Senior Planner, Billboards

Note: Effective July 1, 2025, the pay rate will increase by 3.063% in accordance with the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The new annual salary range for this position will be $137,191.18 to $175,304.69.

Why WeHo

The City of West Hollywood is like no other city in the world. Located in the heart of metropolitan Los Angeles and only 1.9 square miles, the City of West Hollywood was incorporated in 1984 by a unique collaboration of people, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender activists, seniors, and advocates for affordable housing. West Hollywood is an international tourism destination with a diverse population and is also the location of many entertainment, design, technology, and hospitality-based businesses. The City is a robust economic and cultural center instilled with idealism, creativity, and innovation. A spirit of community activism and civic pride thrives in West Hollywood for many of its approximately 36,500 residents. The City of West Hollywood has a strong progressive voice, is a leader among communities, and is filled with a rich history. The City prides itself on strong core values: Respect and Support for People; Responsiveness to the Public; Idealism, Creativity, and Innovation; Quality of Residential Life; Promotion of Economic Development; Public Safety; and Responsibility for the Environment – as well as being proactive in responding to the needs of its diverse community.

 

How We Serve

The City of West Hollywood's Community Development Division oversees a variety of innovative planning initiatives that enhance the urban landscape while preserving the city's unique character. Through thoughtful development policies and community engagement, the Division works to create vibrant, sustainable spaces that serve residents and visitors while supporting the city's creative economy and cultural vibrancy.

 

What You'll Contribute 

The City of West Hollywood is seeking an experienced Senior Planner to join our Sunset Boulevard Arts & Advertising Program within the Community Development Department. The Senior Planner serves as lead staff member for the Sunset Boulevard Arts & Advertising Program, performing complex technical and professional functions related to transforming Sunset Boulevard into a premier arts and advertising corridor while maintaining the character and identity of the Sunset Strip. This role involves processing land use and development permits for various off-site advertising signage types, public art installations, façade improvements, and related public realm enhancements.  Responsibilities include reviewing development proposals, pro forma financial statements, and providing technical advice, along with preparing and negotiating development agreements compliant with the Sunset Boulevard Arts & Advertising program standards. Additional responsibilities include collecting, analyzing and presenting planning data to support corridor enhancement initiatives and policy development; developing and implementing City-wide sustainability policies and programs that integrate environmental considerations into advertising and artistic installations; interacting with property owners, billboard advertising companies, artists, community members and stakeholders to disseminate information related to Sunset Boulevard Arts & Advertising Program requirements, ordinances, laws, codes, and policies; reviewing submitted plans and blueprints for signage and art projects and applying technical approvals; preparing comprehensive reports and staff analyses for presentation to Planning Commission, City Council, and various commissions; and providing technical planning expertise to support the ongoing transformation of this iconic corridor. The position requires advanced expertise in California development agreement practices, negotiation strategies, urban planning principles, land use regulations, and the technical aspects of integrating commercial advertising with public realm improvements within a progressive municipal framework.

Please note: While this vacancy is specifically for the Sunset Boulevard Arts & Advertising Project, the City may utilize the candidate list from this recruitment to fill other vacancies within the Senior Planner classification as they become available.

The ideal candidate will:

• Be motivated to work with a team in a fast-paced, dynamic, and high-profile environment.
• Demonstrate high-level experience working with complex discretionary land use entitlements, California development agreement practices, and legislative planning projects.
• Show an applied understanding of project and program-level CEQA analysis.
• Demonstrate outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Familiarity with pro-form financial analysis and the ability to negotiate revenue share contracts in the form of a development agreement. 
• Possess a high level of comfort with public speaking and presenting.
• Be able to show skills in time management, organization, and efficiency. 
• Have experience working with elected and appointed officials and members of the community.

For full position details, please click the job description: Senior Planner.

Reports to: Director of Community Development