Transportation Engineer

Starting Pay: $81,350-$95,177

Under administrative direction of the Development and Planning Manager, plans, organizes, directs and coordinates the activities related to the City’s transportation planning and its coordination with land use planning, multi-modal transportation planning and implementation, development coordination activities, transit enhancements, and funding recommendations; works with other Community Development divisions, City departments and county, regional, state and federal organizations; coordinates the development and implementation of studies, plans, policies, and projects to improve and protect the City’s street and transportation systems; provides complex professional assistance to the Director of Community Development, the City Council, the Planning Commission, and others in areas of expertise; oversees reviews and performs a variety of studies and prepares and presents staff reports.

Essential functions are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification.   The omission of a function does not preclude management from assigning essential duties not listed herein if such duties relate to the position. In addition, specifications are intended to outline the minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the class and may not necessarily convey the qualifications of incumbents within the position.

• Coordinates the planning functions of the City’s transportation system plan; maintains and updates the TSP and its various components.
• Coordinates with the planning and funding activities of the Metro regional government, Fulton County, state and federal governments, other government agencies and consultants involved in planning and implementation of transportation facilities and services in the Atlanta Metropolitan Region.
• Serves as project manager or participates in technically complex, difficult, and sensitive interdisciplinary transportation projects.  
• Plans, schedules, and prioritizes assigned planning projects and activities in consultation with the Director of Community Development; communicates status of projects and activities to appropriate personnel, working cooperatively to schedule activities to achieve budget and timeline objectives.
• Analyzes transportation systems and policies, identifies problems and potential solutions; evaluates alternatives; makes recommendations for policies, plans and projects; prepares reports of findings; and participates in implementation of adopted solutions and projects.
• Serves as a technical expert for complex transportation studies/issues; provides transportation planning and advice to department personnel, and other City departments; in collaboration with other City staff, prepares applications and applies for transportation funding.
• Directs and manages local implementation and maintenance activities associated with the regional travel demand forecasting model; oversees and implements multi-modal transportation planning studies, bicycle and pedestrian planning and project development activities, and activities related to defining future transit services and improvements.
• Coordinates with Public Works and Finance departments to develop and update funding strategies, pursue a variety of funding sources, and manage and report on grants.
• Serves as project manager for special transportation planning projects and impact fee methodology report updates, including analyzing and summarizing data for the City Administrator’s office and elected City officials, presenting information and recommendations on policy issues, and facilitating interdepartmental and outside agency coordination.
• Represents the City in various intergovernmental activities and venues related to transportation planning such as at local, county, regional, state, and federal agencies, various boards, and commissions before local citizens in public meetings and hearings, and as an expert witness.
• Prepares staff reports, research, and maps for the City Council, various committees, and advisory boards as directed; briefs and delivers formal presentations to the public, government agencies and elected officials.
• Confers with landscape architects, engineers, attorneys, and other professionals regarding City transportation policies and plans; directs and manages consultant’s working under contract with the City to achieve specified project outcomes.
• Responds to citizen inquiries by explaining policies and/or investigating issues; coordinates and implements citizen involvement activities regarding City transportation planning and project proposals and programs.
• Keeps immediate supervisor accurately informed concerning work progress including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.
• Assists in developing short- and long-range work plans, procedures, and schedules.
• Attends meetings, conferences workshops, and training sessions and reviews publications to become and remain current on transportation planning principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas.
• Reviews federal, state, and regional statutes, proposed legislation and regulations pertaining to transportation planning.
• Coordinates with department personnel to develop the annual Community Development Department capital budget request.
• Coordinates with the City Attorney and applicants on the preparation of development agreements.
• Coordinates with the Finance Department to develop and update the Annual Capital Improvement Element (CIE).
• Represents the department at public hearings, as needed, with the Board of Zoning Appeals, Planning Commission, and City Council; operates audio visual components at Planning Commission or as needed.
• Performs related duties as required or assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Advanced concepts, principles, techniques, and legal aspects of integrated urban and regional land use and transportation planning, and multi-modal transportation planning and implementation.
• Advanced interdisciplinary practices, analytic tools and recent trends affecting transportation and urban planning.
• State and federal multi-modal transportation and transit planning principles, procedures, and regulations and legislative and funding processes.
• Basic transportation and traffic engineering principles and transportation/transit facilities design, construction and maintenance practices and techniques.
• Geographic, socio-economic, political, and other basic components of urban planning.
• Project management and contract administration principles and techniques.
• Basic research statistical and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
• Modern office methods, practices, procedures, and equipment, including computer hardware and software necessary for graphic presentation, mapping, and project management, such as Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, project management software and basic GIS concepts and applications.
• Practices for researching transportation planning issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
• Principles of advanced mathematics and their application to planning work.
• Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Techniques for dealing effectively with and providing a high level of customer service to public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.
• Principles of citizen engagement and involvement.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local codes, laws, and regulations.

