Supervising Transportation Planner for the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission

Position Description

Are you a dynamic, collaborative, and experienced transportation professional eager to lead complex transportation planning projects?

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is seeking a Supervising Transportation Planner to guide and inspire a team of planners in delivering multimodal, sustainable, and community-centered transportation solutions.

This position provides a unique opportunity to shape the future of mobility in Santa Cruz County. You'll manage your own portfolio of innovative projects, while supervising a team of planning professionals ranging from Planning Technicians to Senior Planners.

This is your chance to lead high-impact work in a community that values engagement, inclusivity, and smart planning.

Regional Government Services and its staff are conducting the recruitment on behalf of the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission .

The Position

Under general direction, plans, organizes, and directs subordinate staff , acting as a technical expert to perform th e most difficult and complex work. Provides direction on implementation of policies related to transportation and environmental planning and programming, including expert professional assistance and support to the Director of Planning, Programming and Transportation Services, and undertakes special planning studies, projects and programs as assigned.

This is the full supervisory level. This class is distinguished from the Senior Transportation Planner level by the supervision exercised and received, and the performance of the most complex and difficult tasks and duties within this series. Employees at this level receive little to no instruction or assistance as new, unusual, or unique situations arise and are fully aware of operating procedures and policies. Incumbents demonstrate a high level of independence and judgment while performing professional transportation planning assignments. Positions in this class are responsible for major special projects, and incumbents frequently coordinate with local, regional, s tate, and f ederal agencies, citizen advisory committees, and elected officials. The Supervising Transportation Planner serves as a high-level subject matter expert and is responsible for ensuring the quality and timeliness of the team’s work product.

The Ideal Candidate will be :

• A Skilled Transportation Planner:
  

• Proficient in long-range planning, corridor plans, multimodal integration, VMT reduction, and pedestrian/transit planning
  

• Knowledgeable in environmental regulations and review processes.
  

• Experience d with Caltrans and various funding mechanisms (Measure D, local, state, and federal grants).
  

• A n Effective Working Supervisor and Mentor
  

• Able to manage, train, and inspire a high-functioning team of planners.
  

• Confident in delegating responsibilities, resolving conflicts, and fostering professional growth.
  

• A Project and Fiscal Manager
  

• Experienced in budgeting, cost estimating (including staff and consultant costs), and grant management.
  

• Knowledgeable in procurement, contract oversight, prevailing wage, and compliance with complex funding requirements.
  

• A Collaborative and Strategic Communicator:
  

• Comfortable navigating political and multi-agency environments.
  

• Skilled in engaging with the public and stakeholders across various levels.
  

• Adept at using tools like Microsoft Office, GIS, TransCAD , and BlueBeam to support planning efforts.
  

COMPETENCIES

• Adaptability and Flexibility - Responds effectively to multiple demands, ambiguity, shifting of priorities, emerging situations, and rapid change.
  

• Attention to Detail - Accomplishes tasks with thoroughness and accuracy.
  

• Analytical Thinking - Identifies and defines problems, extracts key information from data, and develops workable solutions for the problems identified .
  

• Communication - Shares information with and receives information from constituents using oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
  

• Decisions Making - Takes action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences.
  

• Interpersonal Relations and Skills - Builds relationships based on mutual trust and respect.
  

• Influence - Exerts a positive effect on other’s views, attitudes, decisions, perceptions , or beliefs.
  

• Initiative - Assesses and initiates things independently.
  

• Professional and Technical Expertise - Applies technical subject matter to the job.
  

• Results Orientation and Execution - Manages time and priorities effectively.
  

• Teamwork - Works collaboratively with others to achieve a goal.
  
• Time Management and Organization - Manages and prioritizes both everyday responsibilities and high-level, longer-term objectives .
  

About the Transportation Commission

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) serves as Santa Cruz County’s regional transportation planning agency (RTPA) and is a state designated agency responsible for planning and financial programming of transportation projects.

Working together with our local and regional partners, RTC obtains and distributes funding, including voter-approved Measure D funds, to maintain the existing transportation network as well as prepare for the transportation needs of the next generation. The RTC keeps residents, business, and visitors moving wherever they want to go and however they choose to get there.

Services Provided:

In addition to its funding, planning and policy roles, the RTC also provides valuable services to the community including:

• Cruz511 Traveler Information: A go-to place online for a wide range of multi-modal travel resources including a real-time traffic map.
  

