Principal Planner / Senior Planner - Sustainability

The Principal Planner reports to the Manager, Environmental and Sustainability Planning, and is responsible for implementing the sustainability and environmental planning and program activities of the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans), the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain), and San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA).

The Senior Planner will report to the Manager, Environmental and Sustainability Planning, and is responsible for supporting the sustainability and environmental planning and program activities of the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans), the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain), and San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA).

This position will be filled at either a Senior Planner or Principal Planner level, depending on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.

Compensation:

• Senior Planner: $106,815 – $149,540 annually
• Principal Planner: $129,834 – $181,767 annually

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Sunday, January 11, 2026 (1stcutoff Sunday, December 14, 2025)

Essential Functions & Duties

Principal Planner
Examples of Essential Functions:

• Develop and implement sustainability projects, programs, and activities across SamTrans, Caltrain and the TA.

• Develop and assist in the development of policies, procedures, and projects that advance sustainability, resiliency, and reduce environmental impacts and resource use for organizational facilities, operations, and assets.
• Administer environmental review processes including CEQA and NEPA to secure environmental clearance on SamTrans capital projects. 
• Provide technical assistance to business units and/or functional areas in identifying and implementing sustainability plans, projects, and programs, including lifecycle assessment, data synthesis, financial analysis, research tasks, etc.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, and leverage stakeholder relationships, to develop consensus on sustainability programs, plans, and projects.
• Present agency initiatives and findings at internal and external meetings, committees, and boards.

Examples of Essential Duties:

• Oversee the development and production of agency sustainability reporting.
• Provide analysis and support on environmental review, project environmental clearance, and continued environmental compliance tasks as needed.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, and budgets for new projects utilizing consultant support. 
• Procure consultant services, monitor performance and work activities, review invoices and approve consultant billing.
• Lead and support studies (strategic sustainability, climate vulnerability and adaptation, and other long-range planning efforts); gather and synthesize data; report and present findings.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and other communications for senior staff, board members, peer agencies, and the public. 
• Design and implement internal employee engagement program to reduce operational environmental impacts and increase organizational sustainability.
• Plan and execute internal engagement activities (such as webinars, lunch and learns, field trips, communications, etc.) to increase employee awareness and adoption of sustainable practices. 
• Identify funding sources for program activities, coordinate with Grants Department to develop grant applications. 
• Participate in American Public Transportation Association (APTA) sustainability activities and pursue opportunities for increased program recognition.
• Participate in regional forums addressing climate change and other sustainability matters to represent SamTrans and Caltrain interests.
• Provide Quality Assurance/Quality Control approval for deliverables.
• Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect oneself, 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.

Senior Planner
Examples of Essential Functions:

• Support and implement sustainability projects, programs, and activities across SamTrans, Caltrain and the TA.
• Support and assist in the development of policies, procedures, and projects that advance sustainability, resiliency, and reduce environmental impacts and resource use for organizational facilities, operations, and assets.
• Administer environmental review processes including CEQA and NEPA to secure environmental clearance on SamTrans capital projects.
• Provide technical assistance to business units and/or functional areas in identifying and implementing sustainability plans, projects, and programs, including lifecycle assessment, data synthesis, financial analysis, research tasks, etc.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, and leverage stakeholder relationships, to develop consensus on sustainability programs, plans, and projects.
• Represent agency initiatives and findings at internal and external meetings, committees, and boards.

Examples of Essential Duties:

• Support the development and production of agency sustainability reporting.
• Provide analysis and support on environmental review, project environmental clearance, and continued environmental compliance tasks as needed.
• Prepare project scopes, schedules, and budgets for new projects utilizing consultant support.
• Manage the selection and performance of consultant services, monitor performance and work activities, review invoices and approve consultant billing.
• Coordinate and support studies (strategic sustainability, climate vulnerability and adaptation, and other long-range planning efforts); gather and synthesize data; report and present findings.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and other communications for senior staff, board members, peer agencies, and the public.
• Support design and implementation of internal employee engagement program to reduce operational environmental impacts and increase organizational sustainability.
• Plan and execute internal engagement activities (such as webinars, lunch and learns, field trips, communications, etc.) to increase employee awareness and adoption of sustainable practices.
• Identify funding sources for program activities, coordinate with Grants Department to develop grant applications.
• Participate in American Public Transportation Association (APTA) sustainability activities and pursue opportunities for increased program recognition.
• Participate in regional forums addressing climate change and other sustainability matters to represent SamTrans and Caltrain interests.
• Provide Quality Assurance/Quality Control review for deliverables.
• Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect oneself, 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.

The selection process may include a panel interview, written and skills test assessments, or supplemental questions.  Only those candidates who are the most qualified will continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to continue in the process.      

How to Apply

• Complete an online employment application by 11:59 p.m. of the listed closing date.  Resumes and cover letters will not be accepted in lieu of fully completed applications.  It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that applications are completed with all relevant information (experience, education, certifications, licenses, references and/or other information). 

• The Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the recruitment/examination process to accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request.  If you have a need for an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department.   

• We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace environment.  We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.  Minorities, Women, Persons with Disabilities and Veterans are encouraged to apply. 

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:

Principal Planner

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, public policy, or related field such as natural sciences, environmental management, sustainability, transportation.
• Four (4) years of full-time progressively responsible experience in environmental/sustainability planning, environmental analysis, or sustainability analysis and program management.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the public sector/transportation is desirable.
• Experience with relevant permitting agencies (i.e., BCDC, USACE, FTA)
• Demonstrated attention to detail. 
• Experience analyzing, synthesizing, and communicating data.
• Strong written communication and public speaking skills.
• Microsoft Office Suite proficiency.

Senior Planner

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, public policy, or related field such as natural sciences, environmental management, sustainability, transportation.
• Three (3) years of full-time progressively responsible experience in environmental/sustainability planning, environmental analysis, or sustainability analysis and program management.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the public sector/transportation is desirable.
• Experience with relevant permitting agencies (i.e., BCDC, USACE, FTA)
• Demonstrated attention to detail.
• Experience analyzing, synthesizing, and communicating data.
• Strong written communication and public speaking skills.
• Microsoft Office Suite proficiency.

Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board.

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• San Mateo County Transit District

• 650-508-6308