Assistant Planner

THE POSITION

Join Our Team as an Assistant Planner!

Are you passionate about shaping vibrant communities and guiding sustainable development? The City of Rancho Cordova is seeking a dedicated and innovative Assistant Planner to join our dynamic Community Development Department. This unique opportunity offers the chance to contribute to a diverse range of planning projects that enhance the quality of life for our residents and businesses.

Why Choose Rancho Cordova?

Rancho Cordova is an emerging urban center with a small-town feel, home to over 81,000 residents and one of the largest employment centers in the region. Our city is committed to fostering a vibrant, inclusive community where both residents and businesses can thrive. As a member of our team, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping the future growth and development of our city.

Take a look at our New Businesses and Projects!

The Assistant Planner will perform a variety of professional planning duties, including reviewing development proposals, conducting research and analysis, preparing reports, and providing information to the public. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of urban planning principles, excellent analytical and communication skills, and the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, with a commitment to public service and a passion for community development.

Ready to make a meaningful impact on the future of Rancho Cordova? APPLY TODAY!

City employees enjoy a robust benefit plan for themselves and their families.

BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR THE CITY OF RANCHO CORDOVA

• Choice of a generous monthly stipend for Medical/Dental/Vision or Cash in Lieu of Medical Insurance.
• 13 paid holidays per year.
• Universal Time Off (combined vacation and sick leave).
• CalPERS Retirement.
• Tuition Reimbursement up to $2,500/fiscal year
  • The City of Rancho Cordova is also a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
• Alternate work schedules available
• Onsite fitness area & many more employee perks.

City employees also enjoy the knowledge that their work matters to the residents, visitors and businesses in our community. See what some of employees have to say about working for the City of Rancho Cordova, by watching this short video:

The City of Rancho Cordova is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other characteristics protected by law.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and change business practices.

• Reviews development proposals and applications for conformance to City standards and other applicable state and federal rules and regulations; serves as primary point of contact to developers and property owners in meeting these standards; processes appeal to department determinations.
• Reviews current and/or long-range planning projects for consistency with City standards and other applicable state and federal rules and regulations; provides information to applicants and developers for plan modifications to meet compliance requirements; recommends improvements to project design.
• Responds to inquiries at the public counter, by phone, mail, or electronic mail; provides professional planning guidance in responding to questions or inquiries; confers with and advises architects, builders, attorneys, contractors, engineers, and the public regarding city development policies and standards.
• Reviews, investigates, and enforces zoning regulations; prepares correspondence to applicants, violators, and other agencies regarding compliance issues; may coordinate with Code Enforcement as well as other internal departments regarding land use and building code violation implementation and correction.
• Promotes a positive City image by maintaining excellent internal and external customer relations; answers question and provides information to the public; investigates complaints and recommends corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints; assists planning staff in responding to non-routine or unusual circumstances/inquiries.
• Serves as staff to the Planning Commission, City Council, citizen boards, and committees; prepares agenda and appropriate reports; makes and presents findings and recommendations for planning and zoning matters.

See the Job Description for a more complete list of Essential Duties and Responsibilities.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS & MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training

• Equivalent to the completion of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with course work in planning, environmental studies, or a closely related field.

Experience

• No professional experience is required.
  
  • One (1) year of prior municipal planning experience is desirable.

Licensure/Certification

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California's drivers' license.

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENTS

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Requires the mobility and manual dexterity to work in a standard office environment, use standard office equipment and attend off-site meetings; speech and hearing to communicate in person and by telephone; vision to read handwritten and printed materials and a computer screen; and strength and agility to lift and carry items weighing up to 30 pounds. On a continuous basis work in an office environment sitting at a desk for long periods of time; travel from job site to job site sitting in vehicle; bend, squat, climb, kneel and twist while performing field work; may be exposed to dust, noise, machinery, moving objects and other vehicles while performing field work; may work on uneven or slippery surfaces; and may intermittently perform field work while exposed to various types of weather including extreme heat during summer months and cold temperatures during the winter months. Some accommodations may be made for some physical demands for otherwise qualified individuals who require and request such accommodations.

