The Department of Transportation (DOT) plans, develops, operates, and maintains transportation facilities, services, and related systems which contribute to the livability and economic health of the City. We comprise a team of more than 500 people ready to serve the needs of our residents to improve the efficiency and safety of San José streets. We are an energetic and innovative team that is improving transportation in the nation's 10th largest city, while focusing on safety, sustainability, and active public life! For more information about DOT, visit www.sanjoseca.gov/transportation .
The total salary range for the Associate Transportation Specialist Position classification is $54.94 to $72.69 hourly or $114,266.88 to $151,198.32 annually. This amount includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable pay. The actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates' qualifications and experience.
The Department of Transportation is looking to fill two Associate Transportation Specialist positions - one in the Planning, Policy, and Sustainability Division's Transportation Planning & Policy team, and the other in the Development, Design and Capital Projects Division - Grants team . In addition, the department anticipates additional Associate Transportation Specialist vacancies in the future. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.
Planning, Policy, and Sustainability Division: Transportation Planning & Policy (Multimodal Planning) This Associate Transportation Specialist position is in the Transportation Planning & Policy team. The position focuses on developing long-range multimodal transportation improvement plans (MTIPs) for planned growth areas in the city. An MTIP is a community-based transportation plan for a study area that builds upon past planning efforts, reflects the priorities of demographically diverse neighborhoods, and defines a path forward for implementing multimodal transportation improvements that address community needs and accommodate future growth. The position works with community members to identify strategies and infrastructure investments that provide safer, more affordable, and healthier mobility options for people of all ages and abilities.
This position reports directly to the Transportation Planning Manager and supervises one Transportation Specialist and interns. The position works directly with six staff in the Transportation Planning & Policy team. The position manages the Multimodal Planning function of the team to deliver MTIPs as well as oversee subsequent planning phases leading to the delivery of planned projects. Constructive, creative, and self-motivated, demonstrating a strong desire and skills to support transportation planning needed to achieve the Envision San José 2040 General Plan Goals and Policies are required. The position requires occasional attendance and participation in public engagement activities in evenings and on weekends.
Key responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to:
- Plan, coordinate, document, analyze, report, for project management.
- Conduct in-person and virtual public engagement activities including workshops, focus groups, stakeholder interviews, field surveys, transit/bike/walk audits, pop-ups, and pop-ins throughout the city.
- Manage the development of multimodal transportation improvement plans, written reports, memorandums, and presentation materials, etc.
- Analyze information using geographic information system software (e.g., ArcGIS).
- Prepare drawings, figures, methodologies, and documents using design tools (e.g., Microsoft Office, InDesign, Sketchup, and Adobe InDesign and Illustrator).
- Coordinate and oversee the transition from the planning phase to design, construction, and monitoring phases of transportation projects.
- Communicate with Major and Council offices, members of the public, community organizations, City staff, and neighbor and partner agencies.
The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate:
- Strong analytical, interpersonal, problem-solving, and management skills.
- Ability to work effectively with the public, policy makers, media, and community organizations.
- Is constructive, creative, and self-motivated, demonstrating a strong desire to advance the City's transportation and sustainability goals.
- Understands the concepts of institutional and structural racism and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities.
- Familiarity with San José Vision Zero Initiative, Envision San José 2040 General Plan, and Climate Smart San José.
- Has the ability to communicate in Spanish and/or Vietnamese.
Development, Design and Capital Projects Division - Grants Pursuits and Administration This Associate Transportation Specialist position will provide support to DOT's capital projects grant pursuit and administration team. The Associate Transportation Specialist will be advancing the transportation goals of the Envision San José 2040 General Plan and Vision Zero Initiative by supporting efforts to obtain grant funding to implement bicycle and pedestrian safety projects. City's success in meeting its safety, mobility, and climate goals is highly dependent on the ability to submit, win, and cost-effectively implement competitive grants from the local, state, and federal agencies.
The ideal candidate will be detail oriented, work well both independently and in a team environment, develop technical methodologies and metrics for evaluations and reporting, be skilled in a wide variety of software (project management and mapping), creatively solve problems, effectively communicate ideas to planners, engineers, and senior management, and have a robust knowledge of transportation related grant funding programs and opportunities.
