Transit Service Planning Manager

Salary : $171,486.64 - $208,444.86 Annually
Location :
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-CC-20257
Division: Planning
Opening Date: 11/09/2026
Closing Date: 12/11/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Job Description
VTA's Planning Division is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Transit Service Planning Manager! Help shape how more than four million residents and visitors move through Silicon Valley by leading transit service planning for one of the Bay Area's largest multimodal transit networks.
Planning Division
VTA's Planning Division includes approximately 80 staff across four functional areas: Transit Planning, Multimodal Planning & Real Estate, Grants & Fund Allocation, and Transportation Forecasting & GIS. The Service Planning Manager is part of the Transit Planning functional area, which is organized into three closely coordinated teams: Transit Service Planning, Transit Scheduling, and Transit Capital Planning. The Service Planning Manager will lead the Transit Service Planning team and will work closely with VTA's Transit Scheduling Manager, who translates approved service plans into operator schedules and runcuts, and the Transit Capital Planning Manager, who integrates those plans with capital project delivery.
What You'll Be Doing:
Definition

Under general direction, the Transit Service Planning Manager plans, organizes, manages, and directs the activities and staff of VTA's transit service planning function.
Distinguishing Characteristics

This classification has full managerial and administrative authority over service planning, passenger facilities administration, and related functions.
Areas of responsibility include the development and evaluation of transit service plans, route and network design, service change proposals, and ridership and performance analysis in support of service design; Title VI equity analysis of proposed service changes; coordination with the Transit Scheduling function to translate approved service plans into operator schedules and run cuts; and coordination with the Transit Capital Planning function to integrate service plans with capital project delivery.

The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be an accomplished transit service planning leader with demonstrated experience overseeing service planning functions that support a complex transit network. The selected individual will bring exceptional analytical, organizational, and communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to lead a team in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
The successful candidate will have recent, relevant experience in transit planning for a public transit agency, ideally in service planning, route and network design, and service change development, though candidates with experience in related areas such as transit corridor studies, multimodal studies, or transit capital planning, are encouraged to apply. Experience using ridership, performance, and demographic data to evaluate and shape transit service is also desired. Upcoming and ongoing work of particular interest includes development of VTA's next annual service plan and VTA's 10-Year Transit Plan, along with other agency service transformation and network planning initiatives.
Additional beneficial experience includes Title VI service equity analysis and coordination with transit scheduling and capital planning functions to translate service plans into operator schedules and capital project delivery. The ideal candidate will also bring experience preparing and delivering clear, well-supported recommendations to a governing board, elected officials, and the public, and will be comfortable representing VTA in a range of public and interagency settings.
Above all, the ideal candidate will be motivated by VTA's mission and demonstrate a genuine commitment to advancing fast, frequent, and reliable transportation improvements for the residents of Santa Clara County.

Essential Job Functions
Typical Tasks

• Plans, organizes, manages, and directs the activities, operations, and staff of assigned functional areas; Manages consultant contracts as assigned;
• Selects, manages, trains, motivates, assigns, evaluates, counsels, and disciplines staff;
• Manages the development, evaluation, and implementation of transit service plans, route and network design studies, and service change proposals;
• Develops service change specifications for implementation by the Transit Scheduling function, and collaborates with staff on service change timelines;
• Manages the collection and analysis of ridership, operational, demographic, and travel demand data to inform service design and evaluate route and network performance;
• Conducts Title VI service equity analyses of proposed service changes in accordance with federal, state, and VTA's program requirements;
• Manages special studies and route/network design methodologies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of transit service;
• Coordinates with Transit Capital Planning staff to integrate service plans with capital project delivery, including service changes associated with new infrastructure, facilities, or system expansions;
• Coordinates with Transit Scheduling staff to translate service plans into transit schedules and operator assignments;
• Develops and directs the implementation of goals, objectives, procedures, and work standards for the service planning team, and measures and communicates progress regularly;
• Manages the preparation of recommendations on transit service trends, needs, and regulatory requirements, including resource and financial requirements and environmental review as they relate to service;
• Manages complex statistical and data analysis projects, and the establishment and maintenance of records and databases, for service planning research;
• Manages the collection of operator, employee, rider, and community feedback related to transit service design and ensures appropriate and timely responses;
• Coordinates with other VTA divisions and departments, and with member agencies and external stakeholders, regarding the impact of service plans on VTA's business, financial, and capital plans;
• Prepares documentation in support of the procurement of goods and services related to service planning, including scopes of work, schedules, and cost estimates, and manages contracted work efforts;
• Prepares materials for and conducts public presentations, representing VTA before the Board of Directors, city councils, and other state, federal, and regional agencies and commissions on service planning matters;
• Makes and executes major program decisions in working with staff, consultants, and technical representatives from member agencies;
• Reviews and applies federal, state and regional statutes, proposed legislation and regulations pertaining to area of responsibility;
• Directs the development of board memorandum, correspondence, reports, and plans;
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Employment Standards