FLSA - Exempt status

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Rancho Cordova complies with the letter and spirit of the Equal Employment Opportunity and Americans with Disabilities laws in its employment process. Please advise the Human Resources Department of any reasonable accommodation you need in order to participate in the City’s application process.

HumanResources@CityofRanchoCordova.org

EXEMPT EMPLOYEE BENEFIT SUMMARY

CALPERS Retirement -The City of Rancho Cordova contracts with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) for a defined benefit plan.

Tier 1: Employees hired prior to December 31, 2012, and "Classic Members" hired subsequently with less than a six (6) month break in service, are provided 2.7% at 55 retirement formula. City employees pay the full 8% of their base pay toward this retirement benefit.

Tier 2: Due to the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (Assembly Bill 340), new Miscellaneous members hired after January 1, 2013, or "Classic Members" with a break in service of more than six (6) months, are eligible for the 2% @ 62 CalPERS retirement formula for fiscal year 2025/2026. Employee contribution rate is 7.75% of PERS-able compensation, up to $186,906. (Note: the employee contribution will change as the cost of the benefit changes, since the employee is required to pay half the normal cost.)

1959 Survivor Benefit (Indexed Level)
The 1959 Survivor Benefit provides a monthly allowance to eligible survivors of members who die while actively employed. The monthly benefit payable to survivors in the Indexed Level increases by 2% each year. Benefit amounts for fiscal year 2025/2026 are $820, $1,641 and $2,461 for 1, 2, or 3 eligible survivors.

457 and 401(a) Deferred Compensation Plan

• City will contribute $23.08 per pay period into the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan on behalf of the employee.
• City will match up to 3% of the base salary for employees who participate in the 457 plan. City match is placed in a 401(a) plan. There is no vesting period.
• Employees may also voluntarily participate in the 401(a) defined contribution retirement program; however, election must be made upon hire and is irrevocable during employment with the city.

Health Insurance (medical, dental and vision) - The City offers a "cafeteria plan," which includes a monthly medical stipend the employee may apply toward premiums for medical, dental and vision.


Cash-in-lieu - If your total health, vision and/or dental premium costs are lower than $300, you may receive the difference as cash in lieu up to a total of $300. If you do not need to purchase medical, dental or vision benefits from the City, you are eligible for a total of $300 cash in lieu per month.

Medical Benefits

Retiree Health Medical Benefits - CalPERS plans made available, and retiree medical contribution offered toward the cost of the plan. In 2026, the retiree medical contribution is $162.00 per month. The retiree medical contribution will continue to increase until it is equal to the minimum contribution required by CalPERS for the employer to pay on behalf of an employee.

Dental -Delta Dental PPO

Vision - Vision Service Plan (VSP)

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

• Medical FSA for the plan year is $3,400 (maximum)
• Dependent Care FSA for the plan year is $7,500 (maximum)

Universal Time Off (UTO) - vacation and sick leave combined

Universal Time Off Cash Out - Employees may cash out up to 80 hours in fiscal year 25/26.

Bereavement Leave - On the date of hire, employees are entitled to 24 hours of Bereavement Leave per event due to the death of a member of an employee's immediate family.

Holidays - 13 Holidays per year.

Winter Break - Reviewed by the City Manager each year.

Life Insurance - $50,000 life insurance policy

• Life price per $1,000 $0.109
• AD&D price per $1,000 $0.025

Long Term Disability

• LTD price per $100 $0.145
• 60% of earnings up to $7,500
• 90-day benefit waiting period
• Maximum Benefit Duration - To age 65 or Social Security Normal Retirement Age

Social Security - Employees do not pay into and earn credit toward future benefits in Social Security, since the City offers an IRS qualifying retirement plan. Medicare benefits, however, will not be affected.

Employee Assistant Plan (EAP) - Available to employee and immediate family. Includes concierge, financial and legal services.

Wellness Program - On-site fitness room, shower and lockers and ping pong tables available for employee use.

Tuition Reimbursement - Up to $2,500 per fiscal year.

Training and Development - Available and encouraged for each employee.

Updated January 2026

Closing Date/Time: 3/1/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of Rancho Cordova

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