This position reports directly to the Grants Program Manager and will have supervisory responsibility for one Transportation Specialist and interns.
Key duties include but are not limited to:
- In collaboration with the grants manager and DOT Budget staff, develop a five-year strategic grants plan which would consist of a list of high-priority safety, mode shift, and climate action projects, funding needs, and alignment to potential funding resources.
- Oversee the day-to-day work of the Transportation Specialist within the Grants team.
- Investigate and review upcoming grant opportunities, prepare Notice of Funding, share and distribute grant solicitation information.
- Lead efforts to coordinate grant pursuits, including vetting projects, coordination amongst various DOT teams, City departments, and external agencies as needed, and obtain the necessary support letters from various stakeholders, incorporating feedback from our Intergovernmental Relations and Federal lobbyist.
- Finalize SOPs of an evaluation program for DOT projects to help staff and the public understand the efficacy of various treatments and interventions.
- Prepare maps, reports, and related materials for presentations, council and grantors.
- This position helps to advance priority City safety, mobility, and environmental goals articulated in the City's Envision 2040 General Plan, Vision Zero, and Climate Smart San José.
- Attend meetings, represent DOT as a lead grants technical person on discussions with project engineers, City staff, consultants and meetings with granting agency staff and monthly updates to Senior
staff.
- Support data collection efforts by coordinating before/after survey needs and consultant work orders.
- Lead and support Transportation and Environment memos, and Council Memo such as the annual Traffic Fee Mitigation program, and other grant related program needs.
The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate:
- Experience or knowledge of Transportation Funding framework/process.
- Experience in developing grant applications (or other technical documents, eg contracts, funding agreements, council memos).
- Experience and knowledge of GIS programs.
- Ability to work effectively with the public, policy makers, media, and community organizations.
- Familiarity with Metropolitan Transportation Commission's role in transportation finance.
- Familiarity with San José Vision Zero Initiative, Envision San José 2040 General Plan, and Climate Smart San José.
- Interest in Transportation Planning, and in advancing DOTs ability to improve transportation safety and mode choice options.
The candidate will coordinate and work closely with staff from Vision Zero; Traffic Safety, Operations, and Parking; Transportation Planning; and infrastructure Maintenance teams.
The position may require occasional attendance and participation at evening and weekend public meetings and events.
More information on the typical duties can be found in the Class Specifications for Associate Transportation Specialist
EDUCATION: A Bachelor's degree in transportation planning, city and regional planning, urban studies, or closely related field.
EXPERIENCE: Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in transportation policy development, analyses, or implementation programs.
LICENSES/CERTIFICATES: Possession of a valid California driver's license. Possession of a Class A or B driver's license may be required for some positions.
The ideal candidate will possess the most desirable combination of training, skills, and experience, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:
JOB EXPERTISE: Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations. Demonstrates:
- Knowledge of, and experience with, public infrastructure maintenance and construction practices,
- Computer/technology proficiency sufficient to manage data and information relevant to the needs of the maintenance section; and
- Ability to provide training to employees regarding vehicle and equipment operation, work processes and safe operating procedures, and safety policies.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.
CONSTRUCTIVE ENERGIES: A demonstration of energy and drive that comes from within, and a willingness to approach all aspects of work with a generally positive attitude; possessing the inclination to take appropriate action rather than waiting to be told what to do; examples of Constructive Energies include but are not limited to: enthusiasm, honesty, integrity, empathy, dedication, reliable, proactive, respectful, confidence, ethical, and a willingness to help others.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Ensures support for projects and implements agency goals and strategic objectives.
SUPERVISION: Sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness.
PROBLEM SOLVING: Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.
POLITICAL SKILL: In taking action, demonstrates an understanding and consideration of how it will impact stakeholders and affected areas in the organization.
TEAMWORK AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.
Selection Process The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to the Job Specific Questions. Only the candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews. If selected, the Conditional Offer of Employment is contingent upon you providing proof of a valid State of California driver's license, and an assessment of your California DMV Employer Pull Notice (EPN) as per the DMV Release of Driver Record Information form.
You will be prompted to answer the following job-specific questions during the online application process. Please note that there is a 4,000-character limit, including spaces, for each text response.
You must answer all job-specific questions in order to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration.
If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Sharon Smith at Sharon.Smith2@sanjoseca.gov .
