Planner I, II, or III

Texas Department of Transportation•San Antonio, TX

About The Position

Performs complex planning and programming activities in support of management-related programs and transportation projects. Work requires contact with departmental managers, high-level executives, governmental/university officials and private entities. Employees at this level establish their own work plan and priorities to meet set objectives. Issues are rarely referred to the supervisor but are handled at the occurrence. Essential Duties: Planner I Assists departmental staff on administrative, technical and regulatory aspects of planning. Assists in analyzing departmental needs, changes and enhancements and makes recommendations. Assists in coordinating planning projects involving districts, divisions, various public transportation interests, research endeavors with universities and local, state and federal agencies. Plans, implements and monitors training and technology sharing programs, including classes, seminars and conferences. Assists in reviewing and preparing correspondence, reports, studies, giving briefings and making presentations regarding program activities. Assists in the maintenance of legislative and policy documents and commonly requested data and statistics. Assists with budget preparation; monitors and estimates future costs. Assists with functional classification of highways and urban system map development. Conducts Program Development Meetings with sponsors to identify requirements, exchange information and keep informed on the status of projects. Conducts research and analysis on complex issues, legislation, departmental policies and assists in developing departmental policy positions pertinent to those issues and areas of expertise. Conducts selected improvement planning projects. Evaluates consultant performance for contractual compliance. Monitors projects during construction phase to properly allocate state and federal grants Performs planning and programming activities in support of management-related programs and transportation projects. Provides general information and support to governmental officials, sponsors, users and the public. Researches and analyzes local, state and national trends, policy issues and/or prioritizes proposed legislation to determine impact and makes recommendations. Reviews, evaluates and responds to requests from sponsors for state and federal improvement funds. Serves as a project leader. Stays abreast of transportation industry changes and requirements, policies, procedures and legislation. Visits assigned areas to participate in planning program development and implementation. Works with consultants, vendors and other entities. Performs other job responsibilities as assigned. Planner II (in addition to the duties listed above) Arranges and participates in field reviews with Federal Highway Administration personnel in order to foster better understanding of local, state and federal objectives and promote interagency cooperation. Conducts or participates in Regional Planning Meetings. Represents the Department at local and state levels. Reviews, interprets/transmits information related to administration/documentation of the urban planning programs; may administer transportation planning regarding land use and population inventories; travel demand modeling, or graphics/map preparation. Planner III (in addition to the duties listed above) Develops funding distribution formula for planning and monitoring the use of funds by Metropolitan Planning Organizations; in a district, may work with the MPO to develop annual work program and long-range plans. Serves in an advisory capacity to departmental staff.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in transportation planning, engineering, business admin or related field. Relevant experience may be substituted for degree on a year per year basis.
Planner I Experience: 1 years planning, research or legislative analysis-related activities. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent).
Planner II Experience: 2 years planning, research or legislative analysis-related activities. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent).
Planner III Experience: 3 years planning, research or legislative analysis-related activities. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent).
Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
Applicable contract/grant/funding/project/program processes, policies and procedures
Program/project planning, development, and management methodologies
Concepts, techniques and tools used in planning, designing and implementing database management systems and related technologies
Transportation funding programs
Applicable laws, rules, and regulations
Establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support overall business strategy/results; anticipating and adjusting for problems/roadblocks
Planning methods, techniques, and strategies
Researching, evaluating and interpreting complex information
Public relations for maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external
Planning, coordinating and handling multiple projects within area of responsibility to meet short and long-term deadlines
Evaluating program effectiveness
Prioritizing and organizing work assignments
Preparing and maintaining confidential and sensitive records, files, and reports
Developing and giving presentations
Using computers, applicable programs, applications, and systems
Exercises logic and reasoning to define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; makes decisions that support business objectives and goals
Collaborates and cooperates with others and builds effective working relationships with internal and external members to accomplish organizational goals
Speaking to present images and ideas in a clear, concise, organized, and interesting manner to optimize audience understanding and keep the group focused
Leading, assigning, reviewing, and monitoring the work of others
Communicating vision and direction of how an organization should function or a system should work under ideal conditions and conveying to others
Facilitating groups using effective communications methods; contributing to and guiding groups in defining objectives, staying on task and reaching consensus; soliciting participation, challenging ideas and summarizing accomplishments and planned actions
Policy development methodologies and procedures
Legislative process
Facilitating groups using effective communications methods; contributing to and guiding groups in defining objectives, staying on task and reaching consensus; soliciting participation, challenging ideas and summarizing accomplishments and planned actions

Responsibilities

Assists departmental staff on administrative, technical and regulatory aspects of planning.
Assists in analyzing departmental needs, changes and enhancements and makes recommendations.
Assists in coordinating planning projects involving districts, divisions, various public transportation interests, research endeavors with universities and local, state and federal agencies.
Plans, implements and monitors training and technology sharing programs, including classes, seminars and conferences.
Assists in reviewing and preparing correspondence, reports, studies, giving briefings and making presentations regarding program activities.
Assists in the maintenance of legislative and policy documents and commonly requested data and statistics.
Assists with budget preparation; monitors and estimates future costs.
Assists with functional classification of highways and urban system map development.
Conducts Program Development Meetings with sponsors to identify requirements, exchange information and keep informed on the status of projects.
Conducts research and analysis on complex issues, legislation, departmental policies and assists in developing departmental policy positions pertinent to those issues and areas of expertise.
Conducts selected improvement planning projects.
Evaluates consultant performance for contractual compliance.
Monitors projects during construction phase to properly allocate state and federal grants
Performs planning and programming activities in support of management-related programs and transportation projects.
Provides general information and support to governmental officials, sponsors, users and the public.
Researches and analyzes local, state and national trends, policy issues and/or prioritizes proposed legislation to determine impact and makes recommendations.
Reviews, evaluates and responds to requests from sponsors for state and federal improvement funds.
Serves as a project leader.
Stays abreast of transportation industry changes and requirements, policies, procedures and legislation.
Visits assigned areas to participate in planning program development and implementation.
Works with consultants, vendors and other entities.
Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.
Arranges and participates in field reviews with Federal Highway Administration personnel in order to foster better understanding of local, state and federal objectives and promote interagency cooperation.
Conducts or participates in Regional Planning Meetings.
Represents the Department at local and state levels.
Reviews, interprets/transmits information related to administration/documentation of the urban planning programs; may administer transportation planning regarding land use and population inventories; travel demand modeling, or graphics/map preparation.
Develops funding distribution formula for planning and monitoring the use of funds by Metropolitan Planning Organizations; in a district, may work with the MPO to develop annual work program and long-range plans.
Serves in an advisory capacity to departmental staff.