Entry Level Economics Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Riverside, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-7891/7911-01
Department: Community Development
Division: CD-PLANNING
Opening Date: 05/28/2026
Closing Date: 6/10/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
The Position
The City of Riverside's is looking for a dynamic individual to join their team to fill one (1) vacancy in the Planning Division of the Community and Economic Development Department. The eligibility list established may be used to fill the current and/or upcoming vacancies within this classification for up to six (6) months.
The Community & Economic Development Department is seeking the best and brightest planning professionals to join their Advance Planning, Current Planning, Historic Preservation, and Public Information teams committed to building a world-class City. The work environment is team-oriented, fast-paced, challenging, rewarding, and fun. The City values innovation, initiative, customer service, collaboration and community engagement.
An ideal candidate, has experience in case review and evaluation, working with applicants, writing staff reposts and is comfortable with providing the public with information.
Assistant Planner ($5,553.00 - $7,444.00 Monthly) This is the entry level professional classification in the Planning Series. Assistant Planner performs semi-professional level work in the field of urban planning. Typical work responsibilities include case writing, analysis, and public information, requiring the application of fundamental planning principles.
Associate Planner ($6,652.00 - $8,915.00 Monthly) This is the journey level professional class in the Planning Series. The Associate Planner performs advanced, complex, and professional level work in the field of urban planning. Positions in this class are normally filled by advancement from the entry level professional classification of Assistant Planner or, when filled from the outside, require prior professional planning work experience. Work involves complex duties with increasing responsibility related to urban planning issues as professional knowledge and skills improve. The Associate Planner provides general guidance and direction to Assistant Planners, Planning Technicians and other administrative support staff.
Work Performed
Assistant Planner
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide customer service to the general public by providing information on Zoning and General Plan matters and development related case processing information;
• Perform office support relating to planning and permitting.
• Research, analyze and interpret social, economic, population and land use data and trends;
• Prepare written and graphic reports, for moderate to complex projects, and make recommendations on special studies pertaining to land use, zoning, housing, environmental and other planning matters;
• Research and draft ordinances for review with supervisor;
• Meet, communicate, and engage with property owners/applicants to answer questions related to their property and applications;
• Review re-zoning, variances, conditional use permits, design review, and other similar planning related applications;
• Prepare reports on planning applications and make recommendations on development permits;
• Review buildings plans, parcel maps, and subdivision proposals for compliance with appropriate regulations;
• Conduct field evaluations and assessments and provide feedback and information clarification;
• Prepare legal notices for public hearings;
• Prepare, compile, organize, and present reports and recommendations, with supervisor input, to the Development Review Committee, Planning Commission, and City Council;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Associate Planner
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide customer service to the general public by providing information on Zoning and General Plan matters and development related case processing information;
• Perform office support tasks relating to planning and permitting;
• Research, analyze and interpret complex social, economic, population and land use data and trends;
• Research and prepare new policies and processes to implement as part of Planning applications;
• Prepare written and graphic reports, for complex projects, and make recommendation on special studies pertaining to land use, zoning, housing, environmental and other planning matters;
• Research and draft ordinances for review with supervisor;
• Meet, communicate, and engage with property owners/applicants to answer questions related to their property and applications;
• Review General Plan Amendments, Specific Plan Amendments, re-zoning, variances, conditional use permits, design review, and other similar planning related applications;
• Prepare reports on complex planning applications and make recommendations on development permits;
• Prepare draft documents and required public notices, reports, and memos related to CEQA.
• Review buildings plans, parcel maps, and subdivision proposals for compliance with appropriate regulations;
• Conduct field evaluations and assessments and provide feedback and information clarification;
• Prepare legal notices to public hearings;
• Prepare, compile, organize, and present reports and recommendations for complex projects, with supervisor input, to the Development Review Committee, Planning Commission and City Council;
• Provide general guidance, training, and direction for Assistant Planner, Planning Technicians, and other administrative planning support staff;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Assistant Planner:
Education: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in planning or a related field.
Experience: One year of experience in a professional planning environment.
Associate Planner:
Education: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Planning or a closely related field.
Experience: Two years of experience in a professional planning environment.
Highly Desired Qualifications:

• Experience managing City/Municipal (Current, Advanced, Historic Preservation) projects.
• Working knowledge of the California Environmental Quality Act.
• Experience in conveying Historic Preservation related information to the public.
• Experience applying the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

