Deputy Director of Planning

Deputy Director Of Planning

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 central role in advancing the City Council's goals related to land use, urban design, and the long-term quality and sustainability of the built environment. As a senior leader within the department, the Deputy Director of Planning will help translate these goals into actionable policy, high-quality development outcomes, and places that matter.

This position supports the Planning Director in managing daily operations of the Planning Department, mentor staff, oversee complex planning initiatives, and ensuring high-quality customer service to residents, employers, developers, and partner agencies. The Deputy Director also helps guide policy development that shapes the community's future.

Key Responsibilities:

• Execute the Planning Division's operations, staffing, and work program
• Oversee development review and entitlement processes, balancing efficiency, design quality, and community outcomes
• Navigate politically sensitive and technically complex development proposals with professionalism and sound judgment
• Mentor and develop professional planning staff and future leaders within the organization
• Lead and manage complex planning initiatives, including zoning code updates, housing implementation, and infill development projects
• Serve as an advisor to appointed bodies and elected officials on land use policy, development trends, and planning strategy
• Represent the department on behalf of the Planning Director as needed, ensuring continuity in leadership and decision-making

We are seeking a planning leader who combines strategic vision with practical execution—someone who can guide day-to-day operations while keeping a clear focus on long-term outcomes. The ideal candidate brings a proven ability to shape and implement land use policies that create meaningful, livable places, along with the skill to clearly frame complex planning issues for policy makers and the public.

This role calls for experience navigating the challenges of infill development, redevelopment, and community-scale change with professionalism and creativity. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership presence, the ability to step confidently into a director-level role when needed, and sound judgment in politically nuanced environments. Above all, we are looking for a collaborative, solutions-oriented professional with a deep commitment to public service and ethical planning practice.

This position might be perfect for you if:

• You are comfortable operating at both the strategic and operational levels of a planning organization
• You have experience navigating infill development, redevelopment, and community-scale change
• You thrive in politically nuanced environments and bring sound judgment and professionalism to sensitive issues
• You enjoy mentoring staff and building strong, collaborative teams
• You are motivated by meaningful work that has a lasting impact on a community's future
• You want to be part of a supportive, high-performing team that values learning, initiative, and shared success

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 conferences, educational courses and continuing professional certifications.
• Where possible, we offer the flexibility of a hybrid schedule option so you can occasionally work from home.

Education and/ or

Experience:

Graduation from college with a Bachelor's degree in urban and regional planning, public administration, or a related field, is required. A Master's degree in Planning, Public Policy,…