Planner, Principal

Pierce Transit is an independent municipal organization dedicated to fulfilling the mission of improving people's quality of life by providing safe, reliable, innovative and useful transportation services that are locally based and regionally connected.

Make an impact in your community—join our team as a Principal Planner and play a key role in advancing this mission through the development and implementation of complex planning initiatives.

This position leads complex transportation planning initiatives and manages capital and service projects, while developing policies and plans that advance equitable and sustainable transit. Working with a high degree of independence, the role brings technical expertise to coordinate stakeholders, support informed decision-making, and advise leadership on strategic priorities.

The Principal Planner applies advanced knowledge across planning, policy development, and program delivery, ensuring regulatory compliance and effective engagement throughout. Key responsibilities include conducting detailed analysis, supporting grant applications, overseeing consultant contracts, and representing the agency in public and professional settings.

This role requires overseeing complex, and at times politically sensitive, projects from start to finish, offering clear, well-supported recommendations, and contributing to agency priorities through sound judgment, adaptability, and collaboration.

BENEFITS:
At Pierce Transit, our employees’ health is important to us too! That’s why we offer five on-site employee fitness rooms and an incredible Wellness Program in addition to excellent medical, dental, and vision packages.

If your career goals change while you are employed, we are here to help. Pierce Transit offers $5,000 per year (up to a total of $18,000) in Tuition Assistance after your one-year anniversary. Certifications, and career skills must be connected to a job at Pierce Transit.

All Pierce Transit employees are required to participate in the Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Pierce Transit offers two Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) plans to choose from,PERS2andPERS3, as well as a matching program for 457 deferred compensation.

Employees are not covered under the Social Security System except for a 1.45% payment for Medicare.

Pierce Transit provides an ORCA Card benefit for each employee and a family member. This benefit providesfree accessto service on Pierce Transit, Sound Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro, Kitsap Transit, Seattle Monorail, Seattle Streetcar, King County Water Taxi and Kitsap Foot Ferry.

PAID LEAVE:
Full-time Pierce Transit employees receive 11 paid holidays, 2 personal paid holidays, 6 days of major sick leave, 22 days of paid time off (PTO) per year, and the ability to earn up to 2 Wellness Days by participating in a qualifying wellness activity and the annual survey. PTO accrual rates increase per policy.

If you're not currently living in the Lakewood-area, that's not a problem! We may be able to help with reimbursing up to $2,500 in moving expenses for those who physically relocate their primary residence to the Pierce/King/Thurston County area (substantiated with receipts).Washington State was recently recognized as being number 1 in the nation for quality of life; read more about thathere.

• Supervises the work of assigned personnel, including assigning and reviewing work, providing guidance, and conducting performance evaluations.
• Performs complex planning activities, including development and implementation of short- and long-term transit service plans, projects, programs, policies, operations, and fares.
• Assists in developing and managing strategic planning processes aligned with organizational goals, measures, and outcomes.
• Administers and monitors transit service performance indicators to facilitate agency budgeting and decision-making and to comply with Local, State, and Federal reporting and grant requirements.
• Participates in development of RFP/RFQ, interview, and vendor/team selection. Develops task orders and scopes of work. Manages project budget, including expenditures and reimbursements. Prepares monthly status report and expenditure reports to funding agencies.
• Develops short and long-term fixed route service plans to meet public needs, Agency goals, and the Agency budget.
• Assists in the development of grant applications, project proposals, and business cases. Develops scope of work, independent cost estimates, and task orders.
• Facilitates the adoption of agency plans and programs by doing research, conducting public outreach, preparing reports, forming recommendations, and developing presentation materials for Staff, Executive Management, and Board of Commissioners briefings.
• Performs data systems administration and management of operating parameters for on-board vehicle data collection systems.
• Represents the Agency and the interests of our riders and customers and shaping long-range regional plans through participation in local and regional planning committees.
• Performs related work as required.

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Transportation Planning or Administration or a related field and
• Five (5) years increasingly responsible experience in planning, project management, and/or data analysis in transportation, public planning or related field.

Desired:
Public sector experience desired.

Licensing, certifications, and other legal requirements:
Individuals must pass a background check.Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies:Knowledge of:

• Agency short and long range transportation plans
• Urban Planning, jurisdictional zoning, codes and policies
• Transit system design
• Principles and practices of employee supervision
• Public transportation service administration principles
• Principles, practices, techniques of transportation planning, operations, vehicle maintenance, and transportation demand management
• Project management principles
• Agency performance measures and standards
• Business English
• Standard office procedures
• Microsoft Office products and applicable software

Skill in:

• Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature (multi-tasking)
• Troubleshooting
• Communications (verbal and written)
• Data input and analysis
• Organizational/time management skills
• Attention to detail
• Computer and database skills

Ability to:

• Review technical documents
• Convey ridership and financial statistics
• Prepare complex charts, reports, and dashboards
• Identify and analyze trends
• Analyze and interpret fiscal, statistical, and operational data
• Interpret, apply, and enforce federal, state, and local laws and regulations
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Meet schedules and deadlines of the work
• Follow verbal and written instructions

Competencies:

• Clearly assigns responsibilities for tasks and decisions; sets clear objectives and measures, monitors process, progress, and results; provides feedback to employees and management.
• Prioritizes and organizes actions, resources, and other people to achieve targeted objectives.
• Working effectively and productively with others, sometimes in a team setting. Working cooperatively, effectively and productively with internal and external customers.
• Independently performing and accomplishing assignments and serving as a source of supply and support for the department, customers, and/or the organization.
• Effective in guiding and leading a team to achieve desired results.
• Operates personal computer; accesses desired applications and utilizes needed programs, tools, and utilities.

Physical Requirements:The position involves sedentary work, such as exerting up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Involves sitting most of the time, with common physical demands involving desk or office related work.
Working Conditions:This position works in an office environment relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards.

Application Instructions
To be considered for this vacancy, you must apply online.

1. The online application must include a chronologicalwork and/or education history covering at least a ten-year period.
2. Applicants must also attach a cover letter stating how they meet the qualifications for the position in order to be considered.
3. A resume will not substitute for completing the Work Experience section of the application.
4. At least 3 professional references should be included with names, professional titles, and current phone numbers and/or email addresses to include a recent or current supervisor.

For questions regarding this recruitment or assistance with the application process, please contact Pierce Transit Recruitment Team at 253-581-8095 or jobs@piercetransit.org.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or emailsupport@neogov.com.

Pierce Transit Is An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
Pierce Transit has a strong commitment to the community we serve and our employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.

Pierce Transit's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.