Transit Program Manager - Principal Planner (opens in new tab)

California Transit Association; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

SACOG is seeking an experienced Transit Program Manager to lead regional transit planning and collaboration across agencies. This role focuses on implementing the Blueprint (MTP/SCS), coordinating with federal and state programs, and guiding a diverse team to deliver strategic transit projects.

The ideal candidate will supervise staff, manage budgets, and act as a liaison with external partners, including transit operators, municipalities, and regional stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Experience with transit and transportation planning across multiple modes.
• Knowledge of state and federal transit programs.
• Proven leadership and staff supervision abilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee transit program elements related to funding and special projects.
• Coordinate with transit operators, federal and regional partners.
• Develop and supervise the transit team's workplan and budget.
• Represent SACOG at external meetings with partner agencies and elected officials.

Skills

Transit planning

Stakeholder coordination

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Transportation Planning or related field

Job description

Sacramento Area Council of Governments (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

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

Education and Experience

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.