Assistant Planner
City of Vacaville, CA, Vacaville, CA, United States
Salary :
$79,484.97 - $96,615.11 Annually
Location :
Vacaville, CA
Job Type:
FULL-TIME
Job Number:
02312
Department:
Community and Economic Development Department
Opening Date:
04/24/2026
Closing Date:
5/4/2026 5:30 PM Pacific
ABOUT OUR JOB
The City of Vacaville - A beautiful place to live, a great place to work!
With over 600 employees, the City of Vacaville is proud to serve a vibrant, growing community. We offer a supportive and engaging workplace with employee social and wellness events, casual dress days, flexible work schedules, every other Friday off, and outstanding pay and benefits.
Join us and help shape the future of Vacaville!
The City of Vacaville is accepting applications for the position of
Assistant Planner
in the Community & Economic Development Department. There are currently two (2) vacancies in the Planning Division. This recruitment will establish an eligibility list that may be used to fill future Assistant Planner vacancies within the next 12 months.
Salary Range
Assistant Planner $79,484 - $96,615/Annually
2% COLA scheduled for 11/01/2026
Working for the City of Vacaville comes with an excellent benefits package, including:
Medical Insurance at affordable rates - City covers up to 85% of Kaiser premium, other plans are also available
Vision and Dental Insurance monthly premiums covered 100% by the City
Healthcare double coverage opt-out incentive of $3,000 per year for eligible employees
Paid sick leave, vacation leave, thirteen holidays and two floating holidays a year
Tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment up to $2,200 per fiscal year
Deferred compensation plan with City contribution, no employee match required
California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) plan enrollment and Retiree Health Savings account
See our generous
page for more detailed information.
The Assistant Planner interprets and communicates planning policies, manages development projects from initiation to completion and supports long-term planning initiatives. Responsibilities include preparing reports, facilitating meetings, ensuring compliance with regulations, overseeing environmental review processes and processing planning applications. This position also requires maintaining effective working relationships with colleagues, other City staff and the public.
Duties within this role include, but are not limited to:
Public Counter Responsibilities
- Respond to in-person and electronic inquiries at the public counter. This includes researching relevant City documents such as the General Plan, Land Use and Development Code, Downtown Specific Plan and Housing Element.
General Plan and Housing Element Reporting/Implementation
- Conduct research, prepare reports and perform data analysis to support the implementation of General Plan policies, including State-Certified Housing Element programs. Responsibilities may include completing annual reports, implementing Housing Element programs to meet State deadlines, reviewing and updating the Land Use and Development Code, engaging with the community and stakeholders, conducting environmental analyses, preparing staff reports and presenting materials to various groups.
S
pecific Plan Project Management
- Assist in the development and execution of project management tasks for new Specific Plans within the City. Current projects include the Allison Priority Development Area (PDA) Specific Plan and the East of Leisure Town Specific Plan, among others.
New Subdivision and Master-Planned Communities
- Evaluate and analyze new subdivision proposals, including comprehensive planning for greenfield development areas. Implement long-term plans through the design review of individual projects.
Consultant Management
- Assist in, or independently oversee, the work of project planning and environmental consultants. Duties include facilitating in-person or virtual meetings, monitoring timelines and ensuring the quality of deliverables for key initiatives such as the Housing Element, Municipal Service Review and other City-wide projects.
Project Review
- Collect, analyze and interpret planning and zoning data pertaining to regulations in both agricultural and urban areas. Interpret and explain City ordinances and codes.
For a complete job description, please visit our website at www.cityofvacaville.gov.
ABOUT YOU
Ideal Candidate
In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will:
Possess a thorough understanding of the principles and practices of governmental planning and zoning;
Be knowledgeable of current trends in Federal, State and local planning, National, State and local laws related to planning of governmental and private agencies affecting community planning including, but not limited to, the Subdivision Map Act and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA);
Be able to collect, analyze and interpret data related to planning and zoning regulations in a complex agricultural and urban area;
Have the ability to interpret and explain planning policies and regulations to diverse audiences, including the public, developers and City officials;
Demonstrate strong organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize work to meet Planning Division goals and deadlines;
Be able to perform basic computer operations, including word processing and spreadsheets; and
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals encountered in the course of work.
