SLC Transportation Planner

The Salt Lake City Transportation Division’s (Division) mission is to connect people via a safe and equitable multi-modal transportation system. In addition to the leadership and administrative staff, the Division consists of five teams, including strategic planning and programming; project delivery; safety, analytics, and Livable Streets program; transportation operations; and signal operations.

The Division seeks a transportation planner who will be an active member of the strategic planning and programming team, and additionally work directly with members of the project delivery team and the safety, analytics, and Livable Streets program team.

The transportation planner will primarily work in a communications and civic engagement role (75%) related to transportation projects. This position requires the ability to strategically and effectively distill and communicate technical information in verbal, written, and graphical formats to other internal divisions and departments, government agencies, external project partners, community-based organizations, and constituents. Responsibilities may include, but not be limited to the following.

• Efficient preparation and management of in-person events and canvassing of neighborhoods.
• Development of clear, concise, and consistent messaging.
• Creation of cohesive engagement reports; informative public outreach materials, email campaigns, and social media posts; superior graphics, infographics, and maps; online interactive tools; and easily navigable website pages to reflect Salt Lake City’s identity and brand.
• Execution of extensive community outreach, as well as responding to and logging constituent requests.
• Facilitation of public discussions and collection, exploration, and analysis of research data, community trends, and opportunities.

In an equally important, but less prominent role (25%), the transportation planner will be the project and/or program manager for various specific transportation-related projects and programs. This may include small area, mobility hub, and corridor plans; transportation management association development; and transit fare and pass programs. Additionally, the candidate may represent the Division on partners’, such as the Utah Transit Authority (UTA), Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), and Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC), projects and initiatives. This position requires the candidate to be accountable, proactive, and self-motivated, as well as possess a positive outlook while working individually and as part of a team. Additionally, they must have stellar interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with various internal and external personalities.

The transportation planner will be responsible for initiating and coordinating plans, studies, and technical analysis of multimodal transportation conditions and needs in support of Salt Lake City’s transportation goals. Typical duties include planning and analysis related to all modes of travel but may also specialize in a specific mode of travel or subject matter expertise.

Additionally, the candidate serves as liaison to other internal divisions and departments, government agencies, external project partners, community-based organizations, and constituents concerned with transportation planning issues; represents the City at public hearings; and coordinates internal and external technical analyses, as well as public engagement. The incumbent performs duties exercising discretion and independent judgment.

This career ladder position is designed to increase professional responsibilities over time.  

Please see additional information under the “Key Responsibilities” section.

About the Team:

This position is part of the Community and Neighborhoods Department. There is one Director of Transportation, one Deputy Director of Transportation, administrative staff, and five section managers.

Learn more about the members of our team at https://www.slc.gov/transportation/contact/.

Work Schedule: 

Work-life balance is important to the Transportation Division. The work schedule for this position is somewhat flexible and as follows.

• Hybrid schedule; the candidate is required to be in the office (cubicle) two days per workweek
• Schedule option 1: 8 hours per day, typically 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Monday - Friday
• Schedule option 2: 9 hours per day, typically 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM; week 1: Monday – Friday; week 2: Monday – Thursday (Friday off)
• Additional, non-traditional working hours, including evenings and weekends, will be required intermittently

Position Salary Range:

This position may be filled at a level III, II, or I. Pay will be commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Transportation Planner I: $59,455/yr. - $81,084/yr. (E26)

Transportation Planner II: $65,484/yr. - $89,453/yr. (E28)

Transportation Planner III: $72,232/yr. - $98,630/yr. (E30)

This position is eligible for full city benefits, including:

• Health Insurance (95% of premium paid by city)
• Dental, vision, and life insurance
• Paid vacation and personal leave
• Six weeks of paid parental leave from day one of employment
• Retirement contributions toward a pension plan and/or 401(k)
• A robust Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
• Up to $4,000 tuition reimbursement annually
• Discounted supplemental benefits such as pet insurance and legal services

Learn more about our benefits at https://www.slc.gov/hr/benefits-and-wellness/.

IMPORTANT: Interested candidates must apply for this position at: https://slcgov.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/SLC/job/Plaza-349/Transportation-Planner-III---Communications-and-Civic-Engagement-Emphasis--May-be-underfilled-at-II-or-I-_JR4096. Early application submittal is encouraged. This position will remain open until filled and may close at any time without notice.  

