Rural Planning Organization Specialist

Nature of Work

The RPO Specialist position is responsible for professional transportation and regional planning work of routine difficulty and other duties as assigned. An employee in this class is responsible for the two Rural Planning Organizations established in the East Tennessee Development District, applying the principles of planning by facilitating communications between TDOT and the RPOs for transportation project planning, and performing administrative and other activities in coordination with the adjacent RPOs and MPOs, and other local governments and agencies.

Illustrative Examples of Work

· Facilitating at least two annual RPO meetings of both the Executive Board and the Technical Committee, preparing agendas that will include TDOT’s project and process updates, work plan activities, and accomplishments.

· Maintaining RPO by-laws and facilitating adjustments to the voting boards, tracking, and recording attendance and minutes and reporting on the website.

· Participating in the development of the Statewide long-range plans, improvement plans, and Rural Safety Audits by serving on committees, assisting with data collection, and gathering comments and feedback from local jurisdictions.

· Serving as point of contact for rural officials responding to requests and assistance.

· Maintaining the RPO website, conduct meetings with county mayors/executives and road superintendents and provide TDOT data to local jurisdictions.

· Using TDOT provided tools such as E-TRIMS and the TDOT SharePoint Exchange.

· Providing information on transportation-related grant opportunities to all counties and municipalities within the RPO and provide assistance with grant applications and sit on steering committees related to the grant.

· Maintaining reporting worksheet on the SharePoint site, on a bi-weekly basis with updates on task activities.

· Attending training that increases institutional knowledge of the Rural Transportation Planning process including participation at the mandatory RPO Annual Conference.

· Preparing countywide transportation plans including the municipalities within the county with public meetings and virtual online surveys to obtain input from local officials and citizens for inclusion in the plan and to present the plan findings.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor's degree (Master’s degree preferred) in one of the following: (1) Transportation development studies, including urban and regional planning, urban design, or land use management and reclamation; (2) political science studies, including public administration, public affairs, or public policy; (3) civil or architectural engineering; (4) environmental or natural science; or (5) or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience to provide the following knowledge, abilities, and skills:

Knowledge of :

· comprehensive transportation plan development work (i.e., planning for land use and transportation development, economic and population analysis, public improvements, and Transportation facilities; and providing technical consultation to Transportation members)

· administering comprehensive transportation development plans

· developing plans for land use, transportation, conservation, or economic factors including economic and population analysis

· analyzing the geography and demography of territories

· designing infrastructure (e.g., roads, water systems) or facilities

· researching the development and organization of social groups in communities

· federal, state, and local government processes

· Office technology and computer use for word processing, spreadsheets and maintaining databases

Necessary Special Requirement

· Possession of a valid Tennessee Driver’s license and the ability to be insured at standard vehicle liability rates.

Pay: $50,000.00 - $52,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• 457(b)
• AD&D insurance
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance
• Work from home

Work Location: In person

Salary : $50,000 - $52,000