Associate Analyst - Funding and Transit

Associate Analyst – Funding and Transit SACOG is seeking a transportation professional who enjoys collaborating across the agency and with partners, as well as working on their own to support two connected areas of work: SACOG’s regional transportation funding programs and its transit program administration responsibilities. The position includes support for SACOG-led state and federal transportation funding programs, funding estimates and program monitoring. The position also supports SACOG’s responsibilities administering and monitoring Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding to the region’s transit agencies, and other transit-related funding, reporting, and compliance activities. This position will help ensure a coordinated approach to regional funding. The Associate Analyst – Funding and Transit will work on a variety of funding and transit activities on the Transportation Team, including support for SACOG-led regional funding programs; coordination of FTA requirements related to Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) duties; technical support for transit reporting and funding activities; and performing other tasks as assigned. This position will be required to work collaboratively with a variety of external partners, including public transit operators, federal agencies, local municipalities, other regional agencies, and state partners, as well as other SACOG teams. This position combines regional transportation funding with transit program administration responsibilities, requiring the ability to work across multiple program areas. This position will report directly to the Transit Program Manager, but will also work closely with the Funding and Grants Program Manager. The Transportation Team The ideal candidate would be joining a team of professionals with diverse transportation planning backgrounds, including transportation funding and grants, transportation demand management, alternative mobility, active transportation, public transit operations and planning, and corridor planning. This position will be an integral part of the Transportation Team at SACOG, and will regularly coordinate with staff of other teams. The Organization SACOG is the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the six-county Sacramento region. Formed as a Joint Powers Authority, SACOG is governed by a board of 31 elected officials that directly represent all six counties and 22 cities in the region, and one ex-officio member (Caltrans). While transportation is core to SACOG’s role as a Metropolitan Planning Organization, SACOG has over two decades of experience approaching regional issues from an integrated perspective that examines the linkages between transportation, housing, economic prosperity, environmental stewardship, and air quality. Under the leadership of its executive director, SACOG has a vision of a vibrant and thriving Sacramento region for all. Its mission is: SACOG convenes and connects the region to advance an equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future. Join our Agency SACOG values diversity and believes that a range of backgrounds brings a variety of ideas, perspectives and experiences that contribute to an innovative and collaborative environment in which talents are fully utilized, uniqueness is valued, and SACOG’s objectives are met. SACOG is committed to building a culturally diverse workplace. We welcome individuals of all backgrounds, orientations, and identities. In addition to being an organizational value, we also uphold equal opportunity under the law. SACOG is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. SACOG provides fair and equal opportunity for all with no discrimination because of race, creed, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, age, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. SACOG employs a dedicated and professional staff of 60 who work together to advance solutions to some of the region’s shared challenges of transportation, housing, air quality, climate change and the protection of the region’s agricultural and natural resources. SACOG fosters an inclusive, mission driven, and fun employee culture and offers flexible schedules. SACOG will make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental disabilities of an otherwise qualified individual who is an applicant or employee. Why join SACOG? Teamwork We work towards a shared vision while cultivating a workplace of collaboration, trust, and transparency. We create space for individual strengths and experiences to achieve more, together. Community We intentionally build an inclusive community where people can be themselves, share ideas, and pursue solutions. Together, we address challenges that are too big for any one person or group to solve on their own. Dedication We have the courage to tackle new challenges head on. We are driven by the opportunity to leave a lasting, positive impact on the region. We are committed to quality performance as we accomplish the agency’s goals. Innovation We strive for continuous improvement by reimagining the work and the way we do it. We use data and input to measure our progress, extract new insights, and elevate our work. This allows us to pave new paths into the future. Hybrid Position As an integral part of our organization, employees will provide support in a flexible work environment. This position will have the ability to telework three days per week. The remainder of the work week will be in‑person. Employees are required to live within 200 miles of Sacramento. We support telework because it: Enhances employee productivity, satisfaction, and ability to collaborate. Improves