Salary : $158,288.00 - $200,761.60 Annually
Location : 375 Beale Street, San Francisco, CA
Job Type: Regular/Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 165
Section: Funding Policy & Programs
Opening Date: 08/24/2026
Closing Date: 9/13/2026 11:55 PM Pacific

ABOUT THE SECTION
This position is in the Funding Policy and Programs (FPP) section serving MTC. The Funding Policy and Programs (FPP) section of MTC oversees policy development and investment decision-making including approximately $2.0 billion annually in federal, state, and regional transportation funds. These investments and policies implement Plan Bay Area 2050+, a comprehensive blueprint for the development of transit, highway, local streets and roads, rail, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities that integrates planning for transportation, land use, and housing.

ABOUT THE ROLE
This position will be filled at the Principal level and is under the general supervision of the Assistant Director, Transit Capital Policy and Programming Implementation, within the Funding Policy and Programs section. The Principal will serve as a senior policy and program implementation strategist, helping lead implementation of multiple programs and initiatives focused on developing policy and funding recommendations to fund transit investments in the Bay Area, including funding for large, medium and small transit projects and the purchase of transit capital assets such as vehicles, rail infrastructure and other facilities for the purpose of maintaining the Bay Area's transit system in good repair.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Work with program managers and planner/analysts to implement multiple programs and initiatives focused on developing policy and funding recommendations to fund transit investments in the Bay Area. Ensure investments/allocations and endorsements adhere to eligibility requirements and regional policies as applicable. Specific areas include:
  • Funding strategy and oversight for large, medium and small transit projects in the region including those funded at the regional (through regional measures and associated bridge tolls), state (through Cap and Invest, Senate Bill 1, and related programs), and federal (through FTA formula funds, discretionary programs, and STP/CMAQ) levels.
  • Policy development, program management oversight, funding and endorsement frameworks, and associated stakeholder engagement including, but not limited to:
    • Transit capital asset state of good repair programs for the purchase of transit vehicles (buses, ferries, trains) and maintaining transit facilities in good repair.
    • Regional Measure 3 transit capital projects and programs, and associated bridge toll capital programs.
    • Transit Priority Program, Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program, Low Carbon Transit Operations Program, and the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program.
• Facilitate stakeholder working groups, such as Transit Finance Working Group, facilitate and implement FTA grant applications and reporting, and review grant reimbursement invoices.
• Manage and supervise up to four program managers and planner/analysts; in coordination with the Assistant Director, provide leadership and direction by developing workplans, managing assignments, delivering performance feedback, and ensuring that the group's tasks are successfully completed.
• Prepare and present various reports and analyses of transportation investments, including how investments align with the region's long-range plan, equity goals, and federal performance requirements. Represent MTC at meetings, prepare and review written reports and memoranda, and make presentations before MTC committees, executive staff, and other agencies. Ensure Assistant Director, Section Director, and other team members are updated and informed of all relevant activities.
• Perform other job-related duties as needed or assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of policy, funding and program development, implementation, and administration especially related to funds and programs administered by the region, state, and Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
• Familiarity with government transportation programs and funding procedures including Federal, State, and local statutes, codes, and regulations
• Familiarity with the funding, performance, and political environment of the Bay Area transportation systems

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to effectively represent the agency publicly at working groups with external agencies and prepare written policy memoranda and reports.
• Ability to distill complex concepts into compelling, relevant and understandable presentations.
• Ability to lead team members, including ability to meet unanticipated needs and adapt to changing policy and regulatory direction.
• Demonstrated ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders and lead staff to facilitate inter-agency and intra-agency coordination. This includes working directly with senior managers, planners and program coordinators within MTC and at other agencies.
• Ability to manage employee performance and program implementation.
• Ability to Interpret and apply applicable Federal, State, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Demonstrated experience and proficiency working in Microsoft Excel.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
An appropriate 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.
Applicants with a degree issued from an institution outside the United States must have their transcripts evaluated by an academic accrediting service and provide proof of equivalency along with their application.
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.

01

1. Briefly describe how your previous experience and education qualifies you for this position. (Please refer to Qualifications and/or Knowledge, Skills and Abilities in the job description when answering this question.) **250-word maximum
02

2. Many Bay Area transit operators are currently dealing with challenges including lower operating revenue, capital project cost inflation, the high cost of bus procurements, and the transition to zero-emission buses. The transit capital funding environment is also stressed and rapidly changing, especially at the state and federal levels. Meanwhile, major capital expansion projects are continuing, and investment in state of good repair is an ongoing need. Please discuss some of the trade-offs and opportunities MTC and the Bay Area's transit operators should weigh and examine to ensure our transit system is able to grapple with these challenges and thrive: (i) At the individual operator and individual funding program level, and (ii) In MTC's transit capital funding policy and prioritization work.
03

3. Describe your approach to staff supervision, work planning, and mentoring. What are your strategies for ensuring high-quality work is performed by your team, assisting with employees' professional development, and motivating employees to perform at their best, while still meeting overall agency objectives in a rapidly changing environment?
Required Question