Transportation Planner I

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) seeks a Transportation Planner I who will work on a variety of projects and policies in Greater Boston to facilitate more of the region's trips to be by public transit, bicycling, walking, and electric vehicles. The Planner will report to the Assistant Director of the Transportation Department, and will work on diverse topics, including transportation demand management, parking reform, bike share, micro-transit, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, transit-oriented development, and others. The individual will support the staff of the Transportation Department to conduct research, convene stakeholders, administer federal and state grant funds, and develop recommendations for cities and towns.

We seek an individual who is innovative, mission-driven, and committed to advancing smart growth, regional collaboration, and equity. This is an opportunity to work in a dynamic and interdisciplinary environment with professionals who are committed to building a more sustainable future.

About MAPC

MAPC is the Regional Planning Agency (RPA) serving the people who live and work in metropolitan Boston. Our strategic priorities are sustainable development and preservation, advancing equity in the region, collaboration across municipal lines, and developing a climate-friendly and resilient region. We are guided by our regional plan, MetroCommon2050: Shaping the Region Together. MAPC’s staff includes approximately 120 full-time employees located in downtown Boston in a transit-accessible and bike-friendly office.

MAPC has a hybrid schedule, combining time in the office with remote work. Employees must reside within a commutable distance from MAPC’s Boston office.

MAPC strongly supports the professional development of each staff person, believing their growth to be consistent with the best interests of MAPC and the region. We encourage all our staff to develop new ideas to make MAPC’s planning and policy work more relevant and impactful, and to adapt to changing times.

This is an opportunity to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and innovative environment with professionals who are committed to building a more sustainable and equitable future for everyone who lives and works in Greater Boston. For more information about MAPC or MetroCommon2050, please visit www.mapc.org

About The Department

The Transportation Department is made up of seven staff that work on diverse planning topics, including bicycle and pedestrian plans, complete streets, off-road paths and trails, bus priority improvements, parking, transit-oriented development, transportation demand management, transportation finance, decarbonization, first and last mile solutions, and many others. The Department also supports the work of the Boston MPO to develop a transportation vision for Greater Boston—from public transit to pedestrian/bicycle needs to roadway projects—and then dedicate federal and state funding to specific transportation improvements. Additionally, team members work closely with other departments at MAPC on interdisciplinary projects.

• Support senior staff to conduct planning studies by accomplishing discrete tasks;
• Collect and analyze data, such as street geometry or parking utilization;
• Provide research and literature reviews;
• Write memos and reports that summarize conditions and recommendations for changes to the built environment, or policies, consistent with MetroCommon2050;
• Create other work products such as maps, conceptual designs, data visualizations, and slide presentations;
• Present at internal meetings, external working groups, and other small to mid-sized forums;
• Convene stakeholders by planning and scheduling meetings;
• Support other community engagement activities, such as attending public meetings or developing surveys;
• Maintain relationships between MAPC and relevant stakeholders, including municipal partners, community and advocacy groups, the private sector, academia, and state agencies;
• Administer contracts, such as processing invoices and progress reports, and;
• Perform other duties as necessary to advance the goals of MetroCommon2050.
  
  

Evening events, occasional weekend events, and local travel are a responsibility for this position. MAPC does not require that you have a vehicle; however, you must have a valid driver’s license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. MAPC provides support for travel, including MBTA passes, a Zipcar account and BlueBikes membership.

Candidates for this position must have either a Master’s degree pertaining to urban/regional planning or closely related field, OR a Bachelor’s degree and at least 2 years of relevant work experience in transportation planning, city/regional planning, civil engineering, public policy, or a related field.

Successful candidates for this position will demonstrate all or most of the following:

• Strong understanding of transportation and land use planning concepts;
• Ability to learn quickly;
• Strong interpersonal and public speaking skills;
• Ability to foster and maintain collaborative relationships with local, state and regional officials, agency staff, community groups, and the public;
• Ability to convene and coordinate meetings and events with a diverse group of stakeholders;
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, including ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously;
• Strong writing skills in both memo and report formats;
• Strong research skills, including data collection and analysis;
• Ability to present in an effective manner, including materials such as slides, maps, and data visualizations;
• Ability to collaborate and work as part of a project team, as well as to work independently and meet project deadlines;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and the Adobe Suite, including Illustrator;
• Familiarity with GIS, including creation of shapefiles and spatial analysis.
  
  

Compensation And Benefits

The salary ranges from $66,000 to $76,000, depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time exempt position. MAPC offers excellent Massachusetts state employee benefits as well as a flexible, supportive, and family-friendly work environment and a commitment to continued professional development.

How To Apply

Apply online at www.mapc.org/jobs. The position is open until filled, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. Candidates selected to interview will be asked to submit three (3) references plus a sample of relevant writing or work product. Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the USA and a valid driver's license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. MAPC participates in E-Verify, which is a federal program that helps us to determine work eligibility in the United States. MAPC may consider sponsorship on a case-by-case basis.

MAPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a staff with a range of perspectives, experiences, and skillsets strengthens our work. We are committed to building a more equitable workplace that allows staff with diverse backgrounds and identities to thrive, grow, and lead. For more information on MAPC’s culture of equity, see our Equity at MAPC page.