1

Urban Planner Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in urban planning or a related field A Master's Degree in a related field is desirable and may count as one year of experience. Experience:

Bachelor's and/or master's degree in planning, urban planning, civil engineering, landscape architecture or a related field * Minimum of 10 years of relevant planning experience * 2 years prior ...

Bachelor's and/or master's degree in planning, urban planning, civil engineering, landscape architecture or a related field * Minimum of 10 years of relevant planning experience * 2 years prior ...

Bachelor's and/or master's degree in planning, urban planning, civil engineering, landscape architecture or a related field * Minimum of 10 years of relevant planning experience * 2 years prior ...

Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Geography, Environmental Science, or a closely related field * Three (3) years of professional planning experience in a public agency ...

Associate Planner

Riverside, CA · On-site

$34 - $50/hr

Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Geography, Environmental Science, or a closely related field * Three (3) years of professional planning experience in a public agency ...

Associate Planner

Claremont, CA · On-site

$85K - $103K/yr

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in urban planning or a related field. Experience: Two (2) years of experience comparable to that of an Assistant Planner. Licenses: A valid ...

Transportation Planning Intern

Irvine, CA · On-site

$26.95 - $40.43/hr

Demonstrated interest in transportation and/or urban planning. * Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Preferred: * Familiarity with ESRI ArcGIS Pro, or databases is a plus.

Associate Planner

Claremont, CA · On-site

$85K - $103K/yr

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in urban planning or a related field. Experience: Two(2) years of experience comparable to that of an Assistant Planner. Licenses: A valid ...

Environmental Planner 6

Irvine, CA

$74K - $96K/yr

Or Master's degree in Civil Engineering, Urban, Community or Regional Planning or related discipline. 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree or 9 years of experience with Master ...

Bachelor's degree in urban planning field required. * Three or more (3+) years of planning experience in the land development industry, with experience in current planning and advanced (long-range ...

Bachelor's degree in urban planning field required. * Three or more (3+) years of planning experience in the land development industry, with experience in current planning and advanced (long-range ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Urban Planner information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$45.9K

$78.3K

$124.2K

How much do urban planner jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for urban planner in Riverside, CA is $78,280.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,600.00 and $88,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much is an Urban Planner paid?

Urban planners typically earn a median annual salary of around $75,000, with salaries ranging from approximately $50,000 to over $100,000 depending on experience, location, and education. Entry-level positions generally pay less, while experienced professionals or those working in high-cost areas can earn higher wages.

Is Urban Planner a good career?

Urban planners develop plans and programs for land use, transportation, and community development, often working for government agencies or private firms. The profession requires strong analytical skills, knowledge of zoning laws, and proficiency with GIS tools; employment prospects are generally stable with opportunities for advancement. Job satisfaction depends on interest in community development and environmental sustainability.

What do you do as an Urban Planner?

An urban planner develops plans and programs for land use in cities and communities, focusing on sustainable development, transportation, zoning, and public spaces. They analyze data, collaborate with stakeholders, and use planning tools like GIS to create proposals that improve urban environments and meet community needs.

What is the difference between Urban Planner vs City Planner?

AspectUrban PlannerCity Planner
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Urban Planning, Geography, or related fieldSimilar credentials, often with additional local government experience
Work EnvironmentPublic agencies, consulting firms, non-profitsMunicipal government departments, urban development agencies
Industry UsageBroadly used across urban development projectsPrimarily within city government and local planning offices
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in urban developmentFocus on local government planning roles

Urban Planners and City Planners often share similar educational backgrounds and work environments, focusing on developing and implementing urban development projects. However, Urban Planners typically work across various organizations and broader projects, while City Planners are usually employed within municipal governments focusing on local policies and zoning. Both roles are essential in shaping urban spaces, with their differences mainly in scope and employment setting.

What Do Urban Planners Do?

Urban planners identify community needs and make plans to develop, expand, or revitalize various communities or areas in their cities. Urban planners may assess plans for proposed development, like new schools, to ensure the investment will benefit the community by meeting the needs of a changing population. As cities grow and change, planners help communities manage shifting economic, social, and environmental needs. Some urban planners work large-scale plans, while some work in focused areas on specific issues. Good urban planners have at heart what is the best use of a community’s land and resources overall—residentially, commercially, and recreationally.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Urban Planner, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Urban Planner, you need a strong background in urban design, land use planning, and environmental policy, typically supported by a degree in urban planning or a related field. Familiarity with GIS software, zoning regulations, and public engagement platforms is important, and certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) can be advantageous. Excellent communication, negotiation, and analytical thinking are essential soft skills for collaborating with stakeholders and addressing community needs. These competencies ensure effective, sustainable, and inclusive planning that enhances urban environments and meets regulatory and community goals.