Selection Process
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION:
1) Completed Employment Application
2) Completed Supplemental Questionnaire
FOR DIRECTIONS ON ATTACHING A DOCUMENT TO AN ON-LINE APPLICATION, OR GENERAL INFORMATION ON COMPLETING YOUR ON-LINE APPLICATION, CLICK HERE: (Application Guide).
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON SCHEDULING ASSESSMENTS:
If you are selected to move forward in the assessment process, you may be required to self-schedule your appointment. You will be notified via email of your status and provided with self-scheduling instructions. Please check your email regularly following the closing date of this recruitment.
The selection process will begin with an employment application package screening, with the best qualified candidates being invited to participate further in the assessment process. This process may include any combination of written, performance, and oral assessments to evaluate job-related education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Those who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on the eligibility list for this classification.
Positions that require, or may require, a are considered Safety Sensitive and are monitored by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Any candidate being considered for a Safety Sensitive position must submit authorization forms to the City immediately upon request to begin the pre-employment process.
It is the responsibility of candidates with a disability requiring accommodation in the assessment process to contact the Human Resources Department in writing to request such accommodation prior to the closing date of this recruitment.
Appointment may be subject to the successful completion of a pre-employment background investigation, drug screen, and/or medical/physical examination.
NOTE: The City reserves the right to modify selection devices and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards. Candidates may reapply when there is a posting to establish an eligibility list.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Proof of education listed in your application will be requested at the time of conditional offer. Acceptable documentation consists of transcripts or degree, if applicable, by the accredited U.S. college or university.
Education obtained outside the United States (US) require one of the following options:

1. An equivalency statement from an evaluation company certified by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) at or the Association of International Credential Evaluators Inc. (AICE) at
2. An advanced-level degree from an accredited US college or university.

All applicants will be notified via e-mail or telephone of their application status and the assessment dates/times/locations after the closing date of this announcement.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) - General Unit
The City offers an attractive benefits package, the central provisions of which are as follows:

• Retirement for Classic Members - For employees hired after 1/1/2013 who are CLASSIC MEMBERS of California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12 and have not been separated from service from such agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2.7 % @ age 55; 3-year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 8%. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
• Retirement for New Members - For employees hired 1/1/2013 or later and who ARE NOT a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12, or those who have been separated from a public agency which contracts with CalPERS or a reciprocal agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2% at age 62; 3 year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 50% of the normal cost and is subject to change per CalPERS every fiscal year. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
• Health Insurance - The City offers six health insurance plans and contributes up to $1,687 per month for HMO plans (family coverage).
• Dental Insurance - The City provides three dental insurance plans and contributes up to $85 per month.
• Vision Insurance - The City provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for employees and their dependents that are enrolled in medical coverage.
• Life Insurance - The City provides and pays for term life insurance equal to $100,000. Additional Life Insurance is available and voluntary for employees and eligible dependents (up to $300k).
• Deferred Compensation - The City contributes $50 a month with a minimum employee contribution of $12.50 per check. Participation in the deferred compensation plan is optional.
• Leave Benefits - Includes vacation leave, sick leave, bereavement leave, and holiday benefits. Please refer to the SEIU MOU for specific details.
• Flexible Spending Account - The City offers a Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Plan for optional participation.
• State Disability Insurance - Automatic coverage administered by the Employee Development Department (EDD) of the State of California
• Vacation Accrual - 0-4 yrs. = 80hrs, 5-9 yrs. = 120hrs, 10+ yrs. = 160 hrs.

For other special compensation, refer to the
For additional benefits information, please visit the following website:
For part-time, benefitted positions the insurance and other benefits (leave accruals, holidays, etc.) are pro-rated based on ½ or ¾ time status.
01
Instructions: The information on the application and your responses to the following supplemental questions will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum and/or highly desirable qualifications for the position in which you are applying. Detailed responses must be provided for each question in order to ensure qualifications are properly considered.
(*Do not refer to a resume in lieu of completing the supplemental questions).
Employers listed on this questionnaire must also be listed and fully detailed in the work experience section of your application.

• I understand.

02
Please indicate the highest level of education that you have completed.

• Less than a High School Diploma or GED
• High School diploma or GED
• Some college (up to 59 semester units or 89 quarter units)
• Associate's degree (60 semester or 90 quarter units)
• Bachelor's degree (120 semester or 180 quarter units)
• Master's degree
• PhD

03
Have you completed major coursework in Planning or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

04
How many years of experience do you possess in a professional planning environment?

• None
• Less than one year
• One year or more, but less than two
• Two...