Entry Level City Planner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $82,294.00 - $110,046.00 Annually
Location : MSCS-69 Stony Circle Santa Rosa, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 25/26-86ASM-O
Department: Transportation and Public Works
Opening Date: 07/07/2026
Closing Date: 7/28/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: 06
The Position
The City of Santa Rosa announces an exciting opportunity to serve City residents and make a difference in the community as an Assistant Parks Planner!
The City of Santa Rosa is committed to building a workforce reflective of our community and establishing a lasting culture of equity and belonging within our organization. Our collective talents and expertise contribute to high-quality public services that support a vibrant, resilient, inclusive City for our community and visitors. We celebrate a diverse workforce and welcome all qualified candidates to apply.
THE BENEFITS OF CITY EMPLOYMENT:
In addition to offering a challenging, rewarding work environment and excellent salary, the City of Santa Rosa provides a generous suite of benefits, including retirement through CalPERS, a competitive leave accrual package, your choice of health plan, a flexible spending program, employer contributions to a Retiree Health Savings plan, flexible work schedule options, and top of the line employer paid (free to you) vision and dental coverage. More information regarding benefits associated with this position can be found here: For more information about our benefits: .

• A flexible work schedule: 5/8 or 9/80
• 12 paid holidays annually, plus 1 to 3 'floating holidays' per year, depending on start date and years of service
• $500 annually for wellness
• Paid Family Leave

ABOUT THE POSITION:
This job classification encompasses a full range of Parks Planning responsibilities from entry level through journey level under the direction of the Parks Planner or Deputy Director as assigned. The Assistant Parks Planner is expected to exercise increasingly independent judgment for planning, coordinating, implementing, and overseeing professional park planning, acquisition, design and development projects in connection with city parks, parkways and recreation facilities; to materially participate in the administration of grant programs, and coordinate with technical staff and consultants in executing these programs. This classification is expected to develop the full range of knowledge, abilities, and experience to work independently with general supervision to complete complex and difficult park planning projects. This classification is distinguished from the Parks Planner classification in that the Parks Planner provides direct supervision over staff and independently manages park planning projects with the assistance of the Assistant Parks Planner.
This recruitment is being conducted to fill one (1.0) vacancy . The resulting eligible candidate list may be used to fill additional full, part-time, or limited term openings that may occur in the future.
Ideal Candidate:
In addition to the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess:

• Knowledge of federal, state and/or local park planning and design methods and practices and their application to specific situations and site conditions.
• Working knowledge of and experience with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
• Two years' experience managing park planning and/or landscape architectural site design projects with increasing responsibility on related tasks such as site assessments, development of conceptual plans and technical drawings, facilitating permits, and monitoring consultant activities through bidding and construction administration.
• Experience managing consultant contracts and monitoring of project budgets and grant requirements.
• Experience conducting site visits, collecting and evaluating information and data from a variety of sources to determine project feasibility, and identify community needs related to parks projects and related facilities; Preparing reports and communicating project information through written and verbal means including web updates, and presentations to boards, committees and public stakeholders.
• The ability to read and evaluate planning and design materials including construction documents and specifications for construction readiness
• The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, city officials, representatives of other agencies, and members of the public.

