Section Manager III - Transit Planning

Orange County Transportation Authority; Orange (CA); On-site; USD 127,000 - 179,000; Full time

Job summary

The Orange County Transportation Authority is seeking a Transit Planning Manager to oversee transit planning projects, ensure effective communication with stakeholders, and lead the development of strategic plans. This position offers an attractive salary and benefits while contributing to the improvement of the county's transportation network.

Benefits

Medical, dental and vision health insurance

Paid sick leave, vacation, and holidays

Short-term and long-term disability

Flexible spending accounts

Educational reimbursement

In-house training programs

Free transportation passes

Wellness and ergonomic programs

Qualifications

• Minimum of six years of public transportation planning experience.
• Three years of previous management experience preferred.
• Experience with transit planning and long-range transportation studies strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervises development of short- and long-range transit plans.
• Oversees community liaison for funding projects with cities and agencies.
• Guides development of strategic plans addressing public and technical concerns.

Skills

Transportation Planning

Public Speaking

Analytical Skills

Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Transportation/Transit Planning, Urban Planning, or related technical field

Master's degree or Project Management Professional (PMP) designation

Job description

Overview

Why OCTA:

Discover work that moves you in a dynamic and innovative setting. Be part of a team delivering Orange County’s transportation network of today and creating a vision for the future.

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.

Overview:

Under the direction of the Department Manager of Transit Planning and Executive management in the Planning Division, supervises the development of short- and long-range transit plans. This includes bus, vanpool, as well as other multimodal planning projects. Oversees liaison involvement to cities and transportation/regulatory agencies on funding matters.

This is an exempt position in Salary Grade 235: Min $127,545 – Mid $153,054 – Max $178,563 annually. The starting salary will be within this range based on qualifications.

The application deadline for this position is Friday, July 4, 2025.

Responsibilities

This list is intended to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification and is not designed to be interpreted as an exhaustive listing of all tasks required of employees assigned to this job.

Displays High Integrity & Honesty: Takes personal responsibility, acts with honesty and consistency.

Has Technical and Professional Expertise: Has the technical skills, product knowledge and professional skills to do the job.

• Oversees the preparation and maintenance of section budget, project resources and controls, business plan, and strategic plan inputs. Manages consultant contracts in support of section budget.
• Makes presentations to the Agency's Board of Directors (Board), its standing committees, communication groups, executive staff, and professional organizations. Represents the Board as well as acts as liaison between the Board of Directors and executives, elected officials, and decision makers at cities, special interest groups, and the general public.

Drives for Results: Operates with speed and intensity, translates long-term goals into immediate actions.

• Guides the development of strategic plans and studies through sensitive public issues and seeks to meet technical and design concerns of various public/private entities and/or agencies.
• Oversees the development and administration of contracts and cooperative agreements with external vendors regarding project schedules, budgets, payments, accurate and timely tracking of costs and project milestones, appropriate/conforming funding allocations, changes to project scopes and balances cost requirements with funding availability.

Solves Problems & Analyzes Issues: Has and applies problem analysis and problem-solving skills on a technical and interpersonal level.

• Monitors trends through confidential planning studies for transit investments and new bus services including researching, collecting, and analyzing data, preparing informational materials, presentations, and reports.
• Provides recommendations for short and long-term transit policy, program, and plan recommendations.

Works in a Collaborative Manner with Others: Works in a collaborative manner with others, helps resolve unproductive conflict.

• Supervises staff and serves on regional and statewide committees and groups regarding the analysis, strategic planning and resolution of complex technical transit system issues, procedural issues, and schedule impacts to ensure that the goals of these programs are met.
• Manages and oversees the development of technical reports from staff, consultants, affected public agencies, and others to meet project goals and schedules. Manages recommendations and approvals of changes to plans, proposals, designs, procedures, staffing, schedules, and/or project organization. Manages the activities regarding negotiation, coordination, and facilitation of conflict resolution.
• Lead advocate for transportation related issues including transit benefits, tentative schedules, and related information. Communicates the Board's position on issues and activities to city and regional representatives, associations, and advocacy groups. This includes written and oral testimony, reports, applications, and other forms of communication as deemed appropriate. Fosters consensus through development of strong working relationships.
• Leads the Section by example to increase productivity, morale, efficiency, and team spirit. Encourages employee growth and professional development. Oversees the development of quantifiable measures through employee engagement in alignment with departmental/Agency goals and business requirements.

Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in Transportation/Transit Planning, Urban Planning, or related technical field. A minimum of six years of public transportation planning experience, three years of previous management experience preferred. Experience with transit planning, long range transportation studies and plans, and Project Study Reports strongly preferred. A master's degree or a Project Management Professional (PMP) designation preferred.

Working Conditions/Physical Activities:

(The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. OCTA provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions).

Positions in this class typically require:

• Work may be performed in a stressful, fast-paced office environment, depending upon assignment.
• Requires ability to understand verbal communication and to respond effectively.
• Positions in this class typically require: Reaching, Finger Dexterity, Grasping, Feeling, Talking, Hearing, Seeing, and Repetitive Motions in computer use.

Compensation and Benefits:

OCTA offers an attractive compensation and benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision health insurance programs, flex time (may be available), paid sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, retirement, deferred compensation plan, educational reimbursement, excellent in-house training programs, free transportation passes for the employee and dependents, wellness and ergonomic programs, and much more.

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.