What are the responsibilities and job description for the Transportation Planner position at Boston Region MPO / CTPS?
The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) seeks a Transportation Planner to help develop the MPO’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), a five-year rolling capital investment plan that allocates federal funds to transportation projects that serve the region. This role requires analytical, interpersonal, and communications skills as the Transportation Planner will be part of a forward-thinking and ambitious team of policy and planning experts committed to helping support a robust, equitable, and resilient transportation system for the Boston region.
The Transportation Planner will work with the TIP Manager to identify, evaluate, and recommend transportation projects for funding. This individual will lead the Bikeshare Support, Community Connections, and Transit Transformation funding programs, provide quantitative and qualitative analysis of proposed projects, and summarize public comments to provide input and feedback on recommended projects. The TIP budget tracks roughly $6.4 billion in investments overall for the five-year program.
Evaluate and prioritize transportation projects for inclusion in the Transportation Improvement Program using established project-selection criteria and analytical methods. Support the development of new evaluation frameworks and funding programs in partnership with the TIP Manager.
Track the scope and status of TIP projects by coordinating with the TIP Manager and state and local partners. Assist in communicating these technical project updates to the MPO board and the public by updating the TIP Project Dashboard, an online ArcGIS application, with accurate project geometry and spatial information.
Communicate program and policy information to the MPO board and public stakeholders through presentations and reports. Work with the Communications and Engagement team to engage the community and emphasize historically marginalized voices in the TIP development process.
Manage the production of the TIP document by coordinating contributions from various authors, layout, and graphics. Drive data-informed MPO investment decisions through the development of rigorous performance standards, accountability frameworks, and project oversight tools such as project status summaries and data visualizations.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support agency initiatives, manage assigned projects and tasks within established schedules and work program objectives, and perform duties consistent with agency policies and procedures while maintaining professional standards.
While the following sections describe required and desirable qualifications, candidates who believe that their particular experience and skills fulfill the requirements are encouraged to apply.
Required Skills/Abilities
Quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, including proficiency working with and maintaining spreadsheets and databases
Ability to research and analyze historical project data, identify trends, and distill clear insights that drive better decision-making
A professional commitment to working toward transportation equity, environmental sustainability, climate resiliency, safety, and economic vitality
Excellent written and verbal presentation skills and the ability to effectively communicate to a variety of audiences, including boards of directors, elected officials, technical staff, and members of the public
Strong project management and organization skills
Attention to detail and in applying quality-assurance procedures to all products and activities
Ability to develop effective working relationships with colleagues, members of the public, board members, and representatives from other agencies
Preferred Skills/Abilities
Experience with ESRI’s ArcGIS Online dashboards, StoryMaps, or other interactive applications
Fluency with ArcGIS software and experience with spatial analysis and map production
Experience working with financial data
Experience with Excel macros
Familiarity with regional and local transportation issues in the Boston region
Knowledge of MPO processes and practices
Knowledge of federal transportation legislation, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Experience working with Asana and other related project management software
Required Education and Experience
Three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in urban or regional planning, transportation planning, civil or environmental engineering, public policy, program/project administration, environmental science, or another field that would support the candidate’s ability to carry out the above responsibilities
A bachelor’s degree in a similar field may substitute for two years of professional experience.
A master’s degree in a similar field may substitute for professional experience.
This is a full-time position and the starting salary range is $66,000 - $76,000 annually, contingent upon qualifications and experience. The agency offers excellent Massachusetts state employee benefits; a flexible, supportive work environment; and a commitment to ongoing professional development.
Salary : $66,000 - $76,000