Transit Program Manager (Principal Planner)

Sacramento Area Council of Governments; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SACOG is seeking an experienced Transit Program Manager to guide transit planning across the six-county region, aligning with the Blueprint (MTP/SCS) and state/federal regulations. This role requires leadership, collaboration with operators, municipalities, and federal partners, and a strong transit policy focus.

You will supervise staff and coordinate with multiple SACOG teams to advance transit initiatives, funding, and performance monitoring.

Qualifications

• Experience in transit planning and funding programs.
• 5+ years of program management experience in transportation.
• Valid California Driver's License by time of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage SACOG transit planning activities aligned with Blueprint (MTP/SCS).
• Provide leadership and supervision of staff and consultant teams.
• Coordinate with public transit operators and federal/state agencies.
• Develop and deliver Transit Team workplan and budgets.
• Represent SACOG at external meetings and oversee transit programs.

Skills

Transit planning leadership

Stakeholder coordination

Staff supervision

Strategic thinking

Policy understanding

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Transportation/Urban Planning/Public or Business Administration/Political Science or related field

Master's degree in a related field

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 MTP/SCS (known as the Blueprint) and has identified the transit program as a key priority for policy and program implementation. 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. This includes continued implementation of existing efforts stemming from the NextGen Mobility Transit Study, in addition to identification, development and delivery of new work products that move transit policy initiatives forward.

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 (MPO) 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 an MPO, SACOG has over two decades of experience approaching regional issues from an integrated perspective of transportation, land use, and air quality. Our mission is to convene and connect the region to advance an equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future. Our Strategic Plan is structured around four priorities: (1) Build vibrant and inclusive places; (2) Foster the next generation of mobility solutions; (3) Modernize the way we pay for transportation infrastructure; and (4) Build and maintain a safe, equitable and resilient transportation system.

Examples Of Typical Job Functions

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.

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

Anticipated Hiring Timeline

Filing Deadline: November 20

First Interview: Week of December 7

Final Interview: Week of December 14

Desired Start Date: January 11

Qualifications

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.

Culture and Organizational Values

The dynamic nature of SACOG’s work, combined with its small staff, requires a flexible staff and a flat organizational structure. Teams are the focal point of all of SACOG’s project work. Team Managers have more authority and responsibility than in a traditional organization. SACOG is a team-based organization that strives for excellence in both its external work and its internal operations and structure.

Education And Experience

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.
• 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