Senior Transportation Planner (Open Until Filled)

The Senior Transportation Planner manages technical transportation planning programs and projects, and develops, interprets, and coordinates complex transportation policies, plans, and reports. Performs research, administration and technical analysis to lead the preparation, implementation, and evaluation of transportation studies, including data collection and analysis. Communicates transportation planning concepts to elected officials, community groups, and other stakeholders; finalizes grant funding documents; and manages consultant work and requests for proposals.

This is the advanced level classification in the Transportation Planner series. Incumbents are responsible for leading complex transportation planning programs and larger projects requiring considerable technical knowledge and independent judgment. Incumbents may provide lead direction for planning activities, supervise planning staff, and perform highly specialized and difficult planning functions.

The ideal candidate for this position is:

• A clear, strategic thinker with strong project management skills:
• Passionate about striving to improve the Richmond community;
• Collaborative with co-workers and stakeholders;
• Adept at managing multiple priorities in order to meet target deadlines;
• Reliable and flexible in a fast-paced work environment;
• A professional with great public speaking skills; and
• Someone who enjoys analyzing and resolving complex challenges.

• Reviews complex private development applications and public capital projects for their impacts on bicycles, pedestrians, transit, deliveries, parking, and automobiles. Recommends project mitigations, conditions of approval, and detailed design solutions to promote a safe, walkable, bikeable, and transit-oriented City. 
• Performs thorough technical analyses and final review of area plans, corridor projects, and work by private development in the public right-of-way.
• Reviews and discusses the preparation of a variety of transportation planning efforts with other management staff, including studies, designs and specifications; conducts traffic and parking surveys; transportation models and forecasts for advocacy and objective analysis.
• Collects, organizes, analyzes, and presents transportation-related data and oversees these processes to ensure metrics measure performance against strategic goals.
• Leads the development, planning, implementation, and administration of transportation projects and plans, including bicycle, pedestrian, parking, transit plans (working with transit agencies); parking programs, and emerging programs, such as: ride share, car share, pedestrian plaza programs, parklets, curb management efforts, electric vehicles and charging stations, and autonomous vehicles to include coordination with regional and local agencies and private vendors.
• Collaborates with City Council, Boards, Commissions, and community groups; conducts presentations; and guides transportation planning and policy development.
• Conducts field surveys and investigations related to transportation projects or requests. Inspects projects to determine compliance with requirements.
• Works in partnership and collaboration with other sections of DOT, takes oversight responsibility for engaging Richmond's diverse communities in plans, programs, and projects, including the staff preparation of materials, identification of meeting sites, and engagement techniques put into action.
• Uses best practices/principles of multi-modal planning, policy, design, engineering, demand analysis, and funding to drive innovative transportation actions. Prepares comprehensive studies/reports based on research, and budget/cost analysis to support policy decisions; advocates funding needs; and assesses future financial trends, opportunities, and constraints.
• Leads long-term transportation projects that align with the City’s strategic goals for sustainability, mobility, and safety.
• Prepares of all facets of environmental documents.
• Assists in the identification, preparation, and submission of grant applications, and supports the administration of grant funds.
• Ensures databases, directories, websites, and social media outlets and sites are up-to date.
• Coordinates with consultants on projects and plans, overseeing scope, schedule, budget, and tracking of milestones and deliverables, track consultant contracts and reviews invoices for payment.
• Provides fiscal and status reports on projects, plans, and programs to senior staff.
• Serves as a City of Richmond program coordinator for pedestrian, bicycle, shared, transit, parking, or other transportation mode, and facility services. Takes responsibility for program and project budgets, appropriations, expenditures, and operations funding.
• Ensures processes, policies, and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable department policies and procedures.
• Directs the work of subordinate planning staff members, and serves as a technical expert and resource to answer questions and resolve issues.
• Performs related work as required.

Required Education and Experience 

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in transportation planning, urban planning, public policy, civil engineering, geography, economics, or a related field
• Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in transportation planning, including experience leading complex projects. Experience leading staff is desirable.
• Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities

• Possession of a valid California driver's license and satisfactory driving record is an ongoing requirement

• Possession of an American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification or a similar professional certification in transportation planning is highly desirable

• Experience processing complex and controversial transportation efforts involving multiple stakeholders, environmental impact reports, development agreements, and subdivision maps.
• Experience in the following areas is also highly desirable:
  • Active Transportation Planning
  • Transit Policy
  • Grant Program Implementation for Transportation Projects
  • Traffic Safety Analysis and Vision Zero Initiatives
  • Environmental Justice and Disadvantaged Communities
  • Complete Streets Design and Planning
  • Parks, Open Space, and Trails Planning
  • Economic Development

• It is the City’s policy that all persons hired on or after October 18, 2021 must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, including the booster. New employees will be required to provide proof of full vaccination or have an approved medical or religious accommodation before employment may commence. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact Human Resources.

• Theory and practice of working in a team environment
• Principles, practices, and current trends in transportation planning, including multi-modal transportation systems, traffic management, and emerging technologies like electric vehicles and autonomous transportation
• Transportation research, survey design, implementation, and analytical methods
• Principles and practices of customer service and community engagement
• Standard grammar, spelling, and sentence structure
• Personal computer and software applications, including graphics software, transportation modeling/traffic impacts software, and/or project management software and scheduling programs
• Potential impacts of population growth or reduction, demographics, business and residential development, land use opportunities, as well as city projects and programs affecting transportation infrastructure
• Bicycle, pedestrian, transit and parking planning, and facility design
• Principles of supervision and training

• Analytical thinking
• Public Speaking
• Organization and time management
• Recordkeeping
• Strategic planning, project management, and leadership
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage large-scale transportation projects, including budget oversight and stakeholder engagement

• Work as a vital part of a high-performance team
• Read, interpret, and apply regulations, policies, and guidelines
• Explain complex transportation rules, policies, and procedures and address planning related inquiries in a clear, concise, and easily understood manner to a wide variety of audiences
• Manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously in a dynamic environment
• Perform detailed and accurate work
• Handle stressful and sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy
• Carry out community engagement strategies to reach all communities
• Set and meet project milestones and deadlines; solve problems; seek assistance when needed
• Read, analyze, and evaluate statistical data
• Respond professionally, effectively, and efficiently to inquiries, complaints, and requests for service from internal staff or the public
• Effectively translate and present complex concepts to the public and senior staff
• Work a flexible schedule that may include weekends and evenings
• Perform planning, strategic thinking, project management and policy analysis in support of the assigned area/function to ensure the department is positioned to accomplish its mission
• Review and analyze statistical data, proposed policies, laws, practices, etc., and prepare narrative summary reports and recommendations
• Prepare and present complex descriptive and quantitative reports with recommendations
• Lead and motivate assigned staff
• Utilize computer systems and software applications
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships in the performance of assigned duties

• Work involves attendance at off-hour meetings and field investigative work.  Work is deadline-orientated to meet City Council, transportation authorities, and community group information requirements.