Principal Planner

Salary : $131,352.00 - $160,347.20 Annually
Location : Eric Rood Government Center (Western County), 950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2025-0177
Department: Planning
Opening Date: 09/03/2026
Closing Date: 10/4/2026 8:00 AM Pacific


Definition and Class Characteristics
INTERVIEWS FOR SELECTED CANDIDATES WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 16, 2026

We are currently seeking applications for a Senior Planner and Principal Planner . Please be sure to apply for all jobs and all levels of positions which you feel you may be qualified for.

Nevada County is seeking a dynamic and experienced Principal Planner to join their team. In this role, you will lead complex planning projects, supervise a dedicated team, and play a key role in crafting the future of our vibrant and scenic county. The Planning Department applies community land-use policies and strives to meet the needs of individuals and businesses. It is their goal to protect the environment to ensure Nevada County remains a desirable place to live, work, and recreate.
Example of Duties:

• Plans, organizes and supervises the activities of professional and technician staff involved in the processing of land use permits
• Leads and manages complex planning projects, including those related to new development, environmental studies, and community plans
• Trains employees in work procedures, standards and safety practices, and reviews work in progress or upon completion for compliance with standards
• Communicates effectively with stakeholders, including the public, developers, and elected officials
• Interprets and applies provisions of law, rules, regulations and policies related to land use planning matters, including environmental laws
• Prepares and reviews RFPs (Request for Proposal) and RFQs (Request for Qualifications) for services to be retained by the Planning Department
• Attends and makes presentations at Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Zoning Administrator, interagency, committee, and other meetings and conferences

Typical Knowledge:

• Thorough knowledge of rural planning and development and local government policies and procedures
• Thorough knowledge of specialization such as land use planning/zoning, transportation planning, environmental planning, urban design, housing, historic preservation or economic development
• Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation
• Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations including recent changes
• Principles and practices of supervision, training and personnel management
• Citizen involvement techniques and processes
• Knowledge of computer programs and applications including GIS programs and applications

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We offer you an extensive benefit package including, but not limited to, CalPERS retirement, medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts (FSA). Nevada County is a qualifying employer for the through the Department of Education.

Why Nevada County? Our leadership values employee development and engagement, promotes open and transparent communication, sets us up to be a high-performing organization, and recognizes our contributions. Our leadership connects with the community, listens to them, and provides significant programming to keep us safe and healthy.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

To review the job specification and additional requirements, please click here.

Education and Experience Required


Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university in Planning, Environmental Studies, Ecology, Geography, Land Use Economics or related field AND four years of increasingly responsible experience in land use planning or management, including at least one year as a team supervisor or program manager.


*A Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in Planning, Public Administration or related field may be substituted for two years of experience.*

AICP Certification highly desirable.
Benefits Guide

The is a comprehensive document for employees of the County of Nevada. Information contained in this summary of benefits is not a binding document. Refer to specific unit for additional benefit information.
Health Insurance
The County sponsored plan is the PERS Gold PPO, but you can also choose plans from providers such as Anthem, Blue Shield, and PORAC (if you are a member) to suit your needs.

Health Insurance Plans

• Anthem Blue Cross Select HMO
• Anthem Blue Cross Traditional HMO
• Blue Shield CalPERS Access+ HMO
• Blue Shield Trio HMO
• Kaiser HMO
• PERS Gold PPO (County sponsored plan)
• PERS Platinum PPO
• PORAC (Available to PORAC members only)

Flexible Spending Accounts
The County offers employees the option to contribute to a pre-tax medical FSA and dependent Care FSA.
Life Insurance
Voya is the County's life insurance provider. We offer the following products through Voya:

• Basic Accidental Death and Dismemberment
• Basic Term Life
• Optional Accidental Death and Dismemberment plans
• Optional Dependent Term Life
• Optional Term Life

Dental & Vision Insurance
Nevada County employees can opt to receive dental and vision insurance without opting for health insurance coverage as well. This will give employees more flexibility to match their choice of insurance plans to their specific needs. Ameritas Dental is the dental provider offered through Nevada County and Ameritas VSP Vision Care is our vision care provider.
Retirement
The County is a member of the CalPERS retirement system and also provides the opportunity for voluntary contributions to a 457 deferred compensation account through Nationwide by way of pre-tax and Roth payroll deductions.

CalPERS Miscellaneous Tiers: Tier 1 (Classic-former employee originally hired on or before 12/13/12 and are returning to Nevada County) 2.7% @ 55 Tier 2 (Hired by a CalPERS employer between 12/14/12-12/31/12 and coming to Nevada County with less than 6 months between separation from former CalPERS employer and hire date with Nevada County) 2%@60 Tier 3 (Hired by first CalPERS employer on or after 1/1/13 or having a break in service of more than six months between another CalPERS employer and Nevada County) 2%@62


CalPERS Safety tiers: Tier 1 (Classic-former employees originally hired on or before 12/13/12 and are returning to Nevada County) 3% @ 50. Tier 2 (Hired by a CalPERS employer between 7/2411-12/31/12 and coming to Nevada County with less than 6-months between separation from former CalPERS employer and hire date with Nevada County) 3% @ 55. Tier 3 (Hired by any CalPERS employer on or after 1/1/13) 2.7% @ 57. We encourage you to visit the CalPERS home page, , to search related information about the retirement plans noted here so that you fully understand what your retirement formula means to you.


NEVADA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Any information on this page or documents and links are subject to change without notice.

Nevada County Human Resources Department

950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City, CA 95959 View phone number on click.appcast.io option 2

View email address on click.appcast.io

01


Which of the following best describes your highest level of education?

• Did not graduate High School or GED
• High School or GED
• Some College
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree

02


Please let us know the major subject area of your college education.A copy of your college level transcripts (unofficial are accepted) is required at the time of application.
03


Which best describes your professional work experience in land use planning or management?

• No relevant work experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 or more years

04


Of your experience listed above, how many years have you been a team supervisor or program manager?

• No relevant work experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 or more years

05


Elaborate on your relevant work experience in land use planning or management.
06


Do you have an active American Institute of Certified Planner certification (AICP)? If so, please upload a copy of your certificate to your application.

• Yes, I have an AICP certification and uploaded a copy to my application
• No, I do not have my AICP certification

07


How would co-workers describe the role you play on a team?
08


Describe what you believe are the most effective roles that a good manager plays in his/her relationship with reporting staff members.
Required Question