Principal Planner – Urban

CSG Consultants, Inc.

Principal Planner overseeing complex planning projects and managing teams at CSG Consultants. Requires significant experience and a Bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Posted 6/24/2026full-timeIrvine • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $142,000 - $180,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Perform and manage complex and sensitive professional planning projects, research, and analysis.
Monitor and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
Oversee specialized planning functions such as large-scale new development proposals and environmental studies.
Advise the Planning Director and/or Vice President of Planning Services on all planning-related matters.
Assign work to professional staff and ensure appropriate training is provided.
Evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities.
Prepare reports on operations and activities, recommending improvements and modifications.
Handle sensitive personnel matters.
Comprehensive experience preparing and reviewing land use entitlement applications for a California Public Agency.
Evaluate complex land development proposals (Pre-Applications, General Plan amendments, Text Amendments, Re-zonings, Conditional Use Permits, Variances, Annexations, land subdivisions and other development requests.)
Ability to be flexible and adapt to varying work environments such as working directly at a client site, from an assigned office location, able to work remotely, and/or from other locations as necessary.
Attend substantial number of evening and weekend meetings as needed.
Gather, analyze, and present data in the form of written, graphic, or oral reports and present findings and recommendations before the approving body (Planning Commission, City Council, Board of Supervisors and other bodies) at public hearings.
Plan, manage, and participate in the preparation of advanced planning projects.
May represent the Planning Department at the Architectural Committee, Historical and Landmarks Commission, and other planning advisory committees as needed.
Act as a company representative while actively pursuing new business opportunities.
Customarily and regularly exercise discretion and independent judgment.
Perform other related duties as required.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Studies, Public or Business Administration or a closely related field and five years recent managerial level experience in governmental
Sufficient education and experience in governmental planning to demonstrate the possession and application of the required knowledge and abilities.
A Master’s degree in one of the above areas is highly desirable and would substitute for one year of managerial experience.
Possession of license, registration, or certification in a related field, such as American Planning Association (APA) or American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), is highly desirable.
Proactive in business development activities and take an active role in building the company’s client base in coordination with the Director(s) of Planning and Vice President of Planning Services.
Demonstrate effective leadership with the ability to motivate and inspire staff while working as part of the CSG team.
Possession and maintenance of a valid Class “C” California driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record is required.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Company subsidized medical, dental, vision insurance for employees and family coverage
Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), depending on your selected health insurance plan
Flexible Spending Accounts and Transit/Parking benefits
Group and Voluntary Life insurance
Long-Term Disability insurance
Employee Stock Ownership program*
401(k) program with a company match*
15 days Paid Time Off (PTO), 12 paid company holidays
California Paid Sick Leave (for part-time/as-needed employees)*
Employee Assistance program
Fitness Reimbursement program
Professional Development program*

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

land use entitlement applicationsland development proposalsGeneral Plan amendmentsText AmendmentsRe-zoningsConditional Use PermitsVariancesAnnexationsland subdivisionsadvanced planning projects

Soft Skills

leadershipflexibilityadaptabilitydiscretionindependent judgmentcommunicationmotivationinspirationteamworkbusiness development

Certifications

American Planning Association (APA)American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)Bachelor’s degree in planningMaster’s degree in planningvalid Class 'C' California driver’s license