Job Information
Job Category
Transportation
Company Name
Sacramento Area Council of Governments
Position Level
Managerial
Job Description
Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) is seeking an experienced transit/transportation professional and visionary, personal connector, and self-starting team player who enjoys collaborating across the agency and with partners, as well as working on their own. The agency has just adopted the region’s updated Metropolitan Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy (MTP/SCS), commonly known as the Blueprint, and has identified the transit program as a key priority for policy and program implementation. In addition, implementation of SB125 recommendations will focus the transit program’s work on fiscal sustainability while strengthening regional connectivity and services. To advance this, the Transit Program Manager will act as a creative and technical leader for SACOG’s transit planning work that requires both big-picture thinking for transit and its role in the broader transportation network, and a strong understanding of the state and federal transit landscape.
The Transit Program Manager (Principal Planner), will supervise staff and oversee and manage a variety of transit planning activities on the Transportation Team, including state and federal funding programs; special projects with a focus on transit planning; ; and performing other tasks as assigned. This position will be required to work collaboratively with a variety of external partners, including public transit operators, federal agencies, local municipalities, and other state and regional partners/agencies.
This position will report to SACOG’s Director of Transportation and is the highest non-management classification at SACOG. The Transit Program Manager will work across groups within SACOG that have roles in project development and support and must prioritize a team-oriented team environment.
Hybrid Position
As an integral part of our organization, employees will provide support in a flexible work environment. This position will have the ability to telework up to three days per week, with the expectation of additional in-office attendance as needed to support agency operations, collaboration, and business needs.
The remainder of the work week will be in-person. Employees are required to live within 200 miles of Sacramento.
We support telework because it:
- Enhances employee productivity, satisfaction, and ability to collaborate.
- Improves recruitment and retention
- Reduces greenhouse gas emission, vehicle miles travels (VMT), traffic and parking congestion, and air pollution
Anticipated Recruitment Schedule:
Filing Deadline: November 20
First Interview: Week of December 7
Final Interview: Week of December 14
Desired Start Date: January 11
If you are interested in applying, please apply via our website.
Required Skills / Experience / Education
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
– A visionary, creative, and innovative approach to transit planning and coordination with a regional lens
– Ability to work with a network of external partners and manage multiple stakeholders, including a strong ability to develop trust and relationships
– Strong organizational skills, including time management, ability to set priorities, and ability to anticipate critical deadlines
– Adaptability and flexibility, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with competing requirements and deadlines
– Dedication to collaboration across SACOG teams, elected officials, and key regional stakeholders
– Ability to work independently and critical thinking skills, including the ability to make effective decisions amidst uncertainty
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
– Experience with transit and transportation planning, including various modes like rail, bus rapid transit, fixed-route bus, paratransit, and microtransit;
– Strong understanding of state and federal transit programs and transportation planning regulations
– Experience facilitating projects involving numerous organizational stakeholders as well as an interest in finding compromise when faced with conflicting perspectives.
– Ability to make presentations before various boards and/or committees in an effective and concise manner
– Ability to provide leadership and technical guidance as a subject matter expert and adviser
– Experience supervising multiple staff or a team
The following is not required, but desired:
– Strong knowledge of the Capital region’s transit network, including knowledge of operators and key transit corridors.
– Can understand and convey changes in state and federal transportation policy, legal regulations, and processes.
Education and Experience
Required
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. We welcome applicants with non-traditional pathways to education and experience. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
– Education equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Transportation/Urban Planning, Public or Business Administration, Political Science or related field.
– Three (3) years of full-time progressively responsible program management work in transportation planning, transportation funding and/or transportation grants, including at least one (1) year of project lead and/or supervisory experience.
– Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment.
US Citizenship Required?
Yes
Will security clearance be required?
No
Salary Range
$139,296.00 - $153,564.00 Annually
Other Benefits
Paid Time Off:
– 18.67 hours per month through the third year of employment, increasing to 22 hours per month in the fourth through fifteenth years, and 25.34 hours per month thereafter
– Paid Time Off balances over 350 hours rolled into 401(a) plan annually, with the option to cash out up to 80 hours
Holidays:
– 12 paid holidays per year
– 4 floating holidays after one year of employment
Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
– $2,375.26monthly towards CalPERS health plans
– If employee has alternate coverage $150 will be paid in lieu of any premium contribution
– Fully paid dental insurance for employee and dependents
– Fully paid vision insurance for employee and dependents
CalPERS Retirement
– Classic CalPERS employees: 2% @ 55 with a 3-year average compensation formula
– New CalPERS employees: 2% @ 62 with a 3-year average compensation formula
Social Security
SACOG participates in Social Security.
Application Deadline
11/20/2026
Position Type
Permanent Full-Time
Travel
10%
Primary Language Required
English
Industry
Local Government
Job Location
Location Address
1415 L Street
Suite 300
Sacramento, California
95814
Contact Information
Hiring Contact Name
Rene Handy
Phone Number
(916) 340-6279
Website
https://www.sacog.ca.gov/