Transportation Planner 2 or 3*

General Description

The Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is looking to hire a Transportation Planner!

This position is responsible for professional transportation planning work within the Regional Transportation Planning Section of the City of Madison’s Planning Division, which provides staff for the Greater Madison MPO under the policy direction of the MPO Policy Board. The work implements the MPO’s adopted vision, mission and goals as reflected in the MPO’s long-range Regional Transportation Plan and other plans and documents, such as the Public Participation Plan.  As a regional transportation agency, MPO’s work extends beyond the City of Madison limits, helping numerous communities with transportation planning. The MPO operates as an independent organization with a separate budget, comprised of federal and state planning funds. Although the City of Madison provides essential support in terms of Human Resources, Information Technology, and technical services, the MPO remains focused on regional transportation planning and development. Come join a dynamic team working to accomplish the MPO’s vision of a sustainable, equitable regional transportation system that connects people, places, and opportunities to achieve an exceptional quality of life for all!

This is senior level transportation planning work characterized by a high level of initiative, discretion, and leadership, preparing plans and special studies and annual performance measure monitoring. Under general supervision of the Transportation Planning Manager, the work requires a high degree of independence, and involves leadership in program, plan, and policy development and internal process improvements. The position also assists the MPO Director in coordinating the activities of the MPO in carrying out the federally mandated continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive metropolitan transportation planning and programming process, including administrative, outreach, and technical tasks. This includes assistance in developing the Work Program, staffing the MPO Policy Board and Technical Committee, developing and leading the public outreach and stakeholder engagement, serving as liaison to state agencies, and assuring compliance with federal planning regulations.  

Initial placement in the Planner 2 - 3 class series is determined for each employee based on their training and experience at time of hire. Starting pay is negotiable within the range and will be commensurate with the selected candidate's experience.  Progression to a Planner 3 is not expected for every employee, and is dependent upon the employee taking on additional duties and responsibilities as well as the needs and budget of the agency. 

Planner 2 (CG18, R8), $74,663 - $88,600:
This is the advanced level of the professional planner career progression series. Employees exercise expertise in the design and completion of diverse assignments consistent with the Planning Division and MPO Work Plans and effectively participate in policy formulation. This work is characterized by acquired expertise in the development and application of urban land use, community development, and transportation plans, strategies and standards, progressive experience with complex projects and project management, increased effectiveness with written and verbal communication to a wide variety of audiences, and coordination of internal process improvements as assigned. Work is performed under general supervision.

Planner 3 (CG18, R10), $81,047 - $97,404:
 

This is senior level work characterized by accountability for complex activities in the Planning Division or MPO Work Plans necessitating initiative, judgment, and discretion. Planners at this level have ongoing responsibility for one or more planning activities, strong and proven project management capabilities for team-based projects and programs, and often serve as lead staff for City or MPO committees. Under general supervision, work requires a high degree of independence, and typically involves leadership in program, plan, and policy development and internal process improvements. 

The City of Madison is an equal opportunity employer functioning under an affirmative action plan. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.  Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply!

Employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.  

IMPORTANT: THERE ARE 2 SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAY QUESTIONS ON THE JOB POSTING.
 YOU MUST ATTACH RESPONSES TO THE ESSAY QUESTIONS IN THE ATTACHMENTS SECTION OF YOUR APPLICATION. 

 (To view the questions, click on the supplemental question tab OR view the bottom section of the job bulletin)

**APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WITHOUT ATTACHED ESSAY RESPONSES WILL IMMEDIATELY BE ELIMINATED FROM CONSIDERATION.**

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

Assist Planning Manager in planning and managing the activities and functions of the Greater Madison MPO
 

• Assist in formulating policies and procedures and providing strategic direction in terms of work activities, communications, and collaboration with regional partners.
• Assist in developing and managing the MPO’s Work Program, including project design, schedules, progress reports, and interagency staff and public involvement. This includes co-leading the MPO’s Communications & Outreach Workgroup.
• Assist in ensuring compliance with federal planning regulations.
• Supervise MPO interns and assist in coordinating work of planning and support staff.
• Assist in providing staff support to the MPO Policy Board and Technical Committee.
• Assist in coordinating MPO activities with and providing staff support for state and local committees, elected officials, interest groups, and others.
• Lead or assist in preparing grant applications and reports to federal agencies for transportation planning studies and projects.

