Job Summary
The County of San Diego Announces an Exceptional Management Level Opportunity
LAND USE/ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING MANAGER - CLOSED LANDFILL
Interviews will take place the week of July 13, 2026. Job offers will be made the week of August 3, 2026.
The starting salary for this position will be based on the candidate’s qualifications at time of appointment.
Future Salary Increases:
** June 2026 – 4.49% increase to base pay (3% Across-the-Board + 1.49% Market Adjustment)
** June 2027 – 4.49% increase to base pay (3% Across-the- Board + 1.49% Market Adjustment)
***This hard to recruit position qualifies for the Employee Referral Reward Program. If a current County of San Diego employee referred you to apply for this position, please indicate the employee’s name on your job application in the space provided. ***
The County of San Diego is currently accepting applications for Land Use/Environmental Planning Manager - Closed Landfill. The current vacancy for this job classification is with the County's Department of Public Works (DPW) Closed Landfills division. This list may also be used to fill future vacancies in other Land Use Environment departments.
Work Location
The selected candidate may be assigned a hybrid schedule consisting of teleworking or working remotely; DPW is located in the LEED Certified County Operations Center, a modern 44-acre complex in the Kearny Mesa area of San Diego. This center consists of 18 structures and houses 19 departments, including an employee gym/workout center. Kearny Mesa is centrally located with easy access from the 163 and 805 freeways, along a vibrant corridor with a variety of commercial services in walking distance. The position may require visits to or oversight of work at various closed landfill sites around the County.
The Position
The Land Use Environmental Planning Manager for Closed Landfills leads a small team of professional planners and is responsible for managing workflow and assuring quality performance. The team is responsible for regulatory reports, permit applications, water quality and air quality monitoring program oversight and reporting, project planning, workplan development and similar tasks related to the management and compliance of closed landfill and burn sites. The incumbent ensures that work complies with all applicable policies and Federal, State, and local regulations while providing guidance and direction across multiple functional areas. This role also serves as the project manager for complex and high-visibility projects at landfill sites, offering expert oversight from initial review through final delivery. Additional responsibilities may include budgeting, financial forecasting, managing and executing outreach to property owners, and presenting to the executive management; coordination with the Regional Water Quality Control Board, Local Enforcement Agency (LEA), and property owners.
Please click here to view the complete job description for Land Use/Environmental Planning Manager.
The Department
The Department of Public Works (DPW) is committed to providing reliable and sustainable infrastructure for our unincorporated community. DPW is responsible for the following services for the unincorporated region: County maintained roads; traffic engineering; private development construction inspection; design engineering and construction management for public works related infrastructure; land surveying and map processing; watershed quality and flood protection; County airports; solid waste planning and diversion; closed landfill maintenance; wastewater and water systems management; and assessment districts for private road and landscape maintenance.
Please visit the Department of Public Works website for more information.
The Division
The County’s Closed Landfill Management Unit oversees closed landfills and former burn sites to protect public health and the environment. The team is responsible for 21 sites across the county, covering hundreds of acres. Operations include vegetation management for fire-risk reduction, erosion-control measures, implementation of stormwater Best Management Practices, cap and cover repairs, and maintaining site security. Several sites also operate landfill gas extraction systems and include groundwater monitoring wells, gas probes, and other infrastructure requiring consistent monitoring and maintenance. The planning team ensures all site requirements and mandatory reporting obligations are completed on time and in compliance with regulations established by the Local Enforcement Agency, CalRecycle, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the Air Pollution Control District. In addition to maintaining environmental safeguards, the unit evaluates and supports compatible secondary uses of closed sites.
Please visit the Department of Public Works website for more information on Closed Landfill Management.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate for Land Use/Environmental Planning Manager will possess the following experience, attributes, and traits:
Leadership & Management Style
• Record of success in staff management, mentoring, and coaching
• Collaborative, relationship-building leadership with strong interpersonal skills
• Commitment to continuous learning, inclusiveness, and valuing diverse perspectives
Project & Program Management
• Experience managing complex land use, planning, and environmental compliance projects involving multiple stakeholders
• Understanding of core budgeting principles, contract management, and effective financial oversight
• Strong ability to keep projects on schedule, track deliverables and facilitate effective meetings
• Experience with interpreting state and federal regulations and securing resource agency permits, preparing reports and responses to regulatory agencies.
Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
• Clear, effective verbal and written communication and strong presentation skills
• Confident engaging with elected officials, agency staff, consultants, community members, and residents
• Customer-service oriented, with experience fostering service culture across teams
Note that an educational background, work experience, licenses, or certifications in geology, hydrogeology, engineering, and/or solid waste site management are also desirable, but not required.
If you believe that you possess these qualities, DPW would be an ideal place for you. DPW has a culture that values collaboration and teamwork.
Hiring Process and TimelineThe timeline for this recruitment is outlined below.
i. Job Offer and Background Process begins: Shortly after the interviews.
Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
ii. Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
iii. 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 master's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency in urban studies, urban planning, geography, anthropology, biology, geology, ecology, zoology, environmental management, landscape architecture, engineering or a closely related field; AND, three (3) years of professional level regulatory planning, land use permit processing, long-range planning, or environmental management experience with a public or private land use agency. Professional level experience must be at the level equivalent to a Land Use/Environmental Planner III within the County of San Diego; OR,
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency in urban studies, urban planning, geography, anthropology, biology, geology, ecology, zoology, environmental management, landscape architecture, engineering or a closely related field; AND, four (4) years of professional level regulatory planning, land use permit processing, long-range planning, or environmental management experience with a public or private land use agency. Professional level experience must be at the level equivalent to a Land Use/Environmental Planner III within the County of San Diego; OR,
- One (1) year of experience as a Land Use/Environmental Planner III with the County of San Diego.
Note: Professional-level land use/environmental planning experience supervising/managing a multi-disciplinary team, acceptable to the County, in a public or private agency may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis, for up to two years of the education requirement.
The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, hides a candidate’s personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process helps contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application Work History and/or supplemental questionnaire.
Conditions of Employment
As part of the County of San Diego’s pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.
Evaluation Process
The names of qualified applicants will be placed on a six (6) month eligible list based on scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their employment and supplemental application.
Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental application form will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in the initial screening process, your application will be reviewed individually to confirm that the information you provided is accurate and qualifying.
Accommodation
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the job, on a case-by-case basis.
As an employer of over 19,000 employees, the County of San Diego is an organization committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans and value the unique expertise and leadership qualities they bring to our workforce. We strive to provide veterans with the resources and tools necessary to maximize their employment opportunities, and to assist veterans with their transition into civilian life by applying the valuable skills, knowledge and training acquired in service to positions and career paths at all levels within our large organization. Click on the resource links below to learn more about how the County of San Diego supports its veterans.
Veteran’s Preference PolicyThe County of San Diego offers preferential credits for military service to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from military to civilian careers with the County of San Diego. Please read the Veteran's Preference Policy for additional information.
Military Skills TranslatorDo you need assistance translating your military experience into civilian experience? This tool can help! Please read the Military Skills Translator to access the tool.
Strategic PlanThe County of San Diego and its employees embrace the vision of: a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all. Our values include: integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence, and sustainability. Each of which are infused throughout our operations. While also embracing a mission of strengthening our communities with innovative, inclusive, and data driven services through a skilled and supported workforce. Click here for more information on our Strategic Plan (sandiegocounty.gov).Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their employer or by law.
Diversity & Inclusion
The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset and our customers are our number one priority.
