Analyst II - Transit Program Analyst in Sacramento, California at Sacramento Area Council of Governments

The Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) is seeking an Analyst II - Transit Program Analyst to join the Transit Team and support regional transit programs and initiatives throughout the Sacramento region. You will apply analytical, research, program coordination, and communication skills across transit planning and implementation, program administration and funding, data and performance, and regulatory compliance.

You will work under the direction of the Transit Program Manager and in coordination with other Transit Team staff. Assignments may include responsibility for smaller projects, recurring program responsibilities, or defined components of larger regional initiatives. You will exercise independent judgment within established program requirements and receive guidance on more complex assignments.

This position is well suited for someone who enjoys organizing information, solving problems, coordinating work across teams, and communicating clearly with different audiences. The role offers an opportunity to build knowledge of regional transit programs within a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA).

The Transportation Team

The Transit Team is part of SACOG’s broader Transportation Team, which includes staff working in areas such as transportation funding and grants, transportation demand management, alternative mobility, active transportation, public transit operations and planning, and corridor planning.

You will be an integral part of SACOG’s Transportation Team and will regularly coordinate with staff across other SACOG teams.

The Organization

SACOG is the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the six-county Sacramento region. Formed as a Joint Powers Authority, SACOG is governed by a board of 31 elected officials that directly represent all six counties and 22 cities in the region, and one ex-officio member (Caltrans). While transportation is core to SACOG’s role as a Metropolitan Planning Organization, SACOG has over two decades of experience approaching regional issues from an integrated perspective that examines the linkages between transportation, housing, economic prosperity, environmental stewardship, and air quality. Under the leadership of its executive director, SACOG has a vision of a vibrant and thriving Sacramento region for all. Its mission is: SACOG convenes and connects the region to advance an equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future.

Join our Agency

SACOG values diversity and believes that a range of backgrounds brings a variety of ideas, perspectives and experiences that contribute to an innovative and collaborative environment in which talents are fully utilized, uniqueness is valued, and SACOG’s objectives are met. SACOG is committed to building a culturally diverse workplace. We welcome individuals of all backgrounds, orientations, and identities.

In addition to being an organizational value, we also uphold equal opportunity under the law. SACOG is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. SACOG provides fair and equal opportunity for all with no discrimination because of race, creed, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, age, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.

SACOG employs a dedicated and professional staff of 60 who work together to advance solutions to some of the region’s shared challenges of transportation, housing, air quality, climate change and the protection of the region’s agricultural and natural resources. SACOG fosters an inclusive, mission driven, and fun employee culture and offers flexible schedules.

SACOG will make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental disabilities of an otherwise qualified individual who is an applicant or employee.

Why join SACOG?

Teamwork:

Community:

Dedication:

Innovation:

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.

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:

Anticipated Recruitment Schedule:
Filing Deadline: December 11
First Interview: Week of January 11
Final Interview: Week of January 18
Desired Start Date: February 1

The Transit Program Analyst will perform analytical, programmatic, and coordination work in support of SACOG's regional transit responsibilities. Typical responsibilities may include:

Program Administration and Coordination:

• Coordinate assigned components of regional transit programs, projects, and initiatives, including schedules, deliverables, documentation, and follow-up activities.
• Maintain program records, schedules, tracking tools, financial and program information, and supporting documentation to help ensure deadlines, commitments, and reporting requirements are met.
• Coordinate and support for external committee meetings.

Research, Planning, Policy and

• Conduct research and analysis to support regional transit plans, programs, studies, policies, and initiatives.
• Collect, organize, analyze, and interpret financial, operational, performance, demographic, and other transit-related data, and translate findings into clear reports, presentations, data summaries, tables, charts, and other materials.
• Stay informed about changes in transportation laws, regulations, policies, funding programs, technologies, and other developments, and evaluate potential implications for SACOG and regional transit programs.

Transit Funding, Reporting and Compliance:

• Assist with programming, monitoring, and administration of federal, state, and regional transit funding sources and related program requirements, including Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Transportation Development Act (TDA) programs.
• Review grant, claim, reporting, and other program documentation for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with applicable requirements.
• Support federal and state reporting, compliance, and program requirements, including National Transit Database (NTD) reporting, the FTA Triennial Review, and SACOG's Unmet Transit Needs process.
• Use and develop proficiency in applicable federal, state, and SACOG grant administration and reporting systems, including FTA's Transit Award Management System (TrAMS), as appropriate.

We know and appreciate that everyone brings their own talents to a job. The strongest candidates will be able to demonstrate many of the following abilities through professional experience, education, volunteer work, community experience, or other relevant pathways:

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, including the ability to evaluate information and develop well-supported findings and recommendations.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills, including the ability to manage multiple assignments, priorities, and deadlines.
• Ability to learn complex programs, regulations, funding requirements, policy frameworks, and administrative processes.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate technical or program information to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to work independently within established program requirements while recognizing when additional guidance is appropriate.
• Be conscientious, dependable, and consistently follow through on assignments and deadlines.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to learn and apply federal, state, and regional transportation program requirements.
• Ability to coordinate projects and program activities involving multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Ability to translate analysis and data into clear recommendations, reports, presentations, tables, charts, and other materials.
• Ability to organize work effectively and maintain attention to accuracy and detail.

The following is not required, but desired. Candidates who do not have these exact experiences are still encouraged to apply if they meet the required qualifications and are interested in learning these areas of work:

• Knowledge of the Sacramento region's transit network, operators, or regional transportation planning environment.
• Experience with FTA and TDA programs, transit planning or operations, or other transit-specific programs.
• Experience with TrAMS or similar grant administration, reporting, or data systems.

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, Finance or a closely related field.
• At least one (1) year of increasingly responsible professional or equivalent experience in planning, program administration, policy analysis, grants administration, financial analysis, research, or related analytical work in transportation, transit, local or regional government, or another closely related field. Relevant experience may be gained in transportation, transit, local or regional government, nonprofits, community-based organizations, consulting, academic research, or another closely related setting.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

This is primarily a sedentary classification and the employee works in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. The employee interfaces with staff, management, other agency representatives, member jurisdictions, government officials, business representatives, and the general public in explaining SACOG policies and requesting and providing information.