Transit Planner

Sunline Transit Agency • Thousand Palms, CA

8d • $60,783 - $79,018

About The Position

SunLine Transit Agency is seeking a collaborative and forward-thinking Transit Planner to help improve mobility throughout the Coachella Valley. In this role, you will contribute to the planning, development, and enhancement of transit services, infrastructure, and strategic initiatives that connect communities and improve quality of life. The Transit Planner plays a key role in supporting both short-range and long-range planning efforts through research, data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration with internal departments and regional partners. This position offers an exciting opportunity to influence transportation solutions, support innovative projects, and help shape the future of public transit.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Urban or Regional Planning, Transportation Planning, Geography, Public Administration, Economics, Architecture, or a closely related field.
• At least three (3) years of experience in urban, municipal or transportation planning with experience conducting data analysis, preparing technical documents, and using geographic information systems; or an equivalent combination of education or experience.
• Excellent technical writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to access and use census and other demographic data from public and private sources, and use data to inform decision-making.
• Familiarity with local operating and environmental conditions for providing transit service.
• Ability to create, interpret, and communicate maps and spatial analyses using geographic information systems; analyze quantitative and qualitative data; and work with transit datasets used for planning and performance evaluation.
• Familiarity with local, state and federal plans and policies governing transit agencies and service provision.
• Substantive work experience in urban, city or transportation planning or other related areas may be considered in lieu of the stated educational requirements.

Nice To Haves

• The ideal candidate is analytical, community-minded, and passionate about public transportation.
• They excel at transforming data into meaningful insights, building collaborative relationships, and communicating complex information to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Supports the development and implementation of SunLine’s short-range and long-range transit planning initiatives by conducting research, analyzing operational and community data, evaluating service performance, and developing recommendations that enhance service effectiveness, accessibility, and customer experience.
• Utilizes data such as ridership trends, service performance metrics, and travel patterns to evaluate transit services, identify opportunities for improvement, and support informed decision-making. Monitors the effectiveness of implemented initiatives and recommends adjustments as needed.
• Facilitates engagement with customers, community stakeholders, partner agencies, and local jurisdictions to gather input, communicate planning initiatives, and support transparent decision-making. Assists with public meetings, surveys, presentations, and outreach activities that inform service and planning efforts.
• Collaborates and assists with internal departments and external agencies to support transportation planning initiatives, infrastructure projects, regional planning efforts, and service development activities that align with agency priorities and community needs.
• Provides planning and analytical support for grant development, reporting requirements, audits, and funded projects. Helps evaluate project opportunities and ensure planning initiatives align with funding objectives and strategic goals.
• Supports the planning and evaluation of transit facilities, bus amenities, transit hubs, and other customer-facing infrastructure to improve accessibility, safety, operational efficiency, and the overall rider experience.
• Maintains awareness of industry trends, emerging technologies, regulatory developments, and best practices in transportation planning to support innovation and continuous improvement throughout the Agency.

Benefits

• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the communities we serve
• Work alongside talented professionals committed to innovation, sustainability, and excellent customer service

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level