Transit Program Manager - Principal Planner

Sacramento Area Council of Governments; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Telework up to 3 days per week

Job summary

SACOG is seeking an experienced transit/transportation professional to act as a creative and technical leader for transit planning, aligning with the Blueprint (MTP/SCS) and SB125 priorities. The Transit Program Manager will supervise staff, manage federal/state funding programs, and collaborate with operators, municipalities, and regional partners.

The role emphasizes regional connectivity, fiscal sustainability, and a leadership presence across SACOG’s Transportation Team.

Qualifications

• Education in Transportation/Urban Planning or related field.
• 3 years of full-time program management experience in transportation planning or grants, including at least 1 year of supervision.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Guidance and oversight for transit fiscal sustainability, technology improvements, service efficiency and special planning projects.
• Oversee transit program activities and grant management processes.
• Lead coordination of committees with transit operators and stakeholders.
• Manage coordination of transit team work with Blueprint/MTP updates and funding programs.
• Supervise staff and consultants delivering transit-related work.

Skills

Visionary thinking

Stakeholder management

Project management

Team leadership

Transportation planning

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's in Transportation/Urban Planning

Public Administration or related field

Tools

GIS

Data analysis software

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.

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

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.