Under general direction, performs complex professional planning activities for transportation projects, including transit and pathway programs, service delivery and grants; conducts analysis and prepares a variety of documents and reports; participates in policy development and project implementation; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from assigned supervisory or management staff. May exercise technical and functional direction over staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey-level classification in the professional Planner series. Incumbents exercise independent judgment on diverse and specialized planning projects with accountability and ongoing decision-making responsibilities associated with the work. Performance of the work requires the use of independence, initiative, and discretion within established guidelines. This class is distinguished from the Planning Manager in that the latter is a management-level classification in the series responsible for oversight of a major planning unit, including long- and short-term project planning, with programmatic and budgetary administration duties. 

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the typical functions of the job.

• Performs research studies and prepares reports and recommendations on a variety of rail transit and transportation planning program activities, designs, development, and implementation; gathers, compiles, and reports on data and statistics affecting rail service operations.
• Prepares analytical and statistical reports, memoranda and other communications to senior staff, board members, and outside agencies and committees.
• Assists in managing multiple current and long-range planning projects, general plan updates, pathways programs, grant applications, and development projects.
• Represents the District with cities, other local/regional agencies and community groups regarding transportation and land use issues and advancement of transit-oriented development projects.
• Coordinates with all levels of stakeholders, including bike coalitions, cities, counties, MTC, and Caltrans; participates on a variety of committees. 
• Serves as single point of contact for the District’s multi-use pathway issues, segment of the Great Redwood Trail, and the regional bike share program. 
• Prepares reports and maps related to the development, implementation, and operation of the pathway project including pathway maps, graphics, and fact sheets. 
• Manages pathway counters project, including contract management, data monitoring, analysis, reporting and presentation; develops and manages station, pathway wayfinding program, and bike parking data; provides analyses.
• Reviews a variety of permits, applications, and petitions for compliance to planning regulations, codes, and ordinances; compiles findings and prepares recommendations in written form for general plan and planning projects, including project analysis and conditions for permit approval or denial. 
• Supports the project environmental clearance process, consistent with federal and state environmental laws.
• Prepares drafts of new or revised planning ordinances or regulations and submits recommendations for review and approval. 
• Makes presentations before committees and the Board of Directors as required. 
• Participates in annual budget preparation; identifies resource needs and prepares detailed cost estimates with appropriate justifications; monitors expenditures.
• Supervises the establishment and maintenance of reports, records, and files.
• Resolves complex customer questions and provides information to the public; investigates and responds to complaints and inquiries from citizens, other departments, and agencies; recommends corrective actions to resolve issues.
• Adheres to all required safety procedures and programs.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

SMART is an equal opportunity employer.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in transportation planning, urban planning, geography, or a related field.

Experience:

• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in transportation planning, urban planning, or related experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, and ability to maintain, California Class C driver’s license.

About Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART)

Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) is the North Bay’s passenger rail service providing a safe, reliable and congestion-free transportation option for Marin and Sonoma counties. The current system includes stations in Windsor, Sonoma County Airport area, Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Petaluma, Novato, San Rafael, and Larkspur. SMART’s system also includes a bicycle and pedestrian pathway along the rail corridor. Future extensions are planned for Healdsburg and Cloverdale. The full project will provide 70 miles of passenger rail service, connecting SMART passengers with jobs, education centers, retail hubs and housing along the Sonoma-Marin corridor, and a bicycle-pedestrian pathway.

Connections working at Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART)