-
Job Description
Description
Help build safer, more sustainable, and people-centered streets
About the Opportunity
The City of Palo Alto’s Office of Transportation (OOT) is seeking to fill two positions:- Associate Transportation Planner
$53.99 - $66.02 hourly | $112,299 - $137,321 annually - Senior Transportation Planner
$66.39 - $81.23 hourly | $138,091 - $168,958 annually
These roles work collaboratively to advance Palo Alto’s transportation goals-improving safety for all users, reducing reliance on single-occupancy vehicles, and enhancing mobility across an integrated transportation system.
Palo Alto is a national leader in active transportation, with one of the highest bicycle commuting rates in the country and over 40% of public middle and high school students biking to school through our Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program. From neighborhood bikeways to citywide policy initiatives, OOT’s work directly shapes how people move through and experience the city every day.
About the Office of Transportation
The Office of Transportation is dedicated to preserving and enhancing quality of life for Palo Alto residents, visitors, and businesses by delivering efficient, equitable, and cost-effective transportation solutions across all modes.
Our work spans:- Bicycling and walking improvements
- Safe Routes to School
- Transportation projects and capital improvements
- Traffic operations and safety (transportation engineering)
- Parking and curb management
Whether implementing quick-build safety improvements near schools or advancing long-term climate and mobility goals, our team works at both the neighborhood and systems level to create a safer, more connected city.
Position Overview
Associate Transportation Planner
This role is centered on Safe Routes to School (SRTS) and youth mobility. The Associate will play a hands-on role in developing and delivering programs that support safe, independent travel for middle and high school students-work that directly shapes how young people experience their communities and build lifelong transportation habits.
We are seeking candidates who are not only interested in this work, but deeply invested in it as part of their long-term career path. This role is best suited for someone who sees youth mobility, safety, and equitable access as core to their professional focus and is motivated to contribute meaningfully to this space over time.
This is an ideal opportunity for someone who:- Is committed to advancing Safe Routes to School and youth mobility initiatives
- Brings a strong interest in community-based, people-centered transportation work
- Is comfortable with hands-on program delivery, fieldwork, and direct engagement with students, parents, faculty, and school administrators
- Is looking to grow within the transportation planning field with a clear sense of purpose
Senior Transportation Planner
The Senior Planner leads complex transportation initiatives, including active transportation, sustainability, and policy-driven projects. This role plays a key part in advancing projects from early concept and funding through design and implementation.
We are seeking candidates who bring both technical depth and a clear commitment to sustainable transportation, with experience translating policy and planning goals into implemented projects.
This is an ideal opportunity for someone who:- Has experience delivering projects from concept through implementation
- Brings a strong understanding of sustainable transportation systems, policy, and design
- Is comfortable leading programs and coordinating across teams and stakeholders
- Is motivated by advancing impactful, community-centered transportation solutions
Ideal Candidate
Across both roles, we’re looking for candidates who are collaborative, adaptable, and committed to public service-planners who approach their work with both technical rigor and a strong sense of purpose.
Strong candidates will demonstrate:- Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing needs
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Experience with GIS, data analysis, or transportation planning tools
- A customer service mindset and ability to work with diverse stakeholders
Additionally for Senior level:- Strong project coordination and leadership experience
- Experience supporting or leading complex transportation projects
- •Understanding of complete streets guidance and design tools
What You'll Do:
Associate Transportation Planner (Key Focus Areas)- Design and implement Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programming, including youth-focused transportation safety education
- Coordinate with schools, agencies, and community partners
- Assist with implementation of school-area and quick-build transportation improvements
- Conduct outreach and engagement with students, families, and community groups
- Prepare reports, presentations, and supporting materials
- Analyze transportation safety needs and assist in developing solutions
To view the full Associate Transportation Planner job description, click here.
Senior Transportation Planner (Key Focus Areas)- Lead transportation planning projects and programs from concept through implementation
- Coordinate project teams, including staff and consultants
- Prepare and present reports to boards, commissions, and City Council
- Lead community engagement efforts and represent the City in regional forums
- Support development and implementation of transportation policies and programs
- Provide technical guidance and mentorship to staff, as needed
To view the full Senior Transportation Planner job description, click here.
Why This Work Matters
In Palo Alto, transportation planning is not just about infrastructure-it’s about who feels safe, who has access, and how communities move and connect.
From supporting a student’s ability to travel independently to advancing citywide sustainability goals, this work has a direct and lasting impact. We are looking for planners who recognize that impact and are motivated to be part of it.
Join us in building a city where movement is safer, more sustainable, and accessible for all. Apply today!
Essential Duties
To view the full Associate Transportation Planner job description, click here.
To view the full Senior Transportation Planner job description, click here.
Minimum Qualifications
Associate Transportation Planner- Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Studies or related field from an accredited college or university
- Two years of related experience in urban, conservation, or transportation planning
Senior Transportation Planner- Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Architecture, Historic Preservation or a directly related field from an accredited college or university. An advanced degree is highly desirable.
