Planning and Modal Program Recruitment

Caltrans recruitment banner to start your journey

About Us

Planning and Modal Programs (PMP) shapes the future of multimodal transportation across California by envisioning, articulating, and implementing desired outcomes. Within PMP, are the Divisions of Aeronautics, Local Assistance, Rail and Mass Transportation, Research, Innovation, & System Information, Transportation Planning, as well as the Office of Enterprise Data and Geospatial Governance, Director's Office of Equity, Sustainability, & Tribal Affairs, and the Caltrans Integrated Travel Program.

The Planning and Modal Program Management (PM2) Recruitment Branch is under the Office of Workforce Development and Recruitment, in the PM2 Division.

PM2 Recruitment strives to provide recruiting services and strategic outreach, to help attract qualified and diverse candidates for hiring managers and supervisors, within the six Divisions of PMP. We provide recruitment support and resources within the PMP Division offices and District programs. We also coordinate outreach efforts (i.e., career and job fairs, virtual college fairs, conferences, etc.) throughout the state to help fill division vacancies with some of the best professionals in the transportation industry.

Hiring Events

PM2 Recruitment hosts both virtual and in-person hiring events. To learn more about when and where our next hiring event will take place, please contact us at PM2Recruitment@dot.ca.gov or sign up for our mailing list to be directly notified.

Explore a Career with Us

The Caltrans Student Assistant Program is designed to introduce students with the work and employment opportunities within the Department. Students gain on-the-job training and paid experience while attending college!

We have many opportunities in various fields including Business Administration, Communications, Computer Science, Environmental Studies, Geographic Information Systems, Engineering, Transportation Planning, and more!

Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 semester (or equivalent 9 quarter) units in a related field of study and maintain a 2.0 GPA.

Caltrans currently partners with University Enterprises, Inc. (UEI) for our Student Assistant Program. Click here to view the many student assistant and internship opportunities available.

Off-campus employment is open to Sac State students and to students attending any of these affiliated colleges (PDF). 

What is a Transportation Planner?

At Caltrans a Planner can be described as an interdisciplinary team member or manager who develops and analyzes policy and data to prepare, administer, and monitor transportation plans, programs, and projects. A Planner is employed to plan, develop, organize, and directed activities which integrate various social, economic, environmental, transportation, and land use factors to support implementation of a balanced, multimodal State transportation program.

Learn more about the Transportation Planner career:

What is a Transportation Engineer (Civil)?

The Transportation Engineer (Civil) is the entry, first working, and journey level of professional engineering work in Caltrans. A Transportation Engineer (Civil) performs engineering work involving plans, designs, details, and maintenance of transportation systems, in whole or in part, that may include land, rail, freeways, roads, airports, ramps, hydraulics, sanitary facilities, bridges, nonstandard major structures or transportation-related buildings, and other structures.

Learn more about the Transportation Engineer (Civil) career:

What is an Analyst?

Analysts in Caltrans perform a wide variety of duties depending on the division and program responsibilities. Analytical work, in addition to the performance of staff work, involves substantial responsibility for: problem definition, developing a unique project plan, identifying alternative solutions, implementing the desired course of action, and monitoring results.

These are the 4 analyst job classifications that are commonly used in State service:

Apply Today

Ready to start your career with Caltrans? 

Establish an account at CalCareers and follow the steps below.

You can also learn more about jump starting your career with us, by watching the following video on the State hiring process.

Step 1: Take an exam and get on a hiring list.

In order to apply for a job at Caltrans, you must pass a competitive Civil Service examination and be placed on an eligible list. The Civil Service examinations are organized by classification type. Be sure to read the examination bulletin carefully as it will provide an overview of the assessment process. The examination is given online, and results are given instantly.

Step 2: Search for job vacancies.

You can search for open positions using your examination classification or classification type on the CalCareers website. Once you have landed on this page, you can narrow down your search for open positions within the "Department of Transportation." You can also search job postings by location.

Step 3: Apply. 

All applications must be prepared using the STD. 678 form. Only applications using this format will be accepted. The STD. 678 can be submitted to a job posting using your CalCareers account. You can watch the following video, explaining how to electronically apply for jobs with the State.

Step 4: Interview.

Additional Resources:

Check out NxtGov's Resource Center with helpful information on how to pursue a job with the State of California! 

Contact Us

Email PM2Recruitment@dot.ca.gov for assistance.