Transportation Planner

Transportation Planner/Planning Liaison

Employment Opportunity         www.ssmma.org

Job Type:                           Full-time, 35 hours/week, hybrid schedule

Hours:                                Monday – Friday 8:30 – 4:30 p.m. (monthly evening meetings)

Location:                           1904 W. 174^th Street, East Hazel Crest, IL 60429

Opening Date:                  June 25, 2026, position open until filled

POSITION SUMMARY

The South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association (SSMMA) is seeking to hire a Transportation Planner/Planning Liaison. SSMMA is a nonprofit Council of Governments (COG), providing technical assistance and joint services to our 44 member municipalities representing a population of over 725,000 in southern Cook and eastern Will Counties. SSMMA members work cooperatively on transportation and infrastructure projects, public policy and legislation, land use, economic and community development, stormwater and open space planning, public safety, and environmental justice issues. SSMMA includes a small multi-talented staff of 7 looking for a skilled, motivated and responsible person to join our professional team.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Transportation Planner is responsible for regional transportation planning and programming activities related to highways, freight transit, and active transportation facilities and projects. The Transportation Planner is the primary staff liaison between SSMMA, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), and local governments. The position works directly with member municipalities’ mayors, managers, and staff, and is responsible for managing the South Council of Mayors’ Surface Transportation Program (STP) and overseeing the region's Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

RESPONSIBILITIES

·        Provide technical assistance to member municipalities in preparing applications, obtaining and administering federal and state transportation funds;

·        Facilitate implementation of member communities’ long range transportation planning activities and other region transportation projects, studies and programs;

·        Manage the South Council of Mayors’ STP, including developing priorities for expenditures of funds within the South Council’s region, and maintain records on funds allocated to and expended by Council member communities;

·        Manage the TIP to ensure accurate programming of all Council projects in the region’s TIP;

·        Coordinate and comply with IDOT and CMAP reporting deadlines to maintain accurate records within the TIP and to keep projects on schedule;

·        Provide administrative support (create and distribute meeting notices, agendas, presentations, minutes) to the SSMMA Transportation Committee and Board at monthly meetings;

·        Provide administrative and technical support to SSMMA and its members through research, analysis, and reporting;

·        Attend planning and agency coordination meetings with CMAP, IDOT, Cook and Will County Highway Departments, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD), South Suburban Public Works Association (SSPWA) and other agencies, representing SSMMA and South Council member municipalities;

·        Contribute to a wide variety of regional planning and transportation projects; and

·        Perform other duties as assigned, and report weekly to the Planning Director.

REQUIREMENTS

·      Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Civil Engineering, or related field. Master’s Degree is preferred but not required;

·        2 years of experience in a related field (municipal government a plus);

·        Excellent writing and public presentation skills;

·       Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Outlook, OneDrive, and Teams, with the ability to use these tools effectively in a collaborative professional environment; 

·       Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel is required, including experience working with spreadsheets, data management, reporting, and analysis; 

·        Familiarity or knowledge of GIS, map interpretation, Adobe Illustrator, and InDesign preferred;

·        Ability to work with minimal supervision and direction to initiate and maintain projects/activities;

·        Strong time management skills with ability to appropriately prioritize work and meet deadlines;

·        Provide deliverables that are accurate, timely, complete, and cohesive with follow-up;

·        Must have reliable transportation for local and regional travel;

·        The work will occur in an office and field setting and may include extensive walking;

·       Flexible hybrid schedule once onboarded: 15 hours per week in the office, remainder of time at in-person meetings and home. Staff is expected to be available at all times during normal business hours via phone and/or email.

COMPENSATION

Competitive compensation package including mileage and business expense reimbursement. Salary range for full-time employment is $65,000 - $75,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Benefits included: health, dental, vision and life insurance; 401(a) and optional 457(b) Deferred Compensation retirement plans; 10 vacation days, 5 personal days and 12 sick days earned per year; 12 holidays per year.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should e-mail cover letter, resume, professional references and salary expectations to Melissa Doud at melissa.doud@ssmma.org. Position open until filled. SSMMA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.