Transportation Planner I

Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District•Santa Cruz, CA

32d•$37 - $52•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, a Transportation Planner I performs a limited range of professional planning duties in support of Santa Cruz METRO transportation planning functions and processes; conducts transit planning and service delivery studies and identifies issues; obtains, organizes, analyzes, and presents data for transportation-related studies; participates in planning policy development; assists in the preparation and presentation of oral and written reports; and performs related work as required.

Requirements

Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in urban or regional planning, urban studies, geography, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), public administration, political science, finance or a related field.
A valid California Driver's License will be required at the time of appointment and throughout employment.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a current, valid California Class C Driver's License.
Knowledge of: Principles, concepts, goals, and technical aspects of transportation planning and capital funding including traffic demand requirements.
Applicable Federal, State and local laws governing transit operations, including funding programs, and data reporting requirements.
Physical, environmental, economic, aesthetic, and social implications involved in transportation planning and transit-related development.
Principles of traffic demand management and measures of transit effectiveness used to assess route performance.
Working knowledge of attractions and locations that generate transit patronage.
Professional methods of researching, gathering, organizing, and reporting data.
Techniques for surveying and transmitting information.
Financial and statistical analysis methods.
Budgeting and financial analysis concepts and practices, including cost analysis and modeling.
Community interrelationships.
Computer software common to the planning function (i.e., word processing, spreadsheet, modeling, mapping) at the intermediate level.
Project management methods and techniques.
Modern office practices, procedures, and equipment.
Business correspondence, formatting, and report writing.
Manual and automated record-keeping and filing systems.
Advanced methods of maintaining information in computerized or hard copy files.
Methods of prioritizing, planning, and organizing work.
Advanced time management techniques.
Customer service techniques.
Intermediate mathematics, including percentages and Intermediate statistics.
The effective use of modern office equipment, personal computers, and standard business software.
Ability to: Analyze issues and numerical measures associated with transportation planning projects, including estimates derived from computer models, engineering estimates of costs and benefits and public input.
Develop recommendations for immediate, short-, and long-range transportation service enhancements and capital requirements based on findings in studies, field observations, and public contacts.
Design and recommend transit service changes.
Participate in a variety of transportation planning outreach activities and effectively advocate and promote the use of public transit.
Read, analyze, understand, and interpret complex scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
Conduct cost/benefit, impact, and other related technical analyses.
Formulate a response to inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, local government representatives, citizen groups, or members of the business community.
Keep abreast of current trends in the field.
Write letters, memoranda, board, planning and technical reports and fact sheets designed to be understood by all audiences, including the general public.
Design graphics/maps using computer/drawing software for publication studies.
Prioritize projects based on established criteria.
Adhere to established work schedules and timelines.
Work independently using good judgment, tact, and discretion.
Balance multiple assignments simultaneously and effectively.
Utilize standard office equipment and computer software and learn to use specialized Santa Cruz METRO software if assigned.
Maintain confidentiality of materials, records, files, and other privileged information.
Communicate clearly and effectively in both oral and written form.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department and with other divisions, departments, agencies, suppliers, vendors, and the public.

Nice To Haves

Recent experience working with raw data files and ESRI GIS software to create and analyze spatial data, create high-quality maps, and develop GIS-based solutions/scheduling applications is desirable.
Master's degree is desirable.
Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable.
Possession of a Professional Transportation Planner (PTP) certificate is desirable.

