Principal Planner​/Analyst, Transit Capital Policy and Programming Implementation

Job Title

Principal Policy and Program Implementation Strategist

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is the transportation planning, financing, and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. MTC is the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the state designated Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA) for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. MTC is committed to being an equitable and inclusive workplace. MTC provides services to the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG).

This position is in the Funding Policy and Programs (FPP) section serving MTC. The Funding Policy and Programs (FPP) section of MTC oversees policy development and investment decision-making including approximately $2.0 billion annually in federal, state, and regional transportation funds. These investments and policies implement Plan Bay Area 2050+, a comprehensive blueprint for the development of transit, highway, local streets and roads, rail, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities that integrates planning for transportation, land use, and housing.

The essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Work with program managers and planner/analysts to implement multiple programs and initiatives focused on developing policy and funding recommendations to fund transit investments in the Bay Area. Ensure investments/allocations and endorsements adhere to eligibility requirements and regional policies as applicable. Specific areas include:
• Funding strategy and oversight for large, medium and small transit projects in the region including those funded at the regional (through regional measures and associated bridge tolls), state (through Cap and Invest, Senate Bill 1, and related programs), and federal (through FTA formula funds, discretionary programs, and STP/CMAQ) levels.
• Policy development, program management oversight, funding and endorsement frameworks, and associated stakeholder engagement including, but not limited to:
• Transit capital asset state of good repair programs for the purchase of transit vehicles (buses, ferries, trains) and maintaining transit facilities in good repair.
• Regional Measure 3 transit capital projects and programs, and associated bridge toll capital programs.
• Transit Priority Program, Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program, Low Carbon Transit Operations Program, and the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program.
• Facilitate stakeholder working groups, such as Transit Finance Working Group, facilitate and implement FTA grant applications and reporting, and review grant reimbursement invoices.
• Manage and supervise up to four program managers and planner/analysts; in coordination with the Assistant Director, provide leadership and direction by developing workplans, managing assignments, delivering performance feedback, and ensuring that the group's tasks are successfully completed.
• Prepare and present various reports and analyses of transportation investments, including how investments align with the region's long-range plan, equity goals, and federal performance requirements. Represent MTC at meetings, prepare and review written reports and memoranda, and make presentations before MTC committees, executive staff, and other agencies. Ensure Assistant Director, Section Director, and other team members are updated and informed of all relevant activities.
• Perform other job-related duties as needed or assigned.
Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of policy, funding and program development, implementation, and administration especially related to funds and programs administered by the region, state, and Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
• Familiarity with government transportation programs and funding procedures including Federal, State, and local statutes, codes, and regulations
• Familiarity with the funding, performance, and political environment of the Bay Area transportation systems

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to effectively represent the agency publicly at working groups with external agencies and prepare written policy memoranda and reports.
• Ability to distill complex concepts into compelling, relevant and understandable presentations.
• Ability to lead team members, including ability to meet unanticipated needs and adapt to changing policy and regulatory direction.
• Demonstrated ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders and lead staff to facilitate inter-agency and intra-agency coordination. This includes working directly with senior managers, planners and program coordinators within MTC and at other agencies.
• Ability to manage employee performance and program implementation.
• Ability to interpret and apply applicable Federal, State, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Demonstrated experience and proficiency working in Microsoft Excel.

Minimum Qualifications:

An…