ASSISTANT PLANNER MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
Education:
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in planning, architecture, engineering or a related field.
Experience:
One year of planning experience, which may include internship experience, is desirable. An advanced degree in planning may be substituted for the desired experience.
LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE
Select positions may require the possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License and a satisfactory driving record as conditions of initial and continued employment.
ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE
A completed City of Vacaville employment application and supplemental questionnaire must be received by the Human Resources Department at 650 Merchant Street, Vacaville, CA 95688
by 5:30 p.m., Monday, May 4, 2026.
Applicants are encouraged to apply online at gov. Application packets may also be requested in person at the Human Resources Department or by calling (707) 449-5101.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application packet.
IMPORTANT:
Contact with applicants will primarily occur via email. Please ensure that your application indicates a valid email address that you check regularly.
For ADA information and other Frequently Asked Questions, please click
Applicants receiving a conditional offer of employment must successfully complete the pre-placement process for this position before a final offer will be extended. Pre-placement assessments for this position include, but are not limited to: an employment and education verification, a Livescan (FBI/DOJ fingerprint review) and a DMV record review.
The City of Vacaville is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
Vacaville City Employee's Association
The City of Vacaville values our team and understands the need for work-life balance. Employees in most positions work a 37.5 hour work week and enjoy every other Friday off. In addition, we provide a collaborative work environment, employee social and wellness activities through a program we call CoV Life, casual dress days, competitive pay and a generous benefits and retirement package. More detailed information related to our full-time employee benefits can be found on our y page.
Part-time positions are paid an hourly rate and can work up to a maximum of 129 hours per month. Part-time positions are at-will, are not eligible for health or retirement benefits (including CalPERS membership), and do not accrue leave time with the exception of state mandated sick leave (40 hours per year).
Part-time positions are not covered by Social Security and are not eligible for the City of Vacaville's retirement plan through CalPERS and are therefore required to make 7.5% pre-tax contributions into a qualified plan under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (OBRA). For the City of Vacaville, the plan is a Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plan through Nationwide Retirement Systems, Inc.
01
Instructions for Supplemental Questions. The following questions comprise one of the steps in the selection process for this position and are intended to assist you in presenting your qualifications. Only the information you provide in your answers to these questions will be evaluated and scored to determine the best-qualified candidates to continue in the selection process. Please be complete and specific in answering the questions, as your score will be based on this information. Applications submitted without responses to the supplemental questions will not be evaluated. Although your experience and education should relate back to your application, your application and/or resume will not be reviewed when scoring the supplemental questions. Therefore, please be as detailed as possible in your responses to the supplemental questions. I have read and understand the instructions presented above.
Yes
No
02
A California Class C Driver's License is required for this position. Do you possess a valid California Driver's License?
Yes
No
No, but I am exempt as a Non-resident Military Personnel/Dependent
03
Do you have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in planning, architecture, engineering or a related field?
Yes
No
04
If you do not have a college degree in planning, architecture or engineering, describe the college courses you have successfully completed relative to urban planning, architecture, engineering or a related field. If none, enter N/A.
05
An advanced degree in planning may be substituted for the desired experience. Do you possess an advanced degree in planning?
Yes
No
06
Do you have one year or more of planning experience?
Yes
No
07
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please provide the name of the company or agency where you obtained your planning experience, your job title, and your dates of employment or assignment. If you answered "No," please enter N/A.
08
Briefly describe your experience and/or knowledge in
making public presentations .
09
Briefly describe your experience and/or knowledge in the area of
subdivision review and design review .
10
Briefly describe your experience and/or knowledge of
providing information to the public .
11
Briefly describe your experience and/or knowledge of
research and interpretation of municipal codes and planning documents .
12
Briefly describe your experience and/or knowledge of the
California Environmental Quality Act .
13
If you do not possess the typical education and experience listed as minimum qualifications on the job flyer, or if you would like to expand on your qualifications, please explain how your particular combination of education and experience has provided you with the required knowledge and abilities to perform this job.
