The County of San Diego is currently accepting job applications for Land Use/Environmental Planner II - Waste Planning and Recycling
Interviews will take place the week of August 11, 2025
Future Salary Increases:
** June 2026 – 4.37% increase to base pay (3.5% Across-the-Board +0.87% Market Adjustment)
** June 2027 – 3.87% increase to base pay (3% Across-the- Board + 0.87% Market Adjustment)
The County's Department of Public Works (DPW) has a current vacancy in their Waste Planning and Recycling Division.
Land Use/Environmental Planner IIs perform professional environmental and planning studies, research, and data analysis to develop goals and policy recommendations for adoption by decision-making bodies. Under general direction, incumbents independently perform a wide scope of environmental and/or planning projects characterized by having moderate public controversy, and of moderate complexity such as major use permits, tentative maps, variances, environmental impact reports, rezones or County-wide policy and ordinance changes, updates to the General Plan, implementation of the County's Multiple Species Conservation Program, or other special projects.
Department of Public Works The Department of Public Works (DPW) consists of four divisions and is responsible for: County-maintained roads; traffic engineering; land development civil engineering review; design engineering and construction management; land surveying and map processing; cartographic services; watershed quality and flood protection; County Airports; solid waste planning and diversion; inactive landfills; wastewater systems management; and special districts.
DPW's mission is to preserve, enhance and promote quality of life and public safety through the responsible development of reliable and sustainable infrastructure and services.
The current vacancy is in the Department of Public Works – Waste Planning & Recycling Division. For additional information on DPW, please click here.
Waste Planning & Recycling The Waste Planning & Recycling Division is responsible for promoting recycling and waste reduction in the unincorporated area of the county, ensuring compliance with state and local regulations and implementing programs to achieve the Board of Supervisors’ 80% waste diversion goal by 2030. To aid in reducing waste, the section provides outreach and education, assistance, and other resources. The position assigned to this section will work with the Program Coordinator to oversee compliance with SB 1383 and other state regulations, implement the commercial recycling program, track franchise hauler program compliance; coordinate waste tonnage tracking programs; analyze data; prepare presentations and Board Letters; assist junior staff working on the programs above; and perform related work.
Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate for Land Use/Environmental Planner II will possess the following experience, attributes, and traits:
Demonstrate proven professional level experience as a land use or environmental planner including updating General Plans and Community Plans, Zero Waste and/or High Waste Diversion Plans, administering franchise waste and recycling hauler agreements, updating ordinances or regulations, implementing Climate Action Plans, preparing and implementing agency-wide conservation plans, preparing and reviewing environmental documents in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and managing special long-range planning projects
Demonstrate experience and competency in working on compliance with recycling and waste regulations, particularly SB 1383.
Demonstrate experience and competency in facilitating public engagement meetings
Demonstrate experience and competency in preparing graphic displays and other public outreach materials
Demonstrate a strong willingness to continually learn and grow professionally
Maintain a professional perspective and objective demeanor when positive or difficult situations occur
Review and handle complex projects involving several functional groups
Communicate effectively in verbal and written form; strong presentation skills; and a good listener
Demonstrate good interpersonal and teamwork skills, including building relationships and collaborating with others in order to keep projects moving in a positive direction
Learn and understand the perspectives of others, and embrace diversity and inclusiveness
If you believe that you possess these qualities, then DPW would be an ideal place for your talent and career growth. DPW has a great culture that values collaboration and teamwork.
Though our staff member will not be working on General/Community Plans, and this experience would not be required, this type of work would be a translatable skill/experience that may be useful for our upcoming Zero Waste Planning effort. This is also the case with the section “preparing and reviewing environmental documents in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)” which may be useful experience/skills in reviewing zoning or permit requirements, but will not be a customary task for this position.
Hiring Timelines & Dates:
Job Offer and Background Process begins shortly after interviews. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.
If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.
Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency, in city and regional planning, urban planning, aviation management, landscape architecture, geography, archaeology, biology with a concentration in wildlife and/or botany; geology; or any one of the following life and physical sciences, geography with a concentration in conservation of environmental quality, natural resources or physical geography, ecology; zoology; engineering with an emphasis in acoustics or environmental management, environmental science or a related field, AND two (2) years of progressively responsible professional level experience performing environmental analysis, planning, research, data analysis, and computations, and preparing and presenting reports and graphics as it relates to land use/environmental planning. Experience must be at the level equivalent to a Land Use/Environmental Planner I within the County of San Diego; OR,
A master's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign equivalency, in one of the fields stated above, AND one (1) year of progressively responsible professional level experience as described above; OR,
One (1) year of experience as a Land Use/Environmental Planner I with the County of San Diego
Applicants must submit or attach copies of their complete official transcripts or unofficial transcripts, diplomas, and/or proof of completion letters, or other documentation originated by a United States accredited college or university; or a certified foreign studies equivalency for colleges or universities outside of the United States. Any one or more of these documents must be submitted or attached to the online application in a timely manner, preferably at the time of application submittal.
