Salary : $84,188.51 - $102,331.64 Annually
Location : Lodi City Hall 221 West Pine Street Lodi, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 1245.11.2026
Department: Community Development
Opening Date: 11/06/2026
Closing Date: 12/4/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Job Description
ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE PLANNER - ONE POSITION AVAILABLE
Assistant Planner Salary Range $76,535.04 - $93,028.68
Associate Planner Salary Range $84,188.51 - $102,331.64
Responsibilities include development review, zoning administration, CEQA compliance, public engagement, and preparation of staff reports and presentations. The City recently adopted its Downtown Specific Plan and is embarking on a comprehensive General Plan Update, including planning for new neighborhoods, employment areas, and future annexations. This is an excellent opportunity for an emerging or experienced planner looking to expand their skills and make a tangible impact on a community.
Job descriptions are intended to present a broad and general range of duties which includes, purpose, responsibilities, and scope of work. Job descriptions are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
DEFINITION
Performs professional work in the field of planning, environmental analysis, and economic development. May also perform duties as a Junior/Assistant or Associate Transportation Planner. Performs project work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Junior Planner - This is the entry level class in the professional planning class series. This position works under close supervision and does not perform the full range of planning duties.
Assistant Planner - Resulting from their experience as a Junior Planner, incumbents perform a wider range of planning duties, often with limited supervision.
Associate Planner - This is the full journey level class in the planning series. Positions in this class have the knowledge and ability to perform a variety of professional planning duties for the City. Work is of a greater complexity, with the incumbent learning and performing tasks in a more independent nature.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED
Junior Planner - Receives direction from higher level personnel.
Assistant and Associate Planner - Receives direction from higher level personnel May exercise technical or functional supervision over lower-level planning class positions and other personnel.
Examples of Duties
Junior Planner
Performs professional work in the field of planning, environmental analysis, and economic development.
Working with the public and developers/contractors, investigate and process requests for variance, zoning changes, subdivision plans, and general plan amendments; prepare legal descriptions and zoning for proposed annexations; prepare initial studies and declarations involving environmental matters with supportive justification; prepare and illustrate map; processes annexations.
Serves as staff for various committees
Assist in the preparation and presentation of reports on economic and land use data;
Responds to questions from the public regarding zoning and land use, parking requirements, General Plan designation, growth management, downtown revitalization, flood zone parameters;
Performs other duties related to the operation of the department and the City including additional duties that enable the department and City to meet the diverse needs of its community
When Assigned to Transportation
Performs assorted reporting and tracking projects and documents; assists with the review, coordination, and comments for project environmental documents; perform analysis of transportation needs, including modeling, and assist in the development of master plans and projects;
Prepares and overseas various programs, including the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program for Public Works streets and transit projects;
Responsible for tracking ADA eligible transit patrons and -recertification details;
Assist in the administration of the City's transportation systems such as Fixed Route and Dial-A-Ride services; assists in the preparation and tracking of system monitoring data to include ridership, on-time performance data, customer comments and fare collection;
Assists with various funding mechanisms and processes, including transportation Funding; assist in the preparation of Transit procurements;
Provides public assistance regarding comments or complaints;
Assist in the preparation of Council Communications on assorted work tasks; serves as Alternate representative to a variety of committees and meetings;
Coordinates with higher level personnel on the review of assorted Contractors performing work for the Transit Division;
Other duties related to the operation of the department and the city, including additional duties that enable the department and City to meet the diverse needs of its community.
Assistant Planner
In addition to the requirements for the Junior Planner:
Researches and applies general plan and zoning ordinances. Researches materials,
opinions and trends regarding planning matters.
Compiles economic, population, transportation, environmental, development, zoning, and housing data as assigned. Analyzes statistical, written and oral reports and correspondence related to assigned planning and analytical tasks.
Under direct supervision, may review development plans, documents, technical studies and reports for compliance with General Plan, codes, ordinances and state law. Prepares and presents recommendations to Department personnel regarding development proposals.
Assist in grant application and administration.
