Transportation Specialist - Department of Transportation

The Department of Transportation (DOT) plans, develops, operates, and maintains transportation facilities, services, and related systems which contribute to the livability and economic health of the City. We comprise a team of more than 500 people ready to serve the needs of our residents to improve the efficiency and safety of San José streets. We are an energetic and innovative team that is improving transportation in one of the nation’s largest cities, while focusing on safety, sustainability, and active public life! For more information about DOT, visit www.sanjoseca.gov/transportation. 

The Department of Transportation is currently seeking to fill 1 or more vacancies in the Planning and Project Delivery Team division. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

This salary range(s) includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience. 

Mobility Options Program Team

The Mobility Options team leads implementation of the Better Bike Plan 2025 and the Emerging Mobility Plan, along with other transportation initiatives that advance safe, sustainable, and equitable mobility. The team is responsible for bicycle, pedestrian, and active transportation planning and outreach; the City’s bike parking program; Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee administration; transportation demand management; mobility hubs; electric vehicle strategic planning; bike share and micromobility programs; sidewalk and aerial delivery device programs; and innovative mobility projects, including the East San José Mobility Project, among others.

Under the direction of the Associate Transportation Specialist, the Transportation Specialist position in the Mobility Options Program  is responsible for administering bike share, scooter share, personal delivery devices, aerial delivery devices, and the Downtown digital kiosk programs; conducting policy development, community engagement, and data analysis; coordinating with regional and local partners; administering grants and permits; and providing recommendations to City leadership, elected officials, and the public.

This position requires excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, superior project management competencies, the ability to apply progressive planning concepts and practices, a high level of community and stakeholder service using strong communications skills, and the ability to work well in a team environment. The position requires occasional attendance and participation at evening public meetings and occasional field survey work on various streets throughout the city.

Key responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

Manage the City’s bike share program. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Oversee the removal, replacement, and relocation of bike share stations to accommodate construction projects, special events, and other program needs.
• Coordinate with Mobility Options staff to site and install new Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC)- and grant-funded bike share stations.
• Collaborate with Mobility Options staff and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) to relocate selected bike share stations to improve rider experience and increase ridership.
• Represent the City at monthly and other regular and ad hoc meetings hosted by MTC with Bay Area Bike Share partner agencies, and other meetings as required
• Monitor and analyze bike share usage using the City's data platform to evaluate system performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and provide updates and recommendations to DOT leadership, elected officials, bike share partners, and the public.

• Coordinate community outreach and engagement with stakeholders and Council Offices for bike share initiatives,

Manage the City’s shared scooter permit program. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Monitor shared scooter operators to ensure compliance with City administrative regulations.
• Issue notices of violation and assess fines when compliance issues are not resolved
• Recommend updates to the City's administrative regulations
• Manage the competitive procurement process for shared scooter operator(s) and issue permits
• Monitor and analyze shared scooter usage using the City's data platform to evaluate program performance and provide updates and recommendations to DOT leadership, elected officials, and the public, as needed.

Manage the City’s personal delivery device permit program. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Administer the City's Personal Delivery Device Permit Program, which is currently under development; this includes oversight of the one-year Roadway Delivery Device Pilot Program.
• Coordinate with operators, stakeholders, and community representatives—including bicycle, pedestrian, and disability advocacy organizations—to monitor program implementation and pilot deployments.
• Recommend updates to the Personal Delivery Device administrative regulations based on program performance and stakeholder feedback.
• Update administrative regulations and fee schedules for future permit cycles and, if approved, transition the Roadway Delivery Device Pilot Program into a permanent permit program.

Serve as the Department liaison to the City's Downtown digital kiosk program. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Coordinate with City departments, stakeholders, and vendors to expand Downtown wayfinding through the City's multi-departmental digital kiosk program, including management of the associated vendor contract.

Manage the City’s aerial delivery device permit program. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Administer the aerial delivery device permit program, which is currently under development; this includes coordination with operators, stakeholders, and the community;
• monitor program implementation;
• recommend updates to administrative regulations, as appropriate; and evaluating program outcomes.

Other responsibilities as assigned.

Grants Management & Evaluations Team

The Department of Transportation Grants & Evaluations Team's mission is to support all interested department teams in grant funding pursuits. We achieve this through grant program research and strategy, managing the grant application process, and grant funding administration and delivery guidance. The evaluations team leads before-and-after study programs that seek to improve future project design and public communications about DOT projects through data-informed insights. These insights support future grant applications aimed at improving the safety of our most vulnerable roadway users (people walking and bicycling) based on a data-driven approach. Our team aims to increase grant-related revenue, limit the City’s exposure to any grant-related legal liability, and improve the efficiency and impact of programs and services funded through grant dollars.

Under the guidance of the Associate Transportation Specialist, the Transportation Specialist would support the development and implementation of a data-based transportation evaluation program, and support DOT grant efforts to secure local, state, and federal grant funds that help the City advance safety and convenience of roadway users. Specifically, the Transportation Specialist would be responsible for researching grant opportunities, supporting the development of grant applications, and developing and delivering a data-based evaluation system.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Grant Strategy and Development: Research and evaluate grant funding opportunities; support grant development and kick-off meetings; conduct GIS mapping and analysis; assess project competitiveness; and assist with the development of grant applications and supporting materials.
• Grant Information Management: Develop, maintain, and organize centralized grant information, databases, tracking systems, and reporting tools to support department-wide grant coordination, information sharing, and decision-making.
• Pre-Post Project Studies Delivery: Develop and deliver pre-post project evaluation studies for grant-funded CIP projects, including study plan development, kick-off coordination, data collection oversight, data analysis, spatial analysis, and presenting findings to internal and external stakeholders.
• Pre-Post Project Studies Information Management: Maintain and organize centralized study information for intradepartmental tracking and reporting tools, information sharing, and decision-making. Create process recommendations to refine departmental pre-post study approach.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in transportation planning, city and regional planning, urban studies, civil engineering, environmental studies or related field.

Certifications/Licenses: Possession of a valid driver’s license authorizing operation of a vehicle in the State of California is required.

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

• Job Expertise: Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.

• Communication Skills: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.
• Constructive Energies: A demonstration of energy and drive that comes from within, and a willingness to approach all aspects of work with a generally positive attitude; possessing the inclination to take appropriate action rather than waiting to be told what to do; examples of Constructive Energies include but are not limited to: enthusiasm, honesty, integrity, empathy, dedication, reliable, proactive, respectful, confidence, ethical, and a willingness to help others
• Analytical Thinking: Approaching a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.
• Collaboration: Develops networks and builds alliances; engages in cross-functional activities.
• Customer Service: Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.
• Initiative: Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.
• Multi-Tasking: Can handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously; has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current position(s).
• Planning: Acts to align own unit's goals with the strategic direction of the organization; defines tasks and milestones to achieve objectives, while ensuring the optimal use of resources to meet those objectives.
• Problem Solving: Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.
• Project Management: Ensures support for projects and implements agency goals and strategic objectives.
• Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills: Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Selection Process: 

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews, one of which may include a practical exercise.

If selected, the Conditional Offer of Employment may be contingent upon you providing proof of a valid State of California driver’s license, and an assessment of your California DMV Employer Pull Notice (EPN) as per the DMV Release of Driver Record Information form. Failure to pass the DMV Pull Notice assessment will deem you ineligible for employment.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact [email protected].