Director of Planning and Sustainability

Under the administrative direction Chief of Planning and Engineering, the Director of Planning and Sustainability (P&S) is responsible for advancing the California High-Speed Rail Authority's (Authority) implementation of the high-speed rail (HSR) program through the development and oversight of all Authority policies and procedures pertaining to planning and sustainability. The incumbent is also responsible for ensuring compliance to all state and federal laws, statutes, and Authority policies and procedures. The Director of P&S ensures contractors fulfill strategic and contractual obligations to the Authority for the successful delivery of the high-speed rail (HSR) project on schedule and within budget. The incumbent will work closely and collaboratively with the Legislative Affairs Office, External Affairs and Communications Office, and Statewide Regional Office to assist in the implementation of various program functions. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement . Working Conditions This position works primarily in the office, but limited telework may be available for California residents. While working on-site, the incumbent works in a professional office environment, in a climate-controlled area which may fluctuate in temperature and is under artificial light. The incumbent will be required to use a computer, mouse, and keyboard, and will be required to sit for long periods of time at a computer screen. Employee must be able to focus for long periods of time, multi-task, adapt to changes in priorities, and complete tasks or projects with short notice. Employee must develop and maintain cooperative working relationships and display professionalism and respect for others in all contact opportunities. Minimum Requirements This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below. C. E. A. Additional Documents Job Application Package Checklist Duty Statement Position Details Job Code #: JC-508959 Position #(s): 311-685-7500-002 Working Title: Director of Planning and Sustainability Classification: C. E. A. $12,131.00 - $14,453.00 B Please note, the California High-Speed Rail Authority has the delegated authority to negotiate salaries for this Career Executive Appointment within this range. Please disregard the new to state language noted below. New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable. # of Positions: 1 Work Location: United States Telework: Hybrid Job Type: Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time Department Information Are you looking for a different type of state government job? Something with a little more excitement and a more fast-paced and fluid environment? How about an opportunity to be part of one of the most remarkable transportation projects in California's history? The California High-Speed Rail Authority is a small and dynamic state agency that is looking for employees who are interested in a challenging and rewarding job opportunity. Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey. Completing this survey is not required to be considered for this vacancy. Department Website: Special Requirements A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required to apply for this position. You must provide narrative responses and specific examples for each item listed below in your SOQ to be considered for this position. Your SOQ must be typed in 12-point font, no longer than 3 pages, organized by including the question below and numbered as reflected below, and then provide a response to these 6 items: Describe your leadership experience which demonstrates your ability to plan, organize, and direct multi-level staff. Describe your experience in developing, implementing, and maintaining planning and sustainability policies and procedures, objectives, and performance metrics for rail or transit projects. Describe your experience leading long-range planning initiatives for a major rail or transit project, including stations. Describe your experience establishing and implementing goals and targets for sustainable construction, rail operations, organizational practices, tracking, and reporting. Describe your experience in rail or transit station area development including transit-oriented development and last-mile connectivity. Describe your experience effectively collaborating with a wide range of individuals, such as management, executives, employees, elected officials, other public agency representatives, and/or other stakeholders in order to achieve departmental goals. Applications received without the SOQ will not be considered. Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be considered in the place of the SOQ. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, website searches, and third-party reviewers can be helpful in researching responses to the SOQ; however, by submitting your application for this position, you understand and acknowledge the SOQ you submit is your own work, in your own words, and accurately reflects your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences. Submitting an SOQ that is not your own may be cause for disqualification from the hiring process. For assistance in completing the SOQ, please reach out to the Human Resources contact below. Application Instructions Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application. Final Filing Date: 4/6/2026 Who May Apply Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California. How To Apply Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below: Address for Mailing Application Packages You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to: CA High Speed Rail Authority High Speed Rail Authority Attn: Human Resources 770 L Street, Suite 620, MS 4 Sacramento , CA 95814 Address for Drop-Off Application Packages You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at: CA High Speed Rail Authority High Speed Rail Authority Human Resources 770 L Street, Suite 620, MS 4 Sacramento , CA 95814 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM Required Application Package Documents The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job: Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position. Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required. Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required to apply. Please see above "Special Requirements" section for SOQ instructions. