Why OCTA

Discover work that moves you in a dynamic and innovative setting. Be part of a team delivering Orange County’s transportation network of today and creating a vision for the future.

OCTA is the county’s transportation planning commission and public transit operator. With a focus on safety and accountability, we plan, fund, and implement countywide projects that include bus and rail transit, freeways and express lanes, rideshare, microtransit, paratransit, active transportation, and environmental programs.

We’re passionate about creating a balanced, equitable and sustainable transportation system that reflects the diverse travel needs of the county’s 34 cities and 3.2 million residents.

Our employees rated OCTA as a top workplace in Orange County. Come join us on our mission of keeping Orange County moving.

Overview:

Under minimal guidance, serves as regional rail planning lead, providing leadership and direction in development of multiple complex rail planning projects and programs. 

This is an exempt position in Salary Grade S: Min $ 95,867.20 – Mid $ 115,273.60 – Max $ 134,659.20 annually. The starting salary will be within this range based on qualifications.

This posting will remain open until filled.

Responsibilities:

This list is intended to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification and is not designed to be interpreted as an exhaustive listing of all tasks required of employees assigned to this job.

• Coordinates regional rail planning activities with the Southern California Regional Rail Authority, Amtrak, LOSSAN, North County Transit District, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, High Speed Rail Authority, cities, and regional, and state and federal agencies. Tracks and monitors the activities of the aforementioned entities and reports relevant issues to management that may affect the three Orange County rail subdivisions.
• Oversees and conducts regional rail planning studies including assessments, feasibility studies, technical review of studies from consultants and staff. Ensures required changes to designs, policy, procedures, staffing, schedules, and/or project organization are considered and/or completed. Ensures corrections to conditions that may adversely affect the completion of project studies on schedule and within budget are implemented.
• Oversees and prepares scopes of work for contract documents for advertisement. Develops funding and budget requests for Board of Directors consideration to support regional rail planning.
• Performs technical analyses, interprets technical data, and makes presentations to technical groups, policy makers, and the public. Analyzes and uses results from travel demand forecasting model, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Communicates the Authority’s position on regional rail issues and activities to city and regional representatives, associations, stakeholders, and advocacy groups. Makes presentations to the Board of Directors, its standing committees, executive staff, and professional organizations. This includes written and oral testimony, reports, applications, and other forms of communication as deemed appropriate. Represents the Authority at meetings with consultants, contractors, agencies, and the public.
• Negotiates, coordinates, and facilitates problem resolution of assigned projects and studies with the Authority’s internal departments, external contractors, regional, state, and federal levels, resource agencies, local jurisdictions, stakeholders, the public, and others.

Qualifications:

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in planning, engineering, public or business administration, management, social sciences or a related field and a minimum of six years of professional experience, three of which are at a senior level in transportation analysis.  

Knowledge of:

• Principles, procedures, and techniques for managing complex technical regional rail planning projects.
• Current project planning, federal and state transportation practices, and regulatory laws.
• Trends and practices in federal, state, and local transportation policy, planning and strategic objectives.
• Federal, state, and local laws, regulations and procedures related to planning, environmental analysis, and project development.
• Principles and practices of community engagement methodologies and techniques.
• Politics, social, and environmental issues influencing transportation programs.
• Contract negotiation and on-going management, budget development, and administration.
• Computer software skills including word processing, spreadsheets, and database applications such as MS Office programs including Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.
• Modern management theory and organizational development practices, including leadership development and succession planning.

Ability to:

• Develop highly complex regional rail strategies to achieve Authority’s goals.
• Prepare scopes of work, needs assessments, cost-benefit analyses, and related documentation.
• Communicate clearly and persuasively with appointed and elected officials, business and community organizations, interest groups, customers, and members of the public.
• Build consensus among key stakeholders and local jurisdictions, prepare written reports, and actively participate and present at Board of Directors meetings as well as various internal and external committee meetings.
• Clearly and logically deal with issues and responses regarding regional rail project studies and other associated elements of transportation planning.
• Present technical as well as conceptual information to a variety of audiences from the Board of Directors to the public.
• Manage multiple complex planning projects concurrently, while maintaining an emphasis on budgets and schedule requirements.
• Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with government officials, boards, and agencies.
• Incorporate stakeholders’ and agencies’ input into the transportation process.
• Analyze and interpret complex data and formulate recommendations based on that data. Analyze complex transportation problems and formulate recommendations responses.
• Exercise judgment and creativity in making decisions.
• Understand Authority and divisional goals and objectives.
• Coordinate with other sections and divisions within the Authority on matters related to rail.

Working Conditions/Physical Activities:

(The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. OCTA provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions).

Positions in this class typically require:

• Work may be performed in a stressful, fast-paced office environment, depending upon assignment.
• Requires ability to understand verbal communication and to respond effectively.
• Positions in this class typically require: Reaching, Finger Dexterity, Grasping, Feeling, Talking, Hearing, Seeing, and Repetitive Motions in computer use.

Application and Selection Process:

For further information about this exciting career opportunity and to apply online, please visit our website at https://careers.octa.net/octa-careers/jobs/2999?lang=en-us.

We are unable to accept resumes in lieu of an online application. For additional information, please contact the Employment Office at (714) 560-5600.

Compensation and Benefits:

OCTA offers an attractive compensation and benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision health insurance programs, flex time (may be available), paid sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, retirement, deferred compensation plan, educational reimbursement, excellent in-house training programs, free transportation passes for the employee and dependents, wellness and ergonomic programs, and much more. OCTA has a hybrid remote work program. Eligibility is dependent on manager’s approval.

OCTA is an equal employment opportunity employer that recruits, hires, and promotes qualified people without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, military and veteran status, or other legally protected status.