Career Opportunity

Transportation Planner IV – (5290) – Citywide - (T00092)

Recruitment: REF55475K

Published: September 29, 2025

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal.

About:

This is a Citywide Exam posting. Your application to this posting is an application to take a citywide exam.

If you pass the exam, you will be emailed your score and ranking on the eligible candidate list. When a department has an open position with this job classification they will use this eligible list to hire for that position. Departments will contact candidates from this list to gauge interest in their specific roles. Learn more about the City’s hiring process here: https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/process/

Application Opening: September 29, 2025
Application Deadline: Apply Immediately. Application filing will be open at least through October 10, 2025 and will close any time thereafter.

Salary range: $150,384 to $182,702

San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city, on the forefront of economic growth & innovation, urban development, arts & entertainment, as well as social issues & change. This rich tapestry of culture and ideas is sustained by our City's commitment to heighten the quality of life for the diverse population of San Franciscans and residents of the greater Bay Area. Our employees play an important role not only in making our City what it is today, but also in shaping the future of San Francisco. 

Role description

Under general administrative supervision the 5290 Transportation Planner IV performs work in transportation planning concerning public transportation, shuttle services, biking and walking, curb/parking management, paratransit, traffic management, commercial ground transportation management, and other transportation modes.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Coordinates and/or supervises the work of a group of subordinates or peers on major projects in various phases of transit or transportation planning.
2. Supervises the design and preparation of models, maps, charts, drawings, publications, signage, displays and other graphic materials to illustrate plans and reports or disseminate information.
3. Analyzes and evaluates social, economic and physical data and prepares reports on the more complex and difficult planning issues; may prepare grant requests, analyze applications for new services or develop project justifications.
4. Prepares plans and projections of future transit or transportation conditions and trends.
5. Investigates and reviews federal and state legislation and regulations for potential impact on transportation plans and policies and makes recommendations for the review process.
6. Prepares and manages requests for proposals, budgets, schedules and contracts for major transportation planning projects, or for airport operational contracts.
7. Represents the department in public meetings and governmental/regulatory agency hearings and peer working groups to explain planning policies, programs and projects.
8. Prepares and reviews draft legislation reports for City Commission and/or Board of Supervisors.
9. Applies and/or oversees computer-assisted analytical techniques to evaluate and/or forecast planning and operational data to assist in formulating transportation planning programs.
10. Prepares and reviews correspondence in response to public, Commission or other agency inquiries.
11. Develops, and coordinates the implementation of transportation plans, projects, and policies including transit route service and operational changes.

How to qualify

1. Possession of a Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in Planning, Transportation, Transportation Engineering, Public Administration or other closely related field; AND four (4) years of transportation planning experience. Two (2) years of this experience must be at a professional-level focused on the analysis, design, development of transportations systems or services; OR
2. Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; AND six (6) years of transportation planning experience. Four (4) years of this experience must be at a professional level focused on the analysis, design, and development of transportation systems or services.

Substitution:

Additional transportation planning experience beyond the Minimum Qualifications may be substituted for the baccalaureate degree requirement on a year-for year basis. (30 semester units/45 quarter units equal one (1) year of experience).

Note: Internships and other training focused experience do not qualify towards the required years of professional level experience.

Verification of Education and Experience:
Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Review SF Careers Employment Applications for considerations taken when reviewing applications.  

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education/. 

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

Supervisory Test Battery (Weight: 30%):
Candidates deemed qualified will be invited to participate in a computer-based examination designed to measure competencies in job-related areas which may include but not be limited to: Problem Solving; Leadership; Decision Making; Interpersonal skill; Human Resources Management; Team Building; Communication & Conflict Management. For more information about this Supervisory Test (and a suggested reading list) please visit:

http://www.sfdhr.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=11676

This is considered a standardized examination, and therefore, test questions and answers are not available for public inspection or review.

