Transportation Planner I

MAPA•Omaha, NE

18h

About The Position

The Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) is seeking a transportation planning professional to assist with ongoing transportation planning functions of the agency. This position is responsible for entry level transportation planning work with significant supervision. The position involves research, data gathering and analysis, drafting reports and studies, assisting in the preparation of plans and financial assistance applications, assisting with public engagement activities, and limited project management. The candidate should possess strong verbal and written skills in order to communicate technical information effectively to the public and work effectively with stakeholders, partner agencies, and elected officials. The successful candidate will be able to develop and maintain strong working relationships . The candidate must be self-motivated and able to work and develop skills independently. As a planner at MAPA, this position will have the opportunity to help shape the future by working on core issues that impact the vibrancy of the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area and its surrounding communities.

Requirements

Any combination of training, education, and experience that would provide the required skills, knowledge, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be a Bachelor’s Degree in transportation planning, land use planning, urban or regional planning, GIS, transportation forecast modeling, policy administration, communications or other related fields which include analytical and quantitative methods.
Knowledge of the practical application of the principles, practices and techniques of regional planning and transportation planning research.
Knowledge of the funding sources, programs and applicable regulations that relate to planning and development.
Knowledge of federal and state planning regulations relevant to transportation planning and MPOs
Ability to apply techniques of planning research to general and specific planning activities.
Ability to participate in a variety of public meetings by making presentations and recommendations on various aspects of the planning program
Ability to analyze and compile technical and statistical information and prepare/develop reports; experience using spreadsheets and pivot tables a plus.
Ability to respond to public requests and inquiries
Must have strong organizational skills and the ability to prepare and interpret quantitative data.
Must be a self-starter and problem solver
Should possess skills in GSuite, and/or web-based systems.

Nice To Haves

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) experience is beneficial, but not required.

Responsibilities

Work with the region's local governments, Federal and State DOT, transit operators, and other stakeholders to coordinate transportation plans and programs for consideration in the Regional Transportation Plan and Federal Transportation Program
Provide staff support to committees, task forces, workshops as assigned, by coordinating agendas, developing staff reports, and presentation materials and presenting information as necessary
Coordinate, participate, and prepare grant applications as assigned and as opportunities arise
Perform technical and policy-related research on transportation issues and write analysis and technical reports for discussions at the policy committees, task forces, and workshop settings
Conduct and present information and recommendations regarding research and policy analysis for transportation planning and related issues
Represent MAPA on public forums related to transportation issues, and transportation planning studies conducted by partner agencies, professional associations, and regional organizations