Required Question
$79,484.97 - $96,615.11 Annually
Location :
Vacaville, CA
Job Type:
FULL-TIME
Job Number:
02312
Department:
Community and Economic Development Department
Opening Date:
04/24/2026
Closing Date:
5/4/2026 5:30 PM Pacific
ABOUT OUR JOB
The City of Vacaville - A beautiful place to live, a great place to work!
With over 600 employees, the City of Vacaville is proud to serve a vibrant, growing community. We offer a supportive and engaging workplace with employee social and wellness events, casual dress days, flexible work schedules, every other Friday off, and outstanding pay and benefits.
Join us and help shape the future of Vacaville!
The City of Vacaville is accepting applications for the position of
Assistant Planner
in the Community & Economic Development Department. There are currently two (2) vacancies in the Planning Division. This recruitment will establish an eligibility list that may be used to fill future Assistant Planner vacancies within the next 12 months.
Salary Range
Assistant Planner $79,484 - $96,615/Annually
2% COLA scheduled for 11/01/2026
Working for the City of Vacaville comes with an excellent benefits package, including:
Medical Insurance at affordable rates - City covers up to 85% of Kaiser premium, other plans are also available
Vision and Dental Insurance monthly premiums covered 100% by the City
Healthcare double coverage opt-out incentive of $3,000 per year for eligible employees
Paid sick leave, vacation leave, thirteen holidays and two floating holidays a year
Tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment up to $2,200 per fiscal year
Deferred compensation plan with City contribution, no employee match required
California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) plan enrollment and Retiree Health Savings account
See our generous
page for more detailed information.
The Assistant Planner interprets and communicates planning policies, manages development projects from initiation to completion and supports long-term planning initiatives. Responsibilities include preparing reports, facilitating meetings, ensuring compliance with regulations, overseeing environmental review processes and processing planning applications. This position also requires maintaining effective working relationships with colleagues, other City staff and the public.
Duties within this role include, but are not limited to:
Public Counter Responsibilities
- Respond to in-person and electronic inquiries at the public counter. This includes researching relevant City documents such as the General Plan, Land Use and Development Code, Downtown Specific Plan and Housing Element.
General Plan and Housing Element Reporting/Implementation
- Conduct research, prepare reports and perform data analysis to support the implementation of General Plan policies, including State-Certified Housing Element programs. Responsibilities may include completing annual reports, implementing Housing Element programs to meet State deadlines, reviewing and updating the Land Use and Development Code, engaging with the community and stakeholders, conducting environmental analyses, preparing staff reports and presenting materials to various groups.
S
pecific Plan Project Management
- Assist in the development and execution of project management tasks for new Specific Plans within the City. Current projects include the Allison Priority Development Area (PDA) Specific Plan and the East of Leisure Town Specific Plan, among others.
New Subdivision and Master-Planned Communities
- Evaluate and analyze new subdivision proposals, including comprehensive planning for greenfield development areas. Implement long-term plans through the design review of individual projects.
Consultant Management
- Assist in, or independently oversee, the work of project planning and environmental consultants. Duties include facilitating in-person or virtual meetings, monitoring timelines and ensuring the quality of deliverables for key initiatives such as the Housing Element, Municipal Service Review and other City-wide projects.
Project Review
- Collect, analyze and interpret planning and zoning data pertaining to regulations in both agricultural and urban areas. Interpret and explain City ordinances and codes.
For a complete job description, please visit our website at www.cityofvacaville.gov.
ABOUT YOU
Ideal Candidate
In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will:
Possess a thorough understanding of the principles and practices of governmental planning and zoning;
Be knowledgeable of current trends in Federal, State and local planning, National, State and local laws related to planning of governmental and private agencies affecting community planning including, but not limited to, the Subdivision Map Act and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA);
Be able to collect, analyze and interpret data related to planning and zoning regulations in a complex agricultural and urban area;
Have the ability to interpret and explain planning policies and regulations to diverse audiences, including the public, developers and City officials;
Demonstrate strong organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize work to meet Planning Division goals and deadlines;
Be able to perform basic computer operations, including word processing and spreadsheets; and
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals encountered in the course of work.
