Salary : $152,501.86 - $193,409.22 Annually
Location : 375 Beale Street, San Francisco, CA
Job Type: Regular/Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 179
Section: Planning Section
Opening Date: 08/05/2026
Closing Date: 9/7/2026 11:55 PM Pacific

ABOUT THE SECTION

The Principal Planner will be a member of the Housing and Local Planning team within the Regional Planning Program serving MTC and ABAG. The Regional Planning Program guides regional planning activities related to housing, land use, resilience, and transportation to create an affordable, connected, diverse, healthy, and vibrant Bay Area for all.

ABOUT THE TEAM

Within the Regional Planning Program, the Housing and Local Planning team advances regional housing and land use goals by developing and implementing key regional policies and by providing grants and technical assistance to local jurisdictions. Examples of programs and initiatives managed by the team include the Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) Policy, Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) process, Priority Development Area (PDA) grants, TOC grants, and Regional Housing Technical Assistance program.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Principal Planner will play a lead role within the Housing and Local Planning team. Over the next few years, the position is anticipated to lead strategic initiatives that provide support to local jurisdictions implementing housing and land use solutions consistent with regional goals. Responsibilities will include managing the grant and technical assistance program by overseeing the existing portfolio of grants and technical assistance, developing program policies and procedures, providing direction and support to a team of grant managers, engaging with local jurisdictions, managing consultants, and designing and implementing future programs to support local planning efforts.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Project Management and Staff Oversight

• Lead major housing and land use initiatives within the Regional Planning Program, including project planning and execution.
• Supervise one or more junior staff and/or consultants.
• Coordinate closely with other members of the Housing and Local Planning team, the Regional Planning Program, and the broader agency.

Policy and Technical Analysis

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses of key issues related to regional housing and land use planning.
• Develop and implement strategic solutions to advance regional housing and land use goals.

Communications

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Prepare written memos and reports.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to public hearing bodies, e.g., MTC Commission and ABAG Executive Board.
• Participate in and/or lead meetings or forums with a diverse range of stakeholders including local jurisdiction staff, elected officials, regional organizations, and the general public.
• Represent MTC/ABAG in meetings and events.

QUALIFICATIONS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

The ideal candidate will have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of assigned area of responsibility.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Modern principles of planning, modeling, research and analysis, legislative analysis and advocacy, policy research and analysis, government relations, infrastructure and housing project development, and/or policy/program evaluation.
• Principles and practices of interdisciplinary practices, analytic tools, and recent trends affecting assigned area of responsibility.
• Geographic, socio-economic, environmental, transportation, political, legislative, and other elements impacting Commission programs and projects and assigned area of responsibility.
• Principles, practices, and technologies used in the development and maintenance of data management models related to assigned projects and programs.
• Principles and practices of program development, implementation and evaluation.
• Principles and practices of project management, budget administration, and contract administration.
• Principles and practices of research, data collection, and report preparation.
• Public speaking and presentation techniques.
• Techniques for collecting, interpreting, and reporting data and information.
• The organization and operation of the Commission and functional responsibilities of the operating sections. Techniques for effectively representing the Commission in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to planning, modeling, research and analysis, legislative analysis and advocacy, policy research and analysis, government relations, infrastructure and housing project development, and/or policy/program evaluation.
• Record keeping and filing system methods, principles, and practices.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances, as well as industry standards and best practices relevant to the assigned area of responsibility.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and Commission 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:

• Provide professional consultation and subject matter expertise related to the planning, research, development, organization, coordination, and implementation of a variety of planning, modeling, research and analysis, legislative analysis and advocacy, policy research and analysis, government relations, infrastructure and housing project development, and/or policy/program evaluation functions, programs, and strategies.
• Assist in developing and implementing program and service delivery goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of programs and services and make necessary changes and improvements.
• Manage a variety of large, complex, and high-visibility projects, initiatives, strategies, and studies related to assigned area of responsibility.
• Conduct research projects and/or studies on a wide variety of topics, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Coordinate and collaborate with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, community groups, and government agencies related to assigned functions, programs, and/or projects.
• Prepare and present clear and concise information in various formats and for diverse audiences.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information, data, and recommendations in an effective manner.
• Direct the establishment and maintenance of a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems.
• Independently organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner, organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities listed. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education and Experience: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in planning, civil engineering, environmental science, communications, business or public administration, or a related field and seven (7) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in a field related to assigned area of responsibility.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Expertise in local and regional housing and land use planning.
• Understanding of the relationship of housing and land use planning to mobility, economic development, and environmental resilience.
• Ability to motivate, guide, and develop a team while maintaining accountability.
• Strong project management skills, including planning, scheduling, and delivering complex projects on time and within scope.
• Experience managing consultant teams and/or large or complex contracts, including providing direction, performance monitoring, and effective contract oversight.
• Strategic thinking and ability to problem-solve and make sound, timely decisions.
• Attention to detail and ability to interpret data/details accurately.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to successfully communicate complex policy issues and solutions to a broad range of audiences.
• Ability to work effectively with other departments and agencies and foster a cooperative team environment.
• Ability to perform effectively under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Understanding of social equity principles and practices.
• Ability to build consensus on complex and controversial issues amongst diverse stakeholders.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for this outstanding opportunity, please use this link:
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Successful completion of a background check, professional references and the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9.

DISABILITY
The Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the recruitment or skills assessment process to accommodate applicants with disabilities. If selected for an interview or testing, and you require accommodation, please notify the Human Resources Department when confirming your interview or test.

THE FOLLOWING ARE AMONG THE BENEFITS OFFERED TO EMPLOYEES OF MTC:

• Public Employees Retirement System (PERS); employee contributes a portion of gross salary on a pre-tax basis.
  • MTC is subject to California Pension Reform and as of January 1, 2013 will offer two pension plans. The plan employee will receive will be based on the individual's historical pension plan membership. HR will discuss this directly with all final candidates.
• Health Benefits Insurance through the Public Employees' Retirement System (premiums are shared between agency and employee).
• Agency-paid Dental Insurance (dependent coverage shared by the employee and MTC).
• Agency-paid Vision Care Insurance, employees only (dependent coverage is paid in full by employee).
• Agency-paid Life, AD&D, Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance.
• Eleven paid holidays per year.
• One day per month paid vacation leave; for each year of service, an additional day per year is granted to a maximum of 25 days per year.
• One day per month paid sick leave, with no limit to the amount of sick leave that can be accumulated. (May cash out up to 240 hours of accumulated sick leave upon separation from the Agency.)
• Personal Business leave; up to three (3) days per year depending upon date of hire.
• Monthly Transit/Parking Subsidy.
• Alternative employee-paid payroll savings plans (tax-deferred compensation plans).
• Two voluntary employee-paid pre-tax dependent care and flexible spending accounts available for employees to participate in.
• Voluntary Supplemental life insurance.

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