Senior Planner

The Town of Portola Valley is seeking a Senior Planner to help guide thoughtful development, protect our natural character, and enhance the quality of life that makes our community so special. If you’re a creative, collaborative planning professional who enjoys both strategic visioning and hands-on project work, this is your chance to make a direct and lasting impact in a close-knit town setting!

Under the general direction of the Planning and Building Director, our Senior Planner will perform professional level work related to municipal planning, zoning, housing, and environmental analysis; reviews and will manage complex development projects; perform professional duties in support of long range planning studies, interpret and enforce various zoning regulations of the Town; completes complex and technical assessments and prepares written analyses; provides professional assistance to the public; presents information and reports to the Architecture Site Control Commission (ASCC), the Planning Commission, and the Town Council; and performs related work as required. 

Representative Duties, but not limited to:

Serve as project manager for advanced and complex planning projects; evaluate proposals for consistency with Town policies, ordinances, the General Plan, and applicable state and federal laws.
Prepare and present staff reports and recommendations to the ASCC, Planning Commission, and Town Council; attend meetings, clerk commission meetings, and make presentations as needed.
Support the Planning and Building Director on high-priority programs, projects, and initiatives.
Prepare written project analyses, identify key land use, design, and environmental issues, and recommend appropriate actions.
Participate in long-range planning efforts, including updates to the General Plan and other planning documents.
Coordinate and conduct community outreach related to development projects and Town initiatives; prepare informational materials and facilitate meetings.
Serve as staff liaison to Town commissions and committees, providing technical advice and presentations.
Oversee the development review process, including Staff Discretionary Review, CEQA compliance, and consultant coordination.
Draft resolutions, ordinances, and findings; assist in budget preparation and project administration.
Investigate code compliance complaints and prepare public information materials on Town codes and policies.
Provide technical guidance and training to staff, interns, and other personnel as needed.
Attend meetings, conferences, and training sessions to stay informed of current trends and best practices in planning.
Maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other Town employees, and the public, applying principles of effective customer service.
Other duties as assigned

Education and Experience:

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in land-use planning, urban planning, landscape architecture or a closely related field.  A Master’s degree is highly desirable.

A minimum of five years of increasingly responsible planning experience preferably with a public agency, which must have included two years of project management or supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job as listed above.
Considerable experience dealing with diverse public and private interests in the planning and development process. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License; ICS 100, 200, and 700 certification.  
AICP certification is highly desirable. 

To Apply: Please send a cover letter and resume to PVHR@portolavalley.net by 5:00pm, Monday, November 17, 2025

The Town is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Applicants with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting the Human Resources Department at pvhr@portolavalley.net or calling 650-851-1700.

Benefits in Summary:

Retirement: The Town participates in CalPERS with 2% @ 55 for classic members with a current employee contribution of 7%. For new employees covered under PEPRA, the retirement formula is 2% @ 62 with an employee contribution of half the normal cost of benefit for both employer and employee. 

The Town participates in Social Security. 

Medical: Generous contribution to Cafeteria Plan (section 125) for employee to select from CalPERS medical plans, opt out, or deferred compensation plan. The cafeteria plan allowance is adjusted annually on January 1. Monthly Health Opt-Out Payment — Employee Only & Employee plus one: $600 Employee plus two or more: $800 

Dental & Vision: Insurance Town paid for employee and dependents. 

This position is exempt

Deferred Compensation: Offered with no contribution cost from the Town. 

Vacation: Up to 20 days per year, depending on years of service.  

Holidays: 9 holidays per calendar year plus business days between Christmas & New Year’s Day.  

Sick Leave: 12 days accrued per year. 

Administrative Leave: 56 hours per calendar year, prorated on start date, no carryover.