JOB DESCRIPTION

IN-OFFICE POSITION — Sacramento Region only. Candidates must be located in or willing to relocate to the Sacramento region at their own expense. Remote work and relocation reimbursement are not available for this role.

About Drago Vantage

Drago Vantage is a woman owned consulting firm serving public-sector clients in the transportation sector including transit and rail agencies, cities, counties, and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) across Northern California. Our core services include transportation planning, project funding strategy, grant writing, civil engineering, public outreach, and strategic communications.

About You

In this role, you will help public agencies plan and develop meaningful transportation improvements across all modes of ground transportation. You can demonstrate experience and interest that complement the strengths of our growing Planning practice, in particular securing funding through grants, supporting transportation agency staff with technical and policy analysis, and representing transportation agency staff and projects to grantor and regulatory agencies. Abilities in rigorous technical analysis and developing strong client/colleague relationships are essential to our work.

This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career professional seeking hands-on experience in public-sector planning, with a direct impact on the future of transportation in California. The job title may be adjusted (e.g., Transportation Planner or Senior Associate) based on experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and deliver transportation studies, plans, and projects for public-sector clients including transit agencies, cities, counties, and MPOs.
• Research and analyze transportation policy, planning, and funding topics at local, regional, state, and federal levels.
• Prepare professional technical deliverables: memos, reports, plans, presentations, and grant applications.
• Identify and pursue transportation grants and funding opportunities; draft compelling narratives and supporting materials.
• Perform data analysis in Microsoft Excel and develop maps and spatial analyses in Esri GIS software.
• Collaborate across disciplines — planning, civil engineering, public outreach, and strategic communications — to deliver integrated client solutions.
• Manage time and project tasks efficiently across multiple concurrent clients and deadlines in a consulting environment.
• Participate in client meetings and public outreach activities.
• Stay current on transportation policy, best practices, and trends in Northern California and nationally.
• Support multimodal and sustainable planning efforts that advance equity, affordability, safety, and public health.

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Urban Planning, Transportation Planning, Civil Engineering, Public Policy, Geography, or a closely related field. Graduate degree holders or candidates completing one within 6 months will be prioritized.

Experience & Skills:

• 3–5 years of professional experience in urban/transportation planning or a closely related public-sector field. Candidates with more than 5 years are welcome to apply; compensation and title will reflect experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of complex public-sector transportation planning issues, including multimodal and land use considerations.
• Strong writing skills: clear, professional memos, reports, plans, and grant applications.
• Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills for working with public agency clients, colleagues, and community stakeholders.
• Ability to manage time across multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced consulting environment.
• Working knowledge of state and federal transportation policies, programs, and funding structures (e.g., Caltrans, FHWA, FTA, TIRCP, ATP).
• Familiarity with the California transportation landscape, including key agencies, regional funding, and planning priorities.
• Experience with or strong interest in transportation grants and discretionary funding programs.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word and Excel, including basic data analysis.
• Completion of at least one GIS course and basic familiarity with Esri products (ArcGIS Pro or ArcGIS Online).
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and collaborative; thrives in a small-team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Intermediate or advanced GIS proficiency: professional-quality maps and spatial analysis with minimal guidance.
• Experience preparing or supporting transportation grant applications for public agencies.
• Background in active transportation, transit planning, equity-focused planning, or sustainability initiatives.
• Coursework or experience in data visualization, statistical analysis, or transportation modeling.

Location & Work Arrangement

This is a full-time, in-office position at our Loomis, California office. Candidates must reside in or be prepared to relocate independently to the Sacramento region prior to starting. Drago Vantage does not provide relocation assistance or reimbursement.

We offer flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance within our in-office structure.

What We Offer

• Collaborative, supportive small-team environment where your contributions are visible and valued.
• Mentorship from experienced planners and a diverse portfolio of meaningful public-sector projects.
• Professional development opportunities: training, conferences, and continuing education.
• Competitive salary of $90,000–$120,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision, and 401(k).
• Flexible work arrangements that support work-life balance.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and one to two writing samples (such as a memo, report excerpt, or grant narrative) through our website. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Drago Vantage is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.