Principal Planner (2 Positions)
$1,774 – $2,572 per week ($92,252 - $133,766 estimated annual)
The San Mateo County Transit District serves nearly 100,000 customers each weekday on its SamTrans buses, Redi-Wheels paratransit vehicles, Caltrain commuter rail cars and shuttles, as well as a robust capital program. The Transit District, which is in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area, is the managing agency for the San Mateo County Transportation Authority. Staff enjoys a dynamic organization that fosters personal development and professional advancement of its staff. The Transit District’s core values include integrity, customer focus, respect, quality, teamwork, leadership, and accountability. Excellent benefits are provided. The agency’s Office of Caltrain Modernization (CalMod) and Office of Planning and Development are seeking two Principal Planners.
Principal Planner, Caltrain Modernization (CalMod):
The Principal Planner, Caltrain Modernization (CalMod) is responsible for CEQA and NEPA compliance associated with the Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project (PCEP) and blended system planning with the California High Speed Rail Authority. The planner must collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to develop consensus, oversees technical and complex tasks within the department, supervise/assign/review/participate in the work of staff and consultants responsible for CEQA and NEPA compliance, blended system planning and planning support for project delivery.
Principal Planner, Planning and Development:
The Principal Planner in the Office of Planning and Development is responsible for development of strategic transit planning initiatives. Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to develop consensus. Serves as a project manager for multi-modal transportation and transit plans, programs, and projects. Oversees technical and complex tasks within the department. Supervises, assigns, reviews and participates in the work of staff and consultants responsible for planning activities.
Examples of Essential Functions:
- (CalMod) Responsible for ensuring that the PCEP mitigation program is implemented and any additional environmental efforts associated with delivery of the PCEP project is identified and implemented in a timely manner.
- (CalMod) Responsible for working with the CHSRA in the planning of the blended system and their environmental efforts, ensuring that the needs of Caltrain is addressed, and the needs of the communities are considered in the process.
- (CalMod) Responsible for providing planning support to the PCEP project delivery team.
- (Planning) Responsible for development and management of District plans, programs, and projects, including the SamTrans Strategic Plan, Short Range Transit Plan, and related initiatives. Integrates land use planning initiatives and principles into agency-wide strategic plans, corridor transit plans, and local transit-oriented development policies.
- (Planning) Develops and manages major transit corridor studies, including Bus Rapid Transit feasibility studies.
- Participates in the development of policies and procedures; monitors work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures; consults with senior management regarding policies and procedures; makes recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards and procedures.
- Performs highly complex analytical tasks in support of transportation planning; evaluates program planning, development, and implementation.
- Establishes schedules and methods for providing planning services; identifies resource needs; reviews needs with appropriate management staff; allocates resources accordingly.
- Manages consultant contracts; approves and monitors project schedule to ensure timely completion; ensures accordance with District standards.
- Represents the District at meetings both internally and externally; presents goals and objectives of planning projects; responds to questions from concerned parties. Responds to written and oral requests for information.
- Supervises staff. Hires, mentors and takes appropriate corrective and/or disciplinary action. Participates in selection, coordinates staff training, establishes performance objectives, and performs performance appraisals.
- Participates in the preparation and administration of the program budget; submits budget recommendations; monitors expenditures.
Examples of Duties:
- Provides support in the development of project scope, schedule and budget.
- Provides Quality Assurance/Quality Control approval on relevant activities.
- Manages selection and performance of consultant contract services for technical support.
- Prepares reports and other communication to senior staff, board members, and outside agencies and committees; develops presentations to public agencies and officials.
- Performs 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.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualified candidates must possess sufficient education, training and experience to demonstrate the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Development of the required knowledge and abilities is typically obtained through but not limited to: Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, transportation planning, transportation engineering, economics, public policy, or related field and sufficient years of full time progressively responsible planning experience in the above disciplines or a combination of education and experience demonstrating the ability to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. A valid California driver’s license with a safe driving record is required.
This posting has an application review cutoff on the 20th of each month.
The San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
