Principal University Planner

Join our team at the California State University, Office of the Chancellor, and make a difference in providing access to higher education. We are currently seeking experienced candidates for the position of Principal University Planner. The CSU Chancellor's Office, located on the waterfront adjacent to the Aquarium of the Pacific in downtown Long Beach, is the headquarters for the nation's largest and most diverse system of higher education. The CSU Chancellor's Office offers a premium benefit package that includes outstanding vacation, health, and dental plans; a fee waiver education program; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS); and 15 paid holidays a year.

The anticipated salary hiring range is up to $130,008 per year, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Administrator II

The California State University, Office of the Chancellor, is seeking a Principal University Planner to be responsible for overseeing their assigned campuses and interfacing with campus staff on all project planning activities including review of project programs, budgets and schedules, for the purpose of developing the CSU Five-Year Capital Outlay Plan The Principal University Planner will serve as the administrator of CSU Plan, the Smartsheet-based platform supporting the Five-Year Capital Outlay Plan. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, maintaining and archiving data, implementing system improvements, developing portfolio-level reports, managing cost escalations, preparing for each new planning cycle, and end-user training. The Principal University Planner is also responsible for the direct supervision and support of Associate University Planner(s). The position reviews, updates and implements Board of Trustees’ policy in developing the campus physical master plan and communicates with campus staff on all physical planning activities from project conception to construction implementation and maintenance for all programs. The Principal University Planner prepares legislative reports and provide technical support to the Planning and Design Unit.

Under the general direction of the Director of Planning, the Principal University Planner will perform duties as outlined below:

-Reviews facility condition reports generated for both academic and self-support funded campus facilities to determine critical deferred maintenance; assists campuses in the identification and prioritization of deferred maintenance and capital and infrastructure improvement projects. Reviews and recommends for funding approval campus requests for deferred maintenance, capital and infrastructure improvements projects.

-Develops process improvements to streamline the capital planning, budgeting, design and construction document submittal process for the capital outlay program, specifically as relates to adaptations to changes in the capital financing and reporting requirements and construction delivery methods.

-Reviews campus physical master plans proposed by the campus, including changes in academic and enrollment plans and participates on campus planning committees to assist with major master plan revisions; reviews all major/minor master plan changes requested by the campus and determines, in conjunction with the Director of Land Use Planning and Review, if appropriate environmental impact report procedures have been followed. Prepares agenda material for Board of Trustees approval as required.

-Assists the Chief of Planning and Design in developing the systemwide priority list for the Five-Year Plan. Reviews and recommends for approval projects proposed for the Five-Year Plan by campuses, reviews and establishes budgets and schedules for capital outlay projects, and reviews and recommends changes to the campus Five-Year Plan.

-Conducts project meetings with campus and CPDC staff to review project financial status, construction progress, and reports on expenditure of contingency funds. Helps maintain current data in the Capital Projects Database and Active Projects Report for project tracking and reporting on scope, schedule and budget. Reviews campus performance and cashflow status on delegated projects.

-Reviews and edits Capital Outlay Budget Change Proposals for project justification, scope of project, and building costs to determine if the programs are consistent with established trustees' policies and priorities and the requirements of other control and review agencies. Partners with Real Estate Services to reviews and evaluate campus proposed public-private partnerships to determine conformance with CPDC review procedures. Assists campuses with coordination of grants and other initiatives to improve conservation and sustainability in capital projects. Maintains a regular schedule of campus visits to understand campus needs in support of mutually developed solutions for capital program and master plan development. Reviews academic program changes with Academic and Student Affairs. Provides support to the campus to justify projects during review by the Legislative Analyst's Office and the Department of Finance.

-Reviews and recommends for funding approval campus requests for deferred maintenance, infrastructure improvements, and Cap and Trade projects. Assists campuses in the use of grants and other initiatives to improve conservation and sustainability and reduce water consumption and greenhouse gas production in capital projects.

