Definition
Come join the City of Newport Beach Community Development Department! If you are a collaborative leader with a passion for community planning and a commitment to excellence, we encourage you to apply!
This is an exciting leadership opportunity for an experienced planning professional ready to make a meaningful impact. Reporting directly to the Deputy Community Development Director, the Principal Planner serves as both a supervisor and a key member of our dynamic Planning team. In this role, you will lead a team of three direct reports, guiding them through a diverse portfolio of development applications for private applicants and City-initiated projects alike.
Beyond team leadership, you will take ownership of some of the City's most significant and complex development applications, long-range planning initiatives, and code amendments — work that directly shapes the community's future. The ideal candidate will have at least one year of supervisory experience and brings expert-level professional planning knowledge, with a strong command of the City's General Plan, Zoning Code, and Local Coastal Program. The Principal Planner delivers expert guidance to elected and appointed City decision-makers, community organizations, and the general public. Your areas of expertise will span a broad and rewarding range of disciplines, including general urban planning and zoning, Coastal Act implementation, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance, transportation planning, housing policy and development, economic development, and contract management.
Selection Components
This position may work a 5/40 or 9/80 schedule.
Retirement
The City offers an excellent benefit package and membership in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is based on appointment date and membership status with CalPERS and the employee is required to contribute 8% (or half the normal cost, whichever is higher) of pay towards the retirement benefit.
Essential Duties
Please view online job specification for a more detailed description of specific job duties.
Qualifications
Please view online job specification for a more detailed description of specific qualifications.
Experience & Education and License/Certificate
Required
A combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities may be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience: Four years of responsible professional current and/or advanced local government planning experience including some experience in the preparation or review of environmental documents.
Education: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning, public or business administration or a related field.
License/Certificate: Due to the performance of some field duties which require the operation of a personal or City vehicle, a valid and appropriate California driver's license and an acceptable driving record are required.
Please Note: Candidates deemed most qualified, as reflected in their application materials, will be invited to continue in the recruitment process. The prospective candidate must successfully complete a thorough background review, including being fingerprinted by the Newport Beach Police Department. The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application. Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position. The nature, date, surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered.
Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of Newport Beach Employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
01
PLEASE READ: The information provided on the Supplemental Questions will be used in conjunction with the job application to determine whether the qualification requirements are met. Failure to provide detailed and complete information may result in the application being rejected. A resume may not be submitted in place of completing the Supplemental Questions. When applying for this position, I understand that I must thoroughly complete the Education and Work Experience sections of my application and the Supplemental Questions. This includes a detailed description of each position that qualifies me for the job I am seeking. I have read the above statement and acknowledge that failure to provide sufficient detailed information may result in my application being rejected.
I acknowledge I have read the job description and can perform the essential functions of the job for which I am applying.
Do you have four years or more of responsible professional current and/or advanced local government planning experience including some experience in the preparation or review of environmental documents?
Please explain your responsible professional current and/or advanced local government planning experience including your experience in the preparation or review of environmental documents. Include a CEQA document/process you have completed (if no experience, type N/A).
05
Do you have any experience in leading staff or supervision?
Please describe your experience in leading staff or supervision. Include the number of direct reports you have supervised and the number of years of supervisory experience you possess (if none, type N/A).
07
Please Select The Area(s) Of Experience You Possess
Briefly highlight two Planning related projects or programs that you've managed and your role and responsibilities in that effort.
09
Briefly describe your experience providing presentations to Boards, Commissions, and/ or the public.
10
Please Select The Highest Level Of Education You Possess
If applicable, please list the field in which you were awarded your degree(s).
12
Do you possess a current and valid California driver's license?
Do you now, or have you in the past, worked for a municipality (City)?
Do you now, or have you in the past, worked for another type of local government? If yes, please explain.
15
I acknowledge that this recruitment requires a resume to be attached (uploaded) to the online application prior to submittal and that the application will be considered incomplete without it.
Please provide the Name, Relationship, and Contact Number of three (3) professional references.
Come join the City of Newport Beach Community Development Department! If you are a collaborative leader with a passion for community planning and a commitment to excellence, we encourage you to apply!
This is an exciting leadership opportunity for an experienced planning professional ready to make a meaningful impact. Reporting directly to the Deputy Community Development Director, the Principal Planner serves as both a supervisor and a key member of our dynamic Planning team. In this role, you will lead a team of three direct reports, guiding them through a diverse portfolio of development applications for private applicants and City-initiated projects alike.
Beyond team leadership, you will take ownership of some of the City's most significant and complex development applications, long-range planning initiatives, and code amendments — work that directly shapes the community's future. The ideal candidate will have at least one year of supervisory experience and brings expert-level professional planning knowledge, with a strong command of the City's General Plan, Zoning Code, and Local Coastal Program. The Principal Planner delivers expert guidance to elected and appointed City decision-makers, community organizations, and the general public. Your areas of expertise will span a broad and rewarding range of disciplines, including general urban planning and zoning, Coastal Act implementation, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance, transportation planning, housing policy and development, economic development, and contract management.
