Senior Planner

Senior Planner

It is an exciting time for the City's Community Development Department. Following the recent adoption of the City's first General Plan update, the City is advancing a wide range of planning initiatives, programs, and projects that will shape the community's future. In addition, the City has recently begun a collaborative planning process with Hoag, the buyer of the Chet Holifield Federal Building property, to develop a comprehensive transformative redevelopment plan for the 90-acre site.

The Position

The Senior Planner will play an important role in advancing the City's long-range planning priorities, with a primary emphasis on program and project management. The position will lead and coordinate a diverse range of initiatives, such as housing programs; water quality programs; economic development and community promotion; public engagement; monitoring and implementation of changes in State law; identifying, pursuing, and administering grant funding; and, other planning programs and policies. The position will also support the department with the facilitation of land use entitlements while also working collaboratively with other City departments, public agencies, consultants, community members, property owners, and outside stakeholders.

The ideal candidate must be a proactive leader who thrives in a collaborative and fast-paced environment. The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong work ethic, excellent program and project management capabilities, effective communication and public outreach skills, and the ability to independently lead initiatives, build productive partnerships, and manage multiple priorities. Supervisory experience and the ability to lead teams are highly valued. The ideal candidate will also be motivated to meet established goals, initiatives, and deadlines.

Candidates possessing these qualities are invited to apply for the full-time Senior Planner opportunity in the City of Laguna Niguel Community Development Department. An eligibility list will be created for consideration of future vacancies.

First review of applications is Tuesday, September 29, 2026.

Application Documents

• View the job flyer.
• Complete the required City application.

How to Apply

Applications must be filled out completely and must show that the minimum qualifications are met. Completed City applications and supplemental documents, including a resume and cover letter, should be submitted online through the City's website, via email to View email address on click.appcast.io, or in person to Human Resources at City Hall (30111 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel). Based upon information presented on the applications, those applicants possessing the most suitable qualifications will be requested to continue in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified by email of the results of the selection process.

City of Laguna Niguel Full-Time Employee Health Insurance, Retirement, and Other Benefits Calendar Year 2026 (Effective 1/1/2026)

The City's 2026 Cafeteria Plan with the following monthly contributions toward health, dental, and vision premiums:

• Employee Only: $823.00
• Employee +1: $1,615.00
• Family: $2,058.00
• Medical Opt-Out: $550.00

The City shall pay 100% of the 'employee only' selected plan dental insurance premium and 'employee only' vision insurance premium for full-time employees.

Employees electing health, dental, and vision coverage with premiums exceeding the Cafeteria Plan monthly contributions will pay additional premium costs from salary. Health insurance premium deductions are taken on a pre-tax basis.

Retirement: CalPERS defined benefit - Classic Members participate in the 2% @ 60 formula, with the employee contributing 7% of base salary. New CalPERS Members will participate in the 2% @ 62 formula, with the employee contributing 7.75% of base salary. The City participates in Medicare, but does not participate in Social Security.

Deferred Compensation: 457(b) plan available through Mission Square Retirement. The City will contribute $0.50 for every $1 of salary contributed to the deferred compensation plan by the employee, not to exceed 3% of the employee's annual salary.

Retirement Health Savings Account (RHSA): $100 per month (Employer Contribution). 30-day waiting period.

Flexible Spending Account (IRS Section 125 Plan): Employee may contribute up to $3,300 per calendar year in pre-tax dollars to health care spending account. Employee may contribute up to $5,000 per calendar year in pre-tax dollars to a dependent care spending account.

Life Insurance: Life insurance equal to the employee's annual salary, not to exceed $50,000, available through The Hartford. 30-day waiting period. Premium paid by the City.

Disability Insurance: Short-term disability and long-term disability insurance available through The Hartford. 30-day waiting period, premium paid by City.

Vacation Leave: Based on service years beginning with accrual of 10 days per calendar year. Employee may convert up to 65 hours of accrued vacation to cash per calendar year.

Sick Leave: Accrual equivalent to 12 days per calendar year.

Administrative Leave: Effective the first pay period in January of each year, each active exempt employee will receive 56 hours of Administrative Leave. For employees hired after the first pay period of a calendar year, hours of Administrative Leave will be pro-rated based on the month of hire (4.67 hours/month). Administrative Leave may not be accrued, accumulated, or carried over from one calendar year to another. Any unused Administrative Leave remaining at the end of the Calendar Year shall be forfeited.

Holidays: Sixteen (16) paid eight-hour holidays per year:

New Year's Day Martin Luther King, Jr. Day President's Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day Day after Thanksgiving Christmas Eve Christmas Day Day after Christmas New Year's Eve Three (3) Floating Holidays or 24 hours (see below)

Effective the first pay period in January of each year, each full-time employee will receive three (3) floating holidays (24 hours) for use during the calendar year. For employees hired after the first pay period of the calendar year, the amount of hours will be pro-rated based on the month of hire (2 hours /month). Floating holidays must be used in the calendar year in which they were granted.

Employee Wellness: Use of the South Coast YMCA facility located at Crown Valley Park. Membership paid by City.