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting. Examination Qualification Requirements All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement. Note: Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in the civil service. General Qualifications State civil service employees must possess essential general qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others. Knowledge and Abilities Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy - influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities: Please see attached duty statement for the knowledge and abilities. These knowledge and abilities are expected to be obtained from the following kinds of experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation and/or evaluation of program policies (experience may have been paid or volunteer; in State service, other government settings, or in a private organization): CEA Level A - Responsible for broad administrative and program activities, including the execution and/or evaluation of program policies. CEA Level B - Responsible for extensive managerial and program administration or broad program manager experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation, and/or evaluation of program policies. CEA Level C - Responsible for extensive highly professional influence and contributes to program, policy, and the methods to provide professional services needed to set policies, to meet the mission of the State department and often exercising technical and or professional skills that are required at this level. Desirable Qualifications In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate: Experience with high-speed rail or related rail planning and operation in California and/or North America. Experience with major regional and federal transportation agencies on strategic planning, program and project development, environmental planning, operations and maintenance planning, and funding. Experience with real estate development, the land use planning process, zoning and code process, and urban design. Experience at the managerial level with extensive knowledge of principles, practices, and trends of urban planning, transportation planning, high-speed rail planning and design, and intercity transportation. Experience in providing technical expertise and leadership in sustainability of a high-value project. Experience at the managerial level with overseeing station area planning activities. Experience in administering the implementation of policies and procedures throughout an organization. Experience at the managerial level with extensive knowledge of principles, practices, and trends of state and federal environmental review processes, public administration, organization, and management. Strong management, analytical, and decision-making skills and the ability to work and communicate with diverse and multi-disciplinary staff, federal, state, local officials, and stakeholders about Authority issues regarding planning major transportation projects. Experience directly managing direct-report staff and consultants in multiple offices. Experience in complex partnerships, such as Public/Private partnerships, and/or Joint Powers Authority. Experience at the managerial level with the ability to develop and maintain a network of contacts with federal, state, and local officials and the public to ensure an open exchange of information regarding the project and ability to coordinate planning, and environmental strategies and goals with local, regional, and federal officials. Knowledge at the managerial level of the Authority organization, operations, and relevant policy issues. Exceptional written and oral communications skills. Examination Information The examination will consist of a review of each applicant's application and Statement of Qualifications. A rating panel will rate the applications and Statement of Qualifications based on the identified desirable qualifications for the position and the competitive nature of each candidate's relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Therefore, it is critical that each applicant include specific information on how their experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities meet the desirable qualifications for the position. If you meet the requirements stated in this announcement, you may take this competitive examination. Possession of the Examination Qualifications requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination will be compared with the performance of others who take this examination, and all successful candidates will be ranked according to their scores. A minimum rating of 70% must be attained in the Examination to obtain list eligibility for this position. All candidates will receive written notification of their examination results. The results of this examination will only be used to fill this position. Applications will be retained for twelve months. Hiring interviews for the Job may be conducted with the most qualified candidates. The examining Department reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service law and rules and all competitors will be notified. Special Testing Arrangements If you have a disability and need special testing arrangements, answer the Reasonable Accommodations question appropriately on your Application (STD 678). You will be contacted to make specific arrangements. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this announcement. Benefits The State of California offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, vision, dental, a retirement pension, a telework stipend if applicable, and an array of other options. Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website. Contact Information The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process. Department Website: Human Resources Contact: Human Resources (916) 669-6606 Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office. EEO Contact: EEO Office (916) 324-1541 California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device. Application Information The STD. 678 is required, and each section must be filled out completely and thoroughly. Please do not include your Social Security Number, date of birth, veteran status, personal photos, LEAP information, or any other personally identifying information on any documents in your application package. Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method of applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, as set forth in this announcement. If applying via postal mail or by dropping off your application, applicants must include JC-508959 and Director of Planning and Sustainability, 311-685-7500-002 in the 'Job Title' section of the STD. 678 to be considered for this position. Location This is a statewide recruitment. Positions may be filled in any of the following High-Speed Rail Authority office locations. Selected candidates will be assigned to the office location closest to their home. Sacramento Fresno Los Angeles San Jose Equal Opportunity Employer The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation. It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Created: 2026-03-17