Transportation Planner III - Transit Division - SF Municipal Transportation Agency (5289)

Application Opening: September 22, 2025
Accepting applications until: October 7, 2025
Recruitment ID: TEX-5289-139748, RTF0139747-01155525

APPOINTMENT TYPE
Temporary Exempt, Category 18 Full Time – This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer. The duration of the appointment shall not exceed 36 months.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA or “the agency”) connects San Franciscans with their communities to enhance the economy, environment and, ultimately, the quality of life in the city. As an agency within the City and County of San Francisco, the SFMTA is responsible for managing the city’s transportation network. The agency has more than 6,000 employees who are responsible for the management of all ground and some underground transportation in the city. The SFMTA has oversight over public transit, as well as bicycling, paratransit, parking and curb management, street operations, walking, and taxis.

Division: Transit Division
Section/Unit: Program Delivery and Support; Transit Technology
Work Location: 1455 Market Street, 7th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM

The Train Control Upgrade Project (TCUP) is an SFMTA capital project which invests in the Muni Metro rail system by replacing the nearly 30-year-old Automatic Train Control System (ATCS) in the subway with a new Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) system. The project also expands CBTC managed territory outside of the subways to the surface portions of Muni Metro, where signals and switches are currently independently operated in a first come, first serve configuration. Under CBTC, Muni’s entire rail network can be managed centrally with a single, modernized system. Replacing the ATCS with a state-of-the-art CBTC system will maintain the excellent safety record of the current system, while also increasing the subway’s efficiency and reliability.

With a $700 million capital budget, the Train Control Upgrade Project represents a bold step forward for SFMTA and the Muni Metro system. Through a phased implementation plan, an integrated team approach, and flexible contract structures, TCUP is designed to overcome challenges and set a new standard for urban transit infrastructure projects. With a targeted completion date of 2032, the project promises lasting benefits for San Francisco’s public transit system and its riders. Join this exciting team at the cutting edge of urban rail technology!

Position Description:

Under the general direction of the Train Control Upgrade Deputy Project Manager, the Transportation Planner III (Senior Project Planner) plans the procurement, deployment, installation and testing of the future Train Control System, and assists in the planning of future subway and surface rail operations using the capabilities of the new system. This position is responsible for assisting the Project Manager and Deputy Project Manager in reviewing project schedules, organizing the project through project planning documents, preparing grant applications and assisting in managing the project budget, meeting with project stakeholders, and developing procurement plans, policy and procedures.

The Train Control Upgrade Project is being delivered through a series of contracts with the train control system supplier and other firms providing installation, construction support, technical expertise, and professional services. The SFMTA has already awarded the system supplier contract to Hitachi Rail and the consulting services contract to WSP-PGH Wong Joint Venture. The Transportation Planner III will assist the Project Manager and Deputy Project Manager in developing the business requirements for follow-on contracts for integration services and installation of CBTC equipment on the vehicles, along the wayside, and in central locations; and assist in orchestrating the activities of SFMTA staff and contractors.

The Transportation Planner III will be responsible to the Project Manager and Deputy Project Manager for program evaluation and capital planning activities; they will be expected to respond to reporting and evaluation requirements from the Finance Department and funding agencies. In this role they will assist in the creation of grant applications and the development of application materials, including modeling project outcomes, research, and writing reports, applying their knowledge of the project to complete these tasks.

The Transportation Planner III will also assist the project Communications Officer with communications and outreach; including scheduling design workshops and coordinating activities between the project and internal staff. The Transportation Planner III will represent the project in numerous interdepartmental and interagency coordination efforts, including meetings and  presentations on behalf of the project to boards or commissions.

Lastly, the Transportation Planner III is the head of the TCUP planning section. Reporting to the Deputy Project Manager, the Transportation Planner III will supervise and direct the work of the other project planner(s) on staff.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties:

• Develops and maintains the capital plan for the Train Control Upgrade Project, works with funding agencies such as MTC and SFCTA, grant administrators such as the FTA and CTC, as well as SFMTA capital planning staff to provide justification for funding, to include cost/benefit analyses, and assessments of operational effectiveness.
• Works with the Project Admin Analyst to maintain the project budget. The Transportation Planner III is specifically responsible for applying estimates and budgeting principles to forecast future project expenditures and maintain a project cashflow based on the most current understanding of the project schedule and committed resources;
• Works with the Project Communications Officer, SFMTA Government Affairs and other staff on developing the project’s approach to legislative action and board approvals, including the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and MTA Board.
• Coordinates and works with the SFMTA Finance Department and Project Admin Analyst for booking incoming grants and budget revisions;
• Develops and reviews drafts of project planning documents, such as the project management plan, project QA plan, project safety plan, etc.
• Understands and interprets the requirements for the new train control system and its upgrades; and explains the project scope and requirements to other SFMTA staff, vendors, and/or project teams.
• Develops and/or proposes modifications to operational plans, policies and procedures concerning the train control system to accommodate the future capabilities of the system;
• Assists with developing training programs and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for rail operations using the train control system;
• Assists with cost estimates and terms for new and existing contracts, and for proposed change orders or modifications and assists with calendar items for Board approvals of contacts or contract modifications;
• Supports the development and review of contract deliverables from the Train Control Supplier, participates in document review, and coordinates the participation of internal Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to review key project design documents.
• Performs analysis of data generated from the train control system and train control system simulations and provides recommendations for service or operational changes if necessary. Works with Transit Performance team to make train control system data accessible and legible;
• Works with Service Planning department to ensure future rail service plans account for the capabilities and limitations of the train control system;
• Writes reports and white papers to document global best practices for train control;
• Reviews and manages workload assignment to consultants, junior staff and interns as required;
• Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Possession of a Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Planning, Transportation, Transportation Engineering, Public Administration or other closely related field; AND two (2) years of transportation planning experience; OR

2. Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; AND four (4) years of transportation planning experience. Two (2) years of this experience must be at a professional level focused on the analysis, design, and development of transportation systems or services.

Substitution: Additional transportation planning experience beyond the Minimum Qualifications may be substituted for the baccalaureate degree requirement in MQ #2 on a year-for year basis. (30 semester units/45 quarter units equal one (1) year of experience).

Desirable Qualifications:

The stated desirable qualifications may be used to identify candidates advancing to the interview process and/or to identify job finalist(s) at the end of the selection process when referred for hiring.

• A strong interest in promoting public transportation and a desire to learn about transit operations and the technologies driving them.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, purposes, scope and techniques of various phases of infrastructure project and/or transportation planning.
• Master’s degree in planning, transportation, transportation engineering, public administration or  other closely related field.
• Experience in public sector procurement, contract administration or project management (local, state, or federal government)
• Experience working with public transportation or in a public transit agency.
• Experience working in large public sector projects, especially transit or transportation projects.
• Demonstrated strong analytic skills and problem-solving ability.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to communicate with diplomacy and conduct meetings with stakeholders throughout the agency.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple assignments simultaneously.
• Ability to present facts clearly and concisely in the preparation of complex reports and presentations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project
• Proficient in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Proficient in data visualization and analysis software.
• Proficient in various scripting languages (Python, SQL, R, etc.).
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, such as Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Ability to work well with a diverse workforce.

Verification:
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. More information can be found at: https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#verification. Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

Selection Process:
Applications will be screened for relevant qualifying experience. Additional screening mechanisms may be used to determine candidates' qualifications.  Only those applicants who most closely meet the needs of the Agency will be invited to move forward in the selection process.

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

For questions or inquiries, please contact: Oriel Fong, Human Resources Analyst at [email protected].

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.