Service Planning Manager

Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA); State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 66,600 - 81,400; Full time

Job summary

Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) in State College, PA, is seeking a full-time Service Planning Manager to lead planning, growth forecasting, and service analysis for the transit system. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in transportation planning and be experienced in working with data analysis, municipal collaboration, and transit operations. Compensation starts at $74,000, and candidates must submit a resume highlighting relevant experience. Join CATA in enhancing the community's transportation experience.

Qualifications

• Degree in community planning, transportation planning, or a related field, and/or five years of equivalent experience.
• Strong background in transportation planning, with a preference for fixed-route planning experience.
• Experience identifying efficiencies through data analysis, forecasting, reporting, and service evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Analyze fixed-route and related transit service data.
• Develop recommendations for route, schedule, service, policy, and operational improvements.
• Support public meetings and stakeholder discussions related to planning proposals and service changes.

Skills

Transportation planning

Data analysis

Forecasting

Collaboration

GIS software

Education

Degree in community planning, transportation planning or related field

Tools

Transit planning software

Excel

Job description

Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) | State College, PA

Summary

Permanent, full-time onsite position working directly with CATA in State College, Pennsylvania. The Service Planning Manager will support CATA’s ongoing projects, regional growth, and continued commitment to providing an excellent transportation experience for the community.

Target start date: as soon as possible, preferably before August.

About the Role

The Service Planning Manager will lead future planning, growth forecasting, service analysis, and service improvement efforts across CATA’s transit system. The role evaluates ridership, productivity, schedules, fleet needs, staffing needs, and other operating data to identify improvements, efficiencies, and recommendations that support strong service delivery and fiscal responsibility.

The position works closely with CATA leadership, operations staff, the service planning team, regional municipalities, inter-governmental committees, and community stakeholders. It also involves understanding municipal plans, land use, zoning, transportation needs, and future development so that CATA can structure service plans that support regional growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze fixed-route and related transit service data, including ridership, productivity, schedules, fleet needs, staffing levels, and service performance.
• Develop recommendations for route, schedule, service, policy, and operational improvements.
• Contribute to short- and long-range service plans, including growth forecasts and fleet and driver projections.
• Coordinate with municipalities and regional partners regarding zoning, land use, transportation planning, and future development.
• Prepare daily, weekly, monthly, annual, and custom ridership and productivity reports.
• Use GIS, transit planning software, scheduling tools, Excel, and database information to evaluate and plan services.
• Support public meetings and stakeholder discussions related to planning proposals and service changes.
• Manage service-related projects, committees, stop improvement recommendations, and ITS data analysis as needed.

Ideal Candidate

• Strong background in transportation planning, with a preference for fixed-route planning experience.
• Understanding of transit operations, service planning, route structure, fleet maintenance considerations, and staffing impacts.
• Experience identifying efficiencies through data analysis, forecasting, reporting, and service evaluation.
• Ability to lead a team and work with a Transportation Planner and Transportation Coordinator, including baseline data entry and reporting functions.
• Ability to collaborate with municipalities, public agencies, community stakeholders, and internal operations teams.
• Knowledge of ADA, Title VI, and applicable federal transportation regulations is helpful.

Education and Experience

Degree in community planning, transportation planning, or a related field, and/or five years of equivalent experience. A valid state driver’s license is preferred.

How to Apply

Compensation begins at $74,000, commensurate with experience. Qualified candidates should submit a resume highlighting relevant experience to www.govhrusa.com. Candidates with questions are encouraged to contact Vivian Torres at [e-mail].

Equal Opportunity Statement

The employer is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. Reasonable accommodations are considered during the application process in accordance with applicable law.