LOSSAN Strategic Rail Planning Manager

Octa; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 206,000; Full time

Job summary

OCTA in Orange County seeks an experienced Strategic Rail Planning Manager (LOSSAN) to lead strategic and operational rail planning across the corridor, coordinating with operations, capital programs, and partner agencies to align service planning with mobility goals.

Responsibilities include timetable development, capacity analysis, feasibility studies, grant pursuits, and presenting findings to executive leadership and the Board, with emphasis on safety, reliability, and sustainable passenger

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Transportation Planning, Engineering, Business, or related field or equivalent experience.
• Minimum eight years of experience in rail service planning, transportation planning, or corridor planning.
• At least four years of management experience.
• Strong knowledge of timetable development and operational planning.
• Experience coordinating complex multi-agency initiatives and funding/grant efforts.
• Advanced degree is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic rail service and corridor planning initiatives and timetable strategies.
• Manage feasibility studies, service planning analyses, and operational planning activities.
• Analyze service performance, demand, and data to develop planning recommendations.
• Evaluate impacts of service changes and capital projects on operations and passenger experience.
• Develop planning recommendations balancing feasibility, passenger needs, and funding priorities.
• Lead federal, state, and local grant pursuits and development of grant applications.
• Coordinate with host railroads, operators, agencies, and partners on corridor improvements.
• Prepare and present reports and analyses to executive leadership and the Board.

Skills

Management experience

Leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder coordination

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Transportation Planning, Engineering, Business, or related field

Advanced degree desirable

Job description

Job Description Strategic Rail Planning Manager (LOSSAN)

Under general direction, the Strategic Rail Planning Manager leads strategic and operational rail planning initiatives supporting safe, efficient, reliable, and sustainable passenger rail service throughout the LOSSAN (Los Angeles - San Diego - San Luis Obispo) Rail Corridor. This role oversees service and corridor planning, capacity analysis, timetable development, planning studies, operational coordination, and short- and long-range rail mobility initiatives. Serving as the Agency’s lead for corridor and service planning, this position works across Operations, Capital Programs, Finance, Marketing, member agencies, rail operators, regulators, and other partners to align service planning with operational considerations, passenger experience, regional mobility goals, capital investments, regulatory requirements, and funding priorities.

This is an exempt management position in Salary Grade 245: Min $149,614.40 - Mid $177,736.00 - Max $205,857.60/annually. The starting salary will be within this range based on qualifications. This posting will remain open until a candidate is selected.

What You’ll Do

• Lead strategic rail service and corridor planning initiatives, including timetable strategies, capacity analysis, planning studies, and long-range rail mobility efforts


• Manage feasibility studies, service planning analyses, and operational planning activities supporting existing and future passenger rail service


• Analyze service performance, travel demand, transportation data, operational considerations, and corridor impacts to develop informed planning recommendations


• Evaluate service integration, passenger experience, and operational impacts associated with service modifications and capital projects


• Develop planning recommendations that balance operational feasibility, passenger needs, capital considerations, funding priorities, and long-term corridor objectives


• Lead Federal, State, and local grant pursuits, including identifying funding opportunities and leading development of grant applications


• Support strategic planning and funding coordination for corridor improvements, resiliency initiatives, service expansion, and future rail mobility programs


• Coordinate with host railroads, contracted operators, State agencies, member agencies, regional transportation partners, and other stakeholders


• Collaborate across Operations, Capital Programs, Finance, Marketing, and passenger-focused initiatives to align planning and organizational priorities


• Prepare and present reports, briefing materials, planning analyses, and recommendations to executive leadership, stakeholders, and the Board of Directors


• Represent the Agency in regional, statewide, and national rail planning forums, technical groups, and transportation planning committees


• Support cross-functional planning and coordination during operational changes, capital project impacts, service modifications, and corridor improvement initiatives

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Transportation Planning, Engineering, Business, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience


• Minimum of eight years of experience in rail service planning, transportation planning, corridor planning, project management, rail operations strategy, or related work


• At least four years of management experience


• Strong knowledge of passenger rail service planning, corridor planning, timetable development, and operational planning considerations


• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex transportation, service performance, travel demand, and operational information and translate findings into actionable recommendations


• Experience coordinating complex initiatives involving multiple agencies, operators, disciplines, and stakeholders


• Strong understanding of the relationship among service planning, rail operations, capital improvements, passenger experience, and funding priorities


• Experience developing strategic planning recommendations and supporting Federal, State, or local transportation funding and grant initiatives


• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and relationship-building skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership and governing boards


• Ability to build consensus and maintain productive relationships with host railroads, operators, public agencies, and regional partners


• Experience working with intercity passenger rail operators, host railroads, and state-supported rail services is strongly preferred


• An advanced degree is desirable

Why You’ll Love It Here

Help shape the future of passenger rail service along one of the nation’s most significant intercity rail corridors

Lead strategic planning initiatives that influence service reliability, corridor capacity, resiliency, passenger experience, and long-term growth

Work at the intersection of rail planning, operations, capital investment, and transportation funding

Collaborate with rail operators, host railroads, member agencies, State partners, and transportation professionals across the corridor

Lead planning and grant initiatives that can translate long-range mobility strategies into future rail improvements

Make a meaningful contribution to safe, sustainable, and integrated passenger rail mobility throughout Southern California

Join a team where innovation, integrity, and strategic thinking are valued

OCTA is an equal employment opportunity employer that recruits, hires, and promotes qualified people without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, military and veteran status, or other legally protected status.

OCTA is the county’s transportation planning commission and public transit operator.

With a focus on safety and accountability, we plan, fund, and implement countywide projects that include bus and rail transit, freeways and express lanes, rideshare, microtransit, paratransit, active transportation, and environmental programs.

We’re passionate about creating a balanced, equitable and sustainable transportation system that reflects the diverse travel needs of the county’s 34 cities and 3.2 million residents.

Our employees rated OCTA as a top workplace in Orange County.

Come join us on our mission of keeping Orange County moving.