Principal Planner - Transit Program Manager

Sacramento Area Council of Governments; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

SACOG is seeking an experienced Transit Program Manager to lead the agency’s transit planning work within the Transportation Team, aligning with the Blueprint/MTP/SCS initiatives and state/federal programs.

The role demands visionary leadership, collaboration with external partners, and strong supervision of staff. This hybrid position requires coordinating with federal and state agencies to advance regional transit goals and fiscal sustainability.

Qualifications

• Education equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Transportation/Urban Planning, Public or Business Administration, Political Science or related field.
• Three (3) years of full-time progressively responsible program management work in transportation planning, transportation funding and/or transportation grants, including at least one (1) year of project lead and/or supervisory experience.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Guidance, management and oversight for implementation of program elements related to transit fiscal sustainability, transit technology improvements, service efficiency, and other special planning projects.
• Guidance and oversight for required transit program activities, including transit technical assistance with transit operators, unmet transit needs process, and other similar programs and processes.
• Oversight of Federal Transit Administration funding to the region’s transit agencies and federal grant management processes and requirements.
• Leadership and coordination of existing committees with transit operators and leadership.
• Manage coordination of transit team work with Blueprint/MTP updates, funding programs, and other major regional initiatives across SACOG teams.
• Manage and oversee transit data collection, monitoring, and reporting as it relates to transit activities in the region.
• Provide recommendations to the SACOG management and executive leadership teams regarding transit project priorities.
• Lead the development of the transit team workplan, including prioritization of work products and respective budgeting activities.
• Supervise staff, including oversight of technical work product from SACOG staff, partner organizations, and consultant teams. Exercise direct and general supervision over assigned team members.
• Represent SACOG at external meetings with partner agencies, state agencies, elected officials, and regional stakeholders.

Skills

Transit planning

Stakeholder management

Staff supervision

Grant management

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Transportation/Urban Planning

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

SACOG is seeking an experienced transit/transportation professional and visionary, personal connector, and self-starting team player who enjoys collaborating across the agency and with partners, as well as working on their own. The agency has just adopted the region’s updated Metropolitan Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy (MTP/SCS), commonly known as the Blueprint, and has identified the transit program as a key priority for policy and program implementation. In addition, implementation of SB125 recommendations will focus the transit program’s work on fiscal sustainability while strengthening regional connectivity and services. To advance this, the Transit Program Manager will act as a creative and technical leader for SACOG’s transit planning work that requires both big-picture thinking for transit and its role in the broader transportation network, and a strong understanding of the state and federal transit landscape.

The Transit Program Manager (Principal Planner), will supervise staff and oversee and manage a variety of transit planning activities on the Transportation Team, including state and federal funding programs; special projects with a focus on transit planning; ; and performing other tasks as assigned. This position will be required to work collaboratively with a variety of external partners, including public transit operators, federal agencies, local municipalities, and other state and regional partners/agencies.

This position will report to SACOG’s Director of Transportation and is the highest non-management classification at SACOG. The Transit Program Manager will work across groups within SACOG that have roles in project development and support and must prioritize a team-oriented team environment.

The Transportation Team

The ideal candidate would be joining a team of professionals with diverse transportation planning backgrounds, including transportation funding and grants, transportation demand management, alternative mobility, active transportation, public transit operations and planning, and corridor planning.

This will be one of three Principal Planners on the Transportation Team. With the other Principal Planners focused on funding, grants, and strategic corridor planning initiatives, this position would complement the team’s expertise and provide leadership within a critical element of the agency’s work program.

This position will be an integral part of the Transportation Team at SACOG and will regularly coordinate with staff of other teams.

The Organization

SACOG is the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the six-county Sacramento region. Formed as a Joint Powers Authority, SACOG is governed by a board of 31 elected officials that directly represent all six counties and 22 cities in the region, and one ex-officio member (Caltrans). While transportation is core to SACOG’s role as a Metropolitan Planning Organization, SACOG has over two decades of experience approaching regional issues from an integrated perspective that examines the linkages between transportation, housing, economic prosperity, environmental stewardship, and air quality. Under the leadership of its executive director, SACOG has a vision of a vibrant and thriving Sacramento region for all. Its mission is: SACOG convenes and connects the region to advance an equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future.

