Manager of Planning

San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission•Stockton, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) and San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) are seeking an experienced Manager of Planning to lead complex, high‑impact planning, grants, and programming activities that support the ACE and Valley Rail (SJJPA/"Gold Runner") passenger rail services. Under the general direction of the Deputy Director of Planning, Grants & Programming, the Manager is responsible for overseeing advanced transportation planning initiatives, securing critical grant funding, coordinating with key state and federal partners, and supervising departmental staff. This position plays a pivotal role in shaping the region's passenger rail network and ensuring the agency's long‑term success.

Requirements

Experienced Manager of Planning
Experience leading complex, high‑impact planning, grants, and programming activities
Experience overseeing advanced transportation planning initiatives
Experience securing critical grant funding
Experience coordinating with key state and federal partners
Experience supervising departmental staff
Experience with short‑, mid‑, and long‑range passenger rail and transit planning
Experience with station area development, environmental review, rail corridor upgrades, and integration with other transportation networks
Experience with local, state, regional, and federal grant and funding programs
Experience preparing, reviewing, and overseeing complex grant applications, funding agreements, and program documentation
Experience acting as an agency liaison to key partners
Experience advocating for agency priorities
Experience mentoring, coaching, training, and supervising staff
Experience providing strategic direction
Experience fostering an environment of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement
Background report
Physical and/or drug screen for select positions

Nice To Haves

Experience with high‑speed rail integration
Subject matter expert in planning, grants, and pre‑award programming activities
Experience with capital projects exceeding $2 billion
Experience with rolling stock procurement, operations, clean energy initiatives, community improvements, and workforce development programs

Responsibilities

Lead and manage advanced, highly complex planning studies and initiatives, including short‑, mid‑, and long‑range passenger rail and transit planning.
Oversee planning efforts related to station area development, environmental review, rail corridor upgrades, and integration with other transportation networks-including high‑speed rail.
Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to advance rail expansion, service improvements, and multimodal connectivity.
Serve as the agency's subject matter expert in planning, grants, and pre‑award programming activities.
Identify, secure, and manage all phases of local, state, regional, and federal grant and funding programs for SJRRC and SJJPA.
Pursue funding that supports planning studies, capital projects exceeding $2 billion, rolling stock procurement, operations, clean energy initiatives, community improvements, and workforce development programs.
Ensure compliance with all grant, planning, and reporting requirements.
Prepare, review, and oversee complex grant applications, funding agreements, and program documentation.
Act as the agency liaison to key partners, including: California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), California Transportation Commission (CTC), Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), Regional Transportation Planning Agencies (RTPAs), Local jurisdictions and community partners.
Advocate for agency priorities and represent SJRRC/SJJPA in meetings, committees, and public forums.
Mentor, coach, train, and supervise Planning, Grants & Programming staff.
Provide strategic direction and ensure effective departmental workflow and collaboration with other agency divisions.
Foster an environment of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.