Development of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is typically obtained through a combination of training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a four-year degree in transportation planning, urban planning, or a related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in transit service planning, at least three (3) years of which must be demonstrated supervisory experience.
A master's degree in transportation or transportation planning, urban planning, or a related field is preferred.
A valid California driver's license is required at the time of appointment.

Supplemental Information
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of supervision, training, and employee development;
• Principles and practices of transit service planning, route and network design, and service evaluation methodologies;
• Federal, state, and regional requirements pertaining to transit service, including federal Title VI and charter bus service regulations;
• Operational characteristics of a public transit system as they relate to the delivery and design of transit services;
• Methods and techniques used in analyzing transit service and route performance, ridership, and productivity;
• Principles and practices of data collection, statistical analysis, and report preparation;
• Concepts, principles, and techniques of monitoring, evaluating, and planning transit services, including capital-service integration;
• Grant and funding processes relevant to transit service planning;
• Technical knowledge of the major functions within the assigned area of responsibility;
• Community interrelationships relevant to transit service planning;
• Principles and practices of organization, administration, fiscal and personnel management;
• Methods and techniques used for project management.

Ability to:

• Plan, direct, select, supervise, train, motivate and evaluate the work of professional and technical personnel;
• Make and execute major program decisions in working with staff, consultants, and member agency technical representatives;
• Develop, evaluate, monitor, and present transit service plans, route and network design, service change proposals, and technical information;
• Develop, evaluate, and monitor budgets; effectively allocate staff and consultant resources;
• Successfully manage multiple complex projects with aggressive schedules across various functional areas;
• Effectively represent VTA before the Board of Directors, city councils, and other federal, state, local, and regional agencies, boards, and commissions and before local citizens in public meetings and hearings;
• Coordinate and supervise transit studies to evaluate, modify, and plan future service delivery;
• Conduct Title VI service equity analyses for proposed service changes;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Prepare correspondence, reports, memos; maps, and other documents;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Working Environment/Conditions and Physical Demands

Work Environment and Physical Effort:

Good Conditions

Primarily Sedentary Work
Work Locations:

Office or similar indoor environment - Frequently
Exposures:

Minimal exposure to environmental factors
General Application Instructions
Please read this job announcement in its entirety before applying. We recommend printing or saving a copy for future reference.

To be considered, applications must be submitted online through the Human Resources department by the posted deadline. If the job posting is listed as "continuous," we encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as the posting may close without prior notice. Once your application is submitted, you will receive an immediate email confirmation.

Personalized responses to Supplemental Questions that connect your past experiences to this specific role are the most effective. AI-generated content may lack the specificity required to address the key criteria outlined in the job description. While we encourage the use of AI as a tool to enhance your work, we want to evaluate your non-AI-assisted communication skills. You may use AI to generate ideas, but please ensure your final responses are in your own voice and reflect your unique experience. Overreliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish your chances of success.

Important: Only online applications will be ac