TRANSPORTATION PLANNER I

JOB TITLE: Transportation Planner I

JOB CLASS NUMBER: PRF902

PAY GRADE: G08

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

BUSINESS UNIT NAME: Urban Transportation Planning

REPORTS TO: Assistant MPO Director

SALARY: $21.63 per hour

SUMMARY 

Under the direction of the MPO Director, this position is responsible for the planning and administrative activities of the Amarillo Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Duties include performing professional and technical planning assignments related to various modes of transportation planning.  Duties also include preparing reports and recommendations related to various modes of transportation and their relationship to pending and planned projects, working with the land use planning peers to integrate transportation considerations into land use decisions, assisting in and giving presentations, coordinating and managing steps related to long range plans and studies, and assisting with updates to transportation-related elements of the Comprehensive Plan.  Will work closely with other planners.  This position requires specialized knowledge of the transportation planning field.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Reviews development proposals with significant Transportation and access implications.

• Develops and maintains automated tracking systems, hard copy files and records.

• Works with and provides technical information and support to the MPO policy committee, the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), and transportation guidance to the department.

• Interacts with other city departments and elected/appointed officials regarding transportation matters.

• Assists in preparation of informational material for the public detailing department responsibilities and procedures.

• Performs special studies and other related duties as needed.

• Prepares staff reports, databases, and spreadsheets, and recommendations of moderate difficulty.

• Prepares public notices for transportation-related hearings and meetings.

• Organizes and conducts meetings with staff and members of the MPO, TAC, agencies at the local, state, and federal levels, and other related parties.

• Attends and facilitates public meetings and workshops, many of which occur in the evening.

• Provide customer service to citizens and the general public.

• Communicates and works with other departments, groups, and individuals, both internal and external, in the development and application of long-range plans and special studies such as corridor, trail or neighborhood plans.

• Manages personal schedule of workload and priorities.

• Compiles, analyzes, and interprets data, and writes reports that require little editing.

• Prepares and manages components of adopted transportation plans (Such as the Unified Planning Work Program, Metropolitan Transportation Plan, and Transportation Improvement Program) and related activities.  Assists in implementation of goals, Objectives, and policies contained within adopted plans.

• Assists in the management of grant funds.
• Prepare and coordinate development and maintenance of the Amarillo Metropolitan Planning Organization’s website and newsletter.

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of the fundamental principles, concepts, and practices of transportation planning.

• Demonstrated and effective verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and the general public.

• Knowledge of and ability to use Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, or similar programs.

• Ability to operate highly technical computer applications, such as GIS or Trans CAD.

• Ability to operate small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.

• Ability to work well with a diverse staff as well and the general public.

• Ability to conduct and summarize research, and review/understand technical documents.

• Knowledge of and ability to use Adobe Photo\shop, InDesign, Google sketch-Up and/or AutoCAD for creating materials.

• Group facilitation skills for use with community workshops.

• Skilled in researching, analyzing, generating data and formulating conclusions related to urban planning

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• Skilled in overseeing group projects as well as simultaneously managing personal workloads.

• Demonstrated ability to multitask, perform advanced analysis, and verbally or in writing convey complex information to a variety of audiences.

• Knowledge of municipal transportation requirements from USDOT, FHWA, FTA, and state DOTs.

HOURS/DAYS

Monday-Friday 8am to 5pm. Will be required to work after hours to attend public meetings and meet deadlines.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

This Position requires a bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, GIS, or a closely related field. A minimum of one year of planning related experience is preferred; or an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities needed.  GIS software experience preferred. Valid Texas Driver’s License required.

ADA PROFILE

Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is required to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects.  The employee must also walk, stand, sit, hear, reach, speak, see, and talk. Also requires the ability to make rational decisions and perform repetitive motions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee works in a dynamic environment that requires the employee to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs.  Travel and attendance at evening meetings may be required.

The City of Amarillo is an Equal Opportunity employer and encourages applications from eligible and qualified persons regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information or protected veteran status, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law.

The City of Amarillo provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case by case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Office at 806-378-4294.