Transit Planner

Sunline; Thousand Palms, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 61,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

SunLine Transit Agency in Thousand Palms, CA, is seeking a Transit Planner to help plan, develop, and enhance transit services, infrastructure, and strategic initiatives. You will support short-range and long-range planning through research, data analysis, and collaboration with partners.

The role emphasizes data-driven decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and interdepartmental collaboration to improve accessibility and rider experience, while aligning with funding objectives and agency

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in urban/regional planning, transportation planning, geography, public administration, economics, or related field.
• At least three years in urban, municipal or transportation planning with data analysis.
• Excellent technical writing skills.
• Ability to use census and demographic data to inform decisions.
• Experience with GIS maps and spatial analyses.
• Familiarity with local operating and environmental conditions.

Responsibilities

• Supports the development and implementation of SunLine’s short-range and long-range transit planning initiatives by conducting research, analyzing operational and community data, evaluating service performance, and developing recommendations that enhance service effectiveness, accessibility, and customer experience.
• Utilizes data such as ridership trends, service performance metrics, and travel patterns to evaluate transit services, identify opportunities for improvement, and support informed decision-making.
• Facilitates engagement with customers, community stakeholders, partner agencies, and local jurisdictions to gather input, communicate planning initiatives, and support透明 decision-making.
• Collaborates with internal departments and external agencies to support transportation planning initiatives, infrastructure projects, regional planning efforts, and service development activities.
• Provides planning and analytical support for grant development, reporting requirements, audits, and funded projects.
• Supports planning and evaluation of transit facilities, bus amenities, transit hubs, and other customer-facing infrastructure.
• Maintains awareness of industry trends, regulatory developments, and best practices in transportation planning to support innovation.

Skills

Data analysis

GIS

Technical writing

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Urban/Regional Planning

Transportation Planning

Geography

Public Administration

Economics

Related field

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Transit Planner

Thousand Palms, CA, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1045

Salary Range: $60,783.00 To $79,018.00 Annually

Shape the Future of Public Transportation

SunLine Transit Agency is seeking a collaborative and forward-thinking Transit Planner to help improve mobility throughout the Coachella Valley. In this role, you will contribute to the planning, development, and enhancement of transit services, infrastructure, and strategic initiatives that connect communities and improve quality of life.

The Transit Planner plays a key role in supporting both short-range and long-range planning efforts through research, data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration with internal departments and regional partners. This position offers an exciting opportunity to influence transportation solutions, support innovative projects, and help shape the future of public transit.

What You'll Do

PLANNING AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT: Supports the development and implementation of SunLine’s short-range and long-range transit planning initiatives by conducting research, analyzing operational and community data, evaluating service performance, and developing recommendations that enhance service effectiveness, accessibility, and customer experience.

DATA ANALYSIS AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION: Utilizes data such as ridership trends, service performance metrics, and travel patterns to evaluate transit services, identify opportunities for improvement, and support informed decision-making. Monitors the effectiveness of implemented initiatives and recommends adjustments as needed.

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND PUBLIC OUTREACH: Facilitates engagement with customers, community stakeholders, partner agencies, and local jurisdictions to gather input, communicate planning initiatives, and support transparent decision-making. Assists with public meetings, surveys, presentations, and outreach activities that inform service and planning efforts.

INTERDEPARTMENTAL AND REGIONAL COLLABORATION: Collaborates and assists with internal departments and external agencies to support transportation planning initiatives, infrastructure projects, regional planning efforts, and service development activities that align with agency priorities and community needs.

GRANT AND PROJECT SUPPORT: Provides planning and analytical support for grant development, reporting requirements, audits, and funded projects. Helps evaluate project opportunities and ensure planning initiatives align with funding objectives and strategic goals.

TRANSIT INFRASTRUCTURE AND CUSTOMER AMENITIES : Supports the planning and evaluation of transit facilities, bus amenities, transit hubs, and other customer-facing infrastructure to improve accessibility, safety, operational efficiency, and the overall rider experience.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT: Maintains awareness of industry trends, emerging technologies, regulatory developments, and best practices in transportation planning to support innovation and continuous improvement throughout the Agency.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is analytical, community-minded, and passionate about public transportation. They excel at transforming data into meaningful insights, building collaborative relationships, and communicating complex information to diverse audiences.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in:

• Urban or Regional Planning


• Transportation Planning


• Geography


• Public Administration


• Economics


• Or a closely related field


• Experience: At least three (3) years of experience in urban, municipal or transportation planning with experience conducting data analysis, preparing technical documents, and using geographic information systems; or an equivalent combination of education or experience. .


• Excellent technical writing skills.


• Demonstrated ability to access and use census and other demographic data from public and private sources, and use data to inform decision-making.


• Familiarity with local operating and environmental conditions for providing transit service.


• Ability to create, interpret, and communicate maps and spatial analyses using geographic information systems; analyze quantitative and qualitative data; and work with transit datasets used for planning and performance evaluation. Familiarity with local, state and federal plans and policies governing transit agencies and service provision.


• Substantive work experience in urban, city or transportation planning or other related areas may be considered in lieu of the stated educational requirements.

Why Join SunLine?

At SunLine, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the communities we serve while working alongside talented professionals committed to innovation, sustainability, and excellent customer service.

We value employees who:

• Embrace our Mission, Vision, and Values.


• Demonstrate personal accountability and integrity.


• Communicate effectively and collaborate across teams.


• Seek solutions and drive continuous improvement.


• Remain resilient and adaptable in a dynamic environment.

Additional Information

To ensure you receive important recruitment updates, interview invitations, and other employment-related communications, please monitor your email regularly, including your spam, junk, and clutter folders. Due to previous filtering issues, emails from the Agency have occasionally been directed to these folders. Candidates are responsible for ensuring they receive and respond to all communications in a timely manner.

Disclaimer: This job specification is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.

All applicants are subject to SunLine Transit Agency employment requirements, including our Physical and Background check.

Nepotism Policy:Recruitment shall be conducted consistent with the Agency's nepotism policy, which is available upon request by contacting Human Resources at 760-343-3456, ext. 1609.

SunLine Transit Agency reserves the right to select the best-qualified person applying for vacant positions.

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER