Director of Planning, Programming, & Transportation Services

Socket.dev; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev seeks a senior leader to plan and oversee the Planning, Programming, and Transportation Services department in Santa Cruz, guiding planning studies, funding activities, and service delivery for community transportation projects.

The role directs development and enforcement of department goals, policies, and compliance with federal, state, and regional requirements, providing expert support to the Executive Director.

Qualifications

• Must manage all Planning, Programming, and Transportation Services department functions.

Responsibilities

• Assumes full management responsibility for all Planning, Programming, and Transportation Services department functions and activities.
• Serves as planning, programming, and transportation services functional manager overseeing and managing program and project manager work; prepares reports and written recommendations on transportation-related planning studies and projects.
• Directs the development and implementation of RTC's legislative program; researches grant programs, legislative processes, policies, rules, and regulations related to transportation planning programs; drafts reports on legislation impact on transportation programs, activities, and funds.
• Directs strategy and manages preparation of grant applications and administration of grants from other agencies for departmental assignments.
• Directs the pass-though and competitive grant funding programs operated by the RTC and interprets and provides direction on federal/state/regional rules and regulations regarding use of funds and programmatic requirements.

Job description

Description

Position is open until filled with a priority screening date of September 18, 2026

Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, provides administrative and functional direction and oversight for, and participates in the activities and functions of the Planning, Programming, and Transportation Services department; leads the production of the agency's planning studies, project funding activities and delivery of transportation services; prepares, manages, and conducts professional transportation planning, programming and service delivery work in the field and office for planning, land use and transportation coordination, allocation of funding, production of funding requests for all types of projects, and effective delivery of services to the community; leads the development and implementation of the legislative program; interprets and enforces various planning rules, codes, regulations, and guidelines; develops and implements department goals and objectives; develops and enforces policies, procedures, and standards; ensures that the agency meets all federal, state and regional planning and programming requirements to ensure that projects, programs and services secure funding needed for implementation; provides expert professional assistance and support to the Executive Director.

Requirements

• Assumes full management responsibility for all Planning, Programming, and Transportation Services department functions and activities.
• Serves as planning, programming, and transportation services functional manager overseeing and managing program and project manager work, including preparing reports, correspondence, and written recommendations concerning transportation-related planning studies and projects; research issues as requested.
• Directs the development and implementation of RTC's legislative program; research local, State, and Federal grant programs, legislative processes, policies, rules, and regulations related to transportation planning programs; drafts written reports regarding legislation impact on transportation programs, activities, and funds; interprets and advocates for transportation legislation consistent Commission established goals.
• Directs strategy and manages preparation of grant applications and administration of grants from other agencies for departmental assignments.
• Directs the pass-though and competitive grant funding programs operated by the RTC and interprets and provides direction on Federal State and regional rules and regulations regarding the use of funds and programmatic requirements.

Please review recruitment brochure for full details