What qualifications do you need to be an Urban Planner?

Urban planners typically need a bachelor's degree in urban planning, geography, or a related field, with many roles requiring a master's degree such as a Master of Urban Planning. Professional certification, like the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), can enhance job prospects. Strong skills in GIS software, research, and communication are also important for success in the field.

What are some common challenges urban planners face when balancing community needs with regulatory requirements?

Urban planners often navigate the complex task of balancing the diverse needs of communities—such as affordable housing, green spaces, and transportation access—with local, state, and federal regulations. This can involve negotiating with developers, addressing resident concerns, and ensuring compliance with zoning laws and environmental policies. Effective collaboration with stakeholders and strong communication skills are essential to finding practical solutions that meet both legal requirements and community goals. Planners may also need to adapt quickly to changing priorities or unexpected obstacles, making flexibility a valuable asset in this role.

What does an urban planner do?

An urban planner is a professional who develops plans and programs for land use in urban, suburban, and rural areas. Their work involves analyzing community needs, considering environmental and economic factors, and designing solutions for transportation, housing, and public spaces. Urban planners work with government agencies, developers, and the public to create sustainable, functional, and attractive communities. They also ensure that development complies with zoning laws and environmental regulations.
What are the most commonly searched types of Urban Planner jobs in Riverside, CA? The most popular types of Urban Planner jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Urban Planner jobs in Riverside, CA? For Urban Planner jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Urban Planner jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Urban Planner jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Urban Planner jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Urban Planner job openings:
Infographic showing various Urban Planner job openings in Riverside, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $78,280 per year, or $37.6 per hour.
Lecturer AY - Urban and Regional Planning

Lecturer AY - Urban and Regional Planning

California State University

Pomona, CA

$6.2K/mo

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 5 days ago


California State University rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

228th of 555 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Lecturer AY - Urban and Regional Planning

Apply now Job no: 557173
Work type: Instructional Faculty - Temporary/Lecturer
Location: Pomona
Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Temporary, Part Time, On-site (work in-person at business location)

Temporary Faculty Pool

Department of Urban and Regional Planning

College of Environmental Design

The Department of Urban and Regional Planning at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona invites applications for Part-Time Lecturer positions in the department of Urban and Regional Planning .

About Cal Poly Pomona

Pomona is one of three polytechnic universities in the 22-campus California State University system and among 12 such institutions nationwide. Since its founding in 1938, Cal Poly Pomona students participate in an integrative experiential learning education that is inclusive, relevant, and values diverse perspectives and experiences. With a variety of degree programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, engineering, and professional disciplines, the university is well known for its learn- by-doing approach and Teacher Scholar Model.

The university is noted for its scenic and historic 1,400-acre campus, which was once the winter ranch of cereal magnate W.K. Kellogg. We acknowledge that Cal Poly Pomona resides on the territorial and homelands of the Tongva and Tataavium people who are the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar. The university's nearly 30,000 students are taught and mentored by the campus's more than 1,400 faculty as part of 54 baccalaureate and 29 master's degree programs, 11 credential and certificate programs, and a doctorate in educational leadership.

About the College of Environmental Design (ENV)

ENV's mission is to provide an outstanding academic and professional learning experience within a multidisciplinary structure. Creative excellence, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility guide ENV's programs. ENV was established in 1970. Our award-winning programs offer professional degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning; at the undergraduate level in Art History and Visual Communication Design; and at the graduate level in Regenerative Studies.

Department of Urban and Regional Planning (URP)

URP's programs emphasize interdisciplinary learning and linkages between practice and theory, taking advantage of connections with the programs in the ENV. The undergraduate program provides a diverse student body with an entry into professional planning practice. The graduate program, offered primarily in the evening, provides a professionally oriented program. According to Planetizen's ranking system (2023), the graduate program was ranked among the top ten suburban programs and second most diverse program. URP is one of the largest and the most diverse planning programs in the U.S.

