CITY OF SAN MATEO
RESOLUTION NO. ____ (2026)
JOB SPECIFICATION UPDATES
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
WHEREAS, pursuant to the San Mateo Municipal Code Section 2.57.030(d), approval of new classifications and related job specifications, salary schedules, compensation changes, elimination or reinstatement of positions, reallocation of positions, reclassifications, and revisions of job specifications must be approved by City Council Resolution; and
WHEREAS, the proposed change as detailed below is in response to the Public Works Department’s request to create a Senior Transportation Planner “Senior” classification as part of the management series to close a significant gap between the Associate Transportation Planner and the Principal classifications “Principal”.
The Senior classification will be flexibly staffed to the Principal classification through a competitive process.
Making these changes will increase flexibility and employee development/potential, create internal promotional opportunities for current City employees, and/or attract new talent; and WHEREAS, the job specifications for the Senior Transportation Planner/Principal Transportation Planner were updated to reflect an accurate job scope which is in alignment with the updated job specification which is attached hereto as Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, the employee association representing the impacted classifications has been informed of the job specifications’ updates and has not brought forth any objections or concerns.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA, HEREBY RESOLVES that:
1. The revisions to the job specifications for the job specification of Principal Transportation Planner and Senior Transportation Planner are not subject to CEQA because it can be seen with certainty that they will not cause a physical change in the environment.
2. The revised job specifications for the classification series, Principal Transportation Planner and Senior Transportation Planner are approved and attached as Exhibits A.
3. The salary schedule for the classification of Senior Transportation Planner is approved and attached hereto as Exhibit B.
Exhibit A
PRINICPAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNER
SENIOR TRANSPORTATION PLANNER
DEFINITION
Under general direction, organizes, reviews, and participates in transportation planning work; supervises the work of professional and technical transportation planning personnel, projects, and other activities; and performs other related work as required.
DISTINGUISING CHARACTHERISTICS
Senior Transportation Planner: The Senior Transportation Planner is the first-level supervisor in the transportation series. This class is distinguished from the next lower class of Associate Transportation Planner by its supervisory duties, when assigned, and by the performance of more complex tasks and assignments. This classification supports the development and implementation of transportation policies and programs and completes assignments within established frameworks.
Principal Transportation Planner: The Principal Transportation Planner is a second-level supervisor in the transportation series. This class handles complex, specialized assignments with a broad scope. This classification manages and supervises major transportation programs and staff; has a high degree of independent judgment; is expected to lead with minimal oversight; leads and manages transportation planning, design activities and program integration and evaluation; develops and oversees policies, programs, and projects; and manages major transportation initiatives.
The Principal Transportation Planner is a flexibly staffed classification and may be filled by advancement from the Senior Transportation Planner classification through a competitive process.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Senior Transportation Planner
Receives oversight and general direction from the Principal Transportation Planner or Engineering Manager in the Public Works Department.
Exercises direct supervision over professional, technical, administrative, and other planning staff as assigned.
Principal Transportation Planner
Receives oversight and general direction from the Engineering Manager or Deputy Director in the Public Works Department.
Exercises direct supervision over professional, technical, administrative, and other planning staff as assigned.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES – Depending on assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Senior Transportation Planner
Supervises professional and technical staff, including prioritizing and assigning work, conducting performance evaluations, training staff, and supporting hiring decisions in consultation with the Engineering Manager, Deputy Director, and Department Head.
Represents the City and department in communications and interactions, including coordination, briefings, and presentations, with other City departments, City Commissions and City Council, government agencies, local industries, businesses, community groups, and other stakeholders interested in regional and local transportation, transit, traffic, and parking issues.
Plans, coordinates, formulates, and implements, in coordination with other City departments, goals, objectives, policies and priorities; and makes recommendations for changes to codes, plans and policies, as it relates to transportation planning and parking management.
Directs, coordinates, reviews, and participates in the work of professional, technical, and clerical staff, as well as consultants, in data collection, analysis, plan and policy formulation, and implementation of a wide variety of projects.
Participates in and provides technical expertise in transportation demand management and traffic forecasting including the formulation of a City-wide traffic model and the maintenance and update thereof.
Manages administration of the City’s parking permit programs, oversees the collection, control, and reconciliation of parking revenues, assists in the preparation and administration of the parking program operating budget, monitors expenses, and prudently allocates resources to support parking program operations and objectives.
Assists, contributes and manages the planning, design, and construction of capital projects including preparation of purchase requisitions, requests for proposals, development of the scope of work, professional service agreements and coordination with other City departments as appropriate.
Reviews planning applications and building permits in relation to transportation and parking related issues, including review of traffic impact analyses, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) analyses, and other related transportation studies.
Attend in-person meetings, site visits, and stakeholder engagements, often with minimal notice; respond promptly to urgent requests requiring physical presence at various locations throughout the region or state; transport necessary materials, documents, and equipment for meetings, presentations, or fieldwork.
