METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

IMMEDIATE JOB OPPORTUNITY

Transportation Planner II

Starting Salary $64,487 - $70,000 DOQ

DTP-2022-10

POSITION SPECIFICATONS

The Department of Transportation Planning of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments is seeking a Planner II to join a team responsible for the development and analysis of regional long-range transportation plans and other planning products. The team also supports TPB member jurisdictions with implementation of the most recent long-range plan, Visualize 2045.

The Coordination Team supports the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB), the federally designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the Washington, D.C. region. The TPB plays an important role as the regional forum for transportation planning in the National Capital Region. We work with local, state, regional, and federal partners to develop plans and programs that the federal government must approve for federal-aid transportation funds to flow to the Washington region. The TPB also provides data and analysis to decision makers and coordinates regional programs to advance safety, land-use coordination, and more. The Coordination Team leads the development of the TPB’s long-range transportation plan, the six-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), all public outreach, and is responsible for ensuring that all federal requirements for the metropolitan transportation planning process are met.

Position Summary

The successful candidate will perform professional-level planning activities to support the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB). The main focus of the job will be on conducting technical analysis for the region’s long-range transportation plan and other planning products, and developing user-friendly documentation on that analysis. The job includes working as part of a team to develop and implement new planning activities.

The successful candidate for this position must have excellent analytical and computer skills, along with the ability to communicate technical information to non-technical audiences. The candidate will have strong knowledge of and interest in metropolitan transportation and land-use planning. The candidate should be comfortable performing routine, process-oriented tasks while also maintaining organizational awareness and thinking about ways to improve planning activities.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develops user-friendly documentation on long-range planning activities, including long-range transportation plan publications, special reports, and information for websites;

• Assists with and participates in cross-team and inter-departmental collaboration in support of the development of the long-range transportation plan and other major plans and projects;

• Performs technical analysis using output from travel demand models and other forecasting tools to analyze the performance of the region’s long-range transportation plan;

• Researches best practices or peer examples on topics such as public participation, scenario planning, transportation equity, transportation system resiliency, reliability, stormwater, environmental mitigation, tourism/travel, or intercity bus transportation.

• Tracks regional issues, priorities, policies, and projects;

• Develops text, maps and graphics for use in publications, presentations and webpages;

• Provides assistance in conducting technical analysis related to Title VI/Environmental Justice and communities of concern;

• Provides assistance with public outreach activities, including public forums and workshops;

• Provides assistance in providing staff support for boards and committees, including meeting mail-outs, meeting preparation, and writing meeting minutes and summaries; and

• Performs other duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Knowledge of the principles and practices of metropolitan transportation planning;

2. Ability to communicate in writing and speaking about complex technical topics to non-technical audiences;

3. Strong analytical and computer skills; strong software skills in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), GIS, Microsoft Access or other database software; graphic design skills such as Canva and Adobe Suite products (InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator) and knowledge of travel demand modeling a plus;

4. Strong organizational skills; applicant must have problem solving/analytical skills and the ability to think creatively;

5. Strong written and oral communications skills with the ability to summarize information in a clear and concise manner;

6. Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees, elected officials and the public; and

7. Ability to prepare, produce, and present clear, effective, and accurate reports and presentations.

Education and Experience

Requires one to two years working experience in transportation or urban planning, or a related field, and possession of a masters’ degree in transportation or urban planning, or a related field. Any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered.

MWCOG is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or any other class protected by state or federal laws in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring, and employment practices.

Please send a cover letter and resume highlighting the skills and relevant experience you would bring to this position, writing sample and salary requirement to:

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

777 North Capitol Street, NE

Suite 300 - Attention: OHRM

Washington, DC 20002-4239

resumes@mwcog.org Or visit our website at: www.mwcog.org

Fax: 202-962-3715