Principal Planner, Transit Life Cycle Program

Note: A minimum of three days per week in office is required.

Principal Planner, Transit Life Cycle Program

About MAG
The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) is a group of local governments working together on issues that touch the lives of every resident. We are a regional planning agency that develops solutions in areas such as transportation, environmental and air quality, and human services.

MAG serves a thriving region of 5 million people. Our members include 27 cities and towns, three Native nations, and Maricopa and Pinal counties. Our planning area encompasses more than 10,000 square miles. MAG is the council of governments and the designated metropolitan planning organization for transportation planning for the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.

Visit www.azmag.gov to learn more. MAG is a great place to work. We offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and a collaborative environment where employee contributions make a real impact.

Your Team
MAG’s Transportation Policy and Initiatives team provides oversight of all transportation funding policy efforts and leads other strategic initiatives at the direction of the interim transportation director and executive director. This includes development and management of Proposition 400 and 479 programs, assessing impacts of proposed state and federal transportation policy on the agency and broader region, and other special projects as needed to guide regional mobility and infrastructure development.

The Position
The Principal Planner will be responsible for the management and oversight of the Proposition 479 Transit Life Cycle Program (TLCP), ensuring that regional transit funding is allocated, monitored, and reported in alignment with Maricopa County’s voter-approved plan. This position plays a key role in overseeing long-range transit funding, delivery of the region’s transit capital and operating projects, and program accountability across the region. Reporting to the Transportation Policy & Initiatives Program Manager, the Principal Planner will uphold transparent, data-driven, and fiscally responsible processes in collaboration with regional partners.

Key responsibilities include:

• Program Management
• Lead the ongoing management of the 20-year TLCP, including both capital and operating components.
• Ensure alignment between TLCP allocations, RSTIIP policies, and federal/state funding requirements.
• Maintain and update program documentation, timelines, and financial reporting for internal and external use.
• Financial Oversight
• Monitor and update long-range revenue forecasts and cost estimates for the TLCP, following existing annual and monthly update processes.
• Track key financial assumptions, including inflation and cost trends, to support accurate reporting.
• Conduct financial analyses to assess trade-offs and inform decision-making and long-range planning.
• Stakeholder Coordination
• Serve as the primary staff liaison in the implementation of the Prop 479 TLCP with the region’s transit implementing partners, including Valley Metro, the City of Phoenix, and member agencies.
• Coordinate with federal and state agencies on funding requirements, compliance, and reporting.
• Provide technical assistance to member agencies regarding ongoing management of the Prop 479 TLCP.
• Data Management & Reporting
• Develop and maintain processes for tracking TLCP expenditures, funding commitments, and performance metrics.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and other supporting material for MAG policy committees, the public, and other external stakeholders as needed.
• Ensure transparency through consistent, accessible, and timely reporting.
• Studies & Project Management
• Foster collaboration across all five functions of MAG’s Transportation Division.
• Lead and support projects that advance TLCP implementation, including contract and consultant management.
• Deliver high-quality work products that are timely, accurate, and aligned with MAG’s standards.

The Candidate
The ideal candidate brings a solid background in regional transportation planning and policy, strong analytical and critical thinking skills, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. They are detail-oriented, highly organized, and comfortable working both independently and within a collaborative team environment. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential, particularly in conveying complex technical information clearly to a variety of stakeholders.

Qualifications and Skills

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with experience managing complex, multi-jurisdictional funding programs.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to present technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated organizational skills with keen attention to detail and deadlines.
• Familiarity with federal and state transit funding programs (e.g., FTA Sections 5307, 5310, 5337, 5339) is preferred.
• Experience and Education
• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, urban planning, political science, economics, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of relevant experience in transportation planning, policy, public finance, or similar fields.
• Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities will be considered.

The Maricopa Association of Governments is an Equal Opportunity Employer. During the selection process any applicant requiring accommodation for a disability should advise the Human Resources Division by calling (602) 452-5032.