HOW TO APPLY:Please complete a thoughtful, thorough Supplemental Questionnaire submission. As part of the selection process, your responses to these questions will be scored using criteria specific to this position. Incomplete responses, or responses such as "See Resume" can result in disqualification from the selection process.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter.
THE SELECTION PROCESS:Applicants possessing the most desirable qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process that may consist of an application and supplemental questionnaire review, followed by department selection interviews.
For more information about this exciting opportunity, please contact Alberto Sanchez at asanchez@srcity.org
Examples of Duties and Responsibilities
Typical Duties:
Each employee in this classification may not perform all the duties listed below. Depending on the assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plan, organize, coordinate, and evaluate the design, and construction projects for parks, parkways, street medians, and recreational facilities;
• Coordinate with the Parks Planner in the acquisition of new parks, parkways, street medians, and recreational facilities and the administration of the largest projects.
• Review, and participate in the preparation and recommendation of recreational land use policy for current and future park programs;
• Prepare written and graphic reports on various park planning matters and elements of the general plan related to parks and open space;
• Provide technical assistance in the analysis, coordination and implementation of environmental requirements and regulations related to park projects;
• Conduct studies regarding acquisition and renovation of park lands to recommend future park and recreation facility development;
• Participate with the Parks Planner and other department staff in the selection of technical and professional consultants required for department projects and supervise, direct, and review their work;
• Prepare site evaluations, acquisition studies, and feasibility studies;
• Prepare elements of and administer grant applications and one or more assigned programs, construction contracts and other agreements as required for department projects;
• Review development plans to ensure compliance with City codes and environmental laws and policies;
• Confer, advise and cooperate with other departments, public agencies, advisory bodies, citizen groups and others concerning park and recreation planning, design and construction projects;
• Make written and verbal presentations to public, city Council, city Boards or Commissions or others on park development projects and programs;
• Prepare correspondence and reports; and
• As assigned, represent the City regarding park planning objectives and priorities to various organizations, agencies and public groups;
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications
Knowledge of: Modern methods, techniques and principles of park, landscape and open space planning related to project development and administration, including park and landscape design, common California native and Mediterranean plant species, construction and maintenance procedures; schedule and control systems; state and federal assistance programs for park acquisition and development; urban land use planning systems related to parks, such as the General Plan and development fees; and laws and regulations applicable to developing, contracting, constructing, and maintaining landscape architectural projects; computer software such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Knowledge of GIS is highly desirable
Ability to: Plan, direct, and coordinate the work of consultants; assist with contract administration; prepares feasibility studies, estimates, requests for proposals, and contracts related to park, recreation and open space projects; read and understand construction documents; analyze situations accurately and develop an effective course of action; write complete and comprehensive reports and justify findings; effectively explain technical information concerning landscape architectural matters to community groups; make effective presentations before public bodies and community groups; work effectively with other administrative officials, contractors, and the general public, and communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing; work under pressure and meet established deadlines; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, representatives of other agencies, municipal officials and the public
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience- Two years of recent, paid work experience which has included performing research, analysis, report writing and public space or park planning. A Masters' degree may substitute for one year of experience. Parks and opening space planning experience is preferred.
Education - Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in landscape architecture, architecture, land use (urban) planning, civil engineering, project management, or a closely related field. Sufficient responsible experience in park management and development in an organization similar to the city of Santa Rosa may substitute for the education requirement.
Additional Information
Working Conditions:
Work is performed indoors and in field conditions. Incumbents in this classification communicate orally, face-to-face, in group settings, and over the telephone. The Assistant Parks Planner operates a motor vehicle to multiple locations. Visiting job sites involves working in a variety of weather conditions, including very hot and very cold temperatures, and walking for extended periods of time over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces, carrying objects such as tools and equipment weighing up to 20 pounds for short distances. Attending meetings requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time. Working with a computer keyboard to enter or retrieve data involves continuous or repetitive arm-hand movement.
SANTA ROSA - A WONDERFUL CITY TO CALL HOME:
The City of Santa Rosa is nestled in the center of famous Sonoma Wine Country, located just 55 miles north of San Francisco and 30 miles east of the Pacific Ocean with a population of approximately 180,000. Santa Rosa serves as the County seat and the center of trade, government, commerce, and medical facilities for the North Bay. The surrounding area is home to over a hundred wineries and vineyards and many beautiful parks and recreational facilities, including golf courses. Santa Rosa is in the center of a nationally recognized cycling area. We boast many attractions associated with large cities, including a symphony, performing arts center, theater productions and internationally recognized restaurants, yet still retain the warmth and small town feel of decades past. Santa Rosa has been named one of the 50 greenest cities in the United States with one of the top five mid-sized downtowns in California.
The City of Santa Rosa is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.
The City does not discriminate on the basis of disability in employment. Requests for reasonable accommodations needed to participate in the recruitment process may be made by submitting a Request for Reasonable Accommodation Form within five (5) business days of being noticed that an event requiring accommodation is occurring. You may also contact the Human Resources Department at (707) 543-3060 or jobs@srcity.org.
In addition to offering a challenging, rewarding work environment and excellent salary, the City of Santa Rosa provides a generous suite of benefits.
This job classification is in Miscellaneous Unit 6, Professional. Please click to be redirected to the City's benefits information page.
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The purpose of this supplemental questionnaire is to gather information used to evaluate your qualifications for this position. For your application to receive further consideration, your responses must be supported by the information provided in the "Work History" section of your application. You must submit a complete application and provide clear, concise, and detailed responses to all supplemental questions by the final filing date and time. Responses such as "see resume" are not acceptable. Information included in resumes, cover letters, or other attachments will not be used to determine your eligibility and will not substitute for completing any part of the application-unless specifically requested as part of the application process. If you have not completed all required sections, please return to the application and do so before submitting. Do you understand and agree to this statement?

• Yes
• No

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Select the option that best describes your highest level of education in landscape architecture, architecture, urban planning, civil engineering, project management, or