Salary : $129,834.00 - $181,767.00 Annually
Location : Millbrae, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Division: Planning
Department: Planning Grants & TA Admin
Opening Date: 09/11/2026
Closing Date: 10/11/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

General
The San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) is currently hiring for a Principal Grants Analyst. This position will support SamTrans, the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain), and the Transportation Authority (TA) by performing professional-level work in grant management, fund programming, and financial analysis for both capital and operating programs.

The position will be responsible for identifying and securing funding opportunities, preparing and submitting grant applications, and monitoring the financial status of grant-funded projects. The selected candidate will also ensure compliance with federal, state, and regional funding regulations and collaborate with internal divisions and external funding partners.

Essential Functions & Duties

Examples of Essential Functions:

• Lead the research, analysis, and development of funding strategies to support the District's long-term capital and operating needs.
• Oversee the preparation, writing, and submission of complex grant applications to federal, state, and regional funding agencies.
• Serve as the District's primary liaison with internal divisions and external funding partners, advocating for the District in fund programming forums.
• Provide direction and oversight of the capital planning process, ensuring that capital planning documentation is aligned with funding programs.
• Manage the full lifecycle of grant-funded projects, including compliance with scope, timeline, budget, and reporting requirements.

Examples of Duties:

• Prepare and submit complex capital and operational grant applications, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local requirements.
• Monitor and manage financial status, scope, and progress of assigned grant-funded projects, ensuring all milestones and compliance are met.
• Act as a lead in coordinating with federal, state, and regional funding agencies, ensuring timely submission of reports and responses to audits or inquiries.
• Lead the development of strategic partnerships with internal departments and external funding partners to secure additional funding.
• Provide leadership and oversight in advocating for the District's funding needs during programming processes.
• Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect yourself, 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 Transportation/Urban Planning, Business Administration, Public Policy, Economics, or a related field.
• Four (4) years of full-time progressively responsible experience in planning, project management, or professional-level grant management, including analytical and budgetary support for projects.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of funding programs and experience in transportation/transit capital planning and fund programming.
• Experience with life cycle grant processing and management, including compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Knowledge of financial, statistical, and comparative analysis techniques.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including experience with complex grant writing.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to lead the development of a robust grant funding program.

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).

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.
01

How many years of planning, project management, or professional-level grant management, including analytical and budgetary support for projects experience do you have?

• No experience
• 1 year of experience
• 2 years of experience
• 3 years of experience
• 4 years of experience
• 5 years of experience
• 6 years of experience
• 7 years of experience
• 8 years of experience
• 9 years of experience
• 10 years of experience

02

Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed?

• High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• Associate degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Professional degree
• Doctorate degree

03

Do you have experience in complex grant writing?

• Yes
• No

04

Is your degree in Transportation/Urban Planning, Business Administration, Public Policy, Economics, or a related field?

• Yes
• No
• Not Applicable

Required Question