Associate Transportation Planner

Join our Public Works Department as an Associate Transportation Planner and help shape the future of public transportation in Lodi! This position offers the opportunity to work in a fast-paced, multi-faceted, very hands-on environment, with a broad range of projects to help manage the City of Lodi’s transit system.  The ideal candidate is detail-oriented and has strong analytical, project management, and communication skills, is able to adapt to changing priorities, and is proficient in the use of planning tools such as GIS and is familiar with state and federal transportation regulations.

Job descriptions are intended to present a broad and general range of duties which includes, purpose, responsibilities, and scope of work. Job descriptions are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION

Performs professional work in the field of planning, public administration, environmental analysis, and economic development, as it relates to transportation. The Associate Transportation Planner plays a critical role in overseeing transit administration, transportation programming, and transportation initiatives that enhance efficiency, accessibility, and sustainability of the City’s mobility network. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS 

This is the full journey level class in the planning series. Positions in this class have the knowledge and ability to perform a variety of professional planning duties for the City. Work is of a greater complexity, with the incumbent learning and performing tasks in an independent nature.  This is a flexibly staffed class series in that the Assistant Transportation Planner may reasonably expect to progress to the Associate Transportation Planner with training, satisfactory performance and management approval.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED

Receives direction from higher level personnel.  May exercise technical or functional supervision over lower level planning class positions and other personnel.

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

Performs a wide range of administrative duties related to the operation and administration of the Lodi GrapeLine public transit system; Develops medium to long-term plans and strategies for transit service and transportation programming.

Collects, maintains, updates, monitors, and analyzes data required for planning activities; Conducts field surveys; Documents findings and justifies recommendations; Utilizes Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other technical tools to support planning activities;

Performs, and assists in performing, routine to moderately difficult research studies; Prepares technical reports and recommendations for a wide variety of transportation issues; Interpretation of data, plans documents, technical reports, regulatory directives, and program guidelines.;

Prepares data for Federal, State, and Local reports, adhering to strict regulatory requirements; Maintains project documentation, databases, and reports per regulatory requirements; Manages grant applications; ensures grant requirements are met during implementation. Assists in the completion of reporting requirements; 

Leads in the development and management of projects and contracts from start to completion, including managing project teams; Ensures regulatory compliance in contracts and during procurement; Exercises oversight over contracts; Coordinates with contractors, consultants, and internal staff to ensure delivery of projects; Performs administrative duties necessary for project delivery; 

Leads public meetings and outreach engagement activities; Performs more complex public engagement; Represents City interests at regional committees and working groups; Prepares materials in-print, and online (webpage and social media); Prepares graphics including plans, signs, forms, and exhibits;  

Participates in multi-agency coordination for larger-scale initiatives;

Develops program budgets;

Develops policies and plans;

Performs other duties related to the operation of the department and the City including additional duties that enable the department and City to meet the diverse needs of its community.

Knowledge of:

Transportation planning principles as they pertain to transit (fixed route bus routes, demand response, scheduling, run cutting, bus stop locations, bus stop amenities, policy, regional connectivity) and multimodal transportation; Short- and long-range transit planning; 

Geographic Information Systems (GIS), including ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro for data analysis, database maintenance, and data visualization;

Strong competence with technology, enabling understanding of the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) for transit uses, such as CAD/AVL, fare payment, and GTFS; use and operation of computers and specialized peripheral equipment for transit technologies; 

Principles, practices, procedures, and information sources of transportation, economic, environmental and/or social concepts applicable to the transportation planning process;

Regional and national transportation trends and their implications on strategic planning; Community trends and market analysis techniques; marketing theories, principles, and practices and their application to transportation; 

Fundamental process frameworks for the municipal function;

General principals of urban and regional planning and transportation systems and networks; 

Complex Federal and State funding frameworks, including funding formulas and award requirements.

Public administration processes at the local, state, and federal levels, especially as they pertain to relevant agencies (Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, State DOT, State regulatory boards, Metropolitan Planning Organization/Regional Transportation Planning Agency, etc); 

Land use, environmental impacts, community planning, zoning, ordinances, public works projects/processes, and regulations; 

Transportation planning principals as they relate to transportation network integration, complete streets, sustainability, and transit-oriented development (TOD);

Advanced data collection and analysis techniques, including modeling and statistical analysis skills; 

Up-to-date knowledge of developing trends, technologies, and best planning practices; 

Ability to:

Analyze and interpret federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations, processes, and programs;

Ability to apply federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations, standards, processes, and programs; Understands ADA, Title VI, and DBE requirements; Regional and national transportation trends and their implications on strategic planning. 

