Career Center

Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is seeking an experienced planner with excellent communication, collaboration, and project management skills to support the Goods Movement business unit in the Mobility Planning and Goods Movement Department. This position is a full-time, three-year limited-term position funded through the end of June 2026 by the REAP 2021 grant.
 
The Senior Regional Planner will lead and support a broad range of goods movement initiatives such as the 2024 Connect SoCal Update, program development for REAP 2.0 Transportation Partnerships Programs, and scoping and development of the Comprehensive Regional Goods Movement Plan and Implementation Strategy. Goods movement transcends economy, community, and environmental aspects throughout the SCAG region, and this position will play a vital role in working with a broad cross-section of stakeholders to address regional goods movement issues.
 
The Mobility Planning and Goods Movement Department is organized into three business units including Multimodal Integration, Technology and Innovation, and Goods Movement. The Department works to improve mobility and mitigate system impacts, optimize the goods movement network, and broaden transportation choices. The Department accomplishes this through planning for demand management, multimodal system integration, increasing economic efficiency, and safety and air quality improvements, supported by technology and innovation. Together, the three business units reflect SCAG’s regional strategic vision, mission, and goals and objectives into their programs, plans, and studies, supporting the region’s six counties. This ranges from producing innovative solutions for the region’s broadband needs, to developing key infrastructure for transit priority and mobility hubs, to establishing public-private partnerships demonstrating commercial deployment of zero-emission freight technologies.
 
WHO WE ARE
 
As a mission-driven organization, SCAG is committed to attracting and retaining talent who embody SCAG’s values. SCAG's workforce is passionate and committed to innovation that improves the quality of life for all Southern Californians. When you join SCAG, you can expect a culture where collaboration and teamwork is fostered. 
 
SCAG operates as a hybrid organization because we recognize that work can be successfully performed in various locations. Designing a work environment and culture where SCAG’s mission, effectiveness, and collaboration can be more flexibly served demonstrates our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) by supporting work-life balance for our employees, retaining our existing dedicated staff, and increasing access to new talent pools.
 
As part of our Work@SCAG hybrid approach, employees’ eligibility in the three work models (office, hybrid, remote) will depend on the department, position, responsibilities, and duties. All work models require employees to work from a location based within the SCAG region. This position is expected to be in the office one day per week. 
 
WHAT WE BELIEVE
 
MISSION
To foster innovative regional solutions that improve the lives of Southern Californians through inclusive collaboration, visionary planning, regional advocacy, information sharing, and promoting best practices.
 
VISION
Southern California's Catalyst for a Brighter Future.
 
SCAG CORE VALUES

• Be Open: Be accessible, candid, collaborative and transparent in the work we do.
• Lead by Example: Commit to integrity and equity in working to meet the diverse needs of all people and communities in our region.
• Make an Impact: In all endeavors, effect positive and sustained outcomes that make our region thrive.
• Be Courageous: Have confidence that taking deliberate, bold and purposeful risks can yield new and valuable benefits.

 
OUR LOCATION
SCAG headquarters is located in the hub of busy downtown Los Angeles, at Figueroa and 7th streets. SCAG has recently relocated to the 900 Wilshire Building, a new, multi-use hotel and office complex that features state of the art architecture and technology. The downtown area has expanded with LA Live, new restaurants, music, sports, shopping, libraries, museums and theaters. SCAG is in a culturally diverse area near Koreatown, Little Tokyo, Chinatown, Olvera Street and Grand Central Market. Southern California boasts near-perfect weather and close proximity to mountains, beaches and deserts, which encourages physical fitness and year-round activities.
 
For ease of commuting, the LA office is located across the street from the Metro Red Line 7th St. station and is easily accessible by commuter trains and buses serving surrounding areas. Metro's light rail and subway connect downtown LA to Hollywood, Universal City, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Azusa, Long Beach and many vibrant and up-and-coming neighborhoods.

In this role you can expect to

• Serve as a project manager and lead assigned projects on topics such as goods movement, supply chains, medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicle clean technologies and supporting infrastructure; develop and implement scopes of work, project timelines, project budgets, deliverables and milestones, communications, and grants, reports, and applications. 
• Support the 2024 Connect SoCal update by developing the goods movement technical report.
• Support program development for REAP 2.0 Transportation Partnership Programs focusing on last mile delivery and other goods movement related aspects of VMT and GHG reduction.
• Identify federal, state, and local funding sources applicable for various goods movement infrastructure implementation needs and develop innovative approaches to regional funding strategies for assigned areas.
• Collaborate with a variety of stakeholders in acquiring data and information, coordinating regional planning matters and engaging stakeholders in planning processes.
• Lead efforts on federal, state, regional, and local goods movement coordination and collaboration, including stakeholder convening across public, private, and institutional partners.
• Present technical and policy matters to committees, the SCAG regional council, other regional and local committees, working groups, and forums, and attend relevant conferences and peer exchanges to promote the region's efforts.
• Prepare, draft, and finalize project reports, staff reports, memos, grant applications, and communications. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

What you'll bring to this role

A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be with 5 years' experience in urban planning and design, project management, or planning regulations with an emphasis on goods movement and a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.

Any combination of training, education, and experience that would provide the required skills, knowledge, and abilities is qualifying.
 
We’ll be a great match if you also have:
 

• Knowledge of transportation, land use, and equity planning principles, practices, and concepts; global supply chains; transportation and logistics within the Southern California region; pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations. 
• Knowledge of advanced project management principles and concepts; policy analysis techniques and methods; research methods related to planning and analysis
• Ability to lead small teams; work with consultants on programs and projects; work with external stakeholders including private companies, communities, and the general public; contribute to a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, including excellent presentation and public speaking skills.

Supplemental Information

Please note, this posting will remain open until­­ Monday, May 22 at 5:00 PM, with the first application review taking place on Monday, May 8. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply prior to that date. We anticipate interviews for this position will be held in five weeks.