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Senior Planner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Planner

Downey, CA · On-site

$80K - $140K/yr

Senior Planner - Downey, CA Interwest Consulting Group was founded in 2002 and has become a leader in providing municipal services to cities and counties throughout the Western United States. We ...

Senior Planner-25355009

San Diego, CA · On-site

$102K - $125K/yr

Senior Planners may conduct research and prepare plans, reports, studies, and memos on land use, physical, social, and economic issues; and synthesize and present information, report and other ...

Senior Planner - Sacramento, CA Interwest Consulting Group was founded in 2002 and has become a leader in providing municipal services to cities and counties throughout the Western United States. We ...

The Senior Planner uses McDermott's Planning/Scheduling discipline practices and knowledge of internal or external issues to improve the Planning/Scheduling discipline within McDermott. They will act ...

The Senior Planner is responsible for managing production schedules, forecasting and inventory in support of manufacturing. This role collaborates with Customer Operations, Purchasing, Production ...

Senior Planner

Oakland, CA · On-site

$120K - $145K/yr

We're looking for a Senior Planner to join our team in Oakland, CA. Someone who's excited to lead impactful active transportation projects and safety projects that reflect our mission and values. Why ...

We pay our Senior Planners a salary of $74,443 - $85,609, depending on experience and qualifications. We also offer great benefits and perks available on your first day of employment, including: City ...

Senior Planner

Downey, CA · On-site

$80K - $140K/yr

Senior Planner - Downey, CA Interwest Consulting Group was founded in 2002 and has become a leader in providing municipal services to cities and counties throughout the Western United States. We ...

Senior Planner

Oakland, CA · Hybrid

$145K/yr

We're looking for a Senior Planner to join our team in Oakland, CA. Someone who's excited to lead impactful active transportation projects and safety projects that reflect our mission and values. Why ...

Senior Planner

Oakland, CA · Hybrid

$120K - $145K/yr

We're looking for a Senior Planner to join our team in Oakland, CA. Someone who's excited to lead impactful active transportation projects and safety projects that reflect our mission and values. Why ...

The Senior Planner is responsible for executing daytoday production and supply planning activities for assigned product lines. This role works closely with a global planning and operations team, with ...

Senior Planner

Oakland, CA · On-site

$120K - $145K/yr

We're looking for a Senior Planner to join our team in Oakland, CA. Someone who's excited to lead impactful active transportation projects and safety projects that reflect our mission and values. Why ...

As a Senior Planner at McAdams, you'll play a key role in expanding our entitlement practice in a high-growth market: guiding projects, mentoring talent, and helping clients navigate complex ...

As a Senior Planner at McAdams, you'll play a key role in expanding our entitlement practice in a high-growth market: guiding projects, mentoring talent, and helping clients navigate complex ...

The Senior Planner uses McDermott's Planning/Scheduling discipline practices and knowledge of internal or external issues to improve the Planning/Scheduling discipline within McDermott. They will act ...

Senior Planner

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$85K - $130K/yr

Senior Planner - Sacramento, CA Interwest Consulting Group was founded in 2002 and has become a leader in providing municipal services to cities and counties throughout the Western United States. We ...

The Sr. Planner is responsible for ensuring high-quality deliverables and satisfaction. What You'll Do Here: * Performs and/or coordinates, collects, verifies, and integrates the work scope for all ...

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Senior Planner information

See salary details

$50K

$89.7K

$124.5K

How much do senior planner jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior planner in the United States is $89,714.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,500.00 and $104,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Senior Planner typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project success?

Senior Planners play a crucial role in coordinating with various departments such as engineering, procurement, and project management. They facilitate regular meetings to align schedules, address potential bottlenecks, and ensure that all stakeholders are informed about project timelines. Effective communication and negotiation skills are essential, as the Senior Planner must balance competing priorities and adjust plans as necessary. This collaborative approach helps to mitigate risks, improve resource allocation, and keep projects on track.

What are Senior Planners?

Senior Planners are experienced professionals who oversee and coordinate complex planning projects within organizations, often in fields such as urban planning, event planning, or supply chain management. They are responsible for developing strategic plans, analyzing data, managing teams, and ensuring projects align with organizational goals and regulations. Senior Planners often serve as liaisons between stakeholders, lead public consultations, and provide guidance to junior staff. Their expertise is crucial in making high-level decisions that impact the direction and success of projects.

What Is a Senior Planner?

The duties of a senior planner vary widely by industry. The job often consists of overseeing and implementing business plans for an organization. As a senior planner, you can work for both private organizations and nonprofit community foundations. A significant part of the career is developing better business policy and procedures, so you need extensive creative planning experience. Additional qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in planning, public administration, or a related field, excellent management skills, and immense knowledge of the industry in which you work. This is a high-level position, so you must work your way up from an entry-level planner position.

What is the difference between Senior Planner vs Project Coordinator?

