Zoning and Urban Design Program Lead

About Us

Our mission is to deliver practical, science-based environmental and planning solutions that support communities, infrastructure, and natural systems. At Rincon, people come first. We value collaboration, fairness, and transparency, and we are committed to creating an environment where everyone can grow, contribute meaningfully, and do their best work.

We are seeking a Zoning and Urban Design Program Lead who will be responsible for supporting the growth of Rincon’s Community Planning team. In this role, you will collaborate with local and statewide leadership to oversee and expand existing zoning and urban design related programs through the identification and pursuit of new opportunities. You will also manage teams responsible for the preparation of long‑range planning and urban design projects such as Zoning Code/Ordinances, General Plans, Specific/Master Plans, and Corridor Plans.

The candidate must have demonstrated urban design and visioning experience, knowledge of land use/community planning and zoning concepts, sound project management skills, be able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, and interest in working in a fast‑paced environment.

This role may offer a hybrid work setup, blending time in the office with remote work as business needs evolve. We enjoy coming together in person to collaborate, connect with teammates, and partner with clients, and may prioritize candidates who live within 50 miles of a Rincon office. Eligible office locations for this role include:
Carlsbad, Fresno, Los Angeles, Monterey, Oakland, Palm Springs, Riverside, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. This position is open to locations across California.

• Lead design development and visioning efforts, including preparation of design and planning studies, site feasibility, and design strategies.
• Manage and deliver multi‑disciplinary work products and services for complex long‑range planning projects, including General Plans, Community Plans, Master/Specific Plans, Objective Design Standards, and/or other comprehensive planning documents.
• Lead teams responsible for the preparation of zoning codes, permitting policies, and/or development standards, with a particular emphasis on housing.
• Collaborate across markets with planners, climate specialists, environmental planners to deliver innovative, interdisciplinary work products.
• Provide the final review of work products for quality assurance/quality control.
• Prepare, coordinate, and facilitate public involvement and consensus‑building meetings and workshops.
• Interact with various members of public agency and private client staff on matters related to urban design and zoning.
• Act as a client manager for select clients in the Healthy Communities market.
• Perform various business development functions, focused on leading proposal preparation, attendance at interviews, and leading company outreach, marketing networking, and business development efforts related to the Healthy Communities market.
• Promote a culture of teamwork, engagement, quality service, and customer satisfaction to our public and private clients.
• Enhance Rincon’s professional reputation and demonstrate the ability to be creative and innovative with these tasks while representing Rincon in a professional manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor(s).

• BA/BS degree or higher in urban planning, geography, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of related demonstrated experience in community, long‑range, and/or housing policy planning, urban design, and/or environmental planning.
• Experience with a private sector consulting firm (Required).
• Experience with developing new business pursuits.
• Excellent communication, organizational, writing, and presentation skills.
• Strong team building and management skills.
• Working knowledge of project management systems, project scheduling, scoping, budgeting, cost analyses, resource analyses, and reporting.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to multi‑task in a fast‑paced environment, and manage multiple projects, deadlines, priorities, and teams.
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