Manager of Rail Network Planning at San Mateo County Transit District – San Carlos, California

The Manager of Rail Network Planning reports to the Director, Rail Network and Operations Planning and is responsible for developing long-term rail service plans and programs, supporting various planning activities and conducting analysis for mega projects impacting d the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain).

• Leads long-range network planning in alignment with in the Caltrain Business plan including coordinated blended service with all Peninsula Corridor rail tenants including California High Speed Rail, Capitol Corridor, ACE, Amtrak, and Union Pacific freight.
• Supports mega regional and California State Rail Plan network planning initiatives including extensions to Salinas, connections across the Dumbarton Bridge and the Link21 project.
• Conducts terminal operations analyses for planning projects including those related to the opening of the San Francisco DTX (“The Portal”) and the development of the SF Railyards site, as well as the new San Jose Diridon station.
• Responsible for the development of long-range service plans and programs through the execution of operational analysis, market research and coordination with other operators.
• Advocates for investments to improve capacity, efficiency, and reliability via annual budget contributions, planning projects, and long-range strategy efforts.
• Provides operations planning perspective, input and support on long range agency initiatives related to station access and design, customer information, wayfinding, fares, and ticketing.
• Works effectively and collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team environment and establishes strong working relationships with other departments including key personnel in Operations, Finance, and Communications.
• Supervises contractor and consultant staff. Hires, mentors, and takes appropriate corrective and/or disciplinary action as needed. Ensures EEO and affirmative action policies and procedures are followed. Participates in staff selection; coordinates staff training and professional development as needed. Establishes performance objectives; monitor and evaluates employee performance as needed.

Examples of Essential Duties:

• Conducts technical analysis and research to guide service and network planning decisions. Reviews operational and ridership data, analyzes regional and national trends, and reviews customer feedback and survey data.
• Establishes schedules and methods for providing planning services; identifies resource needs; reviews needs with appropriate management staff; allocates resources accordingly.
• Responsible for attending technical meetings with internal and external stakeholders; coordinates planning activities with inter-departmental and inter-organizational teams.
• Prepares analytical and statistical reports, memoranda, and other communications to senior staff, board members, and outside agencies and committees; develops and provides presentations to various public agencies and officials; conducts analysis of federal, state, or regional legislation, guidelines, and policies to understand implications for the Railroad.
• Prepares reports, presentations and other communications to senior staff, board members, outside agencies, and committees, and compiles written and oral responses.
• Monitors work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures, consults with senior management regarding policies and procedures.
• Oversees project progress including defining project scope, developing material and labor budgets, and determining schedule.
• Develops and monitors project budgets and schedules, evaluating project status against original budget.
• Serves as project manager and liaison to other departments for all long-term rail operations planning activities.
• Evaluates job performance of contractor and consulting staff.
• Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect one’s self, your fellow employees and the public from injury or harm. Promote safety awareness and follow safety procedures in an effort to reduce or eliminate accidents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: Sufficient experience, training and/or education to demonstrate the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. In lieu of a degree, work-related experience that demonstrates the skills and experience necessary to perform this role will be accepted. Development of the required knowledge and abilities is typically obtained through but not limited to:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Transportation Planning, Engineering, Business Administration, Economics or related field.
• Five (5) years of progressive professional experience in rail transportation planning, engineering, management, or related field.
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience managing staff or consultants

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven experience with transportation planning programs-operations, services, and activities
• Knowledge of advanced techniques of transportation planning and the use of software transportation planning models
• Demonstrated knowledge of financing and funding, including financial cost/benefit analysis
• Familiarity with Federal, State and Local codes, laws, and regulations
• Excellent analytical, written, and verbal communication and presentation skill
• Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)
• A valid California driver’s license with a safe driving record.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications.