Director of Planning

The Position: The Stanislaus Council of Governments (StanCOG) is seeking an experienced Director of Planning. The position is a member of the management team and reports directly to the Executive Director. Under administrative direction, assumes responsibility for the day-to-day development and administration of planning projects management. Responsible for performing complex transportation planning activities pertaining to various programs. Coordinates with member agencies to develop, fund, and implement transportation planning. Work at this level is highly complex and routinely requires exercising independent discretion and judgement. Excellent verbal and written communication abilities, strong organizational and strategic skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic team environment is required. Benefits: StanCOG offers an exceptional benefits package including participation in StanCERA Retirement Association, generous group health, dental, vision and life insurance, paid time off for vacation and sick leave, a flex schedule and more! Education & Experience: The Ideal Candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in transportation, urban planning, environmental, or climate protection studies, closely related field or comparable experience. Possession of a Master’s Degree from an accredited university in urban planning, environmental studies or related field is desirable. Experience: Minimum of six years of increasingly responsible professional planning experience or program management responsibility. Knowledge & Abilities: The ideal candidate will have a fundamental understanding of local government operations and experience working and contributing to a collaborative, multi-jurisdictional government structure, and ability to influence progress by offering new solutions and ideas. The ideal candidate should have knowledge of: • Federal and state regulations and statutes that guide housing and transportation planning and policies • Federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to land use, transportation, climate protection and sustainable community development issues and programs • Principles, practices, concepts, techniques and current trends used in analysis and development of programs, plans, policies and operations to enhance efficiency and program services • Legislation and trends affecting land use, transportation, climate protection and sustainable community development programs and funding sources at the federal, state, regional, and local levels. • Techniques for collaborating successfully with the public, elected officials and individuals from other agencies • Principles of effective leadership, supervision, training and effective decision making • Techniques to work independently with resourcefulness, tact, discretion and confidentiality • Knowledge of regional governance, transportation and housing funding programs. • Principles, operations and methods of public administration, including administrative planning, financial and budgetary analysis, budget preparation and control, problem analysis, and program evaluation. • Principles and practices of grant project management and contract administration, as well as state and federal grant programs. • Manage and administer transportation plans and programs from inception to completion. • Government procurement and contracting statutes and regulations. • Microsoft Office Suite • GIS and Statistical software desirable Duties: Plans, administers and manages complex studies and planning projects in the areas of multi modal transportation, land use, congestion management, environmental, and/or related areas; prepares long-term transportation strategies consistent with countywide community development and local general plans, oversees programming and program delivery, including but not limited to: • Oversee long and short-range plans and project specific plans. • Oversee federal and state fund programming, including the Transportation Improvement Plan • Oversee Measure L – StanCOG’s ½ sales tax for transportation • Supervises, mentors, and evaluates planning and programming staff, fostering professional growth and performance excellence. Delegates tasks appropriately and in alignment with Agency goals; ensures accountability for outcomes. • Develops and administers plans, programs, and projects to maximize funding opportunities; identifies countywide candidate projects and strategies and assists member agencies/organizations with preparing project submittals and establishing a process for project priorities in the countywide transportation plan, related plans and funding programs. • Collaborate with other government agencies to ensure that transportation plans are integrated with other types of planning for the overall development of an area; assist in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of transportation funding programs, making recommendations and modifications to achieve desired outcomes; ensure compliance with local, state, and federal transportation program regulatory requirements. • Reviews regionally significant development proposals and environmental studies for traffic impact and prepares comments on transportation impact mitigation actions. • Develops, negotiates, administers, and oversees consultant contracts relating to all transportation modes, land use, housing, environment, climate protection, and resiliency. • Serves as agency liaison to regional, state, and federal funding agencies on highway and active transportation project development and multi-modal planning. • Develops strategic goals and objectives related to the delivery of StanCOG planning and programming services; performs research and analysis leading to the development of new and improved methods and systems based on cost-benefit analyses, financial needs, funding sources, and related issues; monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of planning activities and, as necessary, makes recommendations and modifications to achieve desired outcomes. • Assists in identifying and securing transportation funding through federal, state, and other agencies; analyzes problems and issues related to funding sources, and their anticipated impact on current and proposed programs and projects; prepares grant applications, contractual agreements, requests for proposals, and other documents; advises prospective funding recipients regarding their contractual obligations. • Serves as the project manager for the periodic update and development process for the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and Sustainable Communities Strategy. • Manage consultant contracts from listing to close out. • In coordination with the Finance Director, oversee the development of the Overall Work Plan monitor and develop amendments as necessary. • Actively participate in the Agency budget development • Prepares planning-related information for the education of policy makers, staff and the general public; interprets and explains planning objectives, policies and procedures to community organizations, governmental agencies, staff, and the public; proactively maintains effective communication among the member agencies and responds to individual member requests. • Represents the StanCOG and its member agencies on various matters and issues as assigned; serves as a liaison to various county and city staff as well as state and federal agencies. • Reviews and analyzes proposed legislation and advises on potential impact to assigned functions. • Works collaboratively with member agencies to establish a process to review major General Plan and Specific Plan updates for their relation to transportation impacts. • Analyze and prepare project budgets and funding proposals. • Develop, implement and revise administrative services, policies and procedures. • Prepare and present clear and concise correspondence, technical reports and recommendations; collect, organize and maintain records. • Effectively plan, organize, prioritize, and direct multiple projects and activities to successful completion. • Perform related duties as assigned. Required Licenses or Certificates: Possession of a valid California driver's license is required. Physical Demands: While performing this job, the employee is regularly required to walk; sit; use hands to handle objects; operate keyboards, tools, or controls; and make condition assessments. The employee may be required to work after hours and on an emergency basis, and attend meetings, conferences and seminars during work and non-work hours. The employee may be required to work under adverse conditions as in traffic, around heavy construction equipment and in inclement weather. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Able to lift 20 pounds, and handle office equipment. About StanCOG: StanCOG is the federally-designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), state designated Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA), and Local Transportation Authority (LTA) for the Stanislaus region of Northern California. StanCOG provides the forum that brings mayors, city council members and county supervisors together to work on regional transportation issues in a setting that promotes the involvement of the public in the planning and project delivery process. With the passage of the Measure L transportation sales tax measure on the ballot in November 2016, StanCOG became a ‘self-help county’ and administers an approximately $960 million program of projects for transportation needs within Stanislaus County for the 25-year period from 2017-2042. Application Process: Email your resume, cover letter and application (available at www.stancog.org/employment/) to HR@Stancog.org. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application packet. The Application Deadline is April 27, 2026.