recruitment and retention. Reduces greenhouse gas emission, vehicle miles traveled (VMT), traffic and parking congestion, and air pollution. Hiring Timeline Filing Deadline: July 17 First round interviews: Week of August 10 Second round interviews: Week of August 17 Reference checks: Week of August 24 Desired start date: September 2026 Regional Funding Duties Supports the development of funding round guidelines and execution of rotating SACOG‑led federal and state funding programs. Coordinates with other SACOG teams on the development of fund estimates for SACOG’s Regional Funding Programs. Completes the necessary financial and needs assessment forecasts that are essential to SACOG’s Metropolitan Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (MTP/SCS). Monitors and tracks funding awards, allocations, and expenditures across multiple SACOG‑led funding programs, ensuring consistency with programming requirements and financial tracking systems. Coordinates with other internal SACOG teams, including organizing project and funding data, to support development of performance monitoring indicators and consistent reporting across programs. This includes tracking grant awards in state and federal discretionary programs, generating reports and analyses using SACOG’s existing project database, and developing and maintaining new indicators related to transportation and mobility outcomes in the SACOG region. Transit Funding Duties Supports administration and coordination of Federal Transit Administration funding (such as Sections 5339 and 5307) for the region’s transit agencies, consistent with the process included in the adopted MOU and federal grant management processes and requirements. Leads technical work to support other state and regional transit funding sources, including Transportation Development Act (TDA) programs like Local Transportation Fund (LTF) and State Transit Assistance (STA). Coordinates with the Programming and Finance teams to support MPO responsibilities related to the FTA Triennial Review, annual FTA Program of Projects, FTA grant compliance and monitoring, and coordinating FTA transit performance targets. Supports and/or leads transit data collection, monitoring, and reporting as it relates to transit activities in the region, including unmet transit needs process, Title VI, and technical assistance with transit operators. We know and appreciate that everyone brings their own talents to a job. If we could have it all, here’s what ideal candidate would look like to us: Strong organizational skills, including time management, ability to set priorities, and ability to anticipate deadlines. Adaptability and flexibility, and the ability to manage multiple assignments competing requirements and deadlines. Dedication to collaboration across SACOG teams and regional partners. Ability to work both independently and in a team environment. Strong critical thinking skills, including the ability to make effective decisions amidst uncertainty. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Experience with transit and transportation planning. Understanding of state and federal transit programs and transportation planning regulations. Understanding of and experience with state and federal transportation funding sources, eligibility rules, programming cycles, and grant requirements, especially for FTA programs. Ability to develop funding estimates, needs assessments, forecasts, and track awards across multiple programs. Skill in organizing and analyzing project and funding data to support development of performance monitoring indicators. Ability to make presentations before various boards and/or committees in an effective and concise manner. The following is not required, but desired Knowledge of the region’s transit network, including operators and key transit corridors. Experience with the FTA TrAMS grant management system. Ability to understand and explain changing state and federal transportation policies, regulations, and funding guidance, and communicate implications for SACOG programs and partners. Proficiency in advanced Excel tools and functions, with working knowledge of GIS and basic mapping applications. Strong coordination and communication skills, including the ability to work with transit operators, local jurisdictions, planners, modelers, and consultants to gather data, clarify assumptions, and document methods. Ability to collaborate with technical staff to support development of analytical frameworks that align data and analysis with transit agency priorities, regulatory requirements, and policy maker needs. Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. We welcome applicants with non‑traditional pathways to education and experience. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: Education equivalent to graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university with major coursework in Transportation/Urban Planning, Public or Business Administration, Political Science or related field. Three (3) years of full‑time progressively responsible program management work in transportation planning, transportation funding and/or transportation grants or two (2) years of experience equivalent to an Analyst II at SACOG.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

This is primarily a sedentary classification and the employee works in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. The employee interfaces with staff, management, other agency representatives, member jurisdictions, government officials, business representatives, and the general public in explaining SACOG policies and requesting and providing information. #J-18808-Ljbffr Sacramento Area Council of Governments