Transportation Planner II or III

TRANSPORTATION PLANNER II - III

The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) is seeking a qualified individual to serve as a Transportation Planner II – III to join our team. The role is ideal for someone who is passionate about the intersection of transportation and environmental planning and thrives in a collaborative, data-driven environment. The planner will play a key role in bringing together local officials, community stakeholders and the public to advance integrated regional transportation and environment planning initiatives, both with each other, and with local government and statewide plans.

ABOUT US

MARC, the association of local governments and metropolitan planning organization for the bistate Kansas City region, promotes and supports cooperation on regional issues, including transportation, the environment, our workforce and economy, aging services, community development, quality early learning, public safety communications and emergency services. MARC has a collaborative work environment with a culture based on integrity, innovation, diversity and inclusion, excellence in performance and service leadership.

MARC prepares a long-range Metropolitan Transportation Plan every five years, including elements for all modes of travel, a Transportation Improvement Program every two years allocating federal funds to projects, and other metropolitan planning products. MARC recently developed a Regional Climate Action Plan (CAP), framing a collaborative, integrated, systems-based, equity-focused agenda bridging environment, transportation and other sectors. The planner will work within MARC’s Transportation and Environment department to provide support and assistance for advancing the CAP by developing plans, policies, programs, and related projects. The planner will provide support for MARC committees, regional transportation and environmental performance measures and targets, funding programs and grant writing, among other tasks. 

ABOUT THIS POSITION

MARC, the association of local governments and metropolitan planning organization for the bistate Kansas City region, promotes and supports cooperation on regional issues, including transportation, the environment, our workforce and economy, aging services, community development, quality early learning, public safety communications and emergency services. MARC has a collaborative work environment with a culture centered on integrity, innovation, diversity and inclusion, excellence in performance and service leadership.

MARC leads the development of a long-range Metropolitan Transportation Plan every five years, a Transportation Improvement Program every two years—allocating and guiding investments across all modes of travel—as well as other metropolitan planning products. MARC recently developed a Regional Climate Action Plan (CAP) and Climate Action Technical Report, framing an integrated, systems-based and equity-focused approach that connects environment, transportation and other sectors.

In this role, the planner will work within MARC’s Transportation and Environment department to help turn the CAP into action through planning, policy development, program implementation, performance measurement and funding strategies. 

Examples of what you’ll do

• Lead Transportation Resiliency KC, a planning effort to assess the resilience of the region’s transportation system to natural hazards and support investment priorities
• Develop and support transportation and environmental benchmarks, performance measures, modeling applications and targets
• Support MARC’s process for programming transportation funding 
• Support activities of MARC committees and round tables, with a focus on connecting transportation and environmental planning goals
• Support MARC’s Planning Sustainability Places program and other local government transportation, sustainability and resilience planning initiatives
• Write and support grant applications for various environmental/transportation opportunities
• Support procurement and management of consultant or vendor contracts
• Participate in internal staff work groups and cross-departmental initiatives
• Perform other duties as assigned

ABOUT YOU

Skills you’ll need:

• Knowledge of urban and regional planning principles and practices, transportation planning, climate resilience, environmental planning, and community planning and other related disciplines.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Experience working with committees, boards, or stakeholder groups, and the ability to build productive working relationships with diverse audiences
• Excellent communication skills, including public speaking, facilitation and the ability to clearly convey complex planning concepts to the general public, media and outside organizations
• Interpersonal skills necessary to effectively interact with internal staff
• Strong analytical skills, including experience collecting, interpreting and applying data to inform decisions
• Proficiency with tools such as spreadsheet, databases, GIS, and other planning and analysis software.
• Ability to interpret technical outputs, modeling results and complex graphics
• Knowledge of the principles of research, standard statistical procedures, sources of planning information, and presentation development.
• Experience developing grant proposals and managing grants.

Basic requirements:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree (master’s degree preferred) in regional, environmental or transportation planning, environmental studies, geography, public administration, or closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience using data and data tools to drive decisions in innovative directions.
• Successful and progressively responsible work experience in transportation, resilience planning, or closely related field 
• Project management experience
• Certification from American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is highly preferred

In determining level and pay for the role, we will use these general guidelines: 

• Planner II – 2 to 5 years’ experience and a master’s degree*
• Planner III - 5 to 8 years’ experience and a master’s degree*

*additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of a master's degree

SALARY AND BENEFITS 

Starting salary for a Planner II is from $50,600 to $64,500 per year, depending upon qualifications. 
Starting salary for a Planner III is from $57,400 to $71,700 per year, depending upon qualifications. 
MARC offers an attractive team-oriented work environment along with a competitive fringe benefit package. MARC offers employees the flexibility to work remotely for up to two days per work week.  

HOW TO APPLY 

To apply, complete our online application form and attach your cover letter and resume. For more information, visit marc.org/jobs.   

MARC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.