Transportation Planner - Freight and Goods Movement

Greater Nashville Regional Council • Nashville, TN

13d • $57,500 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Greater Nashville Regional Council (GNRC) is seeking a professional planner with freight and goods movement planning experience to join its Department of Transportation and Infrastructure. The team develops plans and programs that prioritize investments in the multimodal transportation system serving a growing metropolitan area. GNRC develops the Regional Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement Program for the Nashville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and partners with public transit agencies, local governments, the Tennessee Department of Transportation, neighboring MPOs, and Rural Planning Organizations.

The role leads or supports local and regional planning, including analysis of existing conditions and trends, assessment of best practices and tools, and development of tailored recommendations for policies, actions, and investment strategies. It also involves preparing maps and data visualizations, presenting reports to public and stakeholder audiences, coordinating with planning and engineering firms and local jurisdictions, building partnerships, and staying current with transportation-planning practices.

The position is based at the GNRC office, with flexibility for remote or hybrid work but an expectation of regular office attendance. Regular travel throughout Middle Tennessee is required; the candidate must have a valid driver’s license and access to personal transportation. The position is open until filled.

Requirements

• A master’s degree in logistics, public policy, engineering, community and regional planning, or a related field, and at least two years of professional experience; alternatively, a bachelor’s degree and four years of relevant experience may be substituted for the master’s degree.
• Experience in transportation planning or engineering within a state department of transportation, regional planning organization, transit agency, or local government setting.
• Working knowledge of federal metropolitan planning requirements.
• Valid driver’s license and access to personal transportation.
• Foreign degrees and credentials will be considered.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated understanding of freight and goods movement, including national commodity flows, distribution networks in the southeastern United States, and local rail and trucking routes in Middle Tennessee.

Responsibilities

• Lead or assist with local and regional plans by documenting and analyzing existing conditions and trends.
• Identify and assess best practices and tools, and recommend policies, actions, or investment strategies tailored to planning objectives.
• Lead or assist in developing maps and other data visualizations.
• Present staff reports to elected officials, planning boards, stakeholder organizations, and the general public.
• Provide guidance to or coordinate with planning and engineering firms and local jurisdictions engaged in regional and corridor-level planning studies and engineering analysis.
• Build and strengthen partnerships with community-based organizations and advocates, universities and research institutions, business groups, local governments, public transit agencies, the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, and others.
• Participate in industry associations and continuing education to remain current on emerging and best transportation-planning practices.
• Travel regularly throughout the Middle Tennessee area.

Benefits

• Exceptional health insurance benefits.
• Fully paid pension through the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System, with no employee payroll deduction.
• Optional dollar-for-dollar 401(k) match, up to 3% of gross salary.

What This Job Offers

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