Join our Agency

SACOG values diversity and believes that a range of backgrounds brings a variety of ideas, perspectives and experiences that contribute to an innovative and collaborative environment in which talents are fully utilized, uniqueness is valued, and SACOG’s objectives are met. SACOG is committed to building a culturally diverse workplace. We welcome individuals of all backgrounds, orientations, and identities.

In addition to being an organizational value, we also uphold equal opportunity under the law. SACOG is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. SACOG provides fair and equal opportunity for all with no discrimination because of race, creed, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, age, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.

SACOG employs a dedicated and professional staff of 60 who work together to advance solutions to some of the region’s shared challenges of transportation, housing, air quality, climate change and the protection of the region’s agricultural and natural resources. SACOG fosters an inclusive, mission driven, and fun employee culture and offers flexible schedules.

SACOG will make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental disabilities of an otherwise qualified individual who is an applicant or employee.

About the SACOG Region

The six-county Sacramento region exemplifies physical, cultural, and economic diversity. This makes it a stimulating place to work for people in the planning profession but perhaps more important, it also makes it a great place to live. Landscapes range from fertile agricultural lands to the high Sierra Nevada mountains, encompassing a vibrant collection of small towns, established and emerging suburbs, and an urban core that houses the capital of the fifth largest economy in the world, with cultural and sporting events year-round. Pacific coast beaches, Tahoe region ski resorts, and wild Sierra Nevada lakes and mountains are less than two hours’ drive from the City of Sacramento, which sits at the confluence of two major California rivers — the American and the Sacramento — that also offer many recreational opportunities. The American River Parkway provides access to more than 50 miles of paved bicycle and pedestrian trails connecting Downtown Sacramento, through the river canyon, several historic mining camps, and towns, to Folsom Lake; the 20th largest lake in the state and one of the most frequently visited parks in California’s state park system.

Sacramento is a richly diverse region, home to a wide variety of ethnic, cultural, and immigrant communities that contribute to its dynamic character. The region’s much lower cost of living and housing compared to coastal California, as well as its ethnic diversity, have led to a population boom and a revived and vibrant downtown. Its reputation as the Farm to-Fork capital of America also draws foodies and tourists. The 22nd largest metropolitan region in the nation, Sacramento lies at the confluence of commerce in northern California. Interstate 80 delivers an east-west connection from the Pacific to the Atlantic, and Interstate 5 opens the entire West Coast from Mexico to Canada for goods movement, recreation, and economic vibrancy. Multiple rail lines extend in all directions through the heart of the region and provide quick and frequent passenger train service between San Francisco, Sacramento, and the Sierra Nevada mountains. Commuting and traveling within and beyond the Sacramento region are easy thanks to the region’s integrated transportation network. With two interstate freeways, an international airport, and 6 Amtrak stations with long distance connections to Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, and Chicago. The region’s light rail system provides commuters, residents, and visitors a ready alternative to driving with more than 40 miles of track and 26 stations with connections to the region’s most robust job centers, the historic Sutter Street in Downtown Folsom, the Sacramento Valley Amtrak Station, and numerous suburban communities along the Interstate 80 and Highway 50 corridors.

Why join SACOG?

Teamwork:

• We work towards a shared vision while cultivating a workplace of collaboration, trust, and transparency. We create space for individual strengths and experiences to achieve more, together.

Community:

• We intentionally build an inclusive community where people can be themselves, share ideas, and pursue solutions. Together, we address challenges that are too big for any one person or group to solve on their own.

Dedication:

• We have the courage to tackle new challenges head on. We are driven by the opportunity to leave a lasting, positive impact on the region. We are committed to quality performance as we accomplish the agency’s goals.

