Parks Commission Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary This position is open until filled. A first review of applications will take place during the week of May 18, 2026. Applicants that apply after the first review are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment.

This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review date. (Note: This vacancy may be hired as a Principal Planner (Parks) or a Senior Planner (Parks) level) The City of Escondido is seeking highly-motivated candidates to join a team of dynamic, supportive, and collaborative planning professionals as a Senior Planner. The position will be responsible for leading complex project management, focusing on capital improvement-related entitlement processing and long range parks planning, and habitat conservation policy implementation related to the City's adopted Daley Ranch Master Plan and draft Subarea Plan.

All qualified candidates with current and/or long-range planning experience are encouraged to apply. If you want to join a hardworking team that shares a commitment to provide top-quality municipal services in a prime North County location, consider a career with the City of Escondido. We have an opening for the position of Senior Planner in our Development Services Department.

For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's website. Under general direction, coordinates, supervises, oversees, and participates in the more complex and difficult work of staff responsible for providing planning related services and activities in an assigned unit or functional area; manages multiple complex projects in the areas of assignment; provides technical and functional supervision to professional planning staff; and provides responsible staff assistance to the City Planner and Director of Development Services. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS This is the advanced journey level class in the professional planning series.

Positions assigned to this class can be distinguished from lower level planning classes by performance of the more complex planning tasks requiring a high degree of knowledge related to various areas of current and advanced planning including serving as project manager on multiple difficult projects. Positions at this level are typically assigned responsibility of an assigned area or group. Positions assigned to this class can be 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.

Key Responsibilities The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices. Regularly makes formal presentations to the City Council, Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, and other commissions, community groups/organizations, and advisory bodies.

Ensures appropriate environmental review of development projects and policy documents in conformance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); manages the preparation of environmental documents, reviews the work of staff and consultants responsible for preparation CEQA documents; provides guidance and support to other City departments and consultants related to environmental review of City-led projects and plans; ensures required documentation is filed with the County Clerk and State Clearinghouse; documents compliance with Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Programs. Manages consultant contracts; develops and negotiates scopes of work; establishes timeframes and project schedules; ensures adequate funding, including identification and application for potential grants; prepares contracts; verifies insurance; authorizes invoices; provides direction to consultant; reviews technical studies and documents prepared by consultants. Identifies resource needs and establishes schedules and methods for providing assigned services, and reviews with appropriate management staff; participates in developing the department operating budget; allocates resources efficiently and effectively.

Participates in selecting, hiring, training, motivating, and evaluating assigned personnel; establishes supportive and collaborative team environment; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; conducts performance evaluations; implements discipline procedures. Serves as planning representative for various City project teams and committees. As assigned, coordinates federal and environmental review and permitting for City Capital Improvement Projects and CDBG-funded projects and programs; participates in contractor preconstruction meetings to brief contractors on environmental requirements.

Reviews and prepares responses to referrals from other agencies or organizations regarding proposed policies and development applications affecting the City; monitors status of proposed projects and coordinates City input. Performs related duties as required. Capital Improvement/Parks Planning Functions: Coordinates all activities related to the review of capital projects and applications including Annexations, Planned Development Permits, Conditional Use Permits, Plot Plans, and other permits for capital projects; assigns and manages post-entitlement plan review processing; oversees and reviews the work of parks planning staff; manages the public counter; supports staff planners in the preparation of reports and presentation materials for public hearings and other community meetings related to application types listed above.

Manages multiple complex development proposals and regularly prepares complex and technical staff reports and other documents. Reviews and analyzes civil engineering, architectural, landscaping, and other development plans for conformance with the City's Zoning Code and General Plan, project-specific conditions of approval, and mitigation requirements. Manages and/or staffs assigned boards, commissions, and committees involved in the development, adoption, and implementation of City plans and planning regulations; serves as the primary staff liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission; schedules meetings; coordinates future agenda scheduling; manages the agenda development process including compiling and reviewing pertinent agenda items appearing before public hearings and various committee and commission meetings.

Administers permit tracking software, coordinates with software consultant and Information Systems Department, and prepares permit tracking reports. Manages and administers the Daley Ranch Master Plan in conjunction with the implementing department (Public Works). Coordinates monitoring and reporting on the City's progress in the areas of habitat conservation (e.g., Daley Ranch Master Plan); Manages preparation of City-initiated parks master plans and specific plan amendments; and prepares amendments to the Escondido Zoning Code related to open space and/or parks (as directed by the Principal of Advanced Planning); Provides policy advice to the City Planner and other City leadership to ensure compliance with state and federal policies and programs related to parks and open space

QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of: Basic understanding of operations, services, and activities of a capital improvement program, as well as community planning and development program. Advanced principles and practices of zoning, parks planning, and site planning. Development practices and development review procedures and requirements.

Project management principles and practices. Organization and functions of various agencies involved in the planning processes. Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.

Organization and functions of various agencies involved in the planning processes. Recent developments, current literature, research methods, and sources of information related to landscape architecture, parks planning, habitat conservation, municipal planning, urban growth, and development. Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.

Methods and techniques of eliciting community participation in planning and development issues. Basic principles and practices of grant funding and contract administration. Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and supporting software applications.

Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including laws underlying general plans, land use planning, zoning, parks and trails planning, and development and maintenance of parks, trails, and conservation areas. CEQA processes and procedures. Structure and functions of municipal government operations.

Ability to: Independently perform advanced professional level planning duties in the development, implementation, and modification of City plans and regulations. Provide supervision and training to assigned staff. Serve as project manager on multiple complex projects.

Prioritize multiple projects. Staff and manage assigned commissions and committees. Interpret, analyze, apply, implement, and explain pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including City codes and departmental policies and administrative directives.

Analyze projects and potential projects for consistency with zoning ordinance standards, planning and environmental regulations, general planning principles, General Plan policies, and architectural quality. Analyze site design, terrain constraints, circulation, land use compatibility, utilities, and other urban services. Ensure project compliance with state, federal, and local rules, laws, and regulations.

Participate in coordinating necessary communication between staff, developers, and other agencies. Understand, evaluate, and interpret complex technical engineering, architectural, landscape, and topographical plans, maps, and related documents. Utilize engineering and architectural scale to read plans.

Prepare and analyze technical and administrative reports, statements, and correspondence. Present technical data in verbal, written, graphic, and map form to City management staff, citizen groups, and variety of boards and commissions. Interpret planning and zoning programs to the general public.

Read, analyze, and interpret information from professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Operate modern office equipment and computers including specialized computer applications. Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Minimum Requirements Education/Training: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, regional planning, or a related field Experience: Five years (full-time equivalent) of increasingly responsible professional urban planning experience in local government including some project management experience.

License or Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification is highly desirable. Supplemental Information NOTE: For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's web site.

The City of Escondido is committed to a drug and alcohol free workplace. All applicants will be subject to fingerprint investigation before a conditional offer of employment is extended. A pre-employment medical examination will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment for all positions.

Safety sensitive positions will include a pre-employment drug screen. Positions subject to the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations will be subject to DOT pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing. SELECTION PROCEDURE Applications will be screened and the most qualified candidates will be invited to appear for testing.

All positions require the ability to read, write and speak English. Types of tests may include written and/or oral examination, physical agility, practical exam or other appropriate job-related selection process. When testing is completed, candidates will be ranked on an eligibility list in the order of their test score.

Selection for appointments is made from names certified on the eligibility list. All appointments are subject to the successful completion of background investigation including LIVESCAN fingerprinting, and will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States. Qualification by a medical examination will be required at the time of appointment.

After appointment, classified employees must satisfactorily complete a probationary period to be eligible for regular status. In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, all new employees must produce proof of eligibility to work in the United States within the first three days of their employment. The City of Escondido participates in E-Verify.

The Loyalty Oath will be administered to all new employees on their first day of hire. New employees hired into positions that require a driver's license must provide proof of a valid California Driver's License of the appropriate class level on their first day of employment. Additional information regarding the essential functions and physical, environmental and communication demands of the position may be obtained from the Human Resources Department.

If you require reasonable accommodation in the testing process, such as an alternate means of testing, you must contact the Human Resources Department by the final filing date to complete a Request for Reasonable Accommodation form. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

Note: Pursuant to California Civil Code section 1786.53, the City of Escondido shall provide to all job candidates a copy of any records of arrest, indictment, conviction, civil judicial action, tax lien or outstanding judgment which was obtained in the course of conducting an evaluation for employment, assignment, and/or promotion. A copy of this information, if received by the City, will be given to candidates within...