Assistant Professor of City & Regional Planning

The City and Regional Planning Department seeks a full-time, academic year, tenure-track Assistant Professor with demonstrated strength in community planning, policy analysis, and community-based learning and research projects aimed at promoting equitable and sustainable communities. This faculty member will contribute to service learning, specifically for Central California communities and the broader region. We welcome candidates engaged in practice or research that advances equity considerations in planning and public policy.​   We are particularly interested in candidates whose teaching and research connect community planning to pressing urban and regional issues such as housing affordability, displacement, community development, cultural preservation, public health, equitable mobility, and hazard mitigation.    The ideal candidate will have strong experience in some of the following areas: community planning studios, policy development and analysis, community engagement, quantitative and qualitative research methods, geospatial data analysis, and data visualization. Teaching includes laboratory (studio) and lecture format courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

The College of Architecture & Environmental Design at Cal Poly is committed to building a faculty of teacher-scholars who collaborate to provide a multidisciplinary and hands-on approach to student learning and applied research. We believe that individuals from broad backgrounds strengthen our programs and positively impact student success. We encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for consideration.

Salary commensurate with education and experience of the individual selected. Anticipated hiring range: $89,000 – $94,000 per year.

The position start date is August 17, 2026 for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Subject to further planning and approval, Cal Poly anticipates a possible transition to semester-based year-round operations (YRO). Under YRO, full-time academic year faculty may be assigned to teach in two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring, Spring/Summer, or Summer/Fall) out of the three semesters offered annually. The two-semester sequence will constitute the regular academic year appointment. Faculty may also be eligible to teach in the third semester for additional compensation, subject to departmental needs and University policy.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

A Ph.D. in planning or closely related discipline such as architecture and landscape architecture is required. ABD candidates may be considered but must provide proof that doctorate was awarded before or by the start of appointment. The candidate must possess professional experience in the field of planning or urban design, have excellent oral and written communication skills and research/practice interests.

The candidate must have the ability to communicate effectively, work cooperatively with students, faculty, staff, and administrators from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, conduct themselves professionally, and perform appropriate service functions at the department, college, and university level. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to candidates with a degree in urban planning and teaching and experience in specific areas of program need. 

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

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.

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Note: Cal Poly cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction history until it has performed an individualized assessment and linked the relevant conviction history with specific job duties in the position being sought.

Please note: Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Sensitive positions are those requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to Cal Poly or individuals in the university community.

For health and well-being, Cal Poly is a smoke & tobacco-free campus. The university is committed to promoting a healthy environment for all members of our community.

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