Associate Planner - Transit

The Associate Planner is an entry-level, professional planning position responsible for transit route and service planning for the City of Wichita. This position prepares plans and reports and administers the development of transit service changes and improvements. Additional responsibilities include monitoring ridership and operational characteristics, incorporating regional transportation modeling into decision making, maintaining GIS mapping and more.

The successful Associate Planner position will have a combination of technical expertise, professional experience, and operational knowledge.

Workdays and Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Evenings as needed

Bargaining Unit: Employees Council

**Posting may close at any time **  

• Develops maps, charts, tables and/or graphics, compiles data, and maintains project and/or program databases and software.   
• Prepares elements of draft plans and reports, including communication of proposed route changes. 
• Prepares analysis and recommendations regarding transit system performance and development, including the tracking of key transportation performance measures
• Makes public presentations to boards and other groups and assists citizens with questions and issues regarding transit plans.
• Conducts specialized/research studies, including identifying problems, developing alternatives, and assessing the impact of alternative actions.
• Participates in a variety of meetings and on various committees.
• Meets with neighborhood and community groups as part of the planning process.
• Assists in identifying and ranking transportation projects.
• Participates in the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) long-range planning process.
• Designs system route and development plans for consideration.
• Provides recommendations to appropriate boards for transit service plans and transit related projects.
• Responsible for the creation of transit route schedules and run cuts.
• Manages data used for system performance and federal submission to National Transit Database.
• Completion of work assignments may require the operation of a vehicle.
• These examples performed are not intended to be all-inclusive. Other related duties and responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

• Knowledge of practices and principles of comprehensive land use planning.
• Knowledge of research methods and appropriate statistical analysis.
• Knowledge of legal descriptions of property.
• Knowledge of electronic spreadsheet development, using basic mathematical and descriptive statistical operations, geographic information systems, and the use of Microsoft Windows Office Suite.
• Knowledge of public transportation planning or current literature and sources of such.
• Knowledge of the principles of urban design and site planning, economics, and/or urban sociology. 
• May require ability to administer and evaluate third party contracts.
• Ability to use a computer to access, interpret and record information.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates, representatives of other organizations, and the public.
• Ability to learn all applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and procedures.
• Ability to manage complex records, compose and understand complex detailed correspondence and technical reports, and to perform all duties and responsibilities with minimum supervision.
• Ability to establish and maintain good public and employee relations and induce cooperation in complex organizational relations.
• Knowledge of current and effective transit systems or urban planning, data collection, transit system development analysis techniques, travel demand modeling, grant requirements and ability to apply to planning activities.
• Ability to lean and reach as needed to read and interpret development plans and specifications from a print that may be as large as 36 by 48 inches with information printed as small as twenty characters per inch.
• May require ability to acquire and maintain a valid Kansas driver's license.
• An employee shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, civil engineering, geography, urban studies, public administration, law, economics or similar areas with ties to urban or regional planning OR 6 years of experience working as a transit planner in a similarly sized agency may be considered in lieu of a degree.

• 3 years of experience working in a planning role managing duties pertaining to the implementation of route designs, utilization of planning software, and development of plans consistent with federal requirements. 

• A valid driver’s license.

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship.

• Offers of employment are contingent upon passing a pre-employment physical, which includes drug screening, and upon satisfactory evaluation of the results of a criminal record check.

• 3 years of experience in a transit agency.

• Master’s degree in planning, urban planning, geography, GIS, or engineering. 

Salary : $50,778 - $90,287