The Principal Planner (Planning Administrator) Major Corridors is responsible for the development of corridor planning efforts on major corridors served by the agency. The person in this position will serve as a project manager or key supportive staff member on high profile, priority projects such as: Dumbarton West Transit Connector (Dumbarton Busway Feasibility Study), the Grand Boulevard Initiative and related El Camino Real/SR-82 corridor planning efforts. SamTrans requires someone with experience leading complex multimodal projects through planning, environmental and design phases.

The Senior Planner will report to the Major Corridors Manager on the Major Corridors team. The Major Corridors team develops long-range plans and implements capital projects to support the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) bus network. The person in this position will serve as a key supportive staff member on high profile, priority projects such as: Dumbarton West Transit Connector (Dumbarton Busway Feasibility Study), the Grand Boulevard Initiative and related El Camino Real/SR-82 corridor planning efforts. SamTrans requires someone with experience leading complex multimodal projects through planning, environmental and design phases.

This position will be filled at either a Senior Planner or Principal Planner (Planning Administrator) level, depending on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.

This is a limited term position.The duration of this assignment is contingent upon project length and funding availability.

Essential Functions & Duties

Principal Planner
Examples of Essential Functions:

• Lead long-range transit and multimodal corridor plans, projects, and studies.

• Manage consultant contracts; approve and monitor project schedule and budget; direct and review consultant work.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to advance planning projects and initiatives.
• Present SamTrans projects and initiatives to internal and external audiences, including project goals, objectives, and recommendations.
• May supervise staff as needed.

Examples of Essential Duties:

• Perform technical analysis and/or supervise the work of others; integrate principles of transportation and land use planning, transit propensity and equity into planning projects and studies.

• Develop sound project goals, objectives, and methodologies for developing and prioritizing project outcomes and recommendations.
• Prepare reports and presentations to senior staff, board members, and outside agencies and committees.
• Develop and/or supervise development of public outreach plans and conduct field outreach.
• Represent SamTrans on external working groups; participate in regional transit coordination initiatives and facilitate internal collaboration on regional issues.
• Monitor work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures; consult with senior management regarding policies and procedures.
• Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect yourself, your fellow employees and the public from injury or harm. Promote safety awareness and follow safety procedures in an effort to reduce or eliminate accidents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Senior Planner
Examples of Essential Functions:

• Staff long-range transit and multimodal corridor plans, projects and studies.
• Manage consultant contracts; approve and monitor project schedule and budget; direct and review consultant deliverables.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to advance planning projects and initiatives.
• Present SamTrans projects and initiatives to internal and external audiences, including projects goals, objectives and recommendations.
• Lead and advise on technical analysis tasks on projects, and train junior staff on the application of analytical methods. Develop public outreach plans and conduct field outreach.
• Lead the development, execution, and/or delivery of other planning initiatives of strategic interest to the Agency.
• Represent SamTrans on external working groups; participate in regional transit coordination initiatives and facilitate internal collaboration on regional issues.
• Lead or contribute to grant application development.
• Supervise or mentor interns or junior planning staff and delegate appropriate tasks to support project delivery.

Examples of Essential Duties:

• Coordinate and participate in gathering data for major transit and transportation corridor studies.
• Apply analytical methods for transportation planning research and in support of projects.
• In coordination with Major Corridors Manager and other team leadership, develop project scopes, schedule and budget of transportation and transit plans, programs and projects.
• Manage the selection and performance of consultant contract services for technical support; approve and monitor project schedule.
• Participate in the preparation and administration of program and project budgets; submit budget recommendations; monitor expenditures.
• Present planning initiatives and updates to internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare reports, presentations and other communication for senior/executive staff, board members, and outside agencies and committees; respond to questions from concerned parties through written and oral requests for information.
• Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect yourself, your fellow employees and the public from injury or harm. Promote safety awareness and follow safety procedures in an effort to reduce or eliminate accidents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The selection process may include a panel interview, written and skills test assessments, or supplemental questions.  Only those candidates who are the most qualified will continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to continue in the process.      

How to Apply

• Complete an online employment application by 11:59 p.m. of the listed closing date.  Resumes and cover letters will not be accepted in lieu of fully completed applications.  It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that applications are completed with all relevant information (experience, education, certifications, licenses, references and/or other information). 

• The Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the recruitment/examination process to accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request.  If you have a need for an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department.   

• We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace environment.  We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.  Minorities, Women, Persons with Disabilities and Veterans are encouraged to apply. 

Minimum Qualifications

Sufficient experience, training and/or education to demonstrate the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. In lieu of a degree, work-related experience that demonstrates the skills and experience necessary to perform this role will be accepted. Development of the required knowledge and abilities is typically obtained through but not limited to: 

Principal Planner

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, transportation planning, transportation engineering, geography, economics, public policy or other directly related field.
• Four (4) years of full-time progressively responsible transportation planning experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working at or with a public transit operator on corridor planning projects.
• Experience leading complex transit priority and bicycle and pedestrian projects through planning, environmental and design phases.
• Experience in technical grant writing and project scoping.
• Strong presentation skills with Boards and committees.
• Experience with GIS and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Fluent in Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese), or other language often spoken in San Mateo County.

Senior Planner

• A Bachelor’s degree in transportation planning, urban planning, public policy, public administration, economics, or related field.
• Three (3) years of full-time progressively responsible experience in planning or public transportation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working at/with a public transit operator on corridor planning projects.
• Experience supporting complex transit priority and bicycle and pedestrian projects through planning, environmental and design phases.
• Effective oral and written communication skills, including strong presentation skills with public Boards and committees.
• Experience analyzing data and preparing maps using ArcGIS
• Experience with capital planning and programming
• Experience managing or assisting with public engagement efforts, including development of community engagement plans and outreach material.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Fluent in Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese), or other language often spoken in San Mateo County
• Experience and/or knowledge of San Mateo County governance and transportation priorities.