Lead or assist in the development of MPO transportation plans, studies, and projects, including initial scoping, complex analysis work, and overall project management
 

• Develop and lead the MPO’s safety planning studies and projects, and assist and coordinate this work with county and local safety initiatives.
• Conduct complex transportation needs analyses and develop and evaluate multi-faceted strategies and projects to support development of the long-range Regional Transportation Plan and other plans and reports.
• Develop and lead the MPO’s federally required Congestion Management Process and supportive transportation system management and operations (TSMO) strategies and planning processes.
• Conduct literature reviews, best practices research, and quantitative analysis to support development of plan recommendations.
• Prepare plan reports and presentations.
• Assist in the development and management of contracts with consultants.
• Assist in providing transportation planning and data assistance services to WisDOT and local communities through serving on interagency workgroups and other means.

Lead the development of and co-lead the implementation of the MPO’s Public Participation Plan
 

• Co-lead the evaluation of the MPO’s public involvement activities and lead future updates to the public participation plan.
• Assist in developing and implementing the MPO’s outreach activities and stakeholder engagement through the MPO’s Communications & Outreach Workgroup, which includes planning, scheduling, and conducting work sessions, public meetings, and other outreach strategies.
• Assist in communicating MPO policies, plans, and programs to regional partners and the media through meeting presentations, emails, and press releases.
• Assist in providing direction in the design, development, and content of the MPO website.
• Assist in responding to inquiries and questions from local officials, other agency staff, the public, and the media.

Assist in developing and maintaining transportation planning information systems and data bases, including GIS and “big data” acquired through private vendors
 

• Lead development and analysis of data to support the MPO’s safety planning work and the Congestion Management Process.
• Assist in developing, visualizing, and presenting data on transportation system performance for the MPO’s performance measure monitoring process.
• Assist in monitoring, assembling, and analyzing socio-economic, travel, and other data for transportation planning activities.
• Assist in responding to requests for data and information on the MPO’s plans from other agency staff, local officials, and the public.

Perform related work as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Two (2) years of professional planning experience pertinent to the position, similar to that of a Planner 1 at the City of Madison. 
• Bachelors Degree in Urban Studies, Urban/Regional Planning, Civil Engineering, and other related studies or programs. 

If an applicant does not possess the specific requirements outlined above, Human Resources will review the application materials to determine if the applicant possesses the following equivalent experience:

Four (4) years experience in applying the following:

• Land use and transportation planning process.
• Transportation planning policies, principles, practices, and methodologies, including land use/travel demand relationships, accessibility, and integration of the different modes of transportation.

Two (2) years experience in applying the following:

• Geographic information systems (GIS), and data collection and analysis methods related to land use and transportation planning.
• Project management techniques and leadership principles and practices.
• Computer software applicable to the duties of the position, including Microsoft Office Suite software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Familiarity with the following:

• Roadway, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian planning and facility design.
• Federal metropolitan transportation planning and project programming process and requirements.

The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its residents and visitors.  Therefore, successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to work effectively with multicultural communities.

For a complete list of the knowledge, skills and abilities, please see the Planner 2 and Planner 3 class specifications.

Special Requirements

Possession of a valid driver's license within six (6) months of hire.

Ability to attend meetings in the evening and occasional weekend meetings or events.

Physical Requirements:

Employees will be expected to spend a majority of time sitting/standing while operating a computer and telephone. Employees may also have significant public contact and will be expected to provide excellent customer service.  Employees may be required to travel to various locations in the City of Madison to attend meetings.

*The payroll title is Planner 2 or Planner 3.