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Transit Oriented Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Support planning in active transportation , transit-oriented development, and transit network design * Conduct research, analysis, mapping, modeling, and report writing using tools like ArcGIS

Located in the heart of a bustling transportation hub in the Mattapan neighborhood of Boston, The Loop at Mattapan Station is a transit-oriented development developed with Nuestra Comunidad ...

Support planning in active transportation , transit-oriented development, and transit network design * Conduct research, analysis, mapping, modeling, and report writing using tools like ArcGIS

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Transit Oriented Development information

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$17.5K

$106.7K

$167K

How much do transit oriented development jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for transit oriented development in the United States is $106,675.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,500.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Planner, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Planner, you need expertise in urban planning, land use policy, and transportation systems, typically supported by a degree in urban planning or a related field. Familiarity with GIS software, zoning codes, and public engagement platforms is essential for analyzing data and developing effective plans. Strong communication, stakeholder collaboration, and problem-solving skills distinguish top performers in this role. These skills are crucial for creating vibrant, accessible communities that integrate transportation and land use effectively.

How does a professional in Transit Oriented Development typically collaborate with urban planners and transportation agencies?

Professionals in Transit Oriented Development (TOD) work closely with urban planners, transportation agencies, and local governments to ensure new developments are integrated with existing and future transit infrastructure. This collaboration often involves coordinating project timelines, sharing data and plans, and aligning goals to create vibrant, accessible communities. Successful TOD professionals regularly participate in interdisciplinary meetings, public consultations, and technical reviews to balance transit access, land use, and community needs. Building strong relationships with these stakeholders is essential for navigating regulatory requirements and achieving project objectives.

What is Transit Oriented Development?

Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is an urban planning approach that focuses on creating compact, walkable communities centered around high-quality public transportation systems. The goal of TOD is to encourage the use of public transit by integrating residential, commercial, and recreational spaces within easy walking distance of transit stations. This type of development aims to reduce reliance on cars, promote sustainable growth, and enhance the overall quality of life in urban areas. TOD projects often include mixed-use buildings, pedestrian-friendly streets, and accessible public spaces to foster vibrant, connected neighborhoods.

What is the difference between Transit Oriented Development vs Urban Planner?

AspectTransit Oriented DevelopmentUrban Planner
Primary FocusDesigning communities around transit hubs to promote sustainable transportationPlanning and development of urban areas, including land use, zoning, and community needs
Required CredentialsTypically degrees in urban planning, civil engineering, or related fields; certifications may varyDegrees in urban planning, geography, or related disciplines; often licensed or certified
Work EnvironmentCollaborative projects with transportation agencies, developers, and government bodiesGovernment agencies, consulting firms, or private sector planning departments

While both roles involve urban development, Transit Oriented Development specifically focuses on creating transit-centric communities, whereas Urban Planners have a broader scope in shaping overall urban environments. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or project focus.

More about Transit Oriented Development jobs
What cities are hiring for Transit Oriented Development jobs? Cities with the most Transit Oriented Development job openings:
What states have the most Transit Oriented Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Transit Oriented Development jobs include:
Infographic showing various Transit Oriented Development job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $106,675 per year, or $51.3 per hour.
Design Manager-Civil Engineering (Ballard Link Extension) (Term-Limited)

Design Manager-Civil Engineering (Ballard Link Extension) (Term-Limited)

Sound Transit

Seattle, WA โ€ข On-site

$104K - $206K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Salary range is $104k to $206k with a midpoint of $155k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

  • Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
  • Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
  • Employee Assistance Program.
  • Retirement Plans: 401a โ€“ 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b โ€“ up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
  • Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
  • Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
  • Pet Insurance discount.
  • ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
  • Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
  • Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
  • Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, youโ€™ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

This is a term-limited position of 5 years.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general management of the Capital Delivery Department and reports to the Design Director while leading,โ€ฏmanagingโ€ฏand coordinating the delivery of design elements of light railโ€ฏextension,โ€ฏprojectsโ€ฏwithin the Capital Delivery Department. This leadership role requires providing oversight of and instruction to design consultant teams and close coordination with third parties and AHJs alongside with the Sound Transit Operations, Engineering, Architecture, Urban Design, Planning, Transit-Oriented Development, Sustainability, Security & Safety and Quality Staff. The primary function of this role ensures delivery of value and quality of design to fulfill the agencyโ€™s mission.

