Senior Transit Planner

Distinguishing Characteristics

This position is distinguished by its responsibility to gather and analyze data, prepare required documentation, and assist with normal day‑to‑day planning functions, including support on the AVL system, GIS mapping, surveying, and other tasks to support the continued successful operation of NCTD services. The Senior Transit Planner position is distinguished by its lead role in the management of service planning, scheduling, implementation, and service performance analysis.

This role is highly data‑driven and requires advanced proficiency in data analysis, reporting, and validation to support service planning, performance monitoring, and federal reporting requirements, including National Transit Database (NTD) submissions.

The Senior Transit Planner reports to the Director of Service Planning and does not exercise any supervisory authority. This position is expected to participate in the sharing of expert knowledge and as a vital member of various project teams that may be instituted.

Normal working conditions for this position are in both an office and field setting. Business travel may be required periodically between District sites, governmental agencies, consultants’ facilities, and other locations as required.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Leads advanced data analysis using Excel (including pivot tables, formulas, data validation, and large datasets) to evaluate service performance, trends, and operational impacts.
• Serves as technical lead for National Transit Database (NTD) reporting, including data preparation, validation, reconciliation, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance and accuracy.
• Translates raw operational data into clear, actionable insights for operations staff, executive leadership, and Board presentations.
• Manages the bi‑annual service change process and associated contractor(s), including run time analysis, schedule building, vehicle blocking, public timetable, and map proofing.
• Coordinates with Bus Operations and contractor(s) on service implementation and leads the Service Evaluation Group (SEG) with contractor staff following each service change.
• Coordinates schedules with intermodal partners including MTS, Metrolink, OCTA, RTA, Amtrak, and Greyhound.
• Coordinates schedules and service changes with community partners including local schools and member jurisdictions.
• Leads the development of NCTD routes, schedules, and facility plans.
• Supports NCTD’s overall business systems analysis and optimization effort by performing QA/QC and implementation support through various reporting systems, including APC NTD validation, automatic vehicle announcement (AVA) implementation, and other related systems.
• Supports NCTD’s overall Bus Stop Program, including coordinating the management of existing assets as well as future planning efforts to support implementation of NCTD’s Bus Stop Optimization Program.
• Investigates and responds to all bus stop and planning‑related customer comments received through NCTD’s Rider Report system.
• Makes presentations to internal and external stakeholders and the NCTD Board of Directors on NCTD’s service planning initiatives.
• Serves on regional staff level planning committees, including those promulgated by SANDAG or other jurisdictions.
• Supports LIFT and FLEX service provision, including participation on NCTD’s ADA Review Group.
• Supports the integration of NCTD modes with alternative transportation, such as bike scooter share and transportation network companies (TNCs).
• Reviews site plans, development proposals, or environmental documents for short‑ and long‑range impacts to transit service provision.
• Prepares scopes of work and independent cost estimates and participates on sole source selection committees for District solicitations.
• Manages consultant studies or reports.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, transportation, or related field required.
• Minimum four (4) years prior relevant experience required.
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