Planning Manager

Company: Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit
Location: Petaluma
Posted on: November 20, 2025

Job Description:

Job Description SMART is seeking an urban planning professional with a passion for transit! Salary: $159,411.20 - $199,264.00 per year. To apply: https://sonomamarintrain.org/jobs Under general direction, plans, organizes, oversees, coordinates, and manages the staff and operations of the Planning division; manages transportation planning projects and service delivery studies, data gathering, and data analysis; participates in strategic and long-term planning and recommends future transportation planning projects, services and capital improvements; manages the effective use of resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service; provides complex and responsible support to the General Manager in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required. This is a management classification responsible for planning, organizing, and managing the staff, operations, and activities of the Planning division. Incumbents are responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities, which include budget administration, program evaluation, and recommendation and implementation of policies, procedures, goals, objectives, priorities, and standards related transportation planning. Incumbents serve as a professional-level resource for organizational, managerial, and operational analyses and studies. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within broad guidelines. Examples of TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only) Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations where appropriate so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Ø Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Planning division, including strategic planning, capital planning and development, project management, and operations. Ø Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the division; recommends within policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures. Ø Participates in the development, administration, and oversight of budget; determines funding needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; ensures compliance with budgeted funding. Ø Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, service delivery methods, and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships. Ø Participates in the selection of, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; works with employees to correct deficiencies; recommends and implements discipline and termination procedures. Ø Develops and manages requests for proposals for professional and/or contracted services; prepares scope of work and any technical specifications; evaluates proposals, negotiations contracts, and recommends award; administers contracts to ensure compliance with District standards. Ø Participates in capital program planning and development; project manages the procurement and implementation of capital planning projects. Ø Coordinates with the District’s internal and external stakeholders on emerging planning issues, including development review, transit needs, pathways, schedules, and fare coordination. Ø Performs highly complex analytical studies in support of transportation planning; evaluates various aspects of program planning, development, and implementation; conducts technical analysis using economic, demographic, ridership, and related data to advise on current issues and trends. Ø Identifies, develops, and manages strategic projects to address the first-last mile needs, including micro-transit operations, autonomous vehicles, interagency agreements, and related programs. Ø Prepares and presents staff and agenda reports, statistical data, maps, and other necessary documents related to assigned activities and services; presents reports to various commissions, committees, and boards. Ø Conducts a variety of organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to assigned programs, policies, and procedures, as appropriate. Ø Serves as a liaison for assigned functions with other District departments, divisions, and outside agencies; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces, as necessary. Ø Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in transportation and urban planning; researches emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to District needs. Ø Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval. Ø Receives, investigates, and responds to difficult and sensitive problems and complaints in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action. Ø Directs the establishment and maintenance of working and official files. Ø Ensures staff compliance with District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols. Ø Performs other duties as assigned. Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: Education: Ø Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in transportation planning, urban planning, public administration, or a related field. Experience: Ø Six (6) years of increasingly responsible experience in professional planning, including three (3) years in a management or supervisory capacity. SMART is an equal opportunity employer.

Keywords: Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit, Petaluma , Planning Manager, Administration, Clerical , Petaluma, California