Principal Planner, Regional Strategies

Salary : $152,501.86 - $193,409.22 Annually Location : San Francisco, CA Job Type: Regular/Full-Time Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid Job Number: 26-007 Section: SUMO - Sustainable Mobility and Operations Opening Date: 03/06/2026 Closing Date: 3/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific ABOUT THE TEAM The Sustainable Mobility and Operations (SUMO) Section was established in January 2025 and is tasked with advancing an integrated portfolio designed to improve the transportation system's operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability while also helping customers use the multi-modal system more effectively. This position will oversee the development and implementation of transportation-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reduction strategies-including a variety of transportation demand management (TDM) and clean vehicle programs and policies-in support of Plan Bay Area 2050 and the upcoming 2060 plan, the Bay Area's long-range Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS). ABOUT THE ROLE Under the general direction of the Assistant Director, the Principal Planner will be responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating regional strategies, specifically for targeted and effective TDM and transportation electrification with the goal of reducing solo driving and greenhouse gas emissions. This position will work collaboratively with the Assistant Director, and internal and external partners in accomplishing these goals. Additionally, the Principal Planner is expected to operate with a high degree of independence, applying subject-matter expertise, sound judgment, and strong people-management skills to oversee daily operations, evaluate work methods and procedures, and recommend improvements to support the Section's goals and objectives. As program priorities evolve, Principals may be assigned new or different projects or functional responsibilities to meet changing organizational needs. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Specific assignments and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: Project and Program Administration • Develop or update regional strategies by evaluating the existing landscape of needs, policies, funding, challenges, and other relevant factors. Strategies may include transportation electrification and TDM initiatives • Monitor industry trends and best practices to provide input in the development of Plan Bay Area 2060 strategies, in coordination with other MTC sections and local partners • Support the implementation of the Transit-Oriented Communities Policy through technical assistance, grant calls, and other duties as assigned • Oversee technical assistance programs, including, for example, local government fleet electrification planning • Oversee development and support local implementation of grant programs for planning and capital improvements, including parking management and electric vehicle charging infrastructure • Scope, plan, and manage programs; develop schedules and staff assignments; anticipate and resolve challenges; and evaluate performance against goals • Lead procurement approaches; develop scopes of work and contracts Convening, Coordination and Capacity Building • Participate in local, state, and regional project or policy-level working groups related to transportation electrification and TDM • Serve as agency focal point for TDM programs • Develop working relationships with internal staff as well as external partners including local agency partners, county staff, regional and state agencies, and private sector participants from the transportation and electrification sectors Staff Oversight & Unit Operations • Supervise and mentor staff • Provide leadership and clear direction to assigned staff; instruct staff regarding work procedures, review and evaluate work performance • Foster a collaborative and innovative team environment that encourages professional development and continuous improvement • Support the continual professional growth and development of staff by identifying and making available tools, training opportunities, and other resources QUALIFICATIONS KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES The ideal candidate will have knowledge of or experience in: • Senate Bill 375 and climate initiative strategies to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions reductions • Transportation electrification strategies, grant programs, local jurisdiction technical assistance, and working relationships with community choice aggregators (CCAs), county agencies, and public or investor owned utilities (e.g., PG&E) • Transportation demand management (TDM) policies, program implementation, and evaluation • Project management techniques to ensure timely delivery of multiple concurrent projects, including contract development and management, risk management, change control, and schedule compliance • Budgeting and financial planning • Administration of federally funded projects, including quarterly reporting and fiscal year planning and budgeting • Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Project, Asana, and/or other project management software • Understanding of the core principles of equity necessary to advance and implement MTC/ABAG's Equity Platform Individuals at the Principal level are expected to: • Plan, direct, select, supervise, train, motivate and evaluate the work and performance of professional and technical personnel and consultant teams • Monitor industry trends and best practices to drive continuous improvement • Identify creative solutions, options and justify recommendations • Lead and perform analysis of complex problems using data and qualitative information • Have demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with a variety of stakeholders, including the MTC Commissioners and ABAG Board Members • Independently organize and manage competing priorities and simultaneous projects involving cross-functional project teams in an effective and timely manner and in a fast-paced working environment, occasionally delivering on short timelines • Build and maintain effective, positive and harmonious working relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders related to assigned functions, programs, and/or projects • Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information, data, and recommendations in an effective manner • Perform other job-related tasks and duties as needed or assigned by the section. