23 Metropolitan Transportation Commission Associate Planner Jobs Hiring Near You

DEADLINE TO APPLY IS MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2026, AT 11:55 PM
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, PLEASE APPLY IMMEDIATELY
A resume is required with your application
THIS IS A TIME-LIMITED POSITION THROUGH JUNE 30, 2029, WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF EXTENSHION BASED ON CONTINUED FUNDING APPROVAL FROM THE CPUC.
Be ready to rethink your assumptions about the public sector. Dedicated and motivated colleagues? Beautiful, high amenity building for on-site work and collaboration? Flexible schedules and hybrid work options? Yes, yes, and yes!
ABOUT ABAG
The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) is a regional planning agency and local government service provider also serving the Bay Area. ABAG and MTC merged their staff structures in 2018 such that MTC now provides services for ABAG. For more information about MTC, visit www.mtc.ca.gov. More information about ABAG is available at abag.ca.gov.
ABOUT THE TEAM
The San Francisco Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) is a regional program that includes the nine Bay Area counties and is led by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). BayREN's vision is an energy efficient, healthy and resilient built environment where all communities thrive. BayREN works towards this vision by designing and implementing effective energy saving programs, drawing on the expertise, experience, and proven track record of Bay Area local governments to develop and administer successful regional and local climate, resource, and sustainability programs. The Codes & Standards Program is one of BayREN's oldest programs and focuses on supporting local governments to: enforce the California Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6); design, adopt, and implement local energy codes such as reach codes and benchmarking ordinances; and connect with the California Energy Commission and other state agencies.
ABOUT THE ROLE
ABAG/MTC is hiring a Principal Program Manager to lead BayREN's Codes & Standards Program and carry out other management and strategic tasks for BayREN and the Energy Section as assigned. The Codes & Standards Program is described in its Program Implementation Program here and in the BayREN Business Plan here. The person in this position will:

• Work with local governments to improve the rate of compliance with the California Energy Code;
• Identify and organize delivery of trainings and resources targeted to agencies and personnel involved in energy code enforcement;
• Lead a committee of BayREN members and consultants to produce quarterly Codes & Standards Forums, such as those described here;
• Support local governments with the development and adoption of energy conservation policies and ordinances, including coordination between jurisdictions and with other organizations; and
• Develop and manage the budget for the Codes & Standards Program, including negotiating contracts and managing consultants to ensure deliverables are provided.

In addition, the person hired will be responsible for carrying out other duties such as supervising Energy Section staff and managing other projects for BayREN and the Energy Section as appropriate. The incumbent will engage with a diverse range of audiences, including representatives from county and city governments, state partners, other regional agencies and other external stakeholders in the public sectors. Tasks are expected to change over time with the needs of the organization.
The successful candidate will have a basic understanding of state and/or local code adoption and implementation processes, as well as familiarity with local government operations. Excellent written and oral communication skills are required, as well as experience overseeing complex projects and programs, including managing staff, consultants, contracts, and budgets. Familiarity with energy and building codes and knowledge of ratepayer-funded energy efficiency program operations is desired.
Responsibilities
Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Program Design and Management

• Ensure all program activities are aligned with program goals
• Assess program performance, develop recommendations for improvement, and plan for implementation
• Oversee program data handling and maintenance, and review and report on program metrics

Communication and Engagement

• Facilitate meetings with BayREN staff and members as appropriate
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing

Staff Oversight

• Provide leadership and clear direction to assigned staff; review and evaluate work performance; and identify growth and training opportunities
• Ensure staff assignments are resourced correctly to ensure successful delivery of projects and programs; identify shortfalls and gaps in resources and recommend solutions

Consultant Management

• Hire and manage multiple consultants
• Work effectively with consultants to develop and implement BayREN activities

Qualifications
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:

• State and/or local code adoption and implementation processes;
• Contract negotiation, administration and management;
• Principles and practices of program design and management, budget and schedule development, analysis, administration and evaluation;
• Local government operations and policies, particularly relating to energy and climate.

Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills;
• Strong organizational skills;
• Meeting facilitation and management skills;
• Flexibility in adapting to changing circumstances.

Abilities:

• Assess program and project efficiency and effectiveness, and adjust as needed to improve performance and comply with regulatory changes;
• Take initiative and independently identify challenges, analyze related issues, evaluate alternatives, and develop approaches and solutions;
• Manage multiple tasks in a timely manner, with limited supervision;
• Effectively oversee and supervise staff;
• Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with a wide variety of people across multiple agencies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
An appropriate combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities listed. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Education and Experience: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in planning, civil engineering, environmental science, business or public administration, or a related field, and seven (7) years of increasingly responsible professional experience administering programs in a field related to assignment area.
License/Certificate: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and a safe driving record, or the ability to provide alternate transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:

• A Master's degree in planning, policy, public administration or a related field with at least seven years of increasingly responsible experience in an appropriate field related to the area of assignment is strongly preferred. In addition, at least one year of supervisory experience is preferred.
• The successful candidate will have significant experience overseeing complex projects and programs, including managing staff, consultants, contracts, and budgets, as well as some knowledge of state and/or local code adoption and implementation. Direct experience with local governments and their climate and energy-related activities, familiarity with energy and building codes and related policies and legislation at the state and federal levels, and experience with ratepayer-funded energy efficiency program operations, are desired.

Applicants with a degree issued from an institution outside the United States must have their transcripts evaluated by an academic accrediting service and provide proof of equivalency along with their application.
About Us
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is the transportation planning, financing, and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. MTC is the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the state designated Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA) for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. MTC provides services to the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). For more information about MTC, visit www.mtc.ca.gov.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission is an equal-opportunity, non-discriminatory employer. MTC provides all employees and applicants with an equal opportunity in every aspect of the employment experience regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, physical handicap, medical condition or marital status.