Chief of Planning and Regional Programs at San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) – San Bernardino, California

The Board of Directors must approve this position prior to its being filled; approval is expected on April 1, 2026.

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Led by a Board of Directors made up of elected officials from each of the 24 cities and towns and the five county supervisorial districts, San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) staff is focused primarily on freeway, interchange, and transit enhancements to the region that first and foremost benefit the taxpayer of San Bernardino County. Coupling that effort with various non-transportation related objectives from the Council of Governments role of the agency brings the mission of providing quality of life improvements to the residents, business operators, and commuters of our region to the forefront.

For more than four decades, SBCTA (previously known as SANBAG) has taken pride in delivering on its commitment to the voters through the implementation of Measure I. This half-cent sales tax that generates transportation dollars that are from the region and for the region is a critical element in the agency's goal to keep people and goods moving effectively. SBCTA calls the historic San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot home. Our headquarters not only positions the agency in the heart of the county but is symbolic of our longstanding commitment to transportation.

Under general direction, plans, organizes, manages, and provides direction and oversight of transportation planning and analysis functions in the Planning and Regional Programs Department; coordinates assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; fosters cooperative working relationships among department staff and with intergovernmental and regulatory agencies and various public and private groups; provides highly responsible and complex professional assistance to the Director of Planning and Regional Programs in areas of expertise; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general direction from the Director of Planning and Regional Programs. Exercises direct supervision over supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff through subordinate levels of supervision.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is a management classification in the Planning and Regional Programs Department. The incumbent oversees, directs, and participates in major activities and programs of transportation planning and analytics functions, and is responsible for providing professional-level support to the Director in a variety of areas. Incumbents participate in short- and long-term planning, development, and administration of department policies, procedures, budget, and services. Successful performance of the work requires an extensive professional background as well as skill in coordinating work with that of other departments and public and private agencies. Responsibilities include overseeing the complex and varied activities of assigned functions, projects, and programs.
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Assists the Director in providing leadership and direction to the Planning and Regional Programs Department; assumes management responsibility for transportation planning and analytic functions, including regional transportation studies and plans, growth forecasts, sustainability programs related to housing, air quality, climate, resilience, health, and energy, and corridor studies on highway, transit, active transportation, other multimodal, and goods movement.
• Works with other departments to position highway, transit, active transportation, and other projects for funding and grant programs, provide reviews of state and regional transportation project funding guidelines, and lead the preparation of grant applications under the guidance of the executive staff.
• Manages the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned functions; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Guides the periodic updating of the Long-Range Multimodal Transportation Plan, the Measure I Strategic Plan, the Congestion Management Program, the Development Mitigation Nexus Study, and related regional planning documents. Provides input to the 10-Year Delivery Plan updates.
• Develops and standardizes procedures and methods and continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned functions, service delivery methods, and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and reviews with the Director; directs the implementation of improvements.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel directly or indirectly through lower-level supervisors; works with employees on performance issues; makes discipline recommendations to the Director.
• Assists in managing and participates in the development and administration of the annual department budget for assigned programs; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; researches and applies for grant funding; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs and implements adjustments as necessary.
• Develops and manages requests for proposals for professional and/or contracted services; prepares contract specifications, scopes of work, budget, and timeline; evaluates proposals and recommends award; negotiates contracts; manages contracts, supervises the work of consultants, and ensures compliance with specifications and SBCTA service quality and regulatory requirements; negotiates claims and disputes with contractors and consultants; approves invoices within delegated signature authority.
• Manages, oversees, and participates in regional planning studies; analyzes technical data and recommends policy alternatives for planning and programming local, state, and federal transportation funds.
• Designs and oversees technical studies to support development of transportation policy and prioritization of infrastructure projects, including transportation planning, corridor investment, financial and cash-flow analyses, traffic impact analyses, route evaluation, and technical support for funding applications and legislative efforts.
• Meets and confers with contractors, planners, engineers, developers, architects, a variety of outside agencies, and the general public in acquiring information and coordinating programs and project matters; provides information regarding SBCTA program and project requirements.
• Manages the coordination and facilitation of various local and regional boards, committee, and advisory group meetings; prepares and presents agenda items; provides strategic direction and guidance on project, program, and policy issues.
• Provides highly complex staff assistance to the Director of Planning and Regional Programs; conducts a variety of organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Prepares, reviews, and presents reports, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned by the Director; presents reports to the Board of Directors and various commissions, committees, and boards.
• Manages the organization and maintenance of accurate and detailed databases, spreadsheets, files, and records; verifies accuracy of information and ensures compliance with established records retention policies, procedures, and schedules.
• Attends, participates, and represents SBCTA at interdepartmental, interagency, and professional meetings; monitors legal, regulatory, technology, and societal changes, and court decisions and stays abreast of new trends and innovations in transportation planning and programming and regional programs.
• Receives, investigates, and responds to requests for information and/or questions in a professional manner; refers matters requiring policy interpretation to supervisor for resolution.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned area of responsibility.
• Administrative principles, practices, and methods, including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, policy and procedure development, quality control, and work standards.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Principles and practices of budget and contract development and administration.
• Principles and practices of transportation planning program and project development, grant writing, implementation, and evaluation.
• Regional and local transportation planning modeling and analysis tools.
• Recent and ongoing developments, current literature, and sources of information related to environment, sustainability, housing, transportation, and land use planning.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service, by effectively working with the vendors and SBCTA staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Assist in developing and implementing department goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Plan, organize, oversee, and manage assigned staff, strategies, and programs.
• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present technical information and data in an effective manner and draw sound conclusions.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of department goals.
• Prepare and present clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Effectively represent the SBCTA in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Understand, interpret, apply, and explain applicable federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Direct the establishment and maintenance of a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems.
• Use tact, initiative, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines and legal requirements.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.

Education and/or Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in planning, public policy, business or public administration, or a closely related field and eight (8) years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience, including two (2) years of supervisory or management experience.
Licenses and Certifications:

• Requires possession of a valid California Driver’s License, a satisfactory driving record, and a properly registered and insured vehicle, to be maintained throughout employment.

Physical Demands
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various SBCTA 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 work areas 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 occasionally 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 Conditions
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing policies and procedures.