Project Review Jobs in Ladera Ranch, CA (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $95,617.56 - $116,223.74 Annually
Location : Murrieta City Hall, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-13
Department: Development Services
Division: Building & Safety
Opening Date: 05/15/2026
Closing Date: 6/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: MPC
Description and Essential Functions
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POSITION
The City of Murrieta is seeking a highly organized, collaborative, and solutions-oriented professional to serve as its next Development Review Coordinator within the Development Services Department. This newly created professional-level position serves as the central point of coordination for complex residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use development projects, facilitating the City's multidisciplinary development review process while serving as a trusted liaison between developers, consultants, regulatory agencies, and City departments. The ideal candidate will possess strong project management and customer service skills, thrive in a fast-paced municipal environment, and demonstrate the ability to facilitate collaboration, resolve procedural challenges, and support efficient, transparent, and high-quality development that aligns with the City's policies, development objectives, and commitment to exceptional public service.
DESCRIPTION
Under general direction, serves as the primary point of contact for assigned development projects; manages and coordinates the interdepartmental review process from project submittal through final approval; facilitates communication between applicants, City departments, and external agencies; tracks project progress and ensures adherence to internal timelines; coordinates City processes with applicant project timelines, preserves and respects the technical authority of reviewing departments while advancing projects in accordance with City policies, codes, and development objectives; and performs related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED, EXERCISED, AND COORDINATION AUTHORITY
Receives direction from the Building Official. May provide technical and functional direction to lower-level administrative or technical staff on a project basis. This position does not have direct supervisory responsibility for professional staff; however, the incumbent is authorized to coordinate and expedite assigned development projects across departments and is expected to work directly with staff to ensure timely review and processing.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
The Development Review Coordinator is a professional-level classification within the Development Services Department responsible for end-to-end project coordination rather than technical plan review authority. This classification differs from Planner, Engineer, or Building Official classifications in that it does not exercise final technical approval over specialized disciplines but instead ensures coordinated, timely, and policy-consistent review across functional areas. This position requires strong project management, working knowledge of state and county land development regulatory processes and high-level customer service skills to serve internal and external customers in a municipal development environment.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Management reserves the right to add, modify, or remove job duties as necessary and will make reasonable accommodations consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) to enable qualified individuals to perform the position's essential functions. The omission of a specific duty does not preclude it from being assigned if it is similar, related, or logically aligned with the role's overall responsibilities

• Serves as the City's primary liaison for assigned development projects, including residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use developments
• Coordinates the intake, routing, tracking, and monitoring of development applications, including entitlements, plan check, grading, building, and related permits within the City's various permitting workflows
• Facilitates interdepartmental review among Planning, Engineering, Building & Safety, Fire, Public Works, and other affected departments and agencies
• Schedules and conducts project review meetings, including pre-application conferences, plan check review meetings, and project status meetings
• Monitors project timelines to ensure compliance with statutory requirements, City service level goals, and development agreements
• Consolidates and communicates consolidated review comments to applicants in a clear, organized, and actionable format
• Identifies procedural barriers or conflicts between departmental requirements and works collaboratively to resolve issues, escalating as appropriate while preserving each department's technical authority
• Interprets and explains City codes, policies, development standards, and procedures to applicants, developers, consultants, and the public
• Tracks conditions of approval and coordinates verification of compliance prior to permit issuance or project finalization
• Maintains accurate project records within City permit tracking systems and electronic document management systems
• Prepares reports, correspondence, staff memoranda, and presentations related to project status and process improvements
• Assists in the development and refinement of development review procedures, workflow improvements, and customer service enhancements
• Maintains a working knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal regulatory requirements affecting assigned projects, including CEQA, the Subdivision Map Act, and building and fire codes.
• Collaborate with appropriate City departments and regulatory agencies to interpret requirements, communicate key issues to applicants, and facilitate timely resolution
• May assist with development agreements, fee tracking, and monitoring of public improvement requirements
• Track and document time spent on assigned projects in accordance with established reporting procedures
• Compile, organize, and maintain supporting documentation for billable services
• Exercises independent judgment in coordinating and advancing assigned development projects between departments
• Prioritizes project workflows and facilitates resolution of interdepartmental issues
• Makes recommendations that impact project timelines and processing outcomes
• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications includes:

• Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration, or a closely related field; and
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in municipal planning, engineering coordination, building services, development project management, or related public sector development review experience
• A Master's degree in a related field may substitute for one (1) year of required experience

HIGHLY DESIRABLE

• The above-noted experience in a municipal government or closely related environment is highly desirable

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), Project Management Professional (PMP), or related credential is desirable but not required.
• Ability to travel to meetings, trainings, site visits, and special events throughout the City may be required. Employee must have access to reliable transportation as needed.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Disaster Service Workers
In accordance with government code 3100, "Disaster Service Workers" (DSW) during emergencies. This law stipulates that public employees can be assigned to emergency activities to support the public's health, safety, and property during natural, man-made, or war-caused disasters.
Tier 1 - Basic Pre-Employment Requirements
Final candidates must successfully complete a basic pre-employment screening process, which includes a Department of Justice Live Scan (DOJ/LS) background check and a non-safety pre-employment physical examination to ensure the ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Physical Demands and Environmental Conditions
KNOWLEDGE OF

• Principles and practices of municipal development review and entitlement processes
• Land use planning, zoning, subdivision processing, and permit procedures
• Basic principles of civil engineering, building plan check, and fire review processes sufficient to coordinate multidisciplinary reviews
• California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) fundamentals
• Project management methodologies and workflow coordination
• Knowledge of state and county land development
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations governing land development
• Digital records management and permit tracking systems
• Principles and practices of municipal government administration, organization, and operation
• Research and reporting methods, economic indicators, demographics, and data-analysis techniques
• Knowledge of development collaboration software, such as Bluebeam Revu; and of land data contained in a Geographic Information System (GIS). The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, the rules of composition, and grammar
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work
• Operations and services of the Development Services Department
• Basic principles of governmental accounting, cost tracking, and invoicing practices
• Office practices, procedures, and modern business software applications related to timekeeping and financial tracking

ABILITY TO

• Coordinate complex, multi-phase development projects involving multiple stakeholders
• Facilitate collaborative problem-solving across technical disciplines
• Interpret and explain regulatory requirements clearly and accurately
• Maintain neutrality and preserve the technical authority of reviewing departments
• Analyze project schedules and identify bottlenecks or compliance risks
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Prepare clear and concise reports and correspondence
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with developers, consultants, City staff, and public officials
• Manage multiple projects concurrently with competing deadlines
• Exercise sound judgment within established policy frameworks
• Assist in the development of departmental goals, objectives, work standards, policies, and procedures
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner
• The ability to use and understand land data typically contained in a Geographic Information System (GIS) and development collaboration software
• Understand and explain City policies, procedures, fees, and basic planning and building codes and regulations to the general public, permit applicants, and City staff
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Accurately track and document time and project-related costs
• Compile and organize detailed supporting documentation for billing purposes
• Maintain organized records and exercise attention to detail in financial documentation

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification, although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. Work is performed primarily in an office environment with frequent interaction with the public, developers, consultants, and City staff. Occasional site visits to active construction areas may be required. Incumbent may attend evening meetings as necessary.
Supplemental Infor...