Identifies and proposes revision to the Lodi Zoning ordinance;
Associate Planner
In addition to the requirements for the Assistant Planner:
Reviews development plans, documents, technical studies and reports for compliance with General Plan, regional plans, codes, ordinances and state law. Prepares and presents recommendations to city officials and Department personnel regarding development proposals.
Participates in developing housing, environmental, transportation, population, fiscal and economic planning models and develop related databases.
Coordinates plan and documents review by various City departments and County, State and Federal agencies.
Advises the public, in preparation and filing a variety of applications such as zoning changes, variances, tentative maps, master plans, general plan amendments, and other Department-provided services.
Contributes to the development of plans, city policies, ordinances, planning and zoning law, subdivision map act, CEQA, and municipal codes.
Reviews consultants' work. Prepares requests for proposals and participates in review and selection of proposed services.
Prepares grant application and manages grant programs.
Represents City at meetings with community groups, agencies, etc.
Typical Qualifications
Junior Planner
Knowledge of:
Principles of municipal planning; knowledge of the fiscal, social and economic implications that are involved in City planning, including the development of urban and suburban environmental and recreational needs
Fundamental legal guidelines for the municipal function;
Principles of basic research methods and statistical analysis;
Current literature and information resources;
Use and operation of personal computers, software and peripheral equipment.
Local and Regional Public Transit operations.
Ability to:
Performs professional work in the field of planning, environmental analysis, and economic development.
Learn laws underlying general plans, zoning ordinances, and land divisions;
Perform basic statistical analysis and prepare written reports;
Communicate clearly, orally and in writing;
Establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work.
Learn the Laws underlying Public Transit and transportation funding
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of experience and education that would likely produce the qualifying knowledge and ability. A typical combination is:
Education:
A Bachelor's Degree in City or Regional Planning or a related field.
Experience:
No related working experience.
Assistant Planner
In addition to the requirements for the Junior Planner:
Knowledge of:
Research and mathematical/statistical methods to perform the more complex planning requirements.
Legal guidelines for planning, zoning, and subdivisions, including the City of Lodi zoning ordinance.
Ability to:
Ability to analyze data and information using established criteria, in order to determine consequences and to identify and select alternatives. Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure and/or sort, as well as assemble, copy, record and transcribe data and information.
Ability to classify, compute, tabulate, and categorize data.
Ability to advise and provide interpretation to others how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.
Review building and architectural plans; interpret and analyze federal, state, and local laws related to planning;
Perform drafting and mapping.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of education and experience that would likely produce the qualifying knowledge and ability. A typical combination is:
Education:
A Bachelor's Degree in City or Regional Planning or a related field.
Experience:
One year experience in a position similar to that of a Junior Planner in the City of Lodi.
Associate Planner
In addition to the requirements for the Junior Planner:
Knowledge of:
Advanced reasoning and critical thinking skills.
Specific rules and regulations for City of Lodi Planning;
Grants and grant writing for Federal, State and other programs.
Ability to:
Organize and oversee the work of others.
Ability to evaluate data and information using established criteria, in order to determine consequences and to identify and select alternatives. Ability to classify, compute, tabulate, and categorize data.
Ability to advise and provide interpretation to others how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.
Ability to utilize a variety of advisory and design data and information such as budgets, consultants reports, time sheets, a variety of plans, ordinances, environmental guidelines, personnel guidebook, maps, technical operating manuals, statutes, procedures, guidelines, non-routine correspondence, manuals and non-routine correspondence.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of education and experience that would likely produce the qualifying knowledge and ability. A typical combination is:
Education:
A Bachelor's Degree in City or Regional Planning or related field.
Experience:
Three years experience in a position similar to that of a Junior Planner or Assistant Planner in the City of Lodi.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES
Possession of a valid Driver's License (Class C) issued from the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
*FLSA Status: Associate Planner-Exempt, Assistant Planner-Non-Exempt, Junior Planner-Non-Exempt
Supplemental Information
Interested applicants must submit an online application at www.lodi.gov. No paper applications will be accepted. For technical difficulties with your online application, please call the Neogov helpline at 855-524-5627.
Telephone: 209-333-6704. Persons with hearing impairment, please call the California Relay Service 7-1-1.