Communicate clearly, orally and in writing;

Ensures regulatory compliance in contracts and during procurement; Exercises oversight over contracts. 

Prepares grant applications; ensures grant requirements are met during implementation.

Leads public meetings and outreach engagement activities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public administration, business administration, urban planning, transportation and planning, or closely related field. 

Three years of increasingly responsible experience with a public agency in the field of transit service planning, transportation planning or closely related field.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS:

Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with some travel to different sites and locations.  May be exposed to safety hazards including, fumes or odors, dust or gases, chemicals, toxic materials, oil, and a variety of mechanical machinery. May be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends and may be required to travel outside City. 

Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting for prolonged periods of time; to see well enough to read, write and make observations; hear well enough to converse on the radio, telephone and in person; bodily mobility to occasionally walk, bend, kneel, reach, stand, crouch, operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard, cell phones and/or hand held electronic devices; to verbally communicate to exchange information; and may be required to work nights or weekends as needed.

FLSA Status: EXEMPT

Interested applicants must submit an online application at www.lodi.gov.  No paper applications will be accepted.  For technical difficulties with your online application, please call the Neogov helpline at 855-524-5627.

Telephone: 209-333-6704.  Persons with hearing impairment, please call the California Relay Service 7-1-1.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - The City of Lodi is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of fair employment practices regardless of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex or sexual orientation, marital status, age, mental or physical disability or perceived disability, medical condition, pregnancy, political affiliation or belief, or other unlawful discrimination.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY ACT - In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the City of Lodi provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations must contact the Human Resources Division upon application submittal to confirm the request.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION - City of Lodi is authorized and required by the state of California to access Local, State, and/or Federal criminal history as part of the testing process. This process can be completed by initial fingerprinting and/or a full Background investigation pursuant to Penal Code §11105(b)(10), §11105.3, §13300(b)(10); Education Code §10911.5; Public Resources Code §5164) and in compliance with the City of Lodi's Fingerprinting Policy and Procedure. As a future employee or volunteer, you are required to be fingerprinted and processed through the Department of Justice and cleared before you can start. All information obtained will be kept in strict confidentiality.

HIRING PROCEDURE - Applicants must possess the minimum qualifications by the final filing date. Eligible lists are established upon successful completion of the selection process. The candidates must be successful in each part of the testing. To fill each vacancy the hiring department will request names to be certified from the eligible list and will make a selection from this certification list.

CONDITIONAL JOB OFFERS - Conditional job offers are subject to successful completion of a medical drug screen and/or physical. Candidates should not quit or give notice to their current employer until final notification has been awarded by the Human Resources Division.

MEDICAL-DRUG SCREENING – All positions may be subject to a physical or drug screen issued by a qualified medical physician assigned by the Human Resources Division. Under the requirements of the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, the City of Lodi has been designated as a drug-free workplace.

APPOINTMENT - At the time of appointment all candidates will be required to execute an oath of allegiance and complete Form I-9 - Employment Eligibility Verification in compliance with the Immigration and Naturalization Act. United States citizenship is not required. All new appointees are required to successfully complete a probationary period of twelve months.

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

SALARY - The starting salary is the first rate shown on the job announcement. Advancement to the higher steps of the salary range is based upon merit in accordance with the Salary Ordinance and Rules for Personnel Administration. Eligibility for the first merit increase is effective after 12 months and for additional merit increases after one year intervals until the employee has reached the maximum step.

HOLIDAY, VACATION, SICK, AND ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE - Holiday - An average of 13 paid holidays per year. Vacation - 2 weeks paid vacation annually, increasing with length of service depending upon the appropriate labor agreement. Sick Leave - 10 days per year depending upon the appropriate labor agreement. Administrative Leave - Management/Mid-Management positions receive 80 hours per fiscal year, and specified professional/technical positions receive 40 hours per fiscal year (Pro-Rated).

HEALTH INSURANCE - Medical, Dental and Vision plans are available for employee and dependents. A portion of the premiums may be the employee's responsibility.

LIFE INSURANCE AND LONG TERM DISABILITY - The City pays the full premium for employee and dependent life insurance, and offers a long-term disability plan that provides up to approximately 2/3 of an employee's salary.

RETIREMENT AND DEFERRED COMPENSATION - The City of Lodi is a member of the Public Employees' Retirement System (P.E.R.S.). Lodi is not a member of the Social Security System except for the required medical contribution. Employees may participate in a 457 Deferred Compensation program.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT - Employees may participate in a Section 125 Flexible Spending Account.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This bulletin does not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions or job duties contained in this bulletin may include modifications pending labor agreements and/or council approval.