look at the Memorandum of Understanding and Employee Benefits.
Summary
Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate assigned operations within the Planning Division including current, long-range, and environmental planning, permitting, and plan check review; coordinate assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; provide information to developers and others on City codes and regulations related to land use; and provide highly responsible and complex staff assistance to the Director of Community Development.
Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate assigned operations within the Planning Division including current, long-range, and environmental planning, permitting, and plan check review; coordinate assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; provide information to developers and others on City codes and regulations related to land use; and provide highly responsible and complex staff assistance to the Director of Community Development.
Class Characteristics
General direction is provided by a higher-level manager; responsibilities include the direct and indirect supervision of supervisory, professional, technical, and support services positions.
This position is distinguished from the Senior Planner by its management responsibilities for division operations, staff, and activities; whereas the latter is responsible for leading the operations of a section or group within the division. Planning Manager is distinguished from the Assistant Director of Community Development by the latter’s administrative oversight of department operations, staff, and activities.
Position Duties
Develop and implement divisional goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
Plan, organize, and direct division activities including current, long-range, and environmental planning.
Direct, oversee, and participate in the development of the Planning Division work plan; assign work activities, projects, and programs; monitor workflow; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures.
Manage the Department's three boards and commissions - Planning Commission, Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee, and Public Art Committee.
Prepare the Planning Division budget; assist in budget implementation; participate in the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; administer the approved budget.
Recommend the appointment of personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; implement discipline procedures as required; maintain discipline and high standards necessary for the efficient and professional operation of the division.
Develop and implement procedures for the processing of work; analyze proposed projects and prepare staff reports, including recommendations on action to be taken and related justifications; confer with developers and members of the public on proposed projects and advise on how to gain compliance.
Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems; identify opportunities for improvement and review with the Director; direct the implementation of improvements.
Provide high level staff support to a variety of committees, boards, and commissions; review agendas, staff reports, and notices to applicants; meet with applicants and staff regarding project issues.
Review and confer with department staff regarding interpretations of the zoning code, processing of complex projects, and the assignment and monitoring of work.
Meet with developers, engineers, property owners, contractors, and other agencies to discuss potential project proposals, pre-applications, feasibility analysis, currently submitted proposals, and/or status of development projects; answer questions and respond to inquiries.
Manage and/or direct staff in the management and implementation of routine to large and complex development projects.
Negotiate contracts and agreements; coordinate with City department representatives to determine City needs and requirements for contractual services.
Monitor changes in laws, regulations, and technology that may affect City or departmental operations; implement policy and procedural changes as required.
Represent the division and department to outside agencies and organizations; participate in outside community and professional groups and committees; provide technical assistance as necessary.
Represent the City with dignity, integrity, and the spirit of cooperation in all relations with staff and the public.
Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of urban planning, environmental planning, zoning, land use control, and/or community development.
Methods and techniques for the development of presentations, contract negotiations, business correspondence, and information distribution.
Practices of research and reporting preparation methods, techniques, and procedures.
Principles and practices of program development, implementation, and management in a municipal setting.
Advanced principles and practices of project management.
Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building, and conflict resolution.
Pertinent federal, state, and local rules, regulations, and laws.
Budgeting procedures and techniques.
Principles and practices of supervision, training, and personnel management.
Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
Education and Experience
Any combination equivalent to the education and experience likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to gain such knowledge and abilities would be:
Education:
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, business administration, public administration, environmental science, or a related field. A Master’s degree is highly desirable.
Experience:
Five years of increasingly responsible experience involving urban planning, including two years of project management and indirect or direct supervisory experience.
Other Qualifications
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, fumes, or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, outside weather conditions, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.