TDM Planning Associate

Alta Planning Design seeks a TDM Planning Associate I for our Oakland, CA office. This senior-level position is a great opportunity for someone who believes in the importance of active, multimodal, and sustainable transportation and who is interested in growing their career as a Planning Associate specializing in Transportation Demand Management (TDM) planning. If you are looking to join an innovative organization and do work that connects people to places while advancing social justice, safety, and environmental resilience, apply with Alta today!

About Alta

Alta is a mission‑driven company working to mitigate climate change and advance safety and social justice by shaping sustainable, people‑centered communities. We bring together expertise across planning, design, engineering, education and encouragement programs, and community engagement to help communities thrive. Our work is grounded in the belief that how places are designed and experienced has a profound impact on equity, health, and opportunity—and that people should always be at the heart of those decisions.

Founded in 1996, Alta was at the forefront of the active transportation movement and has spent nearly 30 years partnering with communities to imagine a more connected, resilient, and inclusive future. Today, with more than 225 staff across the United States and beyond, we are a global leader in creating environments that support everyday life, strengthen human connection, and respond to the challenges of a changing world. Alta offers the opportunity to collaborate across disciplines, contribute to meaningful work at every scale, and be part of a team committed to making lasting, positive change for people and the places they call home.

Alta’s TDM Practice

At Alta, Transportation Demand Management (TDM) isn’t just a strategy. It’s a movement toward a more sustainable, connected future. TDM is about empowering people to choose smarter, greener ways to get around. We’re passionate about reducing congestion, cutting emissions, and enhancing mobility for all.

Alta’s TDM practice is one of the largest and most comprehensive in North America, bringing together three integrated teams: TDM Planning, TDM Programs, and TDM Marketing. Our planners lead everything from site-specific plans to regional strategies, craft policy, and drive community and stakeholder engagement. They also support data analysis, performance evaluation, and collaborate closely with our Programs and Marketing teams to bring TDM to life.

If you're looking to help shape the way people move—with a team that blends creativity, technical expertise, and a shared passion for impact—Alta’s TDM Planning group is where ideas become action.

Day to Day

Our Planning Associate will play a key role in shaping and delivering a diverse portfolio of Transportation Demand Management (TDM) plans and initiatives. This includes regional and citywide TDM strategies, developer and employer-based TDM plans and regulatory compliance, and high-profile TDM efforts—such as planning for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Day-to-day responsibilities for this role include:

• Driving business development by cultivating client relationships, building industry partnerships, and contributing to Alta’s strategic growth.
• Leading complex, high-impact projects with a focus on meeting deadlines, managing budgets, and delivering results.
• Facilitating stakeholder and community engagement to ensure inclusive and informed planning processes.
• Collaborating with our TDM Programs team to support and assess the performance of Transportation Management Associations (TMAs) and ongoing TDM initiatives.

Qualifications

Required

This position requires a combination of skills, experience and education including, but not limited to

• 6 years of experience in a consulting environment or public entity; 3 years as a project manager, including managing project teams
• Bachelor’s degree in planning or a related field of study.
• Expertise and experience in the field of transportation demand management, public transit, and/or active, non-motorized transportation.
• Strong interest in the field of transportation demand management
• Demonstrated understanding of the planning process and a general understanding of project management principles, methods, and techniques.
• Ability to guide staff members and manage internal team expectations.
• Business development experience and ability to capitalize on opportunities to enhance Alta’s position in the marketplace.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, and multiple simultaneous projects involving cross-functional project teams within budgetary and schedule constraints.
• Ability and willingness to travel.
• Excellent professional ethics, leadership skills, accountability, and decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication and analytic skills.
• Good presentation skills.
• Proficient in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, ArcGIS, or similar products.
• Proficiency in an enterprise-wide resource planning and project management tool.

Preferred

There are a number of additional skills, experience, and education that would be beneficial to this position including, but not limited to:

• Master’s degree in urban planning or similar field
• Experience supervising staff
• Expertise and experience in the field of New Mobility
• Experience managing large projects for both private and public clients.
• Experience writing and/or presenting white papers and/or providing expert level presentations at conferences and other events promoting the field of sustainable transportation or transportation demand management.
• Active participation in industry-relevant professional associations and committees.
• AICP or TDM-CP

What We Offer

Flexible Schedule

Alta offers a flexible, hybrid work schedule where most employees work from home three days per week. In-office days support our collaborative culture, one of our core values.

Compensation

The pay range for this job in Oakland is $90,000-$115,000 annually. Placement within the range is based upon experience, skill-sets, and qualifications.

Benefits

Alta offers comprehensive benefits to all full-time employees:

• Medical: PPO or HSA medical plans, Alta pays 75% of the cost
• Dental/Vision: PPO, Alta pays 90% of the cost
• Life Insurance: Alta pays 100% of the premium for life and AD&D, equal to your base compensation
• 401(k): Alta provides a match up to 3%
• PTO: 21 days accrued annually to start
• Holidays: 11 total company paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave/Short-Term Disability
• Additional Benefits: Wellness reimbursement up to $800 annually, Alta Gets Around benefit of up to $900 annually, 5-year travel award, and professional development opportunities