• Motorist Aid: Call boxes, freeway service patrol and extra CHP enforcement on highways during peak periods.
  

• Bicycle and Pedestrian Hazard Reporting: A system to alert local public works departments to sidewalks and bikeway conditions that need attention.
  

• Guide to Specialized Transportation Services: for Seniors and People with Disabilities. Lists all accessible transportation services in Santa Cruz County.
  

• Bus: The RTC also supports and funds a variety of transit projects, including funding for expansion and improvements to local bus service, and specialized accessible transportation.
  

Examples of Duties

For an overview of the job duties, please review the job description here:

Supervising Transportation Planner

Typical Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience which 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 four-year college or university with a major in transportation, urban or regional planning; environmental studies; transportation, traffic, or civil engineering; or a closely related field.
  

Experience:

• Five (5) years of professional experience performing complex transportation urban or regional planning; environmental studies; transportation, traffic, or civil engineering. At least two (2) must be comparable in level of responsibility to a Transportation Planner IV or four (4) comparable in level of responsibility to a Transportation Planner III.
  

License :

• Must possess and maintain a valid California driver’s license and meet automobile insurability requirements of the Commission or the ability to provide suitable transportation needs as a condition of continued employment.
  

Supplemental Information

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary:

$11,437.92-$14,471.81 monthly DOE/DOQ

Benefits:

• 
  CALPERS: Employees pay employee contribution
  
  
• 
  Classic employees - 2% at 55
  
  
• 
  PEPRA employees - 2% at 62
  
  
• 
  Health Insurance: RTC pays insurance premiums Employees only: 95% of the monthly premium for the Blue Shield Access (EXT) HMO premium
  
  
• 
  Employees plus one: 90% of the monthly premium for the Blue Shield Access (EXT) HMO premium
  
  
• 
  Employees + two or more: 90% of the monthly premium for the Blue Shield Access (EXT) HMO premium
  
  
• 
  Dental: 100% Paid by RTC for Employee and Family
  
  
• 
  Vision: RTC covers 100% premium for employees only
  
  
• 
  Life Insurance: RTC pays premium for $50,000 with AD&D. Employees can pay for additional insurance coverage through AFLAC
  
  
• 
  Leave with Pay: RTC provides PTO.
  
  
• 
  Starting approximately 22 days of leave .
  
  
• 
  Increasing to approximately 37 days of leave after working 31,201 hours .
  
  
• 
  Labor representation from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) as part of the Community of RTC Employees (CORE) labor unit.
  
  

APPLICATION PROCESS AND SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Applications must be submitted on-line through this applicant tracking system. Materials must be complete and clearly indicate the candidate meets the minimum qualifications. Incomplete, late, emailed, and faxed applications are not accepted. Resumes are not considered in lieu of the required employment application.

Certificates, resumes, and/or cover letters must be uploaded with your application through this applicant tracking system .

All statements made on the application, resume, and supplemental materials are subject to verification. False statements may be cause for immediate disqualification, removal from eligibility list, or discharge from employment.

The deadline to apply is June 27 , 202 5 , at 11:59 PM PST.

LINK TO APPLY HERE

Appraisal Process - (Pass/Fail) After the closing deadline, applications will be screened in relation to the criteria indicated in this announcement.

This process may also include various interviews and/or a skills assessment exam to rank applications, and to prepare a Qualified Candidate List.

Application - Minimum Qualification Assessment - (Pass/Fail) All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and assessed for each applicant's ability to meet the minimum work experience, training, and education qualifications.

Remote Screen Interview Exam - (Pass/Fail) Candidates who pass the application assessment will be invited to a Remote Screen Interview Examination to evaluate training, experience, and other job-related qualifications for the position . The Remote Screen Interview will be conducted via a video conference platform and is tentatively scheduled for mid- June 202 5 .

Successful candidates will be submitted to the SCCRTC for further consideration.
All communication and notices will be sent via e-mail. Additional inquiries about the position may be directed to dprieto@rgs.ca.gov .

Neither Regional Government Services nor the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission are responsible for failure of internet forms or email in submitting your application. Candidates who may require special assistance in any phase of the application or selection process should advise Regional Government Services by mailing dprieto@rgs.ca.gov

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Closing Date/Time: 6/27/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• Regional Government Services

• 650.587.7300

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