Principal Planner / Senior Planner - Sustainability

Job Description:

Principal Planner / Senior Planner - Sustainability

Description

General

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 (1 st cutoff 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.

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.

Below is a summary of the comprehensive benefits provided to District full-time employees:

Health and Welfare Benefits:

• Healthcare Benefits -District employees are offered a choice of healthcare providers under the CalPERS Health Benefits Program.The District will contribute ninety (90) percent towards monthly premiums for full-time employees. Fifty (50) percent for part-time employees.
  
• Free Dental and Vision Benefits provided - Employer Covers Premiums
  
• Free Employee Assistance Benefit - Employees are entitled to 5 face-to-face sessions or telephonic or web-video consultations for problem-solving support per incident, per calendar year.
  

• Flexible Spending Accounts - Pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified Health or Dependent Care expenses.
  

Retirement Medical Benefits:

• Long Term Disability Insurance - After 90 days of total disability, Administrative full-time employees are eligible for 60% of monthly income covered by the District.
  
• Health and Wellness - Gyms located at most work locations and discounted Weight Watcher Membership Option.
  

Holidays and Paid Time Off:

• Paid Time Off - Newly hired employees accrue 6.5 hours bi-weekly when hired (if Exempt 8.25 hours).As you move up in years of service credit, the rate of the amount of PTO accrued will also increase.
  
• Paid Holidays - The District provides seven paid holidays throughout the year - New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4th), Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
  
• Floating Holidays - District employees can earn up to five (5) floating holidays.
  

Financial Planning Benefits:

• Pension Benefits through CalPERS -You must have a minimum of 5 years of service to be eligible for this pension.
  

• CalPERS PEPRA vs. Classic - All employees hired on, or after January 1, 2013, are considered PEPRA members and will contribute 8% of their salary up to the maximum IRS cut-off. All Classic members will contribute 6%
  
• Deferred Compensation Options - Select to contribute to one or both of our Tax Deferred Compensation Options
  
• Reliance Standard Life Insurance with 100% premium paid by the District - 1 times annual salary of employee - max $200,000
  
• Optional Life Insurance - Employees may purchase additional life insurance for themselves and their eligible family members.
  

Growth and Education Benefits:

• Professional Development - Access to LinkedIn Learning and San Mateo County’s professional training. District Tuition Reimbursement Program - A maximum of $5,250 per year for courses related to your job or career goals with the District.
  
• Computer Loan Program - Interest-free two-year loan with a maximum amount of $2,000.
  

Other Amazing Benefits:

• Credit Union - Employees and family members are eligible to join the San Mateo Credit Union and Patelco Credit Union.
  
• Employee Clean Commute (ECC) - Car/Van poolers and Public Transit riders receive a monthly reimbursement.
  
• Commuter Benefits - Free Employee Parking; Free Bus Pass for employee as well as children/spouse; Clipper Card/Go Pass Program for Central employees.
  

For union employees, all of the above benefits are subject to the employee’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. Benefits listed are also subject to change with or without notice and are subject to contract/provider terms and conditions.

Closing Date/Time: 1/11/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$129,834.00 - $181,767.00 Annually