ASSISTANT PLANNER MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
Education:
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in planning, architecture, engineering or a related field.
Experience:
One year of planning experience, which may include internship experience, is desirable. An advanced degree in planning may be substituted for the desired experience.
LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE
Select positions may require the possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License and a satisfactory driving record as conditions of initial and continued employment.
ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE
A completed City of Vacaville employment application and supplemental questionnaire must be received by the Human Resources Department at 650 Merchant Street, Vacaville, CA 95688
by 5:30 p.m., Monday, May 4, 2026.
Applicants are encouraged to apply online at gov. Application packets may also be requested in person at the Human Resources Department or by calling (707) 449-5101.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application packet.
IMPORTANT:
Contact with applicants will primarily occur via email. Please ensure that your application indicates a valid email address that you check regularly.
For ADA information and other Frequently Asked Questions, please click
Applicants receiving a conditional offer of employment must successfully complete the pre-placement process for this position before a final offer will be extended. Pre-placement assessments for this position include, but are not limited to: an employment and education verification, a Livescan (FBI/DOJ fingerprint review) and a DMV record review.
The City of Vacaville is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
Vacaville City Employee's Association
The City of Vacaville values our team and understands the need for work-life balance. Employees in most positions work a 37.5 hour work week and enjoy every other Friday off. In addition, we provide a collaborative work environment, employee social and wellness activities through a program we call CoV Life, casual dress days, competitive pay and a generous benefits and retirement package. More detailed information related to our full-time employee benefits can be found on our y page.
Part-time positions are paid an hourly rate and can work up to a maximum of 129 hours per month. Part-time positions are at-will, are not eligible for health or retirement benefits (including CalPERS membership), and do not accrue leave time with the exception of state mandated sick leave (40 hours per year).
Part-time positions are not covered by Social Security and are not eligible for the City of Vacaville's retirement plan through CalPERS and are therefore required to make 7.5% pre-tax contributions into a qualified plan under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (OBRA). For the City of Vacaville, the plan is a Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plan through Nationwide Retirement Systems, Inc.
01
Instructions for Supplemental Questions. The following questions comprise one of the steps in the selection process for this position and are intended to assist you in presenting your qualifications. Only the information you provide in your answers to these questions will be evaluated and scored to determine the best-qualified candidates to continue in the selection process. Please be complete and specific in answering the questions, as your score will be based on this information. Applications submitted without responses to the supplemental questions will not be evaluated. Although your experience and education should relate back to your application, your application and/or resume will not be reviewed when scoring the supplemental questions. Therefore, please be as detailed as possible in your responses to the supplemental questions. I have read and understand the instructions presented above.
Yes
No
02
A California Class C Driver's License is required for this position. Do you possess a valid California Driver's License?
Yes
No
No, but I am exempt as a Non-resident Military Personnel/Dependent
03
Do you have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in planning, architecture, engineering or a related field?
Yes
No
04
If you do not have a college degree in planning, architecture or engineering, describe the college courses you have successfully completed relative to urban planning, architecture, engineering or a related field. If none, enter N/A.
05
An advanced degree in planning may be substituted for the desired experience. Do you possess an advanced degree in planning?
Yes
No
06
Do you have one year or more of planning experience?
Yes
No
07
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please provide the name of the company or agency where you obtained your planning experience, your job title, and your dates of employment or assignment. If you answered "No," please enter N/A.
08
Briefly describe your experience and/or knowledge in
making public presentations .
09
Briefly describe your experience and/or knowledge in the area of
subdivision review and design review .
10
Briefly describe your experience and/or knowledge of
providing information to the public .
11
Briefly describe your experience and/or knowledge of
research and interpretation of municipal codes and planning documents .
12
Briefly describe your experience and/or knowledge of the
California Environmental Quality Act .
13
If you do not possess the typical education and experience listed as minimum qualifications on the job flyer, or if you would like to expand on your qualifications, please explain how your particular combination of education and experience has provided you with the required knowledge and abilities to perform this job.
Required Question