Senior Planner

Job Description:

Senior Planner

Description

General

The Senior Planner will report to a Principal Planner on the Strategic Planning team . The Strategic Planning team provides long-range and strategic planning/policy support for the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) bus network. The Senior Planner will play an important role in the development of multi-modal transportation planning initiatives and transit plans, programs, and projects.

Essential Functions & Duties

Examples of Essential Functions :

• Assist with the development and management of long-range transit programs and projects , capital improvement plan s and strategic plan s .
  
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders on transportation planning issues and represent SamTrans at public meetings and other forums.
• Manage consultant contracts and ensure quality assurance/quality control on relevant activities.
• 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 Strategic Planning 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:?

• 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 long-range planning projects.
  

• Effective oral and written communication skills.
  

• 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: 9/28/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$93,547.00 - $140,321.00 Annually