TEMPORARY PRINCIPAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNER, SPECIAL PROJECTS (STRATEGIC PLANNING)

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority•Los Angeles, CA

66d

About The Position

Provides advanced-level planning and programming support and performs a range of functions in an assigned organizational unit. This position helps advance the development and implementation of strategic planning by supporting the design, monitoring, and delivery of Metro's mission, vision, and priority actions. The role also plays a key role in advancing employee engagement, scenario planning, consultant management, and innovation initiatives to strengthen agency culture and effectiveness. Recruitment Timelines: Interviews are projected to be scheduled for the week of December 1st. These dates are subject to change. We encourage you to monitor your governmentjobs.com profile and emails for the latest updates. THIS POSITION IS TEMPORARY (UP TO 40 HOURS) WITH LIMITED BENEFITS. (Please see Benefits tab for additional information.) No Qualified Candidate Pool (QCP) will be established. You will only be contacted if there is an interest from the hiring department.

Requirements

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:
Bachelor's Degree in Urban or Transportation Planning, Engineering (Civil, Transportation, Structural, Industrial, Mechanical, Architecture, etc.), Business, Public Administration, Political Science, Urban Design, Public Policy, Finance, or a related field; Master's Degree in a related field preferred
Five years of relevant experience in transportation planning, project management, urban design, transportation system design and research, travel simulation and demand modeling, transportation finance, operations planning, or other related area; some positions in this class may require specialized experience in area of assignment
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions preferred
Knowledge of (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks)
Theories, principles, and practices of transportation and land use planning, capital planning, grants management, project management, mobility, and/or system engineering
Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing transportation policies, urban development practices, mobility, and funding sources for public agencies
Methods and procedures for data collection and analysis, including spatial, financial, analytical, statistical, and mathematical
Best practices regarding project management and planning
Applicable business software applications
Modern management theory
Emerging business models and opportunities to test new models of service delivery
Skill in (defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things)
Conducting planning studies and projects
Understanding and analyzing complex concepts and data
Performing statistical and financial analysis
Analyzing situations, identifying problems, and recommending solutions and/or to test new models of service delivery
Exercising sound judgment and creativity in overcoming obstacles and making decisions
Establishing and implementing relevant policies and procedures
Preparing reports and presentations
Communicating effectively orally and in writing
Interacting professionally with various levels of Metro employees and outside representatives
Mediating and negotiating
Communicating project opportunities, risks, and constraints
Ability to (defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result)
Manage multiple priorities and deadlines
Work independently in a highly structured environment
Maintain composure in difficult situations
Determine strategies to achieve goals
Navigate Metro's complex organizational structure
Be flexible, adaptable, and able to iterate as obstacles are encountered during project delivery
Develop and maintain external relationships to ensure project success
Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements
Handle highly confidential information
Represent Metro before the public
Read, write, speak, and understand English

Nice To Haves

Experience in strategic planning, including how to collaboratively shape a big-picture vision of the future, set strategies, and track indicators
Experience in prioritization in planning and policy making, using data to evaluate trade-offs and conduct scenario planning
Experience in organizational culture change, with a focus on effectiveness and shared values
Experience in best practices and trends in transportation, particularly in public transportation within large urban areas
Experience in emerging technology and innovation practices, including the use of (and limitations of) AI for research and analysis

Responsibilities

Develops, applies, and evaluates technical planning and financial or system analytical methods and procedures
Supports analysis, both quantitative and qualitative, of transportation or related projects, programs, and policies
Prepares comprehensive reports and correspondence
Provides technical and policy guidance to local jurisdictions and agencies on Metro programs
Analyzes, develops, and recommends policies and procedures
For the assigned business unit, develops technical and other documentation in support of Request for Proposals (RFPs) and participates in contractor/consultant selection
Executes cooperative agreements, memorandums of understanding (MOUs), and certification requirements with other entities
Manages vendor performance against contracts to ensure completion of projects within scope, on-time, and within budget for the assigned business unit
Participates in special task forces, committees, panels, transportation forums, and peer groups
Assists in developing program guidelines and strategies
Develops and monitors forecasts, budgets, and financial plans for transportation or related programs and projects
Negotiates funding agreements
Evaluates the costs, benefits, and risks associated with alternative funding plans, programs, and projects
Represents staff at meetings to facilitate and implement planning projects
Serves as lead with responsibility for studies and research projects
Acts as liaison with outside agencies, public and private organizations
Promotes development along transit lines and transportation corridors
May be required to supervise staff
Communicates and implements safety rules, policies, and procedures in support of the agency's safety vision and goals; and maintains accountability for the safety performance of all assigned employees
Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out
May be required to perform other related job duties