Innovation:

• We strive for continuous improvement by reimagining the work and the way we do it. We use data and input to measure our progress, extract new insights, and elevate our work. This allows us to pave new paths into the future.

Hybrid Position

As an integral part of our organization, employees will provide support in a flexible work environment. This position will have the ability to telework up to three days per week, with the expectation of additional in-office attendance as needed to support agency operations, collaboration, and business needs.

The remainder of the work week will be in-person. Employees are required to live within 200 miles of Sacramento.

We support telework because it:

• Enhances employee productivity, satisfaction, and ability to collaborate.
• Improves recruitment and retention
• Reduces greenhouse gas emission, vehicle miles travels (VMT), traffic and parking congestion, and air pollution

Anticipated Recruitment Schedule

• Filing Deadline: November 20
• First Interview: Week of December 7
• Final Interview: Week of December 14
• Desired Start Date: January 11

The Transit Program Manager will be responsible for oversight and management of SACOG’s transit programs to implement the agency’s Blueprint (MTP/SCS) and maintain consistency with federal and state transit regulations/requirements. Specific duties will include:

• Guidance, management and oversight for implementation of program elements related to transit fiscal sustainability, transit technology improvements, service efficiency, and other special planning projects.
• Guidance and oversight for required transit program activities, including transit technical assistance with transit operators, unmet transit needs process, and other similar programs and processes.
• Oversight of Federal Transit Administration funding to the region’s transit agencies and federal grant management processes and requirements.
• Leadership and coordination of existing committees with transit operators and leadership.
• Manage coordination of transit team work with Blueprint/MTP updates, funding programs, and other major regional initiatives across SACOG teams.
• Manage and oversee transit data collection, monitoring, and reporting as it relates to transit activities in the region.
• Provide recommendations to the SACOG management and executive leadership teams regarding transit project priorities.
• Lead the development of the transit team workplan, including prioritization of work products and respective budgeting activities.
• Supervise staff, including oversight of technical work product from SACOG staff, partner organizations, and consultant teams. Exercise direct and general supervision over assigned team members.
• Represent SACOG at external meetings with partner agencies, state agencies, elected officials, and regional stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• A visionary, creative, and innovative approach to transit planning and coordination with a regional lens
• Ability to work with a network of external partners and manage multiple stakeholders, including a strong ability to develop trust and relationships
• Strong organizational skills, including time management, ability to set priorities, and ability to anticipate critical deadlines
• Adaptability and flexibility, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with competing requirements and deadlines
• Dedication to collaboration across SACOG teams, elected officials, and key regional stakeholders
• Ability to work independently and critical thinking skills, including the ability to make effective decisions amidst uncertainty

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience with transit and transportation planning, including various modes like rail, bus rapid transit, fixed-route bus, paratransit, and microtransit;
• Strong understanding of state and federal transit programs and transportation planning regulations
• Experience facilitating projects involving numerous organizational stakeholders as well as an interest in finding compromise when faced with conflicting perspectives.
• Ability to make presentations before various boards and/or committees in an effective and concise manner
• Ability to provide leadership and technical guidance as a subject matter expert and adviser
• Experience supervising multiple staff or a team

The following is not required, but desired:

• Strong knowledge of the Capital region’s transit network, including knowledge of operators and key transit corridors.
• Can understand and convey changes in state and federal transportation policy, legal regulations, and processes.

Required

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. We welcome applicants with non-traditional pathways to education and experience. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Education equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Transportation/Urban Planning, Public or Business Administration, Political Science or related field.
• Three (3) years of full-time progressively responsible program management work in transportation planning, transportation funding and/or transportation grants, including at least one (1) year of project lead and/or supervisory experience.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment.

Desired

• Master’s degree in a related field
• Five years of progressively responsible program management experience, and 2 years of project lead and/or supervisory experience

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

This is primarily a sedentary classification and the employee works in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. The employee interfaces with staff, management, other agency representatives, member jurisdictions, government officials, business representatives, and the general public in explaining SACOG policies and requesting and providing information.