About the role
APPOINTMENTS FROM THE PART-TIME POOL ARE TEMPORARY AND OFTEN MADE JUST PRIOR TO THE START OF THE ACADEMIC TERM. APPLICANTS MUST BE AVAILABLE ON VERY SHORT NOTICE.
LECTURERS, City and Regional Planning, Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, CA. Part-time for Fall and/or Spring semesters, 2026-27 academic year. Assignments may include environmental impact analysis, environmental planning, environmental policy, urban design, graphics, visual communications, land use, infrastructure planning, planning for multiple publics, public policy, demographics, housing, planning theory, geographic information systems, computer applications, introduction to urban planning, project planning studio, community plan studio practice and other specialties related to plan-making. Assignment of selected applicant(s) is according to need and budgetary consideration.
Initial rank and salary for lecturer faculty are based on professional experience and educational background and are determined by the hiring department. Most new lecturers are hired at the Lecturer A or B rank. 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
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, 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, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Advanced degree with an earned degree (minimum of Bachelor's degree) in City and Regional Planning, Landscape Architecture, Architecture or a degree that fulfills a special department need. In the absence of an advanced degree, appropriate professional experience in the previous 5 years is required for appointment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Teaching and professional experience with advanced or terminal degree in field of instruction preferred.
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.
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo will not sponsor an H-1B for this position.
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.
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.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
One of five departments in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design, the award-winning Department of City and Regional Planning offers two PAB accredited professionally-oriented programs - a Bachelor of Science degree (BSCRP) and a Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP). The bachelor's program provides strong preparation in land use, physical planning and urban design. Master's degree candidates work for professional practice in either urban land planning and development or regional and environmental planning. There is a joint Master's degree in Transportation Planning with the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. Interdisciplinary courses are offered with other college departments, there is a strong interest in sustainability and the integration of knowledge through team based projects. The Department has strong links to the practicing California planning profession. The department has strong links to the practicing CA planning profession, and is supportive of applied research and evidence based practice. Visit the Department web site for more information: www.planning.calpoly.edu.
HOW TO APPLY
Please attach a cover letter stating your professional expertise and teaching areas, resume/CV, unofficial transcripts, teaching philosophy, and a list of courses or instructional areas you wish to be considered for (courses are listed in the online university catalog) to the online faculty application. If applicable, please attach a list of CSU courses previously taught. We encourage, but do not require, samples of course syllabi or professional work. Please be prepared to provide three names of references and their email addresses when filling out the online application. Reference letters and sealed official transcripts will be required prior to an appointment.
For questions, please contact the City and Regional Planning Department at (805) 756-1315. REVIEW BEGIN DATE: May 14, 2026.