Transportation Planner

Freese and Nichols • Houston, TX

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Freese and Nichols is seeking a Transportation Planner for its Houston or Pearland, Texas office. The role manages and delivers complex public-sector transportation planning projects while supporting client relationships and business development across city, county, metropolitan planning organization (MPO), and Department of Transportation (DOT) environments. The planner serves as a senior contributor and project manager on a collaborative, multidisciplinary team, delivering planning solutions that meet client goals and community needs.

The role includes managing transportation planning work, coordinating with clients, mentoring planning staff, preparing technical and public-facing materials, and supporting public engagement. The planner also contributes to regional business development and travels as needed for project commitments and client engagement. The position offers a hybrid schedule with up to 40% remote work.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in transportation planning, urban planning, traffic engineering, urban design, or a related planning field.
• 10+ years of transportation planning-related professional experience.
• Strong understanding of public-sector, MPO, and/or DOT clients.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification.
• Demonstrated project management experience on transportation planning projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in transportation planning or urban planning with a transportation emphasis.
• Experience working in a consulting firm or within a municipal or transportation agency planning department.
• Experience with GIS mapping and database tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage transportation planning projects for public-sector clients, including cities, counties, MPOs, and DOTs.
• Support and deliver work involving transportation planning, active transportation initiatives, corridor and special area plans, capital improvements programming, roadway impact and user fee analyses, traffic operations, fiscal impact studies, and development codes and ordinances.
• Serve as project manager and senior planner, overseeing research, analysis, documentation, meeting preparation, and day-to-day client coordination.
• Supervise and mentor planners and project technicians, direct work efforts, and maintain accountability for project outcomes.
• Produce clear, well-written reports and highly visual planning documents for technical and public-facing audiences.
• Support and participate in public meetings, workshops, City Council meetings, and public hearings.
• Manage project schedules, budgets, and technical quality to ensure deliverables align with client expectations.
• Lead regional business development efforts by identifying opportunities and contributing to project pursuits and proposal submittals.
• Travel as needed to support project commitments and client engagement.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Paid overtime for salaried employees.
• Annual bonus.
• Access to company cabins in Red River, New Mexico, and Banner Elk, North Carolina.
• Flexible hybrid work environment with up to 40% remote work.

What This Job Offers

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