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Why OCTA

Discover work that moves you in a dynamic and innovative setting. Be part of a team delivering Orange County’s transportation network of today and creating a vision for the future.

OCTA is the county’s transportation planning commission and public transit operator. With a focus on safety and accountability, we plan, fund, and implement countywide projects that include bus and rail transit, freeways and express lanes, rideshare, microtransit, paratransit, active transportation, and environmental programs.

We’re passionate about creating a balanced, equitable and sustainable transportation system that reflects the diverse travel needs of the county’s 34 cities and 3.2 million residents. 

Our employees rated OCTA as a top workplace in Orange County. Come join us on our mission of keeping Orange County moving.

Overview: 

Under minimal direction, serves as regional rail planning lead, providing leadership and direction in development and project management of multiple complex rail planning projects and programs.

This is an exempt position in Salary Grade ­­U: Min $130,582.40 – Mid $155,979.20 – Max $181,376.00 annually. The starting salary will be within this range based on qualifications.

The position will remain open until a candidate is selected.

Responsibilities:

This list is intended to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification and is not designed to be interpreted as an exhaustive listing of all tasks required of employees assigned to this job.

Displays High Integrity & Honesty: Takes personal responsibility, acts with honesty and consistency.

Has Technical and Professional Expertise: Has the technical skills, product knowledge and professional skills to do the job.

• Oversees and conducts regional rail planning efforts including assessments, feasibility studies, and conceptual engineering studies. Oversees and prepares scopes of work for contract documents for advertisement as well as develops funding and budget requests for Board of Directors consideration to support regional rail planning.
• Negotiates, coordinates, and facilitates problem resolution of assigned projects and studies with the Authority’s internal departments, external contractors, regional, state, and federal levels, resource agencies, local jurisdictions, stakeholders, the public, and others.
• Performs technical analyses as well as interprets technical data and makes presentations to technical groups, policy makers, and the public. Analyzes and uses results from travel demand forecasting models, spreadsheets, and databases. 
• Manages multiple complex planning projects concurrently, while maintaining an emphasis on budgets and schedule requirements.
• Analyzes and interprets complex data and formulates recommendations based on that data. Analyzes complex transportation problems and formulates recommendations and/or responses.
• Exercises judgment and creativity in making decisions and recommendations.
• Prepares scopes of work, needs assessments, cost/benefit analyses, and related documentation.
• Applies principles, procedures, and techniques for managing complex technical regional rail planning projects.
• Applies principles of railroad planning and engineering including, but not limited to, track, structures, systems, and passenger facilities.
• Understands, applies, and recommends trends and practices in federal, state, and local transportation policy, planning and strategic objectives.
• Applies federal, state, and local laws, regulations and procedures related to planning, environmental analysis, and project development.
• Applies principles and practices of community engagement methodologies and techniques.
• Comprehends and navigates legislatively through political, social, and environmental issues influencing transportation programs.
• Performs contract negotiation and on-going management, budget development, and administration.
• Computer software skills including word processing, spreadsheets, and database applications such as MS Office programs including Outlook, Word, Excel, and more.
• Understands and utilizes modern management theory and organizational development practices, including project management, leadership development and succession planning.
• Clearly and logically deals with issues and responses regarding regional rail project studies and other associated elements of transportation planning.

Communicates Powerfully & Prolifically: Shares insights on issues/problems, clarifies purpose and links that purpose to actions.

• Coordinates, communicates, and negotiates regional rail planning activities with the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA), Amtrak, the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor (LOSSAN), North County Transit District (NCTD), Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), California High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA), California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), cities, as well as other regional, state, and federal agencies. Tracks and monitors the activities of the aforementioned entities and reports relevant issues to management that may affect the three Orange County rail subdivisions.
• Communicates the Orange County Transportation Authority’s (Authority) position on regional rail issues and activities to city and regional representatives, legislators, associations, state and federal agencies, stakeholders, and advocacy groups.
• Makes presentations to the Board of Directors, its standing committees, executive staff, professional organizations, and legislative committees. This includes written and oral testimony, reports, applications, and other forms of communication as deemed appropriate.
• Represents the Authority at meetings with consultants, contractors, legislators, state and federal agencies, and the public.
• Communicates clearly and persuasively with appointed and elected officials, business and community organizations, interest groups, customers, and members of the public.
• Presents technical as well as conceptual information to a variety of audiences from the Board of Directors and legislators to associations and members of the public.
• Communicates and gains consensus through development of good relationships and strong verbal and written communication, including report preparation and presentation skills.

Builds Relationships: Is trusted by others, is aware and supportive of needs of individuals and balances results with individual needs.

• Builds consensus among key stakeholders and local jurisdictions, prepares written reports, and actively participates and presents at Board of Directors meetings as well as various internal and external committee meetings.
• Coordinates with other sections and divisions within the Authority on matters related to rail.
• Incorporates stakeholders’ and agencies’ input into the transportation process.
• Establishes and maintains collaborative working relationships with government officials, boards, and agencies.
• Acts as liaison and representative with the agency’s Board of Directors and executives as well as elected officials, executives, and decision makers from cities, regional, state, and federal agencies, external consultants, contractors, special interest groups, and the general public.

Drives for Results: Operates with speed and intensity, translates long-term goals into immediate actions.

• Develops, manages, and leads highly complex regional rail strategies to achieve Authority’s goals.
• Understands Authority and divisional goals and objectives.
• Uses engineering and/or project management methods to identify and forecast project risks and manage those risks to achieve project delivery commitments.
• Develops and implements long-range strategies to achieve project milestones.
• Develops solutions to technical and procedural problems that support the goals of the program and agency.

Qualifications:

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in planning, engineering, public or business administration, social sciences or related field and advanced training in project management and public transportation with a minimum of eight years or more of professional experience in transportation. Ability to understand rail design criteria and guidelines for rail facilities. Master’s Degree is preferred.

Special Qualifications:

• Valid CA State Driver’s License.

Working Conditions/Physical Activities:
(The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. OCTA provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions).

Positions in this class typically require:

• Work may be performed in a stressful, fast-paced office environment, depending upon assignment.
• Requires ability to understand verbal communication and to respond effectively.
• Positions in this class typically require: Reaching, Finger Dexterity, Grasping, Feeling, Talking, Hearing, Seeing, and Repetitive Motions in computer use.

Compensation and Benefits:

OCTA offers an attractive compensation and benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision health insurance programs, flex time (may be available), paid sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, retirement, deferred compensation plan, educational reimbursement, excellent in-house training programs, free transportation passes for the employee and dependents, wellness and ergonomic programs, and much more. OCTA has a hybrid remote work program. Eligibility is dependent on manager’s approval.

OCTA is an equal employment opportunity employer that recruits, hires, and promotes qualified people without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, military and veteran status, or other legally protected status.