Principal Planner

Statement on Remote Work Policy - Mono County, California

“Mono County does not permit fully remote positions. All employees are required to perform their job duties in person at their designated work location(s) to ensure compliance with Mono County policies, state labor laws, applicable tax regulations, and operational requirements. Requests for intermittent remote work may be considered on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Department Head, with approval from the County Administrative Officer (CAO).”

Description

Join Our Planning Division as a Supervisory Leader

The County Community Development Department is seeking a dedicated Principal Planner to join our Planning Division. Under direction, you will oversee specific planning disciplines and lead the full spectrum of professional planning assignments. Your work will include managing planning studies, conducting environmental reviews, processing permits, contributing to community design, and preparing general plans. You will assist with planning policy development and implementation, supervise and evaluate staff, and serve as project manager for large and complex projects. Additionally, you will provide lead direction, mentoring, and training to team members as needed.

About Our Team

Working in our Planning Department is challenging and fun, from both an intellectual and interpersonal perspective. As regulators within a well-defined and occasionally political system, we approach our responsibilities with a positive, solutions-focused mindset. Our team develops policy grounded in community input, upholds high ethical standards, ensures consistency in our processes and decisions, and places strong emphasis on teamwork and collaboration. Assignments are aligned with individual interests where possible, and we coordinate effectively to ensure alignment and mutual support.

Recently, we finalized a complex and controversial update to our short-term rental regulations. Our current focus is on updating the Housing Element and the Regional Transportation Plan. Additionally, we are processing planning permits for various uses, including an event venue, RV park, and short-term rentals. We are also collaborating with external agencies on projects such as highway wildlife crossings, Bi-State sage grouse conservation, and water management initiatives.

Ideal Candidate
We are seeking a skilled and motivated Planning Professional with strong knowledge of California land use planning law who excels in forming independent, well-reasoned judgements on entitlement reviews and policy development. The ideal candidate brings advanced research and analytical skills to identify solutions that fit rural Mono County and develop clear, actionable recommendations, and has experience managing small project teams or staff in areas such as long-range planning, current planning, or CEQA. They thrive in collaborative environments, building strong relationships with other departments and outside agencies, and are confident public speakers and writers capable of engaging community members and presenting complex planning concepts with ease. Overall, we are looking for a forward-thinking, community-minded professional who brings sound judgement, technical expertise, and a collaborative spirit to every project they support.
To see the full job description, click here .

Examples of Duties

• Lead and assist in the revision of planning ordinances to enhance community development.
• Interpret use permits and ensure compliance with ordinances and regulations.
• Review site development plans, prepare staff reports, and present findings to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.
• Manage and supervise small project teams or specific planning disciplines, such as long-range and current planning or CEQA.
• Prepare maps, graphs, and other visuals to support projects.
• Answer public inquiries on planning issues, permit procedures, and zoning, offering expert advice.
• Represent the Planning Department on committees as needed.
• Provide staff support and management oversight to local and regional advisory committees and commissions.
• Supervise, evaluate, and mentor subordinate staff.
• Maintain strict confidentiality in all aspects of planning work.

Typical Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
Graduation from a four (4) year college or university with major work in planning, or a closely related field;
-AND-
Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience equivalent to that as a Planner III.Experience equivalent to that of a Planning Technician or a permit technician with a government agency may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. A graduate degree, certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (ACIP), or other professional certificate in a related field is highly desirable. Experience in CEQA, staff supervision, and/or project management preferred.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Possession of a valid driver's license.

Supplemental Information

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Prolonged sitting, regular standing, and walking, including over uneven terrain.
• Ability to lift and move items up to 25 pounds.
• Normal dexterity, hand-eye coordination, hearing, and vision (with correction as needed).
• Effective verbal communication; frequent use of computers, phones, copiers, and FAX machines.
• Ability to drive an automobile.
• Work takes place in both office and outdoor settings, sometimes in inclement weather.
• Frequent interaction with staff and the public.

Why Mono County?
Mono County offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact through public service while enjoying an exceptional quality of life. As a small, collaborative county organization, employees work closely with leadership, take on diverse responsibilities, and see the direct results of their work in the community.

What employees value about working at Mono County: Employees appreciate Mono County’s location and lifestyle benefits, strong benefits package (including CalPERS retirement and health coverage), collaborative teams, and the opportunity to make a direct impact in public service. Our smaller, close-knit work environment fosters meaningful connections and supports work-life balance.

Located on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, Mono County provides year-round outdoor recreation and a true work-life balance, with access to Yosemite National Park, Mammoth Lakes, and uncrowded mountain living. The County offers stable public sector employment, competitive benefits, and a supportive work environment for professionals seeking both career fulfillment and lifestyle balance.

Mono County Summary of Benefits

The following information is intended to provide a summary of benefits and does not include full details of coverage. Service limitations and restrictions may apply depending on coverage levels and services rendered.

Pay Periods and Payroll Deductions
County employees are paid on a bi-weekly basis, which consists of 26 pay periods per year. Payroll deductions including medical and most voluntary deductions will occur on a semi-monthly basis or 2 times per month. Retirement contributions will always be deducted on all 26 pay periods.

