Deputy Director of Planning

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 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.

Our work goes beyond managing individual development applications. We focus on creating places, not just projects—taking a holistic view of how buildings, streets, public spaces, infrastructure, and natural systems come together to shape daily life. The Deputy Director will help guide this approach, balancing technical requirements, design quality, community values, and economic vitality in both infill and redevelopment contexts.

The department leads complex long‑range planning efforts addressing housing, transportation, economic development, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience. The Deputy Director plays a key role in shaping and implementing these initiatives, using data, policy analysis, and professional judgment to guide decision‑makers and ensure equitable and resilient growth.

Collaboration is central to our success. The Deputy Director works closely with residents, business owners, developers, elected officials, and partner departments to build a shared vision for the city’s future—supporting responsive day‑to‑day decision‑making while maintaining a clear focus on long‑term outcomes. This role requires the ability to navigate politically sensitive issues, communicate clearly with policy makers, and represent the department with credibility and confidence.

Ultimately, we are committed to people‑first planning—creating high‑quality places that support prosperity, livability, and community identity. The Deputy Director of Planning will help steward this mission, shaping development that attracts and retains residents, businesses, and talent while honoring the character and heritage of the city.

This position supports the Planning Director in managing daily operations of the Planning Department, overseeing complex planning initiatives, and ensuring high‑quality customer service to residents, developers, and partner agencies. The Deputy Director also provides strategic and operational leadership, while mentoring staff and helping guide policy development that shapes the community’s future.

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

• You enjoy shaping places that matter and turning community values into built form.
• You are comfortable operating at both the strategic and operational levels of a planning organization.
• You like guiding elected officials and appointed bodies through complex land use and policy decisions.
• You have…