Director of Planning and Sustainability

California High-Speed Rail Authority; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

California High-Speed Rail Authority seeks a Director of Planning and Sustainability to lead policy development and oversight for the HSR program. This executive role reports to the Chief of Planning and Engineering and ensures compliance with state and federal laws while guiding contractors to deliver on schedule and within budget.

You will work with multiple offices to advance planning, environmental, and land-use strategies, including station area planning and sustainability leadership for a

Qualifications

• Experience with high-speed rail or related rail planning and operation in California and/or North America.
• Experience with major regional and federal transportation agencies on strategic planning, program and project development, environmental planning, operations and maintenance planning, and funding.
• Experience with real estate development, the land use planning process, zoning and code process, and urban design.
• Experience at the managerial level with extensive knowledge of principles, practices, and trends of urban planning, transportation planning, high-speed rail planning and design, and intercity transportation.
• Experience in providing technical expertise and leadership in sustainability of a high-value project.
• Experience at the managerial level with overseeing station area planning activities.
• Experience in administering the implementation of policies and procedures throughout an organization.
• Experience at the managerial level with extensive knowledge of principles, practices, and trends of state and federal environmental review processes, public administration, organization, and management.
• Strong management, analytical, and decision-making skills and the ability to work and communicate with diverse and multi-disciplinary staff, federal, state, local officials, and stakeholders about Authority issues regarding planning major transportation projects.
• Experience directly managing direct-report staff and consultants in multiple offices.
• Experience in complex partnerships, such as Public/Private partnerships, and/or Joint Powers Authority.
• Experience at the managerial level with the ability to develop and maintain a network of contacts with federal, state, and local officials and the public to ensure an open exchange of information regarding the project and ability to coordinate planning, and environmental strategies and goals with local, regional, and federal officials.
• Knowledge at the managerial level of the Authority organization, operations, and relevant policy issues.
• Exceptional written and oral communications skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and sustainability policies and procedures for the HSR program.
• Oversee contractor performance to ensure delivery on schedule and budget.
• Collaborate with Legislative Affairs, External Affairs, and regional offices to implement program functions.
• Advise on environmental planning, real estate, and urban design aspects of the project.

Skills

Management experience

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Leadership

Project coordination

Job description

About the Role

Under the administrative direction of the Chief of Planning and Engineering, the Director of Planning and Sustainability (P&S) is responsible for advancing the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s (Authority) implementation of the high-speed rail (HSR) program through the development and oversight of all Authority policies and procedures pertaining to planning and sustainability. The incumbent is also responsible for ensuring compliance to all state and federal laws, statutes, and Authority policies and procedures. The Director of P&S ensures contractors fulfill strategic and contractual obligations to the Authority for the successful delivery of the HSR project on schedule and within budget. The incumbent will work closely and collaboratively with the Legislative Affairs Office, External Affairs and Communications Office, and Statewide Regional Office to assist in the implementation of various program functions.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

This position works primarily in the office, but limited telework may be available for California residents.

• Experience with high-speed rail or related rail planning and operation in California and/or North America.
• Experience with major regional and federal transportation agencies on strategic planning, program and project development, environmental planning, operations and maintenance planning, and funding.
• Experience with real estate development, the land use planning process, zoning and code process, and urban design.
• Experience at the managerial level with extensive knowledge of principles, practices, and trends of urban planning, transportation planning, high-speed rail planning and design, and intercity transportation.
• Experience in providing technical expertise and leadership in sustainability of a high-value project.
• Experience at the managerial level with overseeing station area planning activities.
• Experience in administering the implementation of policies and procedures throughout an organization.
• Experience at the managerial level with extensive knowledge of principles, practices, and trends of state and federal environmental review processes, public administration, organization, and management.
• Strong management, analytical, and decision-making skills and the ability to work and communicate with diverse and multi-disciplinary staff, federal, state, local officials, and stakeholders about Authority issues regarding planning major transportation projects.
• Experience directly managing direct-report staff and consultants in multiple offices.
• Experience in complex partnerships, such as Public/Private partnerships, and/or Joint Powers Authority.
• Experience at the managerial level with the ability to develop and maintain a network of contacts with federal, state, and local officials and the public to ensure an open exchange of information regarding the project and ability to coordinate planning, and environmental strategies and goals with local, regional, and federal officials.
• Knowledge at the managerial level of the Authority organization, operations, and relevant policy issues.
• Exceptional written and oral communications skills.

Location

The High-Speed Rail Authority headquarters building is located in downtown Sacramento on the corner of 8th and L Street. We are located one block away from the 8th and Capitol light rail stop, as well as the 7th and Capitol light rail stop. The building is also within walking distance of DOCO, the California State Capitol Park, a farmer’s market during summer months, and Old Sacramento.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.