Senior Planner en City of Rancho Cucamonga, CA

About the Department

From its earliest days, the City of Rancho Cucamonga was dubbed the "City with a Plan" and over the past forty years, we have been creating a world-class community. In late 2021, the City adopted an updated General Plan that clarified the vision for the City's next chapter and an idea that has been simmering for over a decade: that the city can grow, providing new housing and economic opportunities and position itself for the next generation economy, while maintaining its wonderful single-family neighborhoods by focusing new growth onto key corridors and into key nodes.

The Planning Department plays a critical role in achieving the City Council's goals and objectives relative to land use, urban design, and the quality and sustainability of the built environment. The department focuses on development that enhances economic value and opportunities for prosperity and quality of life for all. We work with residents, business owners, developers, and elected officials to build a shared vision for the city's future—fostering both short-term responsiveness and long-term resilience.

Beyond managing individual development proposals, we focus on creating places, not just projects—thinking holistically about how buildings, streets, public spaces, and natural systems come together to shape the daily lives of people. We believe that thoughtful, people-centered planning can create inclusive, vibrant, and memorable places that foster connection, identity, and pride.

We lead long-range planning initiatives that address housing, transportation, economic development, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience. The department also collects and analyzes data to support policy decisions and ensure equitable growth and development. Through public engagement and cross-departmental coordination, we strive to create livable neighborhoods and meaningful public spaces that reflect the values and aspirations of the community.

Ultimately, our goal is development for people first—building a quality place that attracts and retains residents, visitors, businesses, and talent, while preserving the character and heritage of our city.

Position Duties

As a key member of the Planning Department, the Senior Planner plays a vital role in advancing the City’s goals for land use, urban design, and the quality and sustainability of the built environment. Senior Planners lead highly complex development entitlements, environmental review, and long-range planning initiatives that support our mission.

Senior Planners serve as both technical experts and team leaders, managing multifaceted projects while mentoring junior staff and fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture. This position requires strong verbal and written communication skills, a solution-oriented mindset, and the ability to navigate complex policy and regulatory environments with professionalism and creativity.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and review major planning applications including mixed-use, industrial, residential, and commercial development projects.
• Conduct and coordinate environmental analysis in compliance with CEQA and other applicable regulations.
• Lead or support long-range planning efforts such as area plans, specific plans, housing strategies, and infrastructure-focused initiatives.
• Draft and present staff reports, resolutions, code amendments, and policy recommendations to advisory bodies, stakeholders, and City Council.
• Mentor and provide guidance to Associate and Assistant Planners; support professional development and project oversight.
• Coordinate with other city departments, outside agencies, and the community to ensure integrated, people-focused planning outcomes.
• Conduct research and analysis to inform planning policy, development regulations, and legislative priorities.

Opportunities:
Our Senior Planners are encouraged to explore stretch assignments and special projects aligned with their professional interests. If there is something you want to try, but haven’t had the opportunity, we can help.

Department Perks:

• We budget for renewals for professional certifications (AICP, CNU-A, etc.) for our staff.
• We invest in your continued education and budget for educational courses and continuing professional certifications.
• Where possible, we offer the flexibility of a hybrid schedule option so you can occasionally work from home.

What We’re Looking For:
We are seeking a planner who is both strategic and grounded—someone who is as comfortable navigating complex entitlement processes as they are engaging with community members and mentoring colleagues. The ideal candidate brings a strong work ethic, a commitment to public service, and a passion for shaping places that serve people first.

This position might be perfect for you if:

• You are passionate about shaping vibrant, inclusive places—not just reviewing projects.
• You want to lead complex planning efforts that directly influence the city’s growth and character.
• You enjoy mentoring and developing emerging planners and helping others succeed.
• You think strategically and connect individual projects to broader community goals.
• You are a strong communicator who can clearly explain planning concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• You thrive on solving complex, multidisciplinary challenges through collaborative problem-solving.
• You are committed to providing exceptional customer service through responsiveness, transparency, and professionalism.
• You want to be part of a supportive, high-performing team that values learning, initiative, and shared success.
• You are a self-starter who can shift comfortably between big-picture thinking and detailed project execution.
• You have experience with urban design, form-based codes, or context-sensitive planning approaches.
• You bring expertise in specialized areas such as historic preservation, environmental review, housing policy, or long-range planning.
• You’re looking for a position where your voice matters, and your work shapes the future of a growing city.

As a Senior Planner, you will be responsible for:

• Leading the review and coordination of the city’s most complex, high-profile, or sensitive development projects, ensuring alignment with the General Plan, zoning regulations, and community priorities.
• Providing clear, strategic guidance to applicants, staff, and stakeholders on development proposals, entitlement processes, and planning policies.
• Supervising and mentoring assigned planning staff, helping them grow professionally and deliver high-quality work.
• Developing innovative, place-based solutions to challenging land use, urban design, and regulatory issues.
• Staying informed on changes to state planning laws, CEQA, zoning practices, and other regulations affecting local planning efforts.
• Facilitating cross-departmental collaboration to address transportation, housing, environmental, and infrastructure-related planning issues.
• Leading or supporting long-range planning initiatives such as specific plans, code updates, housing elements, and policy studies.
• Participating in the development and implementation of departmental goals, strategic initiatives, and annual work programs.
• Preparing and delivering professional presentations and written reports to the Planning Commission, City Council, and community stakeholders.
• Representing the Planning Department at public meetings, community workshops, and interagency coordination efforts.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and/or Experience:
 Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's degree in Planning or a related field; four years of progressively responsible experience in current or advanced planning, including one year of supervisory experience or any combination of training and experience that provides the desired knowledge and abilities. A Master's Degree in Public Administration, Planning, Business Administration or a related field is desirable.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
 Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of planning; related state and Federal laws, ordinances, rules and regulations; environmental impact report administration; methods and techniques of training and supervision. Ability to plan, organize and coordinate planning activities; prepare and present reports; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; deal constructively with conflict and develop effective resolution; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; supervise assigned staff.
 

Special Requirements:

Possession of or ability to obtain an appropriate California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Frequent standing and sitting. Dexterity and coordination to handle files and single pieces of paper; occasional lifting of items weighing up to twenty-five pounds such as files, stacks of paper, reference and other materials. Moving from place to place within the office; some reaching for items above and below desk level.   Strength, dexterity, coordination and vision to use keyboard and video display terminal occasionally.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Generally clean work environment with limited exposure to conditions such as dust, fumes, odors or noise. Is required to attend evening meetings and travel throughout the City. May involve evening and weekend work.

Other Qualifications

APPLICATION PROCESS
All applicants are required to apply online at www.cityofrc.us. This position will close on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 5:00 pm or until a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Applications must be complete and demonstrate that the minimum qualifications are met. All statements made on the application are subject to investigation and verification.  Resumes may be attached to completed application form as supplemental information and will not be accepted in lieu of an official application form. Applications will be screened and the most qualified candidates who best match the needs of the City will be invited to compete further in the examination process.  All candidates will be notified of their application status by email throughout the recruitment process. Candidates invited to compete in the examination process, who successfully pass the examination process, will be place on an eligibility list. The candidate on the eligibility list who most closely meets the requirements of the City may be selected to receive a final offer. The City may conclude that none of the candidates, even those who meet the minimum qualifications, are appropriate for the position.
 
Successful candidates shall be required to:

• Pass a reference and background verification. References will not be contacted until a mutual interest has been established, and
• Provide proof of a valid California driver's license and be insurable; and
• Degree Verification; and
• Pass a pre-employment medical exam