Planner IV – Long Range

Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority•Austin, TX

22h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Planner IV reports directly to Manager, Cross-Agency Transit & Mobility. This position partners with senior leadership and is responsible for assigned work by the Manager, Cross-Agency Transit & Mobility that involve planning, developing, and implementing planning processes for long-range projects. Assigned projects could include development of long-range transit plans, major investment, environment analysis, preliminary engineering studies, and other activities related and assigned activities. Duties could also include regional planning coordination including federal grant support for the regional Transportation Improvement Plan, the Regional Transportation Plan and related activities, including grants management from application to closeout. This position’s assignments are to lead and manage capital planning exercises with Planning leadership’s guidance and approval for capital transit projects, including development of alternatives, technical and financial analysis of alternatives for the federal grants process and application, including environmental impacts of projects required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other federal regulations. Additional duties may include the creation of materials for the CapMetro Planning leadership to develop project funding scenarios to complete alternative analysis, preliminary engineering and environmental studies necessary for the capital projects including the Project Connect program. Primary responsibilities and job duty details that are based on assignment are below.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in one of the following disciplines: Urban or Regional Planning, Transportation Planning, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Geography and/or relevant discipline.
Related experience may substitute for educational requirements on a year for year basis for up to four years.
Eight (8) years progressively responsible experience in transit planning field, including project management experience including two (2) years of experience in presentations to public groups and governing boards.
Extensive experience in interpreting and applying federal, regional, state and local transportation planning regulations, funding programs, and grant requirements.
Experience with reaching legally binding agreements with private developers, local government entities, community interests, and similar entities.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to build collaborative relationships, deliver professional presentations, and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
Excellent organizational skills
Advanced proficiency with use of database and office productivity programs (MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint).
Advanced proficiency with use of ARC GIS and mapping analysis tools.
Apply strategic thinking and sound judgment to support agency goals, service delivery priorities, and organizational decision‑making.
Expert Level Project Management skills
Demonstrates strong business acumen and agency representation.
Provide leadership, accountability, and oversight for planning staff, work products, and day‑to‑day business operations.
All applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree Preferred.
Relevant Land Use, Economic Development or Real Estate specialties are preferred.
Three (3) or more years of supervisory or lead project or program related experience, with responsibility for staff oversight, workload management, and day‑to‑day operational decision‑making preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead initiatives to evaluate, design, implement, and communicate community-beneficial programs.
Manage and advance long-range planning studies, including financial scenario modeling, environmental assessments (EA/EIS), preliminary engineering, and related analyses.
In collaboration with internal stakeholders, partner with institutional stakeholders, business and community leaders to develop consensus-driven, cost-effective, and responsive planning solutions.
Develop and lead complex analytical efforts regarding planning, operations, infrastructure, and organizational initiatives.
Produce ridership modeling, capital and financial forecasts, and prioritization frameworks to inform Planning leadership decision-making.
Create strategic regional mobility planning materials supporting financial, operational, asset, and infrastructure decisions across services (e.g., fixed route, on-demand, facilities).
Develop and manage capital and operating budgets, including procurement processes from initiation through closeout, invoice review, and financial tracking.
Develop and lead tasks related to Planning efforts for project delivery for major initiatives (e.g., Project Connect), collaborating cross-functionally to proactively resolve issues and ensure successful implementation.
Prepare executive-level correspondence, reports, and decision-making materials for internal leadership, external partners, developers, and government entities.
Support Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Safety Management Systems (SMS) process by ensuring staff follows safety and security policies, considers safety in every action, and ensures safety and security concerns are reported.
Perform other position related duties as required and/or assigned.