AspectSenior PlannerProject Coordinator
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in planning, urban development, or related field; often with experience in planning softwareBachelor's degree in related field; certification is a plus but not always required
Work EnvironmentTypically in urban planning departments, government agencies, or consulting firmsIn project teams across various industries, including construction, IT, and marketing
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in government, urban development, and environmental planning sectorsCommon across industries managing multiple projects and deadlines

The main difference is that Senior Planners focus on developing and analyzing planning strategies, often with more experience and specialized skills, while Project Coordinators handle day-to-day project logistics and communication. Both roles require strong organizational skills, but Senior Planners typically have more strategic responsibilities and industry-specific expertise.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Planner, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Planner, you need expertise in urban planning, land use policy, and project management, typically supported by a degree in urban planning or a related field and relevant work experience. Familiarity with GIS software, zoning codes, and planning regulations is essential, and certification such as AICP is often advantageous. Strong communication, analytical thinking, and stakeholder engagement skills help you build consensus and navigate complex projects. These competencies ensure effective planning solutions that balance community needs, regulatory requirements, and sustainable growth.
What cities are hiring for Senior Planner jobs? Cities with the most Senior Planner job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Planner jobs? The most popular types of Planner jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Planner jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Planner jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Senior Planner jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Planner jobs are:
Infographic showing various Senior Planner job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Part Time. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,714 per year, or $43.1 per hour.
Senior Planner

Full-time

Posted 1 hour ago


City Of Lake Elsinore rating

4.3

Company rating: 4.3 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

637th of 643 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

**THIS RECRUITMENT IS OPEN UNTIL A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF QUALIFIED APPLICANTS HAVE APPLIED AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. THE SELECTED CANDIDATE MUST SUCCESSFULLY PASS A LIVE SCAN AND PRE-EMPLOYMENT PHYSICAL AND DRUG TEST TO CONTINUE WITH THE HIRING PROCESS.**

DEFINITION:

Under direction, leads, oversees, reviews, and performs complex professional land use and urban planning work, including current and advanced planning, implementation of the City's General Plan, environmental review and coordination, development review, and management of the citywide pre-application review; provides work direction and lead supervision, including allotting duties, providing training, and assisting with reviewing work performance; performs other related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

The Senior Planner is the lead/advanced journey level classification in the professional planning series, in which incumbents are expected to independently perform the full scope of assigned duties. Incumbents in this position work independently in the research and analysis of planning issues, in the preparation of planning reports, studies, and recommendations, and in the supervision and coordination of assigned planning functions and processes. The Senior Planner differs from the Principal Planner in that the latter is the full supervisory level in the Planner series.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED:

Receives direction from the Planning Manager. Exercises direct and indirect supervision over assigned staff.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (include but are not limited to the following)

  • Leads, oversees, reviews, and performs the work of professional, technical, and office support staff in assigned functional areas, including professional land use and urban planning; instructs staff in work procedures and reviews and evaluates work performed; confers with personnel from other departments and agencies in coordinating work activities; meets with representatives of community organizations and other groups to encourage cooperative action or to resolve problems.
  • Develops and implements goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned functional areas; plans, coordinates, directs, and processes complex projects and conducts research studies, including phases of the General Plan, current plans, and special studies; negotiates, prepares and administers consultant services contracts; prepares reports and recommendations regarding land use, zoning, urban design, population trends, transportation, community needs, housing and environmental issues; recommends the use of land for residential, commercial, industrial, and community uses.
  • Coordinates and participates in the review and processing of various plans and applications for subdivision, housing, and commercial developments; reviews and processes variances and other development permits and applications; collects and evaluates information related to the application process and determines conformity with laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; recommends approval or alternative approaches; conducts project site inspections.
  • Provides information and assistance to developers, property owners and the public regarding laws, regulations, standards, policies and procedures related to the submission of plans, processing of applications and implementation requirements; investigates and answers the more complex questions from the public regarding planning, zoning, and environmental issues.
  • Supervises, coordinates, and participates in the update and implementation of the General Plan, environmental review and compliance, development review and citywide pre-application review; serves as staff to committees, commissions, and the Council; manages complex and controversial current and advanced planning projects.
  • Writes and edits reports and agendas for committees, commissions, and the Council; coordinates, prepares and provides meeting support services to the groups, including reviewing draft materials and preparing comments; drafts hearing notices, organizes meetings and work sessions ensuring timely notification of appropriate parties; makes presentations and prepares material for the City Council, commissions, boards, and community groups.
  • Serves as technical advisor to City staff and officials, public agencies, and members of the public.
  • Establishes positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, state/local agencies and associations, City management and staff and the public.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking on slippery, level and uneven surfaces, kneeling, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in preparing reports using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires both near and far vision in reading written reports and work related documents. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. Additionally, the incumbent in this position works outdoors in all weather conditions, including wet, hot, and cold. The nature of the work also requires the incumbent to drive motorized vehicles. The need to lift, drag and push files, paper and documents weighing up to 25 pounds is also required.

Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.