Ability to:

• Collaborate with traffic and transportation engineers to develop and evaluate alternatives, selection of a preferred option, and preparation of recommendations on policies, plans and projects.
• Formulate transportation planning program options in collaboration with staff, consultants, and representatives of local, regional, state, and federal agencies.
• Oversee and participate in transportation planning activities and related projects.
• Successfully manage multiple complex projects with aggressive schedules.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations.
• Read and understand technical drawings and specifications.
• Perform mathematical and planning computations with precision.
• Identify and respond to issues and concerns of the public, City Council, and other boards and commissions.
• Respond to inquiries, complaints, and requests in a fair, tactful, and timely manner.
• Prepare and present clear and concise comprehensive transportation plans and reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Make effective public presentations.
• Positively and effectively represent the City in a variety of intergovernmental venues and with consultants, developers, and the public.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer and related word processing, database, and spreadsheet software and applications.
• Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.
• Interpret and apply policies, laws, rules, and regulations to transportation decisions and explain these parameters and their application to a non-professional audience.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Comprehend codes and enforce regulations in conjunction with public hearing requests and land disturbance permits.
• Comprehend and use English effectively including producing all forms of communication in a clear, concise, and understandable manner to intended audiences.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent sound judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of the job qualifies.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in transportation planning, urban planning, or a related field including engineering. 
• Six years of increasingly responsible professional transportation, urban planning, public transportation, or engineering experience.
• Possession of a valid Georgia Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer (PE).
• Possession (or be able to obtain within 30 days of hire) and ability to maintain, a valid driver’s license

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting and operate office equipment.  Continuous sitting and upward and downward flexion of neck; fine finger dexterity; light to moderate finger pressure to manipulate keyboard, equipment controls, and office equipment; pinch grasp to manipulate writing utensils.  Frequent side-to-side turning of neck, walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting at waist; moderate wrist torque to twist equipment knobs and dials; lifting objects weighing up to 20 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 yards.  Occasional squatting, kneeling, and reaching above and at shoulder height; moderate grasping to manipulate reference books and manuals; lifting objects weighing 25 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 feet.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents and to operate equipment. 

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City of Alpharetta and employee and is subject to modifications as the needs and requirements of the position change.

The City of Alpharetta is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.  All applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender (including identity or expression), marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected classification as defined by applicable law (except as limited by Employee Manual & Benefits Handbook or bona fide occupational qualifications).

In compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the City of Alpharetta is committed to providing a safe, quality-oriented, and productive work environment consistent with the standards of the community in which it serves. Alcohol and drug abuse poses a threat to the health and safety of City’s employees and to the security of the City’s equipment and facilities. For these reasons, the City is committed to the elimination of drug and alcohol use and abuse in the workplace.

Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects qualified individuals with disabilities from employment discrimination. Under the ADA, a person has a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. The physical demands described within the job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In compliance with the ADA, the City of Alpharetta will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Salary : $81,350 - $130,155