Medical Mono County Contracts with CalPERS
To provide health insurance for its employees and currently offers several Preferred Provider (PPO) Plans which are administered by Anthem Blue Cross. Employees have the option to choose from PERS Gold, PERS Platinum, and PORAC. The PORAC Plan is currently only available to members of the Safety group employee's. Medical plan costs vary based on the plan and coverage you select. The employee and the County share the cost of the plan, which is deducted on a pre-tax basis. The employee’s cost is in accordance with the applicable Memorandum of Understanding with each bargaining group. For more information regarding health plans, please visit: https://www.calpers.ca.gov/page/active-members/health-benefits/plans-and-rates

Dental Mono County
Offers a self-insured dental plan administered by Delta Dental of California and currently offers the following benefits:
•$1,100.00 each year towards your dental coverage if you choose an in-network Delta DentalPPO Dentist.
•$1,000.00 each year towards your dental coverage if you choose and out-of-network orNon-Delta Dental PPO Dentist.
•Diagnostic and preventative coverage of 70 - 100 % of contracted allowance (based onlength enrolled in the plan and dentist visit of at least once per year).
•Major services are covered at 50% of the contracted allowance.
Currently Dental coverage is provided to eligible Mono County employees at 100% employer paid.

Vision
Vision Service Plan is our Vision Insurance provider. Our plan is VSP Signature. Benefits include:
•well/vision exam every 12 months, carries a $10 copay.
•$160 allowance for frames and 20% off amount over allowance.
•$180 allowance for contacts and contact lens exam and 15% off contact lens fitting andevaluation. Currently Vision coverage is provided to eligible Mono County employees at 100% employer paid.

Basic Life Insurance
Administered by Voya Mono County Employees are entitled to Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment.
Mono County also offers coverage to employee’s spouse and dependents. Life Insurance is administered by Voya Insurance.
•Coverage for General Employees is $5,000.00
•At-Will/Elected Employees/Paramedic Coverage is $50,000.00
•Coverage for Employee’s Spouse is $1,000.00
•Coverage for Employee’s Children is also $1,000.00
•Coverage for Employee’s Children under six months is $100.00
Currently Basic Life coverage is provided to eligible Mono County employees at 100% employer paid.
Supplemental Life Insurance - Administered by Voya
Employees have the option of enrolling in a Supplemental Life insurance policy for themselves, their spouse and any dependent children. This policy is purchased by the employee with rates based on the age group at the time of enrollment.
Supplemental life insurance coverage can be enrolled in the first 31 days of employment without proof of good health, after 31 days proof of good health is required. Amounts available are as follows:
•For Employee up to $150,000 (guaranteed issue) or up to $500,000 with proof of goodhealth
•For Spouse up to $50,000.00 and for the Employee’s Children for $10,000.00.

Flexible Spending Accounts and Optional Insurances
Provided by WORKTERRAFlexible Spending Accounts for medical reimbursement and dependent care are available through a Section 125 account administered by WORKTERRA. These accounts allow you to contribute pre-tax dollars to help pay for eligible medical and dependent care expenses.

Mono County Deferred Compensation 457/401(a) Plan
The County provides deferred compensation plan through Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a) Employees have the option to sign up for the 457-deferred compensation plan and contribute up to the maximum amount allowed by the IRS. If the employee contributes a total of 1-3% of their pre-tax salary, the County will match those contributions up to a maximum of 3% into a 401 (a) plan under the employee’s name. The employee may direct the investment of all contributions in accordance with the options or limitation provided by the 401(a) Plan.

CalPERS Retirement Benefits and Contributions
Mono County contracts with CalPERS for your retirement plan. Your retirement plan is a defined benefit plan determined by a set formula which uses your years of service, age at retirement, and highest one or three years of service. The Plan is funded by contributions from the employee, the County and investments from plan assets.

Mono County has a Local Miscellaneous group and a Local Safety group.
Your benefit formula will fall within one of these two groups
Most new members will fall within the new Pension Reform Formulas of 2 @ 62 for Miscellaneous & 2.7 @ 57 for all Safety Group. However, if you do have prior membership you may be eligible for the formulas that were in place on December 31st 2012, before Pension reform went into place. Our pre-pension reform formulas are:
Local Miscellaneous Group = 2.5% @ 55
Local Safety - Sheriff = 3% @ 55
Local Safety - Fire = 2% @ 50
Local Safety - County Peace Officer = 3% @ 50
Find out all about your CalPERS benefits at www.calpers.ca.gov

AFLAC - Optional Insurance Provider
Mono County contracts with a Local Representative who provides our employees with the opportunity to enroll in several different policies offered by AFLAC, to include; Cancer, Critical Care, Hospital, Accident, Disability, intensive Care. New employees can enroll within the first 30 days of employment; all other transactions are done during open enrollment each year.

EAP - Employee Assistance Program
Mono County offers two different Employee Assistance Programs through Trindel Insurance Fund and Voya. Both programs include counseling and telephone consultation services addressing a variety of personal topics to promote a healthy family and work life balance.

Mono County Wellness Program
Mono County offers a discounted rate, as well as $25 towards Membership to local health clubs at the Double Eagle in June Lake or Snowcreek Athletic Club and The Body Shop in Mammoth Lakes.
For employees living or working in Bridgeport, there is a County maintained facility in the Bridgeport Memorial Hall that employees have access to for a small one-time fee of $10.00

SICK & VACATION
Sick - (Unless an applicable collective bargaining agreement provides otherwise)
Eligible employees will accrue sick leave at the rate of 12 sick days per year. Permanent part-time employees accrue sick leave on a prorated basis.
Vacation- (Unless an applicable collective bargaining agreement provides otherwise)
Eligible employees shall be entitled to accrue vacation leave with pay for each year of full-time service as follows:
Initial employment ----------------------------------10 days vacation per year
After three years of continuous service------15 days vacation per year
After ten years of continuous service--------17 days vacation per year
After fifteen years of continuous service---19 days vacation per year
After twenty years of continuous service--20 days vacation per year

Permanent part-time employees accrue vacation on a prorated basis.

Mono County Holidays
Most all bargaining groups recognize 13 Holidays as outlined in the Mono County Policies and Procedures and Personal Holidays according to your specific MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) according to your represented group.

“Welcome to Mono County - A great place to live and work!!”

Closing Date/Time: 2/24/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

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• County of Mono

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