Transportation Planner

Job Description:

Transportation Planner

Description

Description

Advance Active Transportation. Shape the Future of Mobility.

Join Our Team as a Safe Routes to School Planner

The Opportunity

The City of Palo Alto’s Office of Transportation invites experienced transportation planners to bring their expertise, creativity, and commitment to community impact as our next Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Planner.

In this role, you’ll lead strategies that make it safer, easier, and more appealing for students and families to walk, bike, and roll. You will blend technical planning, program design, and public engagement to improve mobility, support sustainability goals, and enhance quality of life across Palo Alto.

If you are passionate about transforming transportation systems and delivering measurable results, this is your opportunity to drive meaningful change in a city that leads by example.

About Us: Office of Transportation

The Office of Transportation is a recognized leader in sustainable mobility and innovation. Our team develops programs and projects that make Palo Alto’s streets safer, more accessible, and future-ready.

We focus on:
Implementing Safe Routes to School education and infrastructure improvements
Advancing mode shift strategies that reduce congestion and emissions
Delivering multi-modal transportation solutions through regional collaboration
Using data-driven approaches and community input to guide decision-making

Here, planners are empowered to pilot creative solutions, apply best practices, and make a visible impact.

Why Work for the City of Palo Alto?

Palo Alto is the birthplace of Silicon Valley, where innovation meets public service. As a full-service city with its own utilities, airport, and public safety, we combine resources and vision to deliver excellence.

When you join our team, you’ll find:
A High-Trust Environment - Your expertise is respected and your ideas matter.
Tangible Impact - Your work directly improves safety, health, and sustainability for the community.
Growth and Learning - We invest in your development through training, conferences, and professional networks.

What You’ll Do

As the Safe Routes to School Planner, you will:

Plan and Deliver Innovative Programs

• Develop and deliver K-12 pedestrian and bicycle safety curricula that reflect industry best practices.
• Create engaging campaigns and materials to encourage active transportation.

Lead Cross-Sector Collaboration

• Serve as the liaison between the City, Palo Alto Unified School District, PTA Council, and community stakeholders.
• Recruit, train, and support school champions and volunteers.

Evaluate and Strengthen Programs

• Update and implement the SRTS 5-Year Plan and Equity Plan.
• Measure program outcomes, analyze data, and prepare detailed reports for leadership and the public.

Advance Infrastructure and System Improvements

• Gather and share community feedback to inform safety improvements.
• Update Walk and Roll Maps and collaborate with engineering teams on infrastructure projects.

Secure Funding and Promote Innovation

• Pursue grants to expand program reach.
• Bring forward-thinking strategies to pilot new approaches and enhance impact.

This role requires flexible scheduling, including occasional evenings and weekends for community events.

Who We’re Looking For

You’re a planner who combines strategic thinking with a passion for community-focused transportation solutions.

You will excel in this role if you:

• Have experience designing and managing transportation programs and projects.
  
• Are skilled at analyzing data and turning insights into action.
  
• Communicate clearly with diverse audiences, from city leaders to parents and students in writing and presenting.
  
• Thrive in a collaborative, multi-stakeholder environment.
  
• Share our commitment to sustainability, safety, and equity in mobility.
  

What You’ll Need

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Transportation Planning, Public Health, or a related field.
• Three (3) years of professional experience in transportation planning, Safe Routes to School, or active transportation programs.

License:

• Valid California Driver’s License.

Preferred Skills:

• League Certified Instructor (LCI) certification from the League of American Bicyclists.
• Familiarity with GIS tools, Adobe suite, transportation data analysis, or grant writing.
• Experienced transportation planners or plangineers is a plus

Work Environment

This position balances program planning and evaluation in an office setting with site visits, community engagement, and collaboration with school and city partners.

Benefits Highlights

• CalPERS Pension - Lifetime retirement income with up to 100% of your highest salary
• Fully Paid Medical, Dental & Vision - Coverage for you and eligible dependents
• Six Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Up to $10,000/year in Childcare Assistance
• Generous Time Off - Up to 200 vacation hours plus 13 paid holidays
• Commuter Perks - Clipper BayPass and other incentives

Visit our Careers Page to learn more and explore MOAs between the City and its employee groups.

.Tentative Interview Timeline

First Round Interviews: Week of September 8, 2025 (subject to change)
Final Interviews: Week of September 15, 2025 (subject to change)

Candidates moving forward will be notified directly of any schedule updates.

Ready to Shape the Future of Active Transportation?

Apply today and help create a safer, healthier, and more connected Palo Alto for generations to come.

This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Essential Duties

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

- Prepares environmental assessments and environmental impact reports on projects submitted for City approval.

- Evaluates the design of projects submitted for Architectural Review Board (ARB) review.

- Oversees the preparation of packet material for the ARB.

- Evaluates and prepares reports on projects submitted for Planning or Transportation Division approval including projects requiring variances, conditional use permits, site and design approval, nonconforming use extensions, subdivisions and other types of projects requiring some form of discretionary Planning or Transportation Division approval.

- Prepares reports on special planning transportation studies for the ARB, Planning Commission, City Council, appointed committees and other City staff.

- Assists in plan preparation, coordination, monitoring and other activities related to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and other federal, state and local housing programs.

- Prepares revised elements to the Comprehensive Plan.

- Makes public presentations before appointed boards, commissions, committees, and the City Council.

- Oversees maintenance of Planning and Transportation Division data files.

Related Functions:

- As needed, assigns and monitors work of technical and temporary personnel who may assist in the above tasks.

- Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications
Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:
- Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning or related field from an accredited college or university. and - Three years of suitable professional experience in urban or transportation planning.

Special Requirements:
Possession of a valid California Driver's License. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Ability to analyze planning or transportation issues and problems in a clear and concise manner.
- Ability to develop responses and solutions to planning or transportation issues.- Ability to write clearly and communicate effectively.- Ability to work with a minimum of supervision.- Ability to maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include sitting for extended periods of time and operating assigned equipment and vehicles.- Ability to communicate with others and to assimilate and understand information, in a manner consistent with the essential job functions.- Ability to operate assigned equipment.- Ability to make sound decisions in a manner consistent with the essential job functions. Working Conditions / Physical Requirements
Work in an office environment; sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time. Regular field work is necessary in order to perform environmental review on all projects assigned.

For more details visit our Careers Page, by clicking HERE.
Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking HERE.

Closing Date/Time: 8/18/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$115,564.80 - $141,481.60 Annually