This Design Manager positions will focus on the Ballard Link Extension Project. Focuses on managing the delivery of design elements, which includes, but not limited to, tunnel, tunneled station and portals within an urban dense environmental.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

  • Leads a technical team of subject matter experts and inspires creativity to solve design problems during preliminary engineering, final design, or construction phases.โ€ฏ
  • Supervises, coaches, trains and motivates staff and consultant team
  • Manages, interfaces and coordinates transit related heavy civil designs elements including, architectural, civil, tunnels, traffic, track, structural, geotechnical, landscaping, ventilation, station electrical, lighting, transit-oriented development, and urban design efforts, managing work teams and coordinating between work efforts of multiple design teams and multiple engineering subject matter experts.
  • Provides cross departmental program, design andโ€ฏrequirementsโ€ฏcoordination with Operations, Passenger Experience, the Project Management Office, and IT.โ€ฏ
  • Administration and management of design consultant contracts, including developing scopes of work for professional services, peer reviews, design reviews, contract packaging, schedules, budgets, construction support, and risk assessments.โ€ฏ
  • Accountable for technical resolution of milestone design submission comments through collaboration with project design teams, AHJsโ€ฏand stakeholdersโ€ฏ
  • Supports the development, negotiation of agreements, and permits with third parties, including state and local agencies, utilities, developers, railroad authority and private property owners, as required for the delivery of the projects.
  • Accountable for design support during construction including design contract management, recommendation of error and omissions, resolution of non-conformance issues related to design, and change management of design-related issues.โ€ฏ
  • Provides support to the department/division and others on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of internal boards, commissions, and committees.โ€ฏ
  • Prepares staff reports and other necessary correspondence to Sound Transit leadership including Board and Executive leadership.โ€ฏโ€ฏ
  • Attends andโ€ฏparticipatesโ€ฏin professional group meetingsโ€ฏ
  • Maintains awareness ofโ€ฏnew trendsโ€ฏand developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriateโ€ฏ
  • Ensures processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively.โ€ฏ
  • Ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures,โ€ฏrulesโ€ฏand regulations.โ€ฏ
  • Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.โ€ฏ
  • Contributes to a culture of diversity,โ€ฏequityโ€ฏand inclusion in alignment with Sound Transitโ€™s Equity & Inclusion Policy.โ€ฏ
  • It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and proceduresโ€ฏpertaining toโ€ฏtheir assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.โ€ฏ
  • It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.โ€ฏ
  • Other duties as assigned.โ€ฏ

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:โ€ฏBachelorsโ€ฏdegree in Civil Engineering,โ€ฏor related field. Five years of experience in civil/structural engineering design and construction; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Three years of leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management experience, preferably in a rail orโ€ฏtransit relatedโ€ฏenvironment.โ€ฏ

Required Licenses or Certifications:

  • Professional Civil Engineer license issued by the State of Washington.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

  • Advanced understanding of principles and practices of managing profession design services and project design development.
  • Strong knowledge of application of Federal, State, and local policies, laws and codes and regulations.
  • Strong knowledge of tunnel design principles and Sound Transitโ€ฏproject delivery standards.โ€ฏ
  • Advanced knowledge of principles of project management.
  • Operations, services, and activities of transit engineering, site civil and construction programs.
  • Obtaining design consulting services and contracting methods including developing scopes of work, reports, studies, cost estimates, plans, and specifications.
  • Contract and procurement strategies and alternative contract forms such as GCCM design-build and associated management principles.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills to concisely and accurately convey technical information to others.
  • Strong public speaking skills and the ability to represent the Agency at public meetings and Sound Transit Executive Leadership and Board meetings.
  • Supervisory and team leadership skills.
  • Performing negotiations and partnering with local jurisdictions and agencies, utilities, contractors, and community groups.
  • Preparing, reviewing, interpreting, analyzing, and modifying complex engineering plans, drawings, specifications, contract documents, and engineering reports for conformance to professional standards and approved budgets.
  • Applying advanced project management and contract management techniques and principles.
  • Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.
  • Excellent ability to collaborate with others by establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
  • Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
  • Ability to work independently and demonstrate effective time management skills.
  • Ability to effectively manage, prioritize, and delegate workload among assigned resources.
  • Ability to work effectively under pressure, meeting deadlines and adjust to changing priorities.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

  • Work is performed in a hybrid office and field environment.
  • Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
  • The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action 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.