Principal Planner / Senior Planner – Major Corridors (Limited Term)

General

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.

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.

Below is a summary of the comprehensive benefits provided to District full-time employees:

Health and Welfare Benefits:

• Healthcare Benefits -District employees are offered a choice of healthcare providers under the CalPERS Health Benefits Program.The District will contribute ninety (90) percent towards monthly premiums for full-time employees. Fifty (50) percent for part-time employees.
  
• Free Dental and Vision Benefits provided - Employer Covers Premiums
  
• Free Employee Assistance Benefit - Employees are entitled to 5 face-to-face sessions or telephonic or web-video consultations for problem-solving support per incident, per calendar year.
  

• Flexible Spending Accounts - Pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified Health or Dependent Care expenses.
  

Retirement Medical Benefits:

• Long Term Disability Insurance - After 90 days of total disability, Administrative full-time employees are eligible for 60% of monthly income covered by the District.
  
• Health and Wellness - Gyms located at most work locations and discounted Weight Watcher Membership Option.
  

Holidays and Paid Time Off:

• Paid Time Off - Newly hired employees accrue 6.5 hours bi-weekly when hired (if Exempt 8.25 hours).As you move up in years of service credit, the rate of the amount of PTO accrued will also increase.
  
• Paid Holidays - The District provides seven paid holidays throughout the year - New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4th), Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
  
• Floating Holidays - District employees can earn up to five (5) floating holidays.
  

Financial Planning Benefits:

• Pension Benefits through CalPERS -You must have a minimum of 5 years of service to be eligible for this pension.
  

• CalPERS PEPRA vs. Classic - All employees hired on, or after January 1, 2013, are considered PEPRA members and will contribute 8% of their salary up to the maximum IRS cut-off. All Classic members will contribute 6%
  
• Deferred Compensation Options - Select to contribute to one or both of our Tax Deferred Compensation Options
  
• Reliance Standard Life Insurance with 100% premium paid by the District - 1 times annual salary of employee - max $200,000
  
• Optional Life Insurance - Employees may purchase additional life insurance for themselves and their eligible family members.
  

Growth and Education Benefits:

• Professional Development - Access to LinkedIn Learning and San Mateo County’s professional training. District Tuition Reimbursement Program - A maximum of $5,250 per year for courses related to your job or career goals with the District.
  
• Computer Loan Program - Interest-free two-year loan with a maximum amount of $2,000.
  

Other Amazing Benefits:

• Credit Union - Employees and family members are eligible to join the San Mateo Credit Union and Patelco Credit Union.
  
• Employee Clean Commute (ECC) - Car/Van poolers and Public Transit riders receive a monthly reimbursement.
  
• Commuter Benefits - Free Employee Parking; Free Bus Pass for employee as well as children/spouse; Clipper Card/Go Pass Program for Central employees.
  

For union employees, all of the above benefits are subject to the employee’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. Benefits listed are also subject to change with or without notice and are subject to contract/provider terms and conditions.

Closing Date/Time: 11/30/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• San Mateo County Transit District

• 650-508-6308

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