Senior/Principal Planner or Housing Planner – Long-Range Planning & Sustainability

• Join a team where you can enjoy work-life balance and do meaningful work
• Receive a competitive annual salary plus generous benefits
• Join an organization where you can experience career growth

About The City of Oxnard

The City of Oxnard is an employer of choice for both job seekers and professionals seeking a thriving and fulfilling career. Nestled along the stunning coastline, this beautiful coastal city offers a wealth of employment opportunities that cater to a diverse range of skills and passions. As an employer, the City of Oxnard prioritizes creating an environment that nurtures innovation, encourages collaboration, and fosters professional growth.

One of the key factors that sets the City of Oxnard apart is its unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Valuing the unique perspectives and experiences of its employees, the City fosters a workplace culture that celebrates diversity in all its forms. By embracing different backgrounds, ideas, and talents, the City of Oxnard cultivates an atmosphere of respect and collaboration that fuels creativity and drives excellence.

To read more about us, please visit oxnard.org.

About the Opportunity

We have exciting opportunities for Senior/Principal Planner or Housing Planner positions to join our Long-Range Planning & Sustainability team in Oxnard, California. This is an in-office position, working a 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off.

In these roles, you will play a vital part in shaping the future of Oxnard through long-range policy development, housing strategy, and sustainability initiatives. Both roles offer a unique chance to make a meaningful impact on the city's coastal, housing, and environmental planning priorities.

Senior/Principal Planner (Long-Range Planning)

Reporting to the Planning & Sustainability Manager, the Senior/Principal Planner will lead and oversee complex long-range planning initiatives, including updates to the City’s General Plan and Local Coastal Plan. You will manage large-scale projects related to climate action, sustainability policies, and coastal planning, while providing technical guidance and mentoring to team members.

Your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Leading long-range and advanced planning projects, including the Oxnard General Plan update and Local Coastal Plan
• Supporting the development and implementation of the City’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP)
• Managing the Ormond Beach Restoration and Access Plan (OBRAP) in collaboration with key stakeholders
• Monitoring compliance with environmental, climate, and energy regulations
• Preparing staff reports and delivering presentations to City Council, Planning Commission, committees, and community groups
• Providing technical leadership and mentoring to long-range planning staff
• Coordinating with external agencies, departments, and community stakeholders
• Assisting with grant applications and management related to long-range planning initiatives

To read the full position description, please click here.

Housing Planner (Long-Range Planning)

Reporting to the Planning & Sustainability Manager, the Housing Planner will focus on advancing Oxnard’s housing policies and programs, ensuring compliance with State housing regulations, and supporting the implementation of the City’s Housing Element and climate-focused planning initiatives.

Your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Developing and implementing housing policies in line with State regulations and the City’s Housing Element
• Preparing Municipal Code amendments and General Plan updates to address housing policies and objectives
• Conducting research and analysis to inform housing policy and regulatory decisions
• Preparing staff reports and presenting recommendations to City Council, Planning Commission, and community groups
• Coordinating with external agencies, developers, and internal stakeholders on housing policy matters
• Engaging with the community to promote housing programs and initiatives
• Identifying and securing grant opportunities for housing-related projects
• Incorporating climate and transportation considerations into housing policy development

To read the full position description, please click here.

About You

To qualify, you will need a Bachelor’s degree in Urban or Regional Planning, Economics, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or a related field, along with a valid California Class C Driver’s License and a satisfactory driving record.

Senior/Principal Planner (Long-Range Planning)

To be considered, you must have 5+ years of professional planning experience in urban planning, coastal planning, transportation planning, or sustainability planning, including 2+ years in a supervisory or project management capacity.

Additionally, the following skills, experience, and background will be highly valued:

• Proven experience leading long-range or advanced planning projects
• Strong knowledge of environmental, climate, and coastal planning policies and regulations
• Experience preparing and delivering presentations to City Council, Planning Commission, or similar decision-making bodies
• Proficiency in project management, mentoring staff, and coordinating complex initiatives
• Familiarity with California planning laws, including California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
• Bilingual skills in Spanish (highly desirable)

Housing Planner (Long-Range Planning)

To be considered, you must have 2+ years of professional planning experience, with a focus on housing policy, State housing regulations, and their implementation, including connections between transit and housing.

Additionally, the following skills, experience, and background will be highly valued:

• Knowledge of State housing laws, policies, and the City’s Housing Element
• Experience developing and implementing housing policies and programs
• Strong research, analytical, and policy development skills
• Ability to engage with community members, stakeholders, and partner agencies
• Experience preparing staff reports and delivering public presentations
• Familiarity with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and housing-related environmental considerations

As our ideal candidates, you will be clear and confident communicators, with strong public speaking and presentation skills that allow you to effectively engage with community members, developers, City leadership, and internal stakeholders. You will bring excellent time management abilities, a proactive mindset, and the capacity to balance competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

These are fantastic opportunities for planning professionals who are passionate about community engagement, long-range policy development, and driving positive change in housing and sustainability for the City of Oxnard.

About the Benefits

As recognition for all your hard work and determination, you can look forward to the following annual salary:

• Senior/Principal Planner - $76,712.90 - $139,713.81
• Housing Planner - $73,257.39 - $109,886.19

Senior/Principal Planners will also receive the following generous benefits:

• 9/80 schedule - every other Friday off
• CalPERS Retirement – “Classic” members: 2% at 55 and “New” members: 2% at 62. Employees pay a portion of their annual earnings toward their retirement. The City does not participate in Social Security
• 1% contribution to the deferred compensation program
• Generous Extended health and dental coverage
• Life and AD&D insurance coverage
• Vacation leave accrued at a rate of 6.24 to 11.78 hours per pay period based on years of service
• 40 hours of Administrative leave of per fiscal year
• Tuition reimbursement
• 12 paid holidays off per year

Housing Planners will also receive the following generous benefits:

• 9/80 schedule - every other Friday off
• CalPERS Retirement – “Classic” members: 2% at 55 and “New” members: 2% at 62. Employees pay a portion of their annual earnings toward their retirement. The City does not participate in Social Security
• 1% contribution to deferred compensation program
• Eligibility for 3.5% educational incentive with qualifying Master’s degree
• Generous health and dental coverage
• Life insurance coverage
• Vacation leave accrued at a rate of 4.39 to 8.08 hours per pay period based on years of service
• Sick leave accrued at a rate of 3.70 hours per pay period
• Tuition reimbursement
• 12 paid holidays off per year

If you share our values and have the skills necessary to bring success to the role, then we invite you to apply today!