-Serves as the administrator of CSU Plan, the Smartsheet-based platform supporting the Five-Year Capital Outlay Plan. Manages system operations and development, including maintaining and archiving data, enhancing the user experience, developing portfolio-level reports for the final Five-Year Capital Outlay Plan, preparing for each new planning cycle, and providing end-user training and instructional materials.

-With minimal supervision, reviews and provides comment on schematic, preliminary, and working drawings of major capital outlay projects for conformance with approved scope and budget. Conducts project review meetings with campus and CPDC staff. Prepares and/or reviews draft agenda items and finalizes schematic information to be presented to the Board of Trustees. Develops project material required for approval by the Department of Finance. Develops justifications in support of requests for project augmentations or scope changes.

-Reviews and recommends for approval space changes proposed by campuses for the Space and Facilities Database to ensure that changes in use of space are consistent with space utilization guidelines and in compliance with the intent of the Academic Master Plan and campus physical Master Plan. Performs analyses of campus capacities, space utilization, course section reports and other prepared documents as required for capital program prioritization.

-Coordinates capital outlay planning with the CO divisions of Academic Affairs and Financing and Treasury. Assists campuses to identify and report private activity uses in tax exempt bond funded facilities and assists in the completion of due diligence for systemwide bond financing under CSU finance authority.

-Supervises and provides ongoing guidance to Associate University Planner(s) on tasks related to the development and implementation of the Five-Year Plan:

-Works in a collaborative and collegial manner to assign work, and review progress and support Associate University Planner(s) related to their specific tasks including minor master plan revisions, preparation of delegated approval items.

-Actively supports the professional development of Associate University Planners, preparing them for a role as University Planner.

-Participates in systemwide advisory committees, training workshops and conferences on the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of CSU capital projects. Analyzes capital programs and procedures, performs detailed studies, prepares reports and makes recommendations to the Chief of Planning and Design and the Assistant Vice Chancellor.

This position requires:

-Bachelor's degree in architecture, urban planning, construction management, business administration, accounting or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience. Advanced degree preferred in a related field.

-Five years planning experience demonstrating the application of the methods, practices and procedures of facilities and space planning, capital project design and construction, fiscal management, budgetary preparation, scheduling and control techniques.

-Ability to relate facility condition reports to long- and short-term needs, particularly as related to utility infrastructure, deferred maintenance and support requirements.

-Ability to analyze and evaluate capital outlay requests for academic renewal and enhancements, utilities infrastructure and physical plant capacity, including review of construction cost estimates and schedules.

-Excellent communication skills, verbal and written.

-Excellent skills in developing and maintaining effective and collegial working relationships.

-Current computer knowledge and skills with the Microsoft Office Suite.

-Strong Understanding and proven experience with Smartsheet for project management, workflow automation, form creation, data collection and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

-Strong critical thinking and analytical skills.

-Excellent time-management skills.

-Experience supervising technical and administrative staff.

-Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet established deadlines.

Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by August 18, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.

Please click "Apply Now" to complete the California State University, Chancellor's Office online employment application.

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, the CSU provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Senior Human Resources Manager at (562) 951-4070.

Please view the Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator at: https://www2.calstate.edu/titleix

This position requires new hire employment verification to be processed through the E-Verify program administered by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (DHSUSCIS)' in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

If hired, you will be required to furnish proof that you are legally authorized to work in the United States. The CSU Chancellor’s Office is not a sponsoring agency for staff and Management positions (i.e., H1-B VISAS).

Per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, it is strongly recommended that all Chancellor’s Office employees who are accessing office and campus facilities follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

The duties of this position will include participation in decisions that may have a material financial benefit to the incumbent. Therefore, the selected candidate will be required to file Conflict of Interest Form 700: Statement of Economic Interest when they first occupy the position, and on an annual basis, complete ethics training within 6 months of appointment, and attend this training every other year thereafter.

California State University, Office of the Chancellor, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

The Chancellor's Office policy requires that the selected candidate successfully complete a full background check (including a criminal records check) prior to assuming this position.

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