Senior Planner

Salary : $93,045.66 - $130,924.58 Annually
Location : Sacramento, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Career
Job Number: 001822-26-PW
Department: Public Works
Division: Mobility and Sustainability
Opening Date: 07/24/2026
Closing Date: 8/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


THE POSITION
With supervisor approval, incumbents may be eligible for intermittent remote work; however, they must physically reside within the Sacramento region or have the ability to regularly report to a City of Sacramento physical worksite with little notice.

The Public Works Department, Division of Mobility and Sustainability is seeking a Senior Planner to be part of the Transportation Planning Section to support transportation safety efforts. This position will support the City's Transportation Planning Section, working on community listening and engagement, data analysis, policy, and staff mentorship. The section's work is long-range transportation planning and includes policy, project and program management. Specific tasks for this position include serving as a leader on a team comprised of transportation planners, as well as leading large high-profile efforts such as the City's Vision Zero program and red-light camera program.


IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT
The ideal candidate is an innovative, inquisitive, and resourceful individual who works successfully in a team-oriented environment; has outstanding communication and interpersonal skills; is able to conduct complex transportation studies and research; can independently and effectively work with staff in other City departments, appointed and elected officials, community leaders, school districts, and community groups; and can successfully lead project teams.

Under general direction, the Senior Planner performs responsible administrative and professional planning work; provides lead direction of assigned staff engaged in performing duties in the research, compilation, analysis, and reporting of planning data for a geographical area or a particular project, or by assuming highly complex and critical planning assignments.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This classification is populated with multiple incumbents. Senior Planners are responsible for interpreting and administering existing regulations, codes, and policy through the application of knowledge and procedures above normal or standard processing operations. The Senior Planner is distinguished from the next lower level of Associate Planner by degree of difficulty in planning assignments, such as in economic development, air quality, transportation issues, etc. and because the Senior Planner may provide lead supervision to a limited number of planners and technical staff. The Senior Planner is distinguished from the higher-level classification of Principal Planner in that the latter is responsible for overseeing several teams of staff engaged in planning duties for a large region of the City and participates in the development of the goals, objectives, and policies of the division.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

General direction is provided by a Principal Planner or a higher-level management position. Incumbents may oversee a project team consisting of professional and technical personnel staff assigned to a project. The Senior Planner does not supervise.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES


TYPICAL DUTIES

- Plans, assigns, coordinates, supervises, and reviews the work of professional planning staff and others in the preparation, revision, and administration of master plans, zoning ordinances, environmental compliance (CEQA/NEPA) and development regulations.
- Compiles and evaluates data and makes recommendations for the more complex planning projects; manages compliance permits and consultant/contractor contract administration for all City and private development projects.
- Manages environmental investigations, remedial actions, and oversight of budgets.
- Represents the City in public and official meetings with other city departments, organizations, and professional groups on planning matters related to environmental issues, land use entitlements, policy development and development applications.
- Serves on interdepartmental committees related to land use issues; responds to concerned individuals, developers, community and professional groups related to various planning policies and regulations.
- Prepares and presents staff reports for the Planning Commission and City Council; attends and facilitates community meetings and holds public hearings.
- Interprets and applies applicable regulations, codes, and policies; conducts special studies or projects related to current, long range and environmental planning.
- Performs other or related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS


Knowledge of:

- Principles and practices of land use planning, environmental decision-making, and governmental planning.
- Applicable Federal and State regulations, and local laws, ordinances and guidelines, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), National Environmental Policy Act, Superfund Amendments.
- General Plan and specific plan preparation.
- Regulations and procedures affecting local planning agencies.
- Other disciplines related to city planning such as architecture, urban design, historical preservation, urban studies, environmental studies, land use planning, transportation, public administration, or economic
development.
- Project management.
- Statistical concepts and methods.

Skill In:

- Use of computers, computer applications, and software.

Ability to:

- Lead professional and technical personnel on a team or project.
- Provide technical advice to subordinate personnel in solving difficult assignments.
- Perform technical research on planning, including environmental, economic, and transportation problems, analyze data and present recommendations on complex planning projects.
- Recognize and analyze potential environmental and policy impacts, develop planning policies and implementation strategies.
- Establish effective working relationships with employees, elected officials, government agencies, the business community, and the general public.
- Persuade, negotiate, and develop alternatives and resolve conflict among competing interests.
- Represent the City in meetings with other City departments, organizations, and professional groups on matters pertaining to development applications.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing; make presentations before large and small groups; organize and lead meetings to facilitate public participation.
- Prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports, correspondence, and policy documents.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Five years of progressively responsible experience in urban planning.

Education:

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in planning, architecture, engineering or other design-related field, urban studies, environmental planning, public administration, political science, economics, or closely related field.

PROOF OF EDUCATION

Should education be used to qualify for this position, then proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment . Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential's evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment .

THE SELECTION PROCEDURE
Please note, the City of Sacramento's preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e-mail address on your application, and check your e-mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e-mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.


