Senior planner Jobs in Torrance, CA

Salary : $87,828.00 - $122,580.00 Annually

Location : City of Redondo Beach, CA

Job Type : Full-Time

Department : Community Development

Opening Date : 12 / 02 / 2025

Closing Date : 12 / 19 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Pacific

FLSA : Exempt

Bargaining Unit : Professional & Supervisory Association

DEFINITION

Under general direction of the Community Development Director or the Planning Manager, the Senior Planner is accountable as a team member of the Community Development Department to achieve results in support of the City's mission, goals, policies and objectives.

We are looking for an enthusiastic team member with experience in Long Range or Advanced Planning. This is an in-person job opportunity, with great benefits and a 9 / 80 work schedule with an extended holiday closure between Christmas and New Years Day. If you are looking for a great opportunity to serve a diverse, exciting community, we invite you to apply now!

All applicants must attach a current resume. This post will remain open until December 19, 2025. Prompt application is encouraged. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for January 16, 2026.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS

The listed tasks are essential for this position and may include, but are not limited to the following :

• Assist the Planning Manager and Community Development Director in preparing Zoning Ordinance and land use plan amendments, performing analytical research, drafting language, preparing staff reports, resolutions, and presentations, and ensuring proper codification
• Prepare preliminary and final ordinances and resolutions regarding planning, zoning and related matters in coordination with the City Attorney
• Prepare environmental documentation including, but not limited to, Notices of Preparation, Determination, and Exemption in compliance with CEQA and ensuring proper public noticing and filing
• Prepare and perform analytical research, analyze and interpret complex studies, reports, and environmental documentation
• Draft and complete revisions to the General Plan, Coastal Land Use Plan, Zoning Ordinance and other plans, policies and guidelines
• Review public and private development projects for compliance with the General Plan, Coastal Land Use Plan, Zoning Ordinance and other regulatory standards and guidelines
• Assist with budget preparation, analysis and administration
• Assist with negotiating, preparing and managing contracts for environmental and other land use consultants, monitoring staff and consultants, and ensuring budget compliance
• Prepare and review staff reports for the Planning Commission, Preservation Commission, Harbor Commission and City Council
• Attend meetings including Planning Commission, Preservation Commission, City Council, and public workshops and public meetings
• Provide zoning and planning information to the public, making presentations, attending meetings and giving formal recommendations to City Commissions and various offices and agencies
• Assist and guide staff in review of permit and zoning applications
• Train, monitor, supervise, and evaluate staff performance
• Coordinate activities and serve as an advisor to the Planning Commission, Preservation Commission, and other boards and commissions, as assigned by the Community Development Director or Planning Manager
• Provide policy recommendations to the Community Development Director or Planning Manager on current and advanced planning projects / studies
• Represent the City in matters related to planning and zoning, as directed by the Community Development Director or Planning Manager
• Represent the Department in meetings with developers, agencies and applicants regarding proposed projects
• Assist in coordinating planning issues with other City Departments
• Implement policies and procedures to improve departmental efficiency and internal and external customer service
• Work irregular hours including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays, as necessary; being available for call-back and automatic return to work with a reasonable response time for major emergencies, disasters, critical incidents and as otherwise required
• Provide critical thinking towards thorough and professional recommendations and completed staff work
• Deliver effective internal and external customer service while solving problems and proactively creating sustainable solutions to issues
• Conduct duties, responsibilities, tasks and assignments with a constructive, cooperative, positive, professional attitude and demeanor
• Support the City's mission, goals, policies and objectives
• Support the City's corporate values of : openness and honesty; integrity and ethics; accountability; outstanding customer service; teamwork; excellence; and fiscal and environmental responsibility
• Perform other related duties as required

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

This position requires :

Thorough knowledge of : Customer service, land use, current and advanced planning theory and practice, research and analytical methods; basic principles and practices of public administration; California Statues regarding local government; City Charter and ordinances pertaining to building, zoning and planning, and techniques required in the preparation of maps, charts and graphics; principals, practices, methods and techniques of city planning as they pertain to the design and development of urban, regional and municipal comprehensive plans, GIS planning, historic preservation, transportation and traffic analysis, open space planning, environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act and coastal review and permitting under the Coastal Act.

The ability to : Prepare complete complex technical reports; analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures and governmental regulations; present facts and recommendations effectively both orally and in writing; plan and coordinate the work of subordinates; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, the pubic and elected officials; evaluate statistical data and to present facts and conclusions clearly in written, oral and graphic form; and apply professional planning principals, practices and techniques to a variety of advanced problems and assignments; supervise professional, technical, clerical and contract personnel engaged in City planning, zoning, design review, historic preservation and revitalization work; meet the physical employment standards for the classification; communicate using email programs; and understand and adhere to City policies for information technology.

The position's expected competencies are : Sound decision-making skills; critical thinking ability; problem solving and innovation skills; drive for results; analytic skills; interpersonal, customer service and diplomatic skills; ethical conduct; and proven top performances.

Required Education and / or Experience :

Experience in advance planning is highly desirable.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

CLASSIFICATION :

The position is exempt from coverage under the Fair Labor Standards Act and employee is a member of the Unclassified Service.

SELECTION PROCESS :

The selection process may include but is not limited to : application review and evaluation, written examination, performance test and interview. All employment offers made by the City are contingent upon establishing proof of a prospective candidate's legal authorization to work in the United States and successfully passing all components of the pre-employment process, such as : reference check, background investigation, fingerprint criminal history check, post-offer drug test, post-offer psychological and post-offer medical examination, the cost of which will be borne by the City.

Candidates must fill out the employment application and supplemental questions completely and accurately. Incomplete applications, including references to "see resume", are considered incomplete and will be disqualified.

The City of Redondo Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Candidates with a disability who may need accommodation during the selection process must notify the Human Resources Department at least five (5) business days in advance of the test date.

Qualified Military Veterans are given an additional five points to a passing score for both open-competitive and promotional recruitments.

Note : The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

Note : The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

For full information regarding salary & benefits, please refer to the Professional & Supervisory Association Memorandum of Understanding by clicking

Note : All Miscellaneous employees pay in to Social Security and Medicare (7.65%). City employees do not pay in to California State Disability (SDI). The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

01

Please indicate your highest level of education completed.

02

How many years of progressively responsible experience in municipal planning and zoning including supervisory experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience, do you possess?

03

Briefly describe your work experience, education, and / or training as they relate to this position.

Required Question