The City of San Marcos is currently recruiting for a qualified Sustainability Program Manager / Principal Planner to join the Planning Division of the Development Services Department. This position will play a key role in implementing and managing sustainability programs, with a primary focus on the City’s Climate Action Plan (CAP). Additionally, this role will lead long-range planning efforts, such as updates to the General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and other related plans

The City of San Marcos is currently leading a variety of exciting and impactful sustainability initiatives, and various land use planning efforts and we are seeking a passionate and experienced Sustainability Program Manager / Principal Planner to help drive these efforts.

City staff is in the process of implementing a comprehensive update to the City’s Climate Action Plan (CAP), which outlines strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing sustainability across multiple sectors. The Sustainability Program Manager / Principal Planner will play a central role in managing the implementation of this plan and ensuring that the City meets its ambitious climate goals.
The City is actively working on long-range planning efforts, including upcoming updates to the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance, to align future development with sustainability goals. The Sustainability Program Manager / Principal Planner will be responsible for overseeing these planning updates and ensuring they integrate key sustainability initiatives.
The City is also working on a number of sustainability-focused initiatives, including evaluating and enhancing existing programs to improve their efficiency in achieving GHG reduction targets. This includes tracking the progress of various sustainability programs and exploring innovative approaches to address climate action and sustainability development.
This position will oversee the coordination of sustainability programs across various City departments, as well as collaborate with external agencies, businesses, and the community to ensure successful implementation of sustainability initiatives. The role will also involve preparing annual reports, managing grant applications, and overseeing budgets related to sustainability efforts, along with managing long-range planning projects.
Manages and mentors planning staff with the review of project entitlements, provides guidance on technical and policy matters related to land use planning efforts including compliance with General Plan, Zoning Ordinance and sustainability goals. Applies knowledge of CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) principles to assess environmental impacts and ensures regulatory compliance.

As part of a dynamic and evolving team, the Sustainability Program Manager / Principal Planner will be a key player in shaping the future of San Marcos' environmental strategies and land-use planning, making a lasting impact on the community.

The Ideal Candidate:

Strategic Planning and Policy Development: Demonstrates expertise in long-range planning, land use policy, and regulatory frameworks. Capable of integrating sustainability goals into City planning efforts, ensuring alignment with the General Plan, Climate Action Plan, and zoning regulations.
Attention to Detail: Capable of managing complex sustainability and planning projects, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, development standards, and climate action objectives. Tracks and reports on GHG reduction efforts and broader sustainability initiatives across departments.
Strong Knowledge of Sustainability and Planning Principles: In-depth understanding of climate science, sustainability strategies, urban planning, land use policies, and environmental regulations. Able to evaluate and integrate emerging trends, legislative updates, and best practices into City programs.
Analytical Thinking: Skilled at assessing sustainability and planning challenges, interpreting land use and environmental data, and developing actionable solutions for city-wide initiatives. Adept at conducting impact assessments and scenario planning to guide decision-making.
Effective Communication and Public Engagement: Experienced in delivering clear and compelling reports, presentations, and policy recommendations to City leadership, staff, elected officials, community stakeholders, and external agencies. Strong ability to facilitate public meetings, workshops, and outreach efforts.
Supervisory and Mentorship Abilities: Effectively supervises, trains, and mentors staff, providing guidance on technical planning and sustainability matters. Fosters a collaborative team environment, ensuring high performance and professional development.
Problem-Solving Ability: Demonstrated capacity to identify and address challenges related to sustainability, land use planning, policy implementation, and interdepartmental coordination. Capable of balancing competing priorities while advancing the City’s long-term environmental and planning goals.
Integrity and Fairness: Committed to upholding planning and sustainability objectives impartially and transparently. Ensures regulatory compliance while fostering a collaborative approach to city development and environmental stewardship.

The Right Perks

Earn a competitive salary.
Our 9/80 work week means you'll have every other Friday off.
Eligible for the City's remote work policy after successful completion of probationary period.
Generous health benefits for you and your family (all medical premiums employer paid at 90%, including family plans). Benefits effective the first of the month after hire date.
Ample time off: 14 paid holidays, 96 hours of sick leave and beginning at 80 hours of vacation leave annually.
Family focused benefits - 4 weeks of city paid maternity / paternity leave for new parents welcoming a new family member and 1 week of city paid grandparent leave for employees expanding their extended family.
Participate in the CalPERS retirement system (Classic members 2% @ 55, New members 2% @ 62), and Social Security.
Enhance your career by taking advantage of our Tuition Reimbursement Program - up to $1,500 per fiscal year which can also be used towards student loan repayment.