1. Application: (Pass/Fail) - All applicants must complete and submit online a City of Sacramento employment application by the final filing deadline;

• Employment applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted.
• Employment applications will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified:
  • If applicants do not list current and past job-related experience in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section. Note: Qualifying experience is based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Qualifying experience is calculated to the full-time equivalent (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).
  • If "see resume" is noted in the "Work Experience" section; a resume will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section.
• Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position.
• Proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted online with your application. Proof of education will be required at time of appointment.

2. Supplemental Questionnaire: (Pass/Fail) - In addition to the City of Sacramento employment application, all applicants must complete and submit online responses to the supplemental questionnaire to the City of Sacramento Employment Office by the final filing deadline;

• Responses to the supplemental questionnaire must be submitted online; paper questionnaire will not be accepted.
• Incomplete supplemental questionnaire will not pass the review process; omitted information cannot be considered or assumed.
• A resume will not substitute for the information required in the supplemental questionnaire.
• Possession of the minimum qualifications is not necessarily a guarantee for further advancement in the selection process.

3. Screening Committee: (Pass/Fail) - All applications received by the final filing deadline will be forwarded to the hiring department for review. The hiring department will select the most competitive applications for further consideration. Human Resources will only evaluate employment applications for the minimum qualifications, as stated on the job announcement, for applications selected by the hiring department.


4. Interview Process: Human Resources will forward applications to the hiring department. Those determined to be the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in an interview process.


5. Conditional Hire: Upon receipt of a conditional offer, the selected candidate must complete and pass Live Scan/fingerprinting. If applicable, candidates may also need to pass a pre-employment medical exam, controlled substance and/or alcohol test, and possess any required licensure or certification prior to receiving a start date from the Department. Failure to meet these prerequisites will be grounds for withdrawal of your conditional offer of employment.


QUESTIONS:
For questions concerning this job announcement and the application process:

• Please visit for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the application process.
• For technical support between 6 AM - 5 PM PT, contact Live Application Support at View phone number on click.appcast.io.
• Visit the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department website at ;
• Send an email to View email address on click.appcast.io; or
• Call the Human Resources Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io

Bilingual Pay
Did you know that the City offers bilingual pay? That's right, most labor agreements offer the option of providing employees with bilingual pay if the department deems it to be operationally necessary.

Pension Reform Act
The City of Sacramento is covered by the California Public Employees' Retirement System, and as such, must adhere to the California Public Employee's Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013. Please note that the provisions within this act may affect or impact an applicant's eligibility and/or selection for open vacancies at the City of Sacramento.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Sacramento is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Additional Information

Civil Service Rules:


Union Contracts:


Salary Schedule:
01



APPLICATION : I understand my application must meet the minimum qualifications for consideration of employment with the City of Sacramento. The experience I list in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section of the employment application will be used to determine if I meet the minimum qualifications as stated on the job announcement. A resume, responses to the supplemental questions requiring a narrative response, employment history listed elsewhere in the application or attachments will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section of the employment application. Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position. Note: Qualifying experience is based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Qualifying experience is calculated to the full-time equivalent (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).Please refer to the City of Sacramento's Applicant Resources Page for Screening Instructions:

• Yes

02



PROOF OF EDUCATION: To qualify for this classification you may use any combination of education and/or experience as listed to provide required knowledge, skills, and abilities.I understand proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with my application and will be required at the time of appointment if I am using education to qualify for this position.Please refer to the City of Sacramento's Proof of Education Requirements ( for information on accepted documentation.

• Yes

03



EDUCATION CONFIRMATION: If I am using education to qualify for this position, I attest I possess or will possess the following level of education by time of appointment if I am selected for this position.

• No units from an accredited college or university
• Less than 30 semester or 45 quarter units from an accredited college or university
• 30 semester or 45 quarter units from an accredited college or university
• 60 semester or 90 quarter units from an accredited college or university
• Associates Degree
• 90 semester or 135 quarter units from an accredited college or university
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctorate

04



SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE : The answers to the questions below will be reviewed by the hiring department along with the information provided in your employment application. Therefore, your answers must be consistent with your employment application information (especially in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections), must be unambiguous, and must contain sufficient but concise detail and organization. A resume will not be accepted in lieu of completing this Supplemental Questionnaire. Lack of clarity, incomplete or inconsistent information, and/or disorganized presentation may negatively affect the hiring department's review of your Supplemental Questionnaire. I understand and agree to the above instructions.

• Yes

05


Provide an example of a transportation policy initiative you successfully led and that was adopted by an elected body.
06


Describe a specific instance in your professional history where you implemented equity principles within a process, application, or outcome. Detail the concrete steps you took and the measurable results achieved.
07


Describe a specific transportation safety project or Vision Zero initiative you have worked on. Detail your precise role, the engineering or behavioral interventions used, and the impact on traffic safety.
Required Question