Planning Director

Mountain Line is the transit agency in the beautiful mountains of Flagstaff, AZ, offering fixed route bus, paratransit, vanpool, and seasonal service to the nearby ski area. The agency is on a growth trajectory with plans to nearly double service over the next five years with the recent successful increase to the City’s dedicated transit tax. When you join the Mountain Line team you play an essential role in connecting our community and are rewarded with an innovative, empowering, and collaborative workplace. Mountain Line employees enjoy a generous benefits package including several paid holidays, vacation and sick time accruals, matching contributions to the Arizona State Retirement System, dedicated wellness time, a variety of health and dental benefit options, and much more. 

Safety Statement

This is not a safety-sensitive position. The incumbent is required to fully comply with all safety rules and regulations established by Mountain Line.

Job Purpose of a Planning Director

The Planning Director is a key member of the Executive Team and provides leadership and direction to the team responsible for long-range and strategic planning, capital development, regional coordination, and supporting service planning and infrastructure to deliver on the agency’s mission of “Getting You Where You Want to Go.” With the recent expansion of the local dedicated transit tax, the Planning Director will play a pivotal role in delivering on service improvements outlined in the ballot proposition, and the planning associated with a near doubling of transit service over the next five years. This role is at the helm of integrating public transportation into the region’s mobility framework while aligning with established community goals.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Lead Mountain Line’s planning, service development, and capital development activities to ensure the agency is strategically positioned to deliver high-quality, cost-effective public transit.
• Lead capital strategy and direct the Capital Improvement Program, collaborating across departments to ensure the diverse needs of the agency are addressed in program delivery.
• Implement the Strategic Plan and track and report on key performance indicators to measure success. This also includes service changes, service plans, and capital improvement plans.
• Lead service delivery strategy, advancing a system that delivers value to the community and delivers on promises made in ballot initiatives, and is consistent with best practices in transit system design.
• Prepare, implement, and manage the budget for the Planning department.
• Collaborate with external partners to create and revise local and regional plans and projects.
• Prepare and present reports, briefings, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership, board members, and public forums.
• Represent transit matters and concerns in various community conversations, including committees and commissions, or our partners agencies. Provide comments and input as necessary to recognize and advance transit policies and plans.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with all applicable policies, procedures, and regulations within Mountain Line and at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Manage the agency’s grant strategy through cross-departmental collaboration on strategic planning and capital priorities.
• Oversee data analysis, modeling, and forecasting to inform service planning and route performance evaluation.
• Manage public outreach and stakeholder engagement to incorporate community input into transit planning.
• Direct policy development related to transit service, sustainability, equity, and innovation.
• Manage and mentor a cross-functional team to ensure professional development, accountability, and collaboration.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable policies, procedures, and regulations within Mountain Line and at the Federal, state, and local levels.

Attendance

Attendance must be consistent and predictable. General employment policies regarding vacation, sick leave, and unpaid leave apply. There may be occasional requirements to report to work on a day off or weekends for community outreach or public hearings.

Confidentiality

This position deals with sensitive internal information and data. The incumbent is required to keep a high level of discretion in handling confidential information and is required to maintain knowledge of rules and regulations governing employees’ private information and customer confidentiality.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of transit systems, land use planning, and transportation policy.

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent analytical, communication, and project management skills.
• Effective collaborator and relationship builder, persuasive, sensitive to situations and individuals, knows how to work within the organization and political structure to achieve transit goals.
• Thinks and plans strategically, visualizes and communicates a vision, models desired behavior, and drives organizational change. 

Working Conditions, Exposure to Risk, and Physical Dangers

The incumbent works in an office environment with minimal exposure to risk or physical dangers. Occasional site visits and public meetings with the potential exposure associated with the work, incumbents in this job are required to follow all Mountain Line safety procedures, manuals, and guidelines. Additionally, incumbents are required to properly don safety-related clothing, protective hard hats, gloves, footwear, tools and equipment, and other safety-related gear.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Transportation Planning, Civil Engineering, Public Administration, or a related field is required. A master's degree in a relevant field is preferred.

Similar Work Experience:

•  7 years of progressively responsible experience in transit or transportation planning is preferred, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
•  3 years project management experience, including public outreach.

Licenses, Training, and/or Certifications Preferred:

•  AICP or PE certification.

Substitution:

Any combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, abilities, and skills to perform the duties of the position.

This job description does not create an employment contract. It is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person assigned to this position.

This job description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employees holding this position may be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by management.

Mountain Line is an equal employment opportunity employer.