Recruitment Timeline

Application period closes: 4:00pm, May 1st, 2025

First Interview: Week of May 12th
Second Interview: Week of May 19th

Please click on the link below to read the full job description.

Class Specifications | SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM MANAGER | Class Spec Details

Class Specifications | PRINCIPAL PLANNER | Class Spec Details

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of: The operations, services, and activities of community planning, sustainability programs, and development programs; advanced principles and practices of zoning, community planning, sustainability, GHG reduction strategies, and emerging trends in sustainability; project management principles and practices, including overseeing multiple projects and initiatives with cross-departmental coordination; City General Plan policies, implementation, and City ordinances, with a focus on integrating sustainability goals into land use planning; principles of supervision, training, performance evaluation, and managing professional and paraprofessional planning staff; organization and functions of various agencies involved in climate change processes and sustainability efforts; permitting requirements for state and federal agencies, including environmental review processes for projects and sustainability initiatives; recent developments, current literature, research methods, and sources of information related to GHG reduction methods and sustainability practices; methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation for complex sustainability and planning projects; techniques for eliciting community participation in sustainability issues and planning processes; modern office procedures, methods, and equipment, including computers and supporting software applications used for planning and sustainability management; pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations, including those related to general plans, zoning, land use, sustainability, and applicable environmental laws and regulations.

Ability to: Independently perform complex and sensitive duties in Climate Action Planning, implementation, and coordination, requiring high levels of technical expertise; recommend and implement goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for the effective delivery of sustainability services, activities, and operations; prepare and interpret codes, policies, and regulations and apply them to specific situations in planning and sustainability; coordinate and direct assigned sections or functional areas within the City's Sustainability programs and Planning Division; supervise, organize, and review the work of staff involved in sustainability programs and planning-related activities; select, train, and evaluate staff to ensure successful project delivery and growth; serve as project manager on multiple complex and sensitive projects involving cross-departmental coordination and collaboration with external stakeholders; plan and organize work to meet changing priorities, deadlines, and program goals across multiple projects and initiatives; lead and manage assigned commissions, committees, and advisory groups related to sustainability and planning; understand the organization and operations of the City and external agencies and apply this knowledge to achieve sustainability and planning objectives; interpret, analyze, apply, and explain pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations, including City codes and departmental policies; independently coordinate communication between staff, regional and state agencies, and interest groups to advance sustainability and planning goals; evaluate and interpret complex technical data to quantify GHG reduction techniques and sustainability measures; prepare and analyze highly technical and administrative reports, statements, and correspondence related to sustainability and planning; effectively present technical information and respond to questions from managers, council members, committee and commission members, and the general public; effectively represent the City to outside individuals, agencies, and organizations to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Sustainability and Planning Divisions; work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and external agencies to integrate sustainability goals into planning efforts; read, analyze, and interpret information from professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations related to planning and sustainability; operate modern office equipment and computers, including specialized applications used for sustainability management, planning, and project tracking; demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community and its impact on planning and sustainability efforts; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with diverse stakeholders; establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal teams, external agencies, and the public to support successful sustainability and planning initiatives.

Core Values and Expectations:
At the City of San Marcos, we uphold a set of core values that guide our work culture and decision-making processes. In this role, you will be expected to demonstrate the following values:

Be Problem Solvers (Customer Service): Actively identify and resolve issues to exceed customer expectations. Anticipate and address problems quickly to provide effective solutions.
Be Good Partners (Teamwork): Collaborate across departments and with external partners to create mutually beneficial solutions that meet the needs of all stakeholders.
Fiscal Responsibility (Operate like an Efficient Business): Make informed decisions with an emphasis on efficiency, always considering the financial impact to ensure the City’s long-term fiscal health.
Build to Last (Professionalism): Maintain a high standard of work, ensuring that decisions and actions are sustainable and beneficial for the City in the long run.

These values are critical to our mission and will be reflected in your day-to-day duties.

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

Education/Training:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, regional planning, environmental studies, environmental sciences, climate science, sustainability management or a closely related field is preferred. A Master’s degree is highly desirable. However, equivalent experience, certification, licensure and/or education from an accredited college or university will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Experience:

Six years of increasingly responsible, professional urban planning and climate planning experience in local government, including project management, administrative, and/or supervisory responsibility.

License or Certificate:

Professional certification, or membership in the American Planning Association (APA) and American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), although not a requirement, will receive favorable consideration.

Possession of an appropriate, valid driver’s license with satisfactory driving record.

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