JOB DESCRIPTION

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.

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.

The position start date is 8/17/2026 for the 2026-2027 academic year.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

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 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 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 is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, and is 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.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates must attach (1) a cover letter (2) resume/curriculum vitae, (3) a Universal Student Success Statement*, (4) research plan, (5) unofficial transcripts, and (6) syllabi examples and documentation of teaching excellence (optional). Please be prepared to provide three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application. Official transcripts will be required prior to appointment. Review of applications will begin December 1, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled.

*Universal Student Success Statement Prompt - Cal Poly is a public, student-centered university that serves the diverse constituents of the state of California and has a strong emphasis on the teacher-scholar model. Please detail your approach to teaching and learning at the collegiate level, including evidence of experience with inclusive, accessible, and intentional teaching, to a wide variety of students and a description of how you will continue to develop this expertise at Cal Poly. Service or scholarship related to skills developed in these areas might also be included here.