Transportation Planner II/III - Programming and Grants

VTA; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team in the Planning and Programming Department at a leading transportation authority, where your expertise in transportation planning will help shape the future of mobility in Santa Clara County. This role offers the opportunity to work on complex capital projects, manage federal and state grants, and collaborate with a diverse range of professionals. With a commitment to innovation and community engagement, this position promises a rewarding career path in a supportive environment. Enjoy a work-life balance with flexible scheduling, generous leave policies, and comprehensive health benefits, all while contributing to the development of sustainable transportation solutions.

Benefits

Transit Passes for Employees

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Tuition Reimbursement

Professional Development Fund

Wellness Programs

15 Days Vacation

96 Hours Sick Time

13 Paid Holidays

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in transportation planning or related field required.
• 2 years of increasingly responsible planning experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate transportation planning projects and manage grants.
• Analyze transportation data and prepare public presentations.

Skills

Transportation Planning

Good Writing Skills

Communication of Technical Information

Project Prioritization

Relationship Building

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Transportation Planning

Master's Degree in Related Field

Tools

Design Graphics Software

Mapping Applications Software

Job description

Come Join the Planning and Programming Department at VTA and use your knowledge of transportation planning to improve how we navigate Santa Clara County!

Definition
Under general supervision, to carry out transportation planning projects and coordinate with other professional and support staff and consultants.

Distinguishing Characteristics
This is the advanced journey level class in the Transportation Planner series. Positions at this level possess a specialized, technical, or functional expertise within the area of assignment and may exercise lead supervision over assigned subordinate staff. Incumbents are typically assigned significant responsibility above the journey level and often exercise independent judgment in the performance of all duties.

The Ideal Transportation Planner II/III Candidate
Is an interdisciplinary team member who supports senior planning level staff to develop and/or implement funding strategies for complicated capital projects. Under general supervision, the candidate will coordinate with other professional and support staff to apply for and manage transportation grants with federal, state, and regional grantor agencies.

The Ideal Candidate will have the following:

• Good writing skills.
• Good understanding of goals, concepts, and principles of transportation planning.
• Sufficient knowledge of design graphics and mapping applications software.
• Ability to communicate technical information in an easy-to-understand format.
• Ability to creatively develop and implement projects when only general concepts are provided.
• Ability to prioritize projects based on established criteria.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with staff from external agencies.

About VTA
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2,000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, VTA is Santa Clara County’s authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus), congestion management, transportation-related funding, highway design and construction, real estate and transit-oriented development, and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local, state, and federal partners, VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.

Planning and Programming Division

This division is responsible for conducting all Congestion Management Program and VTA transportation and transit planning activities, as well as programming and grants management.

The Planning & Programming Division consists of the following areas:

• Planning - Responsible for the planning and conceptual design of all transit projects, forecasting and modeling analysis for capital projects and the CMP, development review, bike and pedestrian planning, and long-range planning functions of the CMP.
• Programming and Grants - Responsible for advocating, prioritizing, programming, managing, and ensuring compliance for all federal, state and regional highway/transit/roadway/bicycle/pedestrian grants, as well as the programming of funds for the CMP.

Typical Tasks

• Analyzes and makes recommendations using advanced transportation planning and statistical methods, modeling, and budgeting and financial analyses;
• Functions as a project lead with other professional staff and consultants;
• Provides liaison with cities, other local/regional agencies, and community groups regarding transportation issues;
• Develops work plans and budget estimates for studies;
• Assists in the development of capital programs and grant applications for transportation funds;
• Prepares public presentations and materials;
• Prepares planning reports involving extensive written and graphical material;
• Performs related duties as required.

Employment Standards

Development of the required knowledge, skills and abilities is typically obtained through a combination of training and experience equivalent to a four-year degree from an accredited college or university in transportation planning, urban planning, or related field and two (2) years of increasingly responsible planning experience (a Masters Degree may be substituted for one year of the required experience).

What’s in it for You?
Work/Life Balance: 40-hour work weeks, and an option of a flexible/hybrid remote schedule.
Health: VTA participates in a CalPERS-sponsored medical plan with VTA contribution to employee and dependent premium health insurance premiums.
Leave: 15 days of vacation first year, 96 Hours of sick time (accrued), 13 paid holidays per year.
Retirement:

• Classic Members: 2%@55
• PEPRA Members: 2%@62

Additional perks:

• All active full-time employees and their eligible dependents are eligible for transit passes for use over VTA lines.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to each employee, eligible dependent, and household member, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Professional Development Fund
• Wellness Programs

General Instructions
Please read this entire job announcement before applying for the position. To ensure consideration, completed applications must be submitted online to the Human Resources department by the stated closing time and date posted. ALL APPLICATION AND TESTING NOTIFICATIONS WILL BE SENT BY E-MAIL. Applicants should select e-mail as the preferred method of notification. Candidates must maintain an up-to-date, valid and reliable e-mail address.

Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations
The Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the recruitment/examination process to accommodate applicants with disabilities. If you wish to request an accommodation, call the Human Resources Department at [phone].