Planning Division Manager / Planning Official

Planning Division Manager / Planning Official

The City of Moreno Valley Community Development Department seeks a skilled professional to lead the Planning Division. Apply today to be the next Planning Division Manager / Planning Official!

1st review of applications is planned for Wednesday, November 26, 2025. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review deadline.

Our Position : The Planning Manager / Planning Official oversees and integrates the City's planning programs, services, and staff under policy direction. This role involves developing policy, planning programs, managing budgets, and providing operational direction for the Planning Division. The incumbent will coordinate, manage, monitor, and evaluate the work of professional and technical planning staff. Responsibilities include ensuring that division objectives and goals are met within the guidelines established by the Community Development Director, City Manager, Planning Commission, and City Council, requiring a high degree of administrative discretion in execution. The Planning Manager will serve as staff to the Planning Commission and the Environmental and Historical Preservation Commission and must be able to attend evening meetings and occasional weekend events.

Ideal Candidate : Our ideal candidate for the Planning Manager / Planning Official position will have extensive knowledge of urban planning principles, City code promulgation, and community development activities within a city government framework. They will possess a proven ability to plan, direct, manage, coordinate, and integrate comprehensive planning programs and services. The candidate should be well-versed in federal, state, and local laws and regulations, with strong skills in public administration, effective management, and communication. They will have a track record of exercising sound independent judgment, presenting recommendations persuasively in public meetings, and establishing effective working relationships with city officials, staff, and the public. Strong leadership, strategic planning, and a commitment to maintaining the city's character and natural resources are essential qualities for success in this role.

Minimum Qualifications : A bachelor's degree in public or business administration, city or regional planning, urban planning, or a closely related field; AND a minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional and administrative experience in municipal planning and development; AND at least three (3) years of experience in a supervisory or program / project management capacity.

About the Planning Division : The Planning Division recommends and implements land use policies, processes land use applications, and prepares and processes updates and revisions to the General Plan, Municipal Code, Landscape Guidelines, and Design Guidelines. This division provides staff support to the City Council, the Planning Commission, the Environmental and Historical Preservation Board, and the Project Review Staff Committee.

About the Community Development Department : The Community Development Department provides a variety of development and business services related to enhancing the quality of life in the community. The Community Development function provides planning, building, and code compliance services. The Building & Safety Division provides building plans examination services and conducts field inspections of buildings under construction to ensure that the City's building environment adheres to established construction codes. The Planning Division processes land use applications in accordance with the provisions of the City's Development Code, General Plan, Landscape Guidelines, applicable Specific Plan requirements, CEQA, and other State and Federal requirements.

Our City : Moreno Valley was incorporated in 1984 as a General Law City, merging the communities of Moreno, Sunnymead, and Edgemont. The City operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The City Council is comprised of an elected Mayor and four Council Members elected by district. The City has a committee, customer-service oriented workforce comprised of more than 450 employees who provide a wide range of municipal services, including Public Works, Economic Development, Community Development, Parks and Community Services, and Library services. The City contracts with Riverside County for Police and Fire services.

Our Community : The City of Moreno Valley is a dynamic city home to nearly 215,000 people and 4,500 businesses. Inland Southern California's economic hub, Moreno Valley, is the second largest city in Riverside County and the 21st largest city in the state of California. Numerous national and international Fortune 500 companies, including Procter & Gamble, Amazon, Karma Automotive, AYRO, Inc., Skechers USA, Aldi Foods, Deckers Outdoor, Walgreens, Philips Electronics, ResMed, Medline, Harbor Freight Tools, Solaris Pap, er and Fisher and Paykel, have selected Moreno Valley as their ideal business location.

Moreno Valley is home to Riverside University Health Systems and Kaiser Permanente, which continue to expand. Moreno Valley continues to add to its parks and trails system with 33 parks, 15 miles of trails, and the recently opened Civic Center Amphitheater, 3 City libraries, a golf course, Senior Community Center, and 4 community centers, making Moreno Valley an ideal location to live, play, and work.

The Selection Process : Applicants possessing the most desirable qualifications at each level, based on a screening of required application materials, including the completed Supplemental Questionnaire, will be invited to continue in the selection process. The City of Moreno Valley prioritizes and is committed to continuously providing a workplace where equal employment opportunity is afforded to all people.