Senior Transportation Planner

This position manages and participates in advanced, highly complex professional planning activities, including the development and implementation of studies, plans, policies and projects. Under the general supervision of the Deputy City Administrator, the Senior Transportation Planner’s primary function is to improve the City's street and transportation systems. The incumbent performs all necessary functions in support of the Transportation Advisory Board and serves as a liaison for internal departments and outside agencies regarding transportation issues and projects.  The Senior Transportation Planner leads transportation planning projects—including the anticipated new light rail station-- by formulating and defining program/project scope, performing research and analysis, preparing reports, and providing options and recommendations to internal staff, political bodies, and other interest groups and communities. Work at this level requires a high level of technical expertise, strategic thinking in developing and implementing major projects/programs, and significant ability to strategically and clearly communicate complicated concepts to political or community groups in highly charged settings.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Senior Transportation Planner is distinguished from other Senior Planner positions by the specialization in local and regional transportation systems. This position performs the full range of advanced professional level planning work independently. Senior Transportation Planners serve as project managers on multi-disciplinary projects that are large in scope, politically sensitive, and complex, involving coordination with multiple agencies and jurisdictions. This is a high-profile position involving frequent contact with elected officials, City boards and commissions, City administration, officials from other jurisdictions, community groups, and the general public. Advanced technical skills and significant communication and interpersonal skills are required at this level.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

• May provide direction to positions assigned to the Engineer series, the Planner series, or other positions in the Public Works Engineering Department.
• May directly supervise one or more planning, engineering, or other staff.
• General supervision is provided by the Deputy City Administrator.

• Leads and manages the City’s light rail planning, including managing station area citing projects and coordination with Sound Transit and other agencies.
• Serves as project manager or participates on technically complex, difficult and sensitive interdisciplinary transportation projects; develops work plans, schedules and budgets; coordinates, assigns and reviews work products; monitors progress of projects.
• Provides analysis of current and future transportation demand by evaluating level of services studies and high-level transportation modeling.
• Analyzes transportation systems and policies; identifies problems and potential solutions; evaluates alternatives; recommends policies, plans and projects; prepares reports of findings; and ensures implementation of proposed solutions.
• Develops and implements work programs for Citywide and community-wide plans in partnership with other departments or agencies.
• Supports the Transportation Advisory Board; serves as a staff representative.
• Briefs and delivers formal presentations to City Council, City boards and commissions, the general public, community groups, government agencies, and elected officials. 
• Responds to inquiries from the Transportation Advisory Board, City staff, and the community; explains policies and/or analyzes and investigates issues. 
• Participates in consultant selection processes, negotiates scope of work, monitors conformance to contracts, reviews and approves work products and approves payments to consultants. 
• May serve as the City representative on transportation-related issues, participate in various committees, and attend regional study groups to identify and advocate for City interests.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture, environmental science, public administration, geography, or related field.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in planning or related field, including at least two years of experience in transportation planning and policy development.
• American Institute of Certified Planners designation preferred.
• Valid WA State driver’s license with a driving record that meets City standards.
• Or any combination of training and experience that would provide the desired knowledge, skills, and abilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed primarily indoors requiring sitting for long periods of time and operating a computer and other office equipment. Work can involve repetitive motions of the hands, wrists, and arms. Work occasionally involves driving to other locations for site visits or meetings. May require occasional lifting of up to 30 pounds. Duties include attending night and weekend meetings.

Thorough knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, regulations, and techniques in urban planning, transportation planning, and public policy.
• Geographic, socio-economic, political, demographic, environmental, and other considerations related to transportation planning.
• Federal, State, and local government laws, regulations, policies, and plans, including their development and adoption.
• Tracking, collecting, and analyzing transportation and demographics data.
• Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.
• Methods and techniques of community involvement and developing consensus with various stakeholders.

Skill in:

• Using computers and applicable software programs.
• Communications and making presentations to elected officials, community groups, other agencies and jurisdictions, and internal staff.

Ability to:

• Organize and oversee projects/programs that are long-term, complex, and sensitive.
• Collaborate effectively with people and groups that may have competing interests.
• Effectively prioritize and resolve issues that may be controversial or time-sensitive.
• Perform quantitative and qualitative data analysis; evaluate trends and make recommendations.
• Interpret, apply, and explain provisions of code, regulations, maps, and plans.
• Perform research and analyze multiple sources of information.
• Coordinate assignments with other City staff and agencies.
• Prepare and present clear, concise, logical, and persuasive written and oral reports.
• Organize and prioritize tasks in an effective manner; meet deadlines.
• Manage multiple projects of varying levels of complexity.
• Facilitate public outreach and community development meetings, which may be highly charged.
• Think strategically and creatively to advance the City’s planning vision.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, contractors, developers, and the general public.