The City of East Palo Alto Invites Applications for the Position of

PLANNING MANAGER

Salary

$150,156 – $182,515 Annually

$12,513 - $15,209 Monthly

Plus, an attractive benefits package

Deadline to Apply: September 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM

The City of East Palo Alto is seeking a dynamic, collaborative, and experienced Planning Manager. The Planning Manager plans, organizes, oversees, coordinates, and reviews the work of professional, technical, and administrative staff performing tasks related to all programs and activities of the Planning Division. The Planning Manager oversees current, advanced, and historic preservation planning activities. The selected candidate will ensure the effective use of the City's planning resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service. The Planning Manager provides highly complex and responsible support to the Community and Economic Development Director in areas of expertise and performs related duties, as assigned.

This is an open competitive/promotional recruitment, meaning that it is open to qualified current EPA employees and any other applicants who meet the minimum qualifications. Two employment lists will be created: an internal promotional list and an open list of all other non-current EPA employees.

IDEAL CANDIDATE: The ideal candidate will:

Be flexible, nimble, and able to adapt to shifting priorities in a dynamic political multicultural environment.
Provide well-reasoned, objective recommendations grounded in best practices and free from personal or political bias.
Possess the qualities essential for effective leadership, including empathy, decisiveness, integrity, emotional intelligence, and strong communication and listening skills.
Have extensive experience with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Possess experience in planning and administering a General Plan.
Possess the ability to plan and administer special programs or projects as directed by the City Council and Planning Commission.
Have the ability to analyze, propose, and implement solutions for complex planning problems in an independent manner.
Possess experience in annual budgeting, including estimating expenditures and projecting revenues.
Possess experience resolving complex and sensitive customer service issues.
Have municipal experience in overseeing the permitting functions of a department, including application, fee assessment and collection, application and plan review, permit issuance, inspection and occupancy.
Possess experience in intergovernmental decisions and legislation affecting departmental operations and taking appropriate action.

QUALIFICATIONS: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education: Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in Land-Use Planning, Urban Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, Community Development, or a closely related field.

Experience: Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in urban planning with emphasis in current and advanced planning; and two (2) years of supervisory experience and training.

License and Certifications: License and Certifications:

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License and a good driving record, at the time of appointment.

Possession of an American Institute of Certified Planners certification is desirable.

ABOUT THE CITY: The City of East Palo Alto is a beautiful community located in the heart of the Silicon Valley and is uniquely positioned to maximize its potential as a significant City in the region. Founded by speculators and farmers in 1849, the town was originally named Ravenswood. In 1983, the residents decided to incorporate as East Palo Alto. The population is approximately 31,500, with an area of 2.5 square miles.

SELECTION PROCESS: It is important to complete all required application materials. Applications will be reviewed in detail to identify the most qualified candidates to interview. The most qualified will be invited to a panel interview. Those who score the highest in the panel interview will be advanced to department interviews. In addition, the final candidates will be asked to provide one or more writing samples of a staff report they have written or a similar report that they have participated in writing. It is desired that the successful candidate begin employment as soon as possible.

Completion of the supplemental questions is a required part of the application and examination process. “See Resume” will not be acceptable as an answer to supplemental questions.

APPLICATION PROCESS: To be considered for this exciting opportunity, candidates should apply through CalOpps.org. https://www.calopps.org/city-of-east-palo-alto. Complete an online application and the required supplemental questionnaire.All materials must be included to be considered a candidate.

Deadline to Apply: Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM

Additional inquiries about the position may be directed to Human Resources, dtulabing@cityofepa.org, and cc: hr@cityofepa.org with subject line: “Planning Manager Recruitment”, or call (650) 853-3100.

The City of East Palo Alto is not responsible for the failure of internet forms or email in submitting your application. Candidates with a disability who may require special assistance in any phase of the recruitment process should advise Human Resources

The City of East Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO) and as such does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law in its employment actions, decisions, policies and practices.

THE CITY OF EAST PALO ALTO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

City of East Palo Alto

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