Principal Planner, Transit Cycle Program

Join to apply for the Principal Planner, Transit Life Cycle Program role at Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG)

Position Title:

Principal Planner, Transit Life Cycle Program
Post-date:
October 3, 2025
Status:
Full‑Time, Exempt
Salary: $94,527–$141,791

Location:

Downtown Phoenix, Arizona
Minimum 3 days per week in office

About MAG:
The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) is a regional planning agency that brings together 27 cities, 3 Native nations, and Maricopa and Pinal counties to develop solutions in transportation, environmental and air quality, and human services for a region of 5 million people covering more than 10,000 square miles. MAG is the council of governments and the designated metropolitan planning organization for transportation planning for the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.

Your Team: MAG’s Transportation Policy and Initiatives team oversees all transportation funding policy efforts and leads strategic initiatives directed by the interim transportation director and executive director, including development and management of Proposition 400 and 479 programs and assessment of state and federal transportation policy impacts.

The Position:
The Principal Planner will manage and oversee the Proposition 479 Transit Life Cycle Program (TLCP), ensuring regional transit funding is allocated, monitored, and reported in alignment with Maricopa County’s voter‑approved plan. The role plays a key part in long‑range transit funding, delivery of transit capital and operating projects, and program accountability across the region. Reporting to the Transportation Policy & Initiatives Program Manager, the Principal Planner will uphold transparent, data‑driven, and fiscally responsible processes in collaboration with regional partners.

• Lead ongoing management of the 20‑year TLCP, including both capital and operating components.
• Ensure alignment between TLCP allocations, RSTIIP policies, and federal/state funding requirements.
• Maintain and update program documentation, timelines, and financial reporting for internal and external use.

• Monitor and update long‑range revenue forecasts and cost estimates for the TLCP following existing annual and monthly update processes.
• Track key financial assumptions, including inflation and cost trends, to support accurate reporting.
• Conduct financial analyses to assess trade‑offs and inform decision‑making and long‑range planning.

• Serve as the primary staff liaison in the implementation of the Prop 479 TLCP with the region’s transit implementing partners, including Valley Metro, the City of Phoenix, and member agencies.
• Coordinate with federal and state agencies on funding requirements, compliance, and reporting.
• Provide technical assistance to member agencies regarding ongoing management of the Prop 479 TLCP.

• Develop and maintain processes for tracking TLCP expenditures, funding commitments, and performance metrics.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and other supporting material for MAG policy committees, the public, and other external stakeholders as needed.
• Ensure transparency through consistent, accessible, and timely reporting.

• Foster collaboration across all five functions of MAG’s Transportation Division.
• Lead and support projects that advance TLCP implementation, including contract and consultant management.
• Deliver high‑quality work products that are timely, accurate, and aligned with MAG’s standards.

The ideal candidate brings a solid background in regional transportation planning and policy, strong analytical and critical thinking skills, and a proactive approach to problem‑solving. They are detail‑oriented, highly organized, and comfortable working both independently and within a collaborative team environment. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential, particularly in conveying complex technical information clearly to a variety of stakeholders.

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with experience managing complex, multi‑jurisdictional funding programs.
• Excep…