- Five years of suitable professional experience in urban planning (or substitute for up to two years of experience a master's degree in planning or a related field).
Special Requirement (Both Positions)- Possession of a valid California Driver’s License
Supplemental Information
The Selection Process:- Applicants will receive recruitment status notifications via email. Governmentjobs.com account also has notification status updates.
- Applicants will be screened throughout the posting process and highly qualified candidates may be invited to interview at any time after the posting closes.
- The screening process for this position typically may include a virtual recorded interview and/or panel interviews preceding final interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.
Our online application system is provided byNeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contactNeoGov'sLive Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.
This position is represented by Service Employee International Union (SEIU).
Compensation (SEIU) :Comprehensive compensation plan, to learn more clickHERE.
The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
See our Benefits at a Glance Bookletfor more details.
Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking HERE.
Closing Date/Time: 4/27/2026 11:59 PM Pacific - Associate Transportation Planner
-
ABOUT THE COMPANY
-
-
City of Palo Alto
Show moreThe Community
The birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, is a community of approximately 68,000 residents and nearly 100,000 jobs. Located on the mid-Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technology, medicine, and green innovation. The community's treelined streets and historic buildings reflect its California heritage, and, at the same time, many world-class businesses maintain or started offices here, such as Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Amazon, Broadcom, Hewlett-Packard, Houzz, Rivian, SAP and SAP Ariba, Tesla, and Varian Medical Systems. Numerous start-ups are also at home in Palo Alto, arguably making it the start-up capital of the world. Stanford University is foundational to the history and prestige of Palo Alto, reflected in the community's dedication to lifelong learning. Stanford's cultural and educational offerings are integral to the vibrancy and charm of Palo Alto, while the City's exceptional K-12 school district ranks among the top public-school systems in the country. With more than 50% of adult residents holding a graduate degree or higher, Palo Alto is frequently listed as one of the most educated cities in the nation. Palo Alto boasts a genuine sense of community and an active citizenry with strong environmental values. Beautiful neighborhoods are complemented by vibrant commercial corridors and a bustling economy featuring premium shopping and dining options. Excellent healthcare facilities, performing arts, and diverse recreational opportunities are some of the community's incredibly desirable and cherished amenities. To learn more, visit https://www.paloalto.gov/Departments/City-Manager/Latest-NewsCity Government
Palo Alto is a full-service charter city with a council-manager form of government. The seven-member City Council is elected at large, and the City Council annually selects the Mayor and Vice Mayor from among its members. The Mayor and City Council appoint the City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, and City Auditor. The City Manager is responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the City. Palo Alto is organized into 15 departments/offices with 1,093.10 authorized positions in FY 2025. There is also a FY 2025 capital budget of $316.2 million. Palo Alto owns and operates its own utilities, including electricity (carbon-neutral), gas, water, wastewater, and an expanding fiber network. This dynamic municipal environment ensures an ever-engaging platform for unique problem-solving and advances new initiatives, including sustainability, broadband, and effective service delivery. Community assets also include five libraries, 36 parks, five community centers, a museum and zoo, youth centers, a general aviation airport, an 18-hole golf course, a regional water treatment plant, and wildland open space preserves at the San Francisco Bay and in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains offering 41 miles of walking/biking trails in addition to its police, fire, and ambulance services. Palo Alto has long been a leader in sustainability, and the City's ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals are part of what sets it apart. Since the City's first Climate Protection Plan was passed in 2007, Palo Alto has set goals that exceed State and Federal targets. Today, the City's goal to reduce emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2030 (the "80x30" goal) and achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 guides sustainability efforts. An award-winning City, Palo Alto is recognized nationally as innovative and well-managed. City services and performance also receive impressive marks from community members in the Palo Alto Community Survey.
Many of those ratings put City programs and services in the highest percentiles among the hundreds of benchmark cities. Palo Alto makes decisions through comprehensive processes and proactively seeks to involve its extremely informed, educated, and engaged residents. Projects are naturally a cooperative effort among the City Council, Boards, Commissions, Committees, engaged residents, neighborhoods, businesses, property owners, and staff.
Join an Award Winning Team
Palo Alto is an award-winning City recognized nationwide as innovative and well-managed. Palo Alto is one of a small number of California cities with a AAA bond rating. Recently, Palo Alto became one of the most livable cities in the U.S. by Livability.com. It's the only city to receive the Platinum Beacon Award in sustainability best practices by California’s Institute for Local Government. We offer a variety of career paths that relate to building and improving communities. The City has fourteen departments employing 1,000 full-time staff. Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and building inspectors keep us safe. Engineers and public works staff build and re-build the physical infrastructure. City planners help envision and shape future community growth. Recreation, arts and library professionals enhance community life. Utilities provides electric, gas, water, sewer and other services. Internal services departments help manage, staff, and protect the City.
Want to learn more about our benefits? Learn more by reviewing our "Benefits at a Glance Booklet."
Contact Us
Phone: 650-329-2376
Email: Recruit@paloalto.gov
Location: City Hall, 1st Floor | 250 Hamilton Ave 94301 | View Map
-