Key Responsibilities: 

Transportation Planner I:

• Works in a multi-disciplinary team setting and represents the transportation division.
• Manages small-scale transportation planning projects as assigned by the section manager, such as a single installation of a transportation improvement, or a summary of existing and future travel markets and conditions.
• Participates in the preparation of plans and studies related to the goals and objectives of the transportation division.
• Works with neighborhood and community groups.
• Participates in the development plans and studies related to multi-modal transportation; assignments may include bicycle and pedestrian studies, transit studies, traffic analysis, minor design review, and systems analysis.
• Research state of the practice of transportation planning and implementation.
• Prepares and implements educational programs to expand awareness of transportation options and reduce single-occupant vehicle trips.
• Provides mentoring to interns and newer employees.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Transportation Planner II (all the above plus those identified in this section):

• Represents the transportation division in collaboration with advocacy groups, community organizations, and community councils.
• Takes on more complex projects and assignments that may include complex analysis and knowledge of specific software, such as GIS network analysis to evaluate existing and future travel markets and needs, knowledge and implementation of traffic planning software, or planning for the installation of a set of improvements in a neighborhood or corridor.
• Manages the work of consultants.
• Leads small-scale transportation planning projects.
• Supports complete streets efforts and designs and implements experimental applications of infrastructure programs or communications.
• Provides mentoring to more junior employees and may supervise the work of interns.
• Has demonstrated successful delivery of Transportation Planner I level duties.

Transportation Planner III (all the above plus those identified in this section):

• Manages mid- to large-scale studies related to multi-modal transportation, such as parking studies, small area, and circulation plans, citywide transportation plan updates, transit network studies, and multi-year travel market and needs analysis.
• Represents the Division outside of the city and works collaboratively with and is responsible for clear communication of complex concepts for other transportation agencies, such as UDOT, WFRC and UTA.
• May also serve as a designated program manager of a specific topic area.
• Provides mentoring to more junior employees and may supervise the work of task leads on their projects.
• Has demonstrated successful delivery of Transportation Planner II level duties.

Minimum Qualifications:

• All Levels: Ability to travel from one work location to another; operate a variety of standard office equipment including a personal computer, copier, plotter, and telephone based on job assignments, and may require the performance of other essential and marginal functions.
• Transportation Planner I: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the field of urban planning, transportation, engineering, geography, or related field. Related education and experience may be substituted one for the other on a year-for-year basis.
• Transportation Planner II: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the field of urban planning, transportation, engineering, geography, or related field, plus two years of experience. Related education and experience may be substituted one for the other on a year-for-year basis.
• Transportation Planner III: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the field of urban planning, transportation, engineering, geography, or related field, plus four years of experience. Related education and experience may be substituted one for the other on a year-for-year basis.
• Transportation Planner IV: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the field of urban planning, transportation, engineering, geography, or related field, plus six years of experience. Related education and experience may be substituted one for the other on a year-for-year basis.

Desired Qualifications:

Preference may be given to candidates with one or more of the following qualifications:

• Bilingual.
• Master’s degree in urban planning, transportation planning, or transportation engineering.
• Experience in transportation planning or transportation engineering.
• Experience organizing and managing team efforts that involve multiple skills and perspectives.
• Experience working with Adobe Creative Cloud, ArcGIS, AutoCAD, and Microsoft Office.
• Experience with planning and engineering active transportation facilities.
• Experience with de-escalation techniques.

Working Conditions:

• Moderate physical activity. Uncomfortable working positions. May have a few disagreeable elements such as the appearance of the workplace, poor ventilation, or uneven temperature.
• Considerable exposure to stressful situations and stress as a result of human behavior and various responsibilities.
• Non-traditional working hours, including evenings and weekends, will be required intermittently.

Career Ladder:

Incumbents may be advanced to a higher level once the requirements for a higher level are met. All promotions are contingent on the supervisor’s recommendation, availability of funds, and concurrence of the department and the Department of Human Resources.

Offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of a criminal background check in accordance with City policy and applicable law.  Criminal offenses will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and do not automatically disqualify a candidate from City employment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified. All requirements are subject to possible modifications to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.