Principal Financial Analyst (Fare Programs)

General

The Principal Financial Analyst will be responsible for leading fare program operations analytics and reporting functions for the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) and the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain).

Essential Functions & Duties

Examples of Essential Functions:

• Perform complex fare analysis using statistical and analytical techniques to translate complex, ambiguous business questions into measurable key performance indicators, frameworks and analytical roadmaps aligned to the agencies’ goals.
• Manage fare projects with cross functional partners including Finance, Operations, Information Technology, and vendor partners to develop and implement advanced fare-related data models and analytical framework; identify risks, and opportunities
• Drive end-to-end automation of recurring reports and data preparation to optimize analytics and reporting workflows and increase departmental throughput and accuracy.
• Under the guidance of Fare Program Operations Manager, contribute to the analytical readiness for fare policy and system changes; quantify impacts and define success metrics.
• Serve as the Clipper liaison for SamTrans and Caltrain: coordinate with The Metropolitan Transportation Commission, system specific vendors, and internal teams to capture requirements, align data/reporting specifications, manage budget and forecasting, and lead tests for new features or changes.

Examples of Essential Duties:

• Lead cross functional fare programs analysis that inform fare policy, pricing/promotion strategies, and operational decisions, quantify impacts and uncertainty, and recommend actions to optimize revenue performance and customer experience.
• Interpret complex datasets and present results through clear narrative briefs, data visualizations, and stakeholder-specific materials (executive summaries, board-ready exhibits, etc.).
• Responsible for fare system and analytics projects including translating business requirements into scoped configurations with measurable acceptance criteria, directing cross-functional and vendor teams through testing and implementation, and validating post-launch key performance indicators to ensure operational readiness and performance outcomes.
• Lead data-driven initiatives that link ridership trends to revenue performance, ensuring clear insights into decision-making.
• Provide analytical leadership and support for strategic initiatives and special projects; develop ad hoc analyses, financial models, and scenario assessments to inform executive and Board-level decisions.
• Participates in the presentation and approval process for fare policy changes and strategic fare projects before executive committees and agency boards.
• Collaborate with various departments including Planning, Operations, Innovation & Technology (IT), Communications, Finance, and potentially others to support project execution and successful outcomes.
• Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect oneself, fellow employees, and the public from injury or harm. Promote safety awareness and follow safety procedures to reduce or eliminate accidents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervision: Works under the supervision of the Fare Program Operations Manager, who directs work, establishes goals and objectives, and evaluates performance.

Minimum Qualifications

Sufficient experience, training and/or education to demonstrate the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. In lieu of a degree, work-related experience that demonstrates the skills and experience necessary to perform this role will be accepted. Development of the required knowledge and abilities is typically obtained through but not limited to:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, financial analysis, data analytics, information management, statistics, or directly related field.
• Four (4) years of full-time work experience in a financial or data analysis role.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional work experience in public fare operations or analyzing fare related data.
• Advanced degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or closely related field.
• Advanced skills in MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word and expertise in business intelligence (Tableau, Power BI, etc.).
• Professional experience utilizing ERP systems (e.g. PeopleSoft).
• Public-sector experience; public transportation background strongly preferred.
• Professional project-management experience leading cross-functional initiatives.
• Effective written and oral communications skills.

Below is a summary of the comprehensive benefits provided to District full-time employees:

Health and Welfare Benefits:

• Healthcare Benefits -District employees are offered a choice of healthcare providers under the CalPERS Health Benefits Program.The District will contribute ninety (90) percent towards monthly premiums for full-time employees. Fifty (50) percent for part-time employees.
  
• Free Dental and Vision Benefits provided - Employer Covers Premiums
  
• Free Employee Assistance Benefit - Employees are entitled to 5 face-to-face sessions or telephonic or web-video consultations for problem-solving support per incident, per calendar year.
  

• Flexible Spending Accounts - Pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified Health or Dependent Care expenses.
  

Retirement Medical Benefits:

• Long Term Disability Insurance - After 90 days of total disability, Administrative full-time employees are eligible for 60% of monthly income covered by the District.
  
• Health and Wellness - Gyms located at most work locations and discounted Weight Watcher Membership Option.
  

Holidays and Paid Time Off:

• Paid Time Off - Newly hired employees accrue 6.5 hours bi-weekly when hired (if Exempt 8.25 hours).As you move up in years of service credit, the rate of the amount of PTO accrued will also increase.
  
• Paid Holidays - The District provides seven paid holidays throughout the year - New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4th), Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
  
• Floating Holidays - District employees can earn up to five (5) floating holidays.
  

Financial Planning Benefits:

• Pension Benefits through CalPERS -You must have a minimum of 5 years of service to be eligible for this pension.
  

• CalPERS PEPRA vs. Classic - All employees hired on, or after January 1, 2013, are considered PEPRA members and will contribute 8% of their salary up to the maximum IRS cut-off. All Classic members will contribute 6%
  
• Deferred Compensation Options - Select to contribute to one or both of our Tax Deferred Compensation Options
  
• Reliance Standard Life Insurance with 100% premium paid by the District - 1 times annual salary of employee - max $200,000
  
• Optional Life Insurance - Employees may purchase additional life insurance for themselves and their eligible family members.
  

Growth and Education Benefits:

• Professional Development - Access to LinkedIn Learning and San Mateo County’s professional training. District Tuition Reimbursement Program - A maximum of $5,250 per year for courses related to your job or career goals with the District.
  
• Computer Loan Program - Interest-free two-year loan with a maximum amount of $2,000.
  

Other Amazing Benefits:

• Credit Union - Employees and family members are eligible to join the San Mateo Credit Union and Patelco Credit Union.
  
• Employee Clean Commute (ECC) - Car/Van poolers and Public Transit riders receive a monthly reimbursement.
  
• Commuter Benefits - Free Employee Parking; Free Bus Pass for employee as well as children/spouse; Clipper Card/Go Pass Program for Central employees.
  

For union employees, all of the above benefits are subject to the employee’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. Benefits listed are also subject to change with or without notice and are subject to contract/provider terms and conditions.

Closing Date/Time: 12/14/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• San Mateo County Transit District

• 650-508-6308

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