The Position

The temporary faculty pool is continuously open, and positions are filled as needed, based on student enrollment and funding. Candidates may need to be available to begin teaching on short notice. The Fall term begins in late August and ends in mid-December; the Spring term begins mid-January and ends in mid-May. Opportunities for teaching during the Summer Sessions may also be available.  We welcome applications from individuals who are experienced and student-centered to teach in the following subject areas:

  • Urban design / Urban design studio
  • Research methods (quantitative and qualitative)
  • Geographical Information Systems (GIS) (Introduction and intermediate)
  • Community planning studio
  • Community development and social justice

Responsibilities

Teach assigned division courses in the department's curriculum and serve weekly office hours based on assigned teaching unit load. Assignments may include day, evening, and/or weekend courses. 

Required Qualifications

  • A Master's degree in urban and regional planning or related discipline in the field relevant to the curriculum or related discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Record of professional planning experience, particularly in environmental planning areas
  • Prior teaching experience at the college or university level and ability to furnish evidence of strong teaching.

Salary and Benefit Information

Initial rank and salary for lecturer faculty are based on professional experience and educational background and are determined by the hiring department.  Initial appointments are for one semester only. The full-time (15 units per semester) monthly base salaries indicated above are prorated to the number of units worked and are paid in six monthly payments for each full semester. 
Most new appointees are hired at the Lecturer A or B rank and placed at the beginning of the range. Anticipated hiring range depending on qualifications, not to exceed $6,221 per month. As of July 2024, the classification salary ranges for the respective ranks are:

Lecturer A: $5,507 - $ 6,677
Lecturer B: $6,221 - $13,224
Lecturer C: $6,825 - $14,523
Lecturer D: $8,593 - $15,211

The CSU system offers a competitive total compensation benefits package for employees and qualifying dependents, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, and tuition assistance. It is our goal to compensate employees equitably and fairly. For additional information about the university benefits, please visit www.cpp.edu, and for more about faculty life and employee benefits, please see YourLife@CPP.

How to Apply

A complete application must include:

  • Cover Letter (indicate which courses you are qualified to teach)
  • Resume/Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Unofficial transcripts of highest degree (official transcripts required upon hire)
  • Three professional references with names and email addresses

Applications will be reviewed as needed. Please direct all questions about the position to, Do Kim, the chiar of the department, at dohyungkim@cpp.edu.   

Disclosures

Education Code 89521 Requirements:

Pursuant to Education Code 89521 applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant's current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Background Check: 

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be satisfactorily completed.  Offers of employment are conditional and may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.  Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Out of State Employment:

In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU related work outside of California.  It is also expected that faculty establish an on-campus presence to fulfill their responsibilities.

Mandated Reporter: 

The person holding this position is considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

International Candidates:

Cal Poly Pomona is not currently sponsoring faculty for H-1B work status if they are subject to the $100,000 fee established under the Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers issued on September 19, 2025. For faculty already in the United States who hold a valid nonimmigrant visa (such as F-1, J-1, or O-1), Cal Poly Pomona is able to consider filing a petition to change their status to H-1B based on the current determination that the fee does not apply. For questions, please contact the Office of Faculty Affairs at avpfa@cpp.edu. We strongly recommend that faculty review their individual circumstances carefully with their personal immigration legal counsel.

Clery Act:
In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), Cal Poly Pomona's Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report are available for viewing at Cal Poly Pomona's Annual Security Report and Cal Poly Pomona's Annual Fire Safety Report.

EEO Statement: 

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly Pomona provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly Pomona complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California's Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU's Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly Pomona is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly Pomona, excellence is built on talent, merit, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Reasonable Accommodation:
We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the ADA Coordinator by email at ADACoordinator@cpp.edu. For more information, go to Employment Notices.

Other Notices:
For other important employment notices, we invite you to visit Cal Poly Pomona's Employment Notices web page.

Advertised: Apr 14 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: Mar 01 2027 Pacific Standard Time

Back to search results Apply now Refer a friend

Whatsapp Facebook LinkedIn Email App

What California State University employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


California State University logo

About California State University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

California State University, Fresno is one of 23 campuses in the California State University System. The University's mission is to boldly educate and empower students for success through our values of Discovery, Diversity and Distinction. The current student population is more than 25,000, including a large percentage of students with diverse and culturally rich backgrounds. The University serves the San Joaquin Valley while maintaining deep involvement with the state, nation, and across the globe.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Long Beach, CA, US