Senior Transportation Planner

Regional Transit Authority • New Orleans, LA

20h • Onsite

About The Position

This position will take a leading role in transit planning activities related to the preparation of project plans for service and capital projects, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), transit corridors, and other strategic initiatives to improve the quality and effectiveness of transit in Greater New Orleans. This position works with a high degree of independence and is expected to carry out necessary activities with limited direction. This position is responsible for managing and coordinating projects with multiple stakeholders, including internal agency staff, community partners, and local, state, and federal government agencies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or a combination of experience and training to the equivalent.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in transit, transportation, community development, urban planning, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years managing projects or initiatives with budgets and schedules to completion, including supervising staff and/or consultants.
• Grant and technical writing.
• A valid Louisiana Driver's License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
• Must submit to a criminal background check, the results of which must meet hiring criteria for the role.
• Strong verbal and written communication, especially working with people from vulnerable populations, report writing, delivering presentations, and preparing content for websites, social media, and handouts.
• Strong project and task management skills.
• Read, write, speak, and understand English.

Nice To Haves

• A Master’s degree in public administration, public policy, engineering, or urban planning is preferred, and may be considered in lieu of up to two (2) years of experience.
• Familiarity with New Orleans and RTA.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Project Manager for assigned projects and studies, overseeing the work effort and the management of staff, consultants, and contractors.
• Develop and manage the agency’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) program to advance corridors into the design phase.
• Support implementation of key initiatives of the RTA’s Strategic Mobility Plan related to BRT and transit priority corridors, and support development of plan updates.
• Support development and implementation of Capital Improvement Program and Transit Asset Management plan.
• Evaluates the costs, benefits, and risks associated with alternative funding plans, programs, and projects.
• Monitors, reviews, and contributes to the maintenance and updating of transit elements of the relevant local and regional short and long-range plans.
• Supports implementation of fare collection modernization initiative.
• Conducts research and analysis into the quality and performance of transit service and develops insights and recommendations to improve speed, reliability, and comfort to better serve existing riders and grow ridership.
• Prepares documents, reports, and presentations on status, findings, and/or recommendations to staff, RTA Board of Commissioners, outside agencies, and/or the public.
• Leads preparation of Federal, State, and other grants for submission in coordination with department staff.
• Assists with departmental efforts to develop materials to communicate to the public on transit plans, projects, and initiatives.
• Coordinates with local and regional governmental and non-governmental agencies and partners on transit-related projects.
• Executes cooperative agreements, memorandums of understanding (MOUs), and certification requirements with other entities.
• In coordination with Procurement, develops Request for Proposals (RFPs) and other relevant solicitations and participates in consultant/contractor selection.
• Assists in the development, management, and maintenance of department documents and information management, data libraries, and standard operating procedures.
• Provides staff support and coordinates on various projects with other departments and divisions.
• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of RTA are carried out.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior