Assistant Planner

About the Department

From its earliest days, the City of Rancho Cucamonga was dubbed the "City with a Plan." In late 2021, the City adopted an updated General Plan to guide its next chapter, focusing growth onto key corridors and nodes while preserving single-family neighborhoods.

The Planning Department plays a critical role in achieving the City Council's goals for land use, urban design, and the quality and sustainability of the built environment. We work with residents, business owners, developers, and elected officials to build a shared vision for the city's future—fostering short-term responsiveness and long-term resilience.

We focus on creating places, not just projects—thinking holistically about how buildings, streets, public spaces, and natural systems come together to shape daily life. Our goal is inclusive, vibrant, and memorable places that foster connection, identity, and pride.

We lead long-range planning initiatives addressing housing, transportation, economic development, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience. The department 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 community values and aspirations.

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.

As an Assistant Planner, you will support the City’s planning efforts on current development projects and long-range planning initiatives that emphasize people-centered growth. Working under the guidance of senior planning staff, you will review development proposals, research zoning and land use regulations, draft staff reports, conduct research and analysis, and participate in public meetings. You will contribute to ensuring development aligns with the City’s goals to enhance economic opportunity, improve quality of life, and reflect the General Plan vision.

This position includes regular interaction with the public at the planning counter and through phone and email inquiries. The Assistant Planner will provide clear, professional customer service by answering general questions, assisting with application intake, and helping customers understand planning processes and requirements, while working closely with senior staff on more complex issues.

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

We are seeking a motivated, detail-oriented, and curious early-career planning professional who is eager to learn and grow in a supportive environment. The ideal candidate will understand land use and zoning concepts and be interested in applying these principles to development review and long-range planning projects.

A growth mindset is essential. We value individuals who are open to feedback, eager to develop new skills, and willing to collaborate with others. Strong customer service skills and the ability to clearly explain planning concepts—both in writing and verbally—are important to success in this role.

This role is well-suited for someone who is excited to contribute meaningfully and learn from a collaborative and experienced team.

• You’re developing strong communication skills and enjoy explaining concepts clearly
• You’re excited to learn about both current and long-range planning in a municipal setting
• You enjoy working collaboratively with planners, other departments, and the community
• You’re comfortable handling multiple tasks with guidance and support from senior staff
• You’re curious about how planning policies shape the built environment
• You value public service and want your work to positively impact the community
• You’re detail-oriented and…