Scores attained on the Supervisory Test Battery will be valid and 'banked' for three years, starting from the date of the examination. This means that, during this three-year time period, you will not be required to take the Supervisory Test Battery. The Supervisory Test Battery may be used for many other classes; therefore, your test score may be applied to one or more of these classes if you choose to apply to future recruitments. If the selection process for the future announcement is held within one year of the date of this examination and it includes the Supervisory Test Battery, your score will be automatically applied to that announcement. However, after one year, you have the option to either (a) apply your test score to the other announcement or (b) re-take the Supervisory Test Battery. Retesting is permitted no sooner than one year from the date of the examination and only in association with your eligibility for another announcement for which the Supervisory Test Battery is used. Please note that, should you re-test, your re-test score would become your official score since it is the most recent.

A passing score must be achieved on the Supervisory Test Battery in order to move forward in the selection process and for your Training and Experience Evaluation to be scored.

Training and Experience Evaluation (Weight: 70%):
Candidates deemed qualified will be sent a link to the Supplemental Questionnaire via email. The Supplemental Questionnaire is designed to measure knowledge, skills and/or abilities in job-related areas which includes but not limited to: knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of various phases of public transportation and/or transportation planning; knowledge of statistical and research methods; knowledge of drafting, mapping, and information dissemination techniques; knowledge of transportation/transit regulations; knowledge of data sources for/transportation research; knowledge of transportation information presentation techniques; knowledge of environmental impact analysis; ability to analyze and solve problems; supervisory ability; oral and written communication; human relations ability; ability to use computer software; and project management ability.

It is important that the information provided on the supplemental questionnaire be accurate and complete. All statements made on the application materials are subject to verification.

Candidates must achieve a passing score in order to be placed on the eligible list/score report.

What else should I know?

Eligible List/Score Report:
A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created, and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.

The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be of 12 months and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.

To find Departments which use this classification, please see the city’s Position Counts by Job Codes and Departments.

Airport-specific Conditions of Employment:

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security Clearance: Candidates for employment with the San Francisco Airport Commission are required to undergo a criminal history record check, including FBI fingerprints, and Security Threat Assessment in order to determine eligibility for security clearance and may be required to undergo drug/alcohol screening. Per Civil Service Commission Rule Section 110.9.1, every applicant for an examination must possess and maintain the qualifications required by law and by the examination announcement for the examination. Failure to obtain and maintain security clearance may be basis for termination from employment with the Airport Commission.

Customs Clearance: Candidates for employment with the San Francisco Airport Commission are required to be qualified for unescorted access to the San Francisco International Airport U.S. Customs Security Area. An application for a U.S. Custom Access Seal may be submitted to Customs ONLY after employment has commenced. Employment in this position requires that the incumbent submit an application for, successfully acquire and maintain a Customs Access Seal. Per Civil Service Commission Rule 110.9.1, every applicant must possess and maintain the qualifications required by law and by the examination announcement for this examination. Failure to acquire or maintain customs access, a requirement for this position, may be basis for termination from employment with the Airport Commission. Customs Access Seal requirements and procedures are located in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 19, Part 122, Sections 181 or 189.

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:
Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations.  [Note: The correction of clerical errors in an announcement may be posted on the Department of Human Resources website at Careers with Purpose | City and County of San Francisco (sf.gov)

The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 110.4.  Such appeals must be submitted in writing to the Department of Human Resources, 1 S Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103-5413 by close of business on the 5th business day following the issuance date of this examination announcement. Information concerning other Civil Service Commission Rules involving announcements, applications and examination policies, including applicant appeal rights, can be found on the Civil Service Commission website at https://sf.gov/departments/civil-service-commission.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency:

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview 
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

Where to Apply
All job applications for the City and County of San Francisco must be submitted through our online portal. Please visit https://careers.sf.gov/ to begin your application process.  Visit Careers with Purpose | City and County of San Francisco (sf.gov)

1. Type "5290" in to the "Search by class or keyword" field.
2. Click the link to open the Job Announcement.
3. Select the “Apply Now” button and follow instructions on the screen.

Computers are available for the public (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor and at the City Career Center at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110. 

Ensure your application information is accurate, as changes may not be possible after submission. Your first and last name must match your legal ID for verification, and preferred names can be included in parentheses. Use your personal email address, not a shared or work email, to avoid unfixable issues. 

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notifications@smartrecruiters.com that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received. 

If you have any questions, you may contact Patty Wong at Patty.Wong@sfmta.com. Recruitment ID: CBT-5290-T00092 

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.