Senior Transportation Planner (TPO)

Alachua County•Gainesville, FL

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Gainesville & Alachua County TPO is seeking a responsible, self-motivated Senior Transportation Planner experienced in multimodal transportation/mobility planning. The incumbent will assist with the TPO's mission-critical requirements, including the Long Range Transportation Plan, Transportation Improvement Plan, Unified Planning Work Program, and List of Priority Projects. The role involves engaging in innovative transportation projects such as complete streets projects, corridor studies, and pedestrian and bicycle safety studies. The ability to collaborate with agency partners and the general public is essential. This position provides multi-disciplinary transportation and mobility planning and activities, agency coordination, performance monitoring, and technical assistance to the TPO Executive Director and senior staff in the assessment and development of multimodal transportation plans, studies, and projects. The work ensures adherence to the TPO’s transportation planning process as established by federal requirements in Title 23 CFR, Parts 450 and 500, 23 USC 134, and Section 339.175, Florida Statutes. The employee will assist in the implementation and production of the TPO’s most fundamental and mission-critical requirements and directives, including the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), List of Priority Projects (LOPP), and other state and federally mandated plans. The role also involves engaging in opportunities for innovative transportation projects, such as complete streets projects, corridor studies, pedestrian and bicycle safety studies, and collaboration with agency partners and the general public on special activities that promote the efficient movement of people and goods. This requires excellent communication skills and technical knowledge of multimodal transportation planning, process, and distribution, reimbursement, and reporting requirements related to federal, state, and local funds. Work is performed under the general direction of a higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and the observation of results obtained.

Requirements

Master's degree in planning, transportation planning, urban or related field, and one year of professional-level planning experience; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience.
Successful completion of all applicable background checks is required.
Knowledge of principles, practices, methods, and trends of transportation planning, transportation engineering, land use planning, public administration and grants management.
Knowledge of federal and state metropolitan planning requirements and regulations, including process and procedures.
Knowledge of design and management of multimodal transportation systems, including roadway, bicycle, pedestrian, trail, and transit networks.
Knowledge of statistical research methods as applied to the collection, tabulation, and analysis of transportation, socio-economic, and demographic data.
Knowledge of transportation financing and operating practices.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local grant programs related to transportation studies, programs, activities, and construction.
Knowledge of techniques of grant and contract budget development and administration.
Knowledge of the legislative process and transportation planning policy formulation.
Knowledge of principles and techniques of project leadership.
Knowledge of community engagement techniques and public involvement strategies.
Skills in the use of the suite of Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Skills in coordinating meetings, presentations, agendas, and project tasks.
Ability to collect, analyze, interpret, organize, and present technical statistical data and related information pertaining to transportation planning programs.
Ability to collect, evaluate, and interpret transportation data and performance measures.
Ability to direct the creation of maps using GIS or comparable tools and to interpret and present such maps to the GACTPO Board, committees, and the public.
Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, including public speaking, delivering effective presentations, and preparing written reports and planning documents.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with federal, state, regional, and local agencies, community leaders, and the general public.
Ability to prepare transportation policy recommendations.
Ability to prepare transportation programs or grant budgets, grant applications, and related reports.
Ability to prepare, implement, and monitor contracts, project work plans, and timelines.

Responsibilities

Participates and assists in the development of innovative transportation ideas and strategies for enhancing or optimizing complete streets projects, corridor studies, pedestrian and bicycle safety studies and projects, and trails development.
Collaborates with agency partners, state and federal governments, and the general public on creating transportation systems and designs that promote the efficient and safe movement of people and goods through a comprehensive, continuous and cooperative systems planning process.
Evaluates transportation needs of all users throughout the County and leads the development and updates of planning documents, including the List of Priority Projects (LOPP), Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), and other transportation planning products with the countywide needs in mind.
Leads the development of special plans, studies, and collaborative efforts related to multimodal transportation planning and studies, including Vision Zero, Safe Streets for All Grants and Programs, Safe Systems Planning, etc.
Leads the collection, maintenance, and analysis of transportation system performance data to develop and report on performance measures and targets, and works with the other TPO staff to report system performance.
Serves as a liaison to local jurisdictions and works with the City of Gainesville, Alachua County, Gainesville RTS, FDOT MPO Liaison Office, and UF to support transportation and transit objectives.
Assists in public engagement efforts, including public meetings and outreach events, and responds to inquiries from residents and partner agencies, and represents the TPO in meetings, as needed and directed by the Executive Director.
Works closely with the Florida Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and Federal Transit Administration to ensure compliance with federal and state funding requirements for MPOs, including plan approvals, development of mandated documents, and certifications.
Researches Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), grants, and other state and federal funding opportunities, and works closely with the Executive Director to seek, secure, and/or leverage funding opportunities for transportation improvements, including auto, freight, bicycle, pedestrian, trail, and transit systems.
Provides board and staff support, including preparing meeting agenda packets and minutes.
Attends meetings of the Gainesville & Alachua Transportation Planning Organization (GACTPO) Board, advisory committees, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, and the Gainesville Regional Transit System (RTS) Board.
Responsible for presentations and responding to the direction of the Board and committees.
Performs other duties as needed.