Responsibilities

Performs a limited range of professional planning duties in support of Santa Cruz METRO transportation planning functions and processes while learning to perform the full scope of journey-level professional work.
Performs a variety of transit planning and service delivery studies; develops work plans and budget estimates for studies; implements survey techniques and processes; collects and analyzes data and makes recommendations using transportation planning and statistical methods, modeling, and budgeting and financial analyses data; forecasts future transit, transportation, economic or demographic conditions and trends.
Monitors current transit service levels and identifies potential areas for study; analyzes service delivery parameters such as boarding and alighting and safety concerns; analyzes technical, demographic, economic, and financial data used for assessing route and schedule changes and the development of service enhancements; conducts cost-benefit analyses on service enhancement proposals.
Analyzes route and schedule performance to determine areas for transit service improvement in terms of efficiency, productivity and effectiveness; assists in planning numbers of stops, length of route and runs per shift for routes according to union/management procedures and cost per mile/hour; prepares written evaluations of proposed route, service, and schedule changes.
Prepares planning reports, forecasts, and recommendations related to transportation system improvements; prepares statistical charts, maps, and other documents to accompany studies, reports, and presentations; prepares ridership, on-time performance, productivity, and other route and service measurement reports for the General Manager, Board of Directors, and others as requested.
Develops, interprets, monitors and writes transit documents or proposed transportation policies; assists in the development of capital programs, grant applications for transportation funds, and the development of capital funding strategies; assists in the development of regional and jurisdictional service plans and cost proposals.
Reviews and makes recommendations on development applications related to transportation service; provides documents and other information useful for evaluating development applications related to transportation service.
As part of an outreach team, briefs members of the public and representatives of community organizations regarding pending and evaluations of and pending changes to routes and service changes as part of an outreach team.
Responds orally and in writing to requests from the public, staff, governmental agencies, advisory committees, and community groups for information regarding existing services and funding, suggested service adjustments and long-range planning issues.
Performs GIS work including data manipulation/conversion, spatial and statistical analysis, map-making, documentation, technical support, and application development.
Prepares written and graphical information and may make oral presentations on transit and service related issues to the Board of Directors, staff, service users, governmental agencies, advisory committees, and community groups.
May function as a project lead with other professional staff and consultants.
May act as Santa Cruz METRO's liaison with cities, other local/regional agencies, and community groups regarding transportation issues.
Makes mathematical and statistical calculations; updates and maintains planning databases and directories.
Provides information to employees and the public.
Operates standard office equipment; utilizes computer software in performing job tasks.
Drive a Santa Cruz METRO vehicle to perform assignments.
Performs related work as required.

Benefits

Employees are eligible for benefits on the first day of the month following the date of hire, unless otherwise noted below.
Medical Insurance: For employee and qualified dependents. Choice between multiple HMO and PPO plans. Santa Cruz METRO contributes 95% of the monthly premium costs for any plan, employee responsibility is 5%. Premium participation continues after retirement.
Dental Insurance: Premium paid by Santa Cruz METRO for employee and qualified dependents.
Vision Insurance: Premium paid by Santa Cruz METRO for employee and qualified dependents.
CalPERS Retirement Pension: 2.5% at 55 - Employees who are vested and were hired before January 1, 2013, directly from another CalPERS-covered agency are eligible for the "Classic" CalPERS pension formula of 2.5% at age 55. Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013, who had prior CalPERS membership and a break in service of six months or less, will also retain the "Classic" formula of 2.5% at age 55. 2% at 62 for PEPRA CalPERS members - Those hired on or after January 1, 2013, who are new to CalPERS or have not worked for a CalPERS-covered agency in the past six months are subject to the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) and receive the 2% at age 62 formula.
457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan: Two plan providers available. Similar to 401(k)
Life/AD&D Insurance: $25,000 Life coverage. $50,000 AD&D coverage provided by Santa Cruz METRO. Additional Life/AD&D coverage available.
Long Term Disability Insurance: Available after one year of service. Premium paid by Santa Cruz Metro. Monthly maximum of $3,000.00.
Employee Assistance Program: Premium paid by Santa Cruz METRO.
Tickets at Work Program: www.ticketsatwork.com Use code “SCMPERKS”
Santa Cruz METRO is an equal opportunity employer offering competitive pay and excellent benefits – including medical, dental, vision, life and long term disability insurance coverage for all full-time employees and their eligible dependents.