Supports the review, update, maintenance of transportation-related impact fees.
Supports the drafting of submittals for grant funding from various local, state, and federal funding sources.
And other duties as assigned.
Principal Transportation Planner
In addition to the duties listed above, this position is distinguished by greater scope, complexity, independence, and leadership responsibilities, duties may include the following:
Manages and directs the overall operations of the transportation planning section, including developing citywide, department and division level policies, principles, procedures, work processes and establishes section goals and evaluates achievement against objectives
Leads strategic planning initiatives for transportation and parking programs citywide; formulates high-level recommendations for major updates to codes, comprehensive plans, and policies with citywide or regional impact.
Directs the review, update, and maintenance of transportation-related impact fees, including leading analyses, stakeholder coordination, and recommendations for adjustments.
Identifies and leverages funds to implement planned strategies through drafting and coordinating submittals for grant funding from various local, state, and federal funding sources.
Provides high-level representation of the City in regional partnerships, interagency collaborations, and policy forums; serves as the primary point of contact for major transportation initiatives involving external agencies or stakeholders.
Mentors senior staff and oversees professional development across the section; resolves complex operational and personnel issues with minimal supervision.
QUALIFICATIONS
Senior Transportation Planner
Knowledge of:
Transportation, urban planning, and parking principles, practices, standards, trends, regulations, metrics, and applicable local, state, and federal laws, codes, and ordinances, including those related to zoning and environmental protection.
Research methods and techniques including statistics and statistical analysis.
Techniques used in planning, drafting, and mapping.
Principles and practices of project administration, budgeting, funding, and financing.
Federal, State, and local laws relating to planning and transportation.
Principles and practices of effective supervision, including training and performance management and evaluation.
Ability to:
Design and review complex and varied transportation projects, plans, and policies, and provide meaningful input and recommendations.
Organize and prioritize multiple varied and competing projects and tasks in an effective and timely manner, set priorities, and meet critical deadlines.
Work independently and exercise good judgment.
Communicate clearly and effectively with residents, business owners and community groups whether one on one or in group presentations, and both orally and in writing.
Read and understand technical drawings and specifications and perform mathematical computations with precision.
Analyze, compile, and evaluate statistical, economic, and technical data, drawing valid conclusions and making appropriate recommendations.
Assign, direct, and review the work of subordinates; motivate and evaluate staff.
Direct and oversee consultant activities.
Prepare written reports and make presentations to various groups, commissions, and committees.
Understand relationships between the budget and resources and manage projects within available resources.
Utilize computer applications relating to transportation planning.
Work extended or irregular hours.
Principal Transportation Planner
In addition to the qualifications for the Senior Transportation Planner:
Knowledge of:
Principles and procedures of technical specification writing, plan preparation, and construction/project cost estimating.
Capital and operational budget development processes.
Ability to:
Develop community engagement and outreach strategies for projects, planning efforts, and programs.
Comply with financial and administrative controls and standards.
Experience and Training Guidelines
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
Senior Transportation Planner:
Experience:
At least two years of professional planning experience comparable to that of an Associate Transportation Planner, Associate Planner or Associate Engineer equivalent experience
Training:
Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil engineering, transportation engineering, transportation planning, planning or a closely related field. Master’s degree in a closely related field is preferred.
Licenses & Certificate:
Possession of a valid California Driver’s License.
Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners is preferred.
Principal Transportation Planner:
Experience:
At least two years of professional planning experience comparable to that of a Senior Transportation Planner, Senior Planner or Senior Engineer equivalent experience.
Supervisory experience of staff, programs and/or administrative activities is desirable.
Training:
Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil engineering, transportation engineering, transportation planning, planning or a closely related field. Master’s degree in a closely related field is preferred.
Licenses & Certificate:
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners is preferred.
ADA SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Essential duties require the following physical abilities and work environment:
Ability to work in a standard office environment with some exposure to the outdoors.
ADOPTED CC: 7-15-19
REVISED CC: 1-12-26
FORMER TITLES:
BARGAINING UNIT: MANAGEMENT UNIT
FLSA: EXEMPT
PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL: MANAGEMENT
DOT: NO
PRE APPT-MEDICAL: NO
SAFETY SENSITIVE: NO
REQUIRED HARASSMENT PREVENTION TRAINING: SUPERVISORY
FORM 700: YES
JOB CODES: 2692
ABOLISHED:
Exhibit B
Transportation Planner Senior - 2692 (set 10%
above Transportation Planner Associate 5064) Steps Hourly Biweekly Monthly Annual STEP 1 60.2800 4,822.4000 10,448.3300 125,382.4000
STEP 2 63.0200 5,041.6000 10,923.2600 131,081.6000
STEP 3 65.8400 5,267.2000 11,412.0500 136,947.2000
STEP 4 68.8400 5,507.2000 11,932.0400 143,187.2000
STEP 5 71.8500 5,748.0000 12,453.7600 149,448.0000