Analyst II – Transportation Funding and Grants

The Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) is seeking a curious, analytical, and collaborative professional to help shape how transportation funding supports safer streets, reliable travel, cleaner air, and thriving communities across the Sacramento region.

As part of SACOG’s funding, grants, and performance planning team, you will help administer regional funding programs, work with local agencies pursuing transportation investments, and analyze information that supports funding decisions. You will also contribute to efforts to strengthen the connection between transportation performance, regional priorities, and investment strategies.

We are looking for someone who enjoys making sense of information, asking thoughtful questions, and moving work from an initial assignment to a clear, useful result. You should be comfortable working with both data and people - whether reviewing a project application, explaining a funding requirement, or turning analysis into a recommendation.

About the Position

The Analyst II will work across three connected areas: regional funding programs, grant coordination and assistance, and performance-based planning. Assignments will include reviewing grant applications, researching funding opportunities, analyzing project and program information, coordinating with applicants and evaluators, and preparing materials for staff, committees, and the SACOG Board of Directors.

The analyst will report to the Principal Planner overseeing funding, grants, and performance-based planning and work closely with Senior and Associate Planners. You will take responsibility for defined assignments, receive technical guidance and feedback, and build toward greater independence in administering assigned program activities and smaller projects.

This is an opportunity to build practical expertise in transportation funding while contributing to consequential regional decisions. We welcome candidates with transferable experience in research, public administration, program implementation, grants, or related fields.

The Transportation Team

You will join SACOG’s Transportation Team, which includes staff working in areas such as professionals with diverse transportation planning backgrounds, including transportation funding and grants, transportation demand management, alternative mobility, active transportation, public transit operations and planning, and corridor planning.

This position will be an integral part of SACOG’s Transportation Team and will regularly coordinate with staff across other SACOG teams.

The Organization 

SACOG is the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the six-county Sacramento region. Formed as a Joint Powers Authority, SACOG is governed by a board of 31 elected officials that directly represent all six counties and 22 cities in the region, and one ex-officio member (Caltrans). While transportation is core to SACOG’s role as a Metropolitan Planning Organization, SACOG has over two decades of experience approaching regional issues from an integrated perspective that examines the linkages between transportation, housing, economic prosperity, environmental stewardship, and air quality. Under the leadership of its executive director, SACOG has a vision of a vibrant and thriving Sacramento region for all. Its mission is: SACOG convenes and connects the region to advance an equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future.

Hybrid Position

As an integral part of our organization, employees will provide support in a flexible work environment. This position will have the ability to telework up to three days per week. 

The remainder of the work week will be in-person. Employees are required to live within 200 miles of Sacramento. 

We support telework because it:

• Enhances employee productivity, satisfaction, and ability to collaborate.
• Improves recruitment and retention
• Reduces greenhouse gas emission, vehicle miles travels (VMT), traffic and parking congestion, and air pollution

Anticipated Recruitment Schedule:

Filing Deadline: November 20

First Interview: Week of December 7

Final Interview: Week of December 14

Desired Start Date: January 4

Assignments will vary with funding cycles and regional priorities. Typical responsibilities include:

• Help deliver regional funding programs. Prepare program guidance, application materials, schedules, and procedures; coordinate assigned activities; and help keep funding processes clear, consistent, and on schedule.
• Review applications and provide technical assistance. Assess project information against program requirements, including eligibility, completeness, and readiness; identify questions or inconsistencies; coordinate applicant follow-up; and contribute to funding recommendations.
• Work directly with applicants and regional partners. Explain application requirements, respond to questions, and support meetings and workshops that help agencies understand and pursue funding opportunities.
• Coordinate project evaluation. Prepare review materials, organize evaluator assignments and meetings, monitor progress, and compile and check evaluation results to support deliberations and recommendations.
• Support regional grant efforts. Research funding opportunities, summarize requirements and deadlines, and assist with project prioritization, applicant coordination, and preparation of support letters.
• Turn project and funding data into useful information. Maintain reliable records of funding opportunities, applications, priorities, and awards; analyze trends and funding needs; and prepare clear summaries for staff and decision-makers.
• Contribute to performance-based planning. Support research, data analysis, and reporting related to transportation safety, pavement condition, congestion, and other measures of regional transportation performance.
• Help improve funding strategies and processes. Research practices used by other agencies, assess program results, support working groups, and recommend improvements that connect funding decisions with regional goals.
• Communicate findings and recommendations. Draft staff reports, Board and committee materials, presentations, correspondence, and web content that make complex information understandable and useful.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

We know and appreciate that everyone brings their own talents to a job. The strongest candidates will be able to demonstrate many of the following abilities through professional experience, education, volunteer work, community experience, or other relevant pathways:

• Analytical judgment. You look beyond collecting information to understand what it means, recognize gaps, and develop well-supported conclusions.
• Clear communication. You write effectively, explain your reasoning, and adapt technical information for different audiences.
• Ownership and follow-through. You organize your work, manage competing deadlines, check for accuracy, and communicate early when priorities or challenges need attention.
• Collaboration and service. You build productive relationships, listen carefully, and help colleagues and partners work through questions.
• Curiosity and initiative. You ask useful questions, learn unfamiliar subjects, and suggest practical ways to improve the work.
• Adaptability. You can move between detailed program tasks and broader research assignments while maintaining quality and focus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Familiarity with research and analytical methods relevant to planning, public administration, funding, or program evaluation.
• Ability to organize, evaluate, and summarize quantitative and qualitative information.
• Skill using spreadsheets to maintain accurate records, check information, and perform analysis.
• Ability to prepare clear written materials and presentations.
• Ability to learn, interpret, and apply funding guidelines and program requirements, with guidance as needed.
• Ability to exercise judgment within established procedures and recognize when additional direction is needed.

The following is not required, but desired. Candidates who do not have these exact experiences are still encouraged to apply if they meet the required qualifications and are interested in learning these areas of work:

• Transportation planning, public-sector funding, grants, or program administration.
• Application review, competitive selection processes, or applicant assistance.
• Coordination with public agencies, community organizations, or other external partners.
• Performance measurement, policy research, or program evaluation.
• Using advanced spreadsheet functions, databases, GIS, or data visualization tools to answer questions and communicate findings.

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. We welcome applicants whose education, training, and experience provide the knowledge and abilities needed for this position, including those with nontraditional career paths. A typical qualifying background includes:

• Education comparable to a bachelor’s degree in transportation or urban planning, public or business administration, political science, economics, finance, or a related discipline.
• At least one (1) year of increasingly responsible professional or equivalent experience in planning, program administration, operations, or financial analysis, or another closely related field. Relevant experience may be gained in transportation, local or regional government, nonprofits, community-based organizations, consulting, academic research, or another closely related setting.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

This is primarily a sedentary classification and the employee works in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. The employee interfaces with staff, management, other agency representatives, member jurisdictions, government officials, business representatives, and the general public in explaining SACOG policies and requesting and providing information.