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities listed. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: Education & Experience: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in planning, civil engineering, environmental science, business or public administration, or a related field, and seven (7) years of increasingly responsible professional experience administering programs in a field related to assignment area. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Education: A Master's degree in an appropriate field related to the area of assignment, such as transportation planning, project management, public finance, transportation engineering, civil engineering, economics, urban/environmental/landscape design, business, public administration or public health. Experience: At least three (3) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in an appropriate field related to the area of assignment, such as transportation planning, project management, public finance, transportation engineering, economics, urban/environmental/landscape design, business, public health or public administration. Applicants with a degree issued from an institution outside the United States must have their transcripts evaluated by an academic accrediting service and provide proof of equivalency along with their application. IMPORTANT INFORMATION EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS Successful completion of a background check, professional references and the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9. APPLICATION ASSISTANCE If you need technical assistance with your on-line application, please contact Applicant Support at available from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (PST), Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. THE FOLLOWING ARE AMONG THE BENEFITS OFFERED TO EMPLOYEES OF MTC: • Public Employees Retirement System (PERS); employee contributes a portion of gross salary on a pre-tax basis. • MTC is subject to California Pension Reform and as of January 1, 2013 will offer two pension plans. The plan employee will receive will be based on the individual's historical pension plan membership. HR will discuss this directly with all final candidates. • Health Benefits Insurance through the Public Employees' Retirement System (premiums are shared between agency and employee). • Agency-paid Dental Insurance (dependent coverage shared by the employee and MTC). • Agency-paid Vision Care Insurance, employees only (dependent coverage is paid in full by employee). • Agency-paid Life, AD&D, Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance. • Eleven paid holidays per year. • One day per month paid vacation leave; for each year of service, an additional day per year is granted to a maximum of 25 days per year. • One day per month paid sick leave, with no limit to the amount of sick leave that can be accumulated. (May cash out up to 240 hours of accumulated sick leave upon separation from the Agency.) • Personal Business leave; up to three (3) days per year depending upon date of hire. • Monthly Transit/Parking Subsidy. • Alternative employee-paid payroll savings plans (tax-deferred compensation plans). • Two voluntary employee-paid pre-tax dependent care and flexible spending accounts available for employees to participate in. • Voluntary Supplemental life insurance. 01 Briefly describe how your previous experience and education qualifies you for this position. (Please refer to Qualifications and/or Knowledge, Skills and Abilities in the job description when answering this question.) **250-word maximum. 02 This position plays a key role in advancing MTC's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from cars and light-duty trucks in the region. Describe your experience leading or overseeing transportation-related GHG reduction programs, policies, or projects, including but not limited to, transportation electrification. Please describe your role, the strategies or investments involved, and outcomes achieved. ***Please limit your response to no more than 500 words. 03 MTC administers technical assistance and planning grants to support local jurisdictions in areas such as fleet management, parking policy, and transit station access and circulation. Describe your experience developing, implementing, or overseeing a grant or technical assistance program. How did you ensure the program was aligned with its objectives and delivered meaningful results? ***Please limit your response to no more than 500 words. 04 Describe your approach to developing and implementing a regional strategy. How do you identify appropriate strategies, evaluate their effectiveness, and translate them into actionable and measurable implementation? ***Please limit your response to no more than 500 words. 05 How do you motivate and engage staff in achieving individual workplan objectives while fostering collaboration and accountability across a team? ***Please limit your response to no more than 500 words. Required Question Apply Now Apply Now