About City of San Marcos
What is the City of San Marcos?
The City of San Marcos is the municipal government of San Marcos, California — a San Diego North County city of roughly 95,000, incorporated in 1963 and nicknamed the "Valley of Discovery". It is the county's education hub: home to California State University San Marcos (founded 1989, ~14,000 students) and the 200-acre Palomar College campus with its hillside "P" landmark, while San Marcos Unified is one of the county's largest school districts. The city boomed after Colorado River water arrived in 1956 — it was the third-fastest-growing US city during the 1970s — and today the SPRINTER light rail connects it across North County.
Where will I work?
San Marcos City Hall at 1 Civic Center Drive. The 9/80 is structural: the city's own HR contact page reads "Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Closed alternating Fridays", and the city publishes its closed-Friday calendar on a dedicated City-Offices-Closed page. Eighty hours over nine days per fortnight, every other Friday off.
What is the City of San Marcos team like?
A civic workforce in the 200-500 band across development services, public works, community services and administration. The city's own HR pitch: "Located in the beautiful foothills of northern San Diego County… places collaboration, innovation and community pride at the forefront of our work in public service." We list the city's civilian professional roles; part-time, seasonal and volunteer positions run outside the 9/80 and are excluded from our feed.
Work-Life Balance
The city's benefits language names it directly: "Highlights of employee benefits include participation in the CalPERS retirement system, generous paid time off, comprehensive health benefits, and an appreciation for work-life balance." Every other Friday is yours by the building's own schedule.
Perks and Benefits
- 9/80 schedule — City Hall closed alternating Fridays, closure calendar published
- CalPERS defined-benefit pension — 2% at 55 (classic members), 2% at 62 (PEPRA)
- 11 paid holidays plus 27 hours of floating holiday per year
- 80 hours vacation (96 hours accrual/year for non-safety) and 96 hours sick leave
- Group health coverage (HMO/PPO) from the first of the month after hire
- Salary ranges published on every job bulletin