Planner II - Transportation Modeling

NOACA•Cleveland, OH

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) is where data-driven insight shapes real-world transportation decisions. As the Metropolitan Planning Organization and Areawide Water Quality Management Agency for Greater Cleveland and the surrounding counties of Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, and Medina, NOACA leads regional planning that supports economic development, preserves infrastructure, and enhances quality of life for 2.1 million residents. We are seeking a Planner II to join our Transportation Planning and Engineering Division, supporting the region’s travel forecasting and modeling program—one of the most critical tools used to guide transportation investments and policy decisions across Northeast Ohio. NOACA’s Vision: We STRENGTHEN regional cohesion We PRESERVE existing infrastructure We BUILD a sustainable, multimodal transportation system We SUPPORT economic development We ENHANCE quality of life This role directly contributes to achieving that vision through data, analysis, and collaboration. POSITION OVERVIEW: The Planner II (Transportation Modeling) plays a vital role in developing, maintaining, and analyzing NOACA’s regional travel forecasting model. You will work extensively with GIS and travel demand modeling software to build model inputs, analyze outputs, and translate complex data into insights that inform regional and project-level transportation planning. This position reports to the Manager of Transportation Modeling and is ideal for a technically curious planner who enjoys working at the intersection of data, modeling, and real-world decision-making.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, civil engineering, or a related field, plus two years of relevant experience
Authorization to work in the United States
Experience with GIS software and geoprocessing tools
Experience accessing and analyzing public datasets (e.g., U.S. Census, ODOT TIMS)
Strong research, data analysis, and organizational skills
Strong written and verbal communication skills

Nice To Haves

Experience with SQL, Python, R, or similar scripting languages
Interest or experience in travel demand modeling or transportation data analysis

Responsibilities

Collect, analyze, and maintain transit, parking, roadway, and socioeconomic data for use in the regional travel forecasting model
Create and update model input files, including road networks, transit routes, traffic counts, parking costs, and demographic data
Analyze and visualize model outputs, such as traffic volumes, growth rates, and travel patterns
Produce maps, diagrams, and data products including intersection turning movements and traffic volume maps
Maintain and organize model inputs and outputs across multiple forecast years and project scenarios
Incorporate projects from the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and Long-Range Plan (LRP) into future-year modeling scenarios
Assist with demographic and socioeconomic forecasting to support agency planning initiatives
Develop innovative approaches to improve the modeling of multi-modal transportation options, such as transit, bicycling and walking.
Attend and participate in internal and external meetings
Present work products to NOACA councils, subcommittees, and the Board of Directors
Respond to internal and external data requests
Support consultant selection processes and proposal evaluations
Contribute to special projects and cross-division initiatives

Benefits

Competitive salary, commensurate with experience and education
Tuition and Certification Reimbursement
Career Pathing and Annual Training and Development Planning
Generous paid time off including 12 holidays, plus vacation, sick, and personal time
A Generous Parental Leave Program facilitating family growth
Employee Assistance Programming
Employer-sponsored health, dental, vision, and prescription coverage
Employer-sponsored life insurance
Participation in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS)
Voluntary benefit programs and professional development opportunities