MPO Coordinator

DeKalb County, Illinois•DeKalb, IL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The MPO Coordinator coordinates projects, activities, and grant reporting for the DeKalb-Sycamore Area Transportation Study (DSATS), the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the DeKalb Urbanized Area. The position supports long- and short-term strategies for comprehensive, cooperative, and continuing transportation planning in the DeKalb-Sycamore area. Assigned to the DeKalb County Highway Department, the role serves the MPO program administered through the County Engineer and represents the County, MPO, and member jurisdictions. The position routinely handles sensitive and confidential information and is governed by DeKalb County personnel policies and the DSATS Intergovernmental Agreement and bylaws. This is a full-time management position requiring a 40-hour work week, with periodic overtime that may include evenings, weekends, and odd hours. Occasional distance travel is required. Work takes place in an office environment with some fieldwork. The starting salary range is $23.40–$33.69 per hour, commensurate with experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, geography, or a related field.
Ability to work with the public and with elected and appointed officials from local, state, and federal government agencies.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public presentation and comprehensive report-writing abilities.
Experience in grant writing and grant management.
Experience preparing, maintaining, and administering municipal and regional community development and transportation plans, policies, and programs.
Experience designing and maintaining planning-related databases and operational ability with related data-processing hardware and software, including Geographic Information Systems.
Ability to perform minor website maintenance.
Ability to work independently, as a team leader, and as a team member.
Ability to maintain highly confidential and sensitive information and materials.
Ability to plan and complete projects within established deadlines and commitments.
Ability to undertake complex research and analysis.
Ability to work a 40-hour week, with periodic overtime, including evenings, weekends, and odd hours, and occasional distance travel.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree and/or continued education and professional development, particularly in transportation planning.
Three to five years of full-time professional experience in a comparable municipal or regional planning environment or related field; a master’s degree and/or continued education in urban planning, transportation planning, geography, or a related field may count toward experience.
Experience with the Federal 3-C transportation planning process and preparing and implementing transportation plans, programs, and policies.
Knowledge of federal and state transportation legislation, statutes, and policies.

Responsibilities

Coordinate, create, and publish DSATS publications and reports.
Serve as a staff resource at DSATS committee meetings.
Create programs to increase public awareness and input in the transportation planning process.
Advise the public, elected and appointed officials, and state and federal representatives on local and regional transportation issues.
Develop transportation plans for the DSATS urbanized area.
Conduct specialized transportation studies and develop recommendations for potential implementation by the MPO or its member agencies and jurisdictions.
Coordinate or respond to special projects assigned by the DSATS Director or MPO Policy Committee Chair.
Coordinate the completion of DSATS projects and activities and associated grant reporting.
Represent the County, MPO, and member jurisdictions in various capacities.
Occasionally conduct fieldwork, including deploying traffic counters and other items for data collection.