Selection Components
- Application Evaluation: Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis with the first review date of July 9, 2026. Candidates are required to submit a resume in order for the application package to be considered complete. Those candidates deemed most qualified as reflected in their online application will be invited to an interview.
- Interview: Tentatively scheduled on August 17, 2026. Passing applicants will be placed on an eligibility list that may be used to fill future full-time vacancies as they occur.
This position may work a 5/40 or 9/80 schedule.
Retirement
The City offers an excellent benefit package and membership in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is based on appointment date and membership status with CalPERS and the employee is required to contribute 8% (or half the normal cost, whichever is higher) of pay towards the retirement benefit.
Essential Duties
Please view online job specification for a more detailed description of specific job duties.
Qualifications
Please view online job specification for a more detailed description of specific qualifications.
Experience & Education and License/Certificate
Required
A combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities may be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience: Four years of responsible professional current and/or advanced local government planning experience including some experience in the preparation or review of environmental documents.
Education: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning, public or business administration or a related field.
License/Certificate: Due to the performance of some field duties which require the operation of a personal or City vehicle, a valid and appropriate California driver's license and an acceptable driving record are required.
Please Note: Candidates deemed most qualified, as reflected in their application materials, will be invited to continue in the recruitment process. The prospective candidate must successfully complete a thorough background review, including being fingerprinted by the Newport Beach Police Department. The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application. Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position. The nature, date, surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered.
Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of Newport Beach Employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
01
PLEASE READ: The information provided on the Supplemental Questions will be used in conjunction with the job application to determine whether the qualification requirements are met. Failure to provide detailed and complete information may result in the application being rejected. A resume may not be submitted in place of completing the Supplemental Questions. When applying for this position, I understand that I must thoroughly complete the Education and Work Experience sections of my application and the Supplemental Questions. This includes a detailed description of each position that qualifies me for the job I am seeking. I have read the above statement and acknowledge that failure to provide sufficient detailed information may result in my application being rejected.
- Yes, I acknowledge
- No, I do not acknowledge
I acknowledge I have read the job description and can perform the essential functions of the job for which I am applying.
- Yes
- No
Do you have four years or more of responsible professional current and/or advanced local government planning experience including some experience in the preparation or review of environmental documents?
- Yes
- No
Please explain your responsible professional current and/or advanced local government planning experience including your experience in the preparation or review of environmental documents. Include a CEQA document/process you have completed (if no experience, type N/A).
05
Do you have any experience in leading staff or supervision?
- Yes
- No
Please describe your experience in leading staff or supervision. Include the number of direct reports you have supervised and the number of years of supervisory experience you possess (if none, type N/A).
07
Please Select The Area(s) Of Experience You Possess
- General urban planning and zoning
- Coastal Act implementation
- California Environmental Quality Act compliance
- Transportation, housing, economic development
- Contract management
- None of the above
Briefly highlight two Planning related projects or programs that you've managed and your role and responsibilities in that effort.
09
Briefly describe your experience providing presentations to Boards, Commissions, and/ or the public.
10
Please Select The Highest Level Of Education You Possess
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- Some college or certificate(s)
- Associate's Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree
- None of the above.
If applicable, please list the field in which you were awarded your degree(s).
12
Do you possess a current and valid California driver's license?
- Yes
- I have a license from another state.
- No
Do you now, or have you in the past, worked for a municipality (City)?
- Yes
- No
Do you now, or have you in the past, worked for another type of local government? If yes, please explain.
15
I acknowledge that this recruitment requires a resume to be attached (uploaded) to the online application prior to submittal and that the application will be considered incomplete without it.
- Yes
- No
Please provide the Name, Relationship, and Contact Number of three (3) professional references.
- Required Question
About the company
Company website•Government Administration
The City of Newport Beach operates under a Council-Manager form of government. Its seven City Council Members are elected by district, but are voted on by the population as a whole and are responsible for policy-making, passing local ordinances, adopting the budget, appointing committees and hiring the City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk. The City has approximately 725 full-time employees and hundreds of part-time and seasonal employees.
Newport Beach is located in the coastal center of Orange County, with Los Angeles County to the north and San Diego County to the south. It has an estimated permanent population of 86,738, but during the summer months, the population grows to more than 100,000 with 20,000 to 100,000 tourists daily.
The city is known for its fine residential areas, modern shopping facilities, strong business community and quality school system. It surrounds Newport Bay where more than 9,000 boats of all types are docked within the 21-square-mile harbor area. The bay area and the City’s eight miles of ocean beach offer outstanding fishing, swimming, surfing, and aquatic sports activities.