Transportation Planning Administrator

Polk County Board of County Commissioners•Bartow, FL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for overseeing, directing, and supervising work of the Polk Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) staff in the implementation of the TPO’s Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). This role involves managing staff activities related to the annual development of the UPWP, the Transportation Improvement Program, and priority transportation projects. The administrator will prepare project scopes of services, allocate consultant and staff resources, and manage these resources in the preparation of short and long-range plans, including the Transit Development Plan and the Long-Range Transportation Plan, ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements. The position also plans and executes community engagement activities and assists the TPO Executive Director in formulating transportation policies. A key aspect of the role is serving as a liaison to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and representing the Polk TPO at various transportation functions. The administrator will also determine meeting schedules and agendas for TPO board and advisory committees, coordinate agenda items, and assist in administering personnel matters and developing the TPO's work program. They will monitor staff activities, track resource allocation, assign staff to grants and projects, and prepare or coordinate grant applications and reports. The position performs related duties as required.

Requirements

Master's degree with major course work in Urban Planning or a related field, including Urban Studies, Geography, Environmental Studies/Science, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Public Administration, Political Science, or other similarly related field, and five (5) years’ experience; OR Bachelor's degree with major course work in Urban Planning or a related field, including Urban Studies, Geography, Environmental Studies/Science, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, GIS, Public Administration, Political Science, or other similarly related field, and six (6) years’ experience.
Valid driver’s license and ability to secure a valid Florida driver’s license at the time of employment.
Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of the federally required continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive “3C” metropolitan transportation planning process; planning collection and data analyses procedures; research, analysis, and forecasting; and statistical analysis for demographic, socio-economic data.
Knowledge of federal transportation legislation and Florida Statutes governing MPOs, as well as FDOT guidelines and procedures.
Ability to use independent judgment to plan, organize, train, and supervise the work of others.
Ability to maintain an effective working relationship with employees, officials, and the public.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to make public speaking presentations.
Skills to perform administrative and related supervisory tasks.
Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques of planning, land development, and capital-improvements planning programming, and budgeting.
Ability to solve problems.
Ability to develop and prepare ordinances and implementation procedures.
Ability to interpret applicable legislation, rules, and regulations.
Ability to utilize personal computer and software utilized by the assigned work unit.
Must have the physical, developmental and mental ability to perform job tasks, work efforts, responsibilities and duties of the job.

Nice To Haves

College degree in Urban Planning from a PAB-Accredited planning program.
Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
Prior experience working with a Metropolitan/Transportation Planning Organization (M/TPO) is preferred.
Two (2) of the following certifications: American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM), Congress for the New Urbanism Accreditation (CUN-A), Geographical Information System Professional (GISP), LEED Accredited Professional (LEED-AP), Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), State certified general real estate appraisal license, Certified Public Manager (CPM), Emerging Leader graduate, Polk County Succession Management graduate, Real estate sales license, Florida Redevelopment Association - Redevelopment Administrator (FRA-RA), Florida Redevelopment Association - Redevelopment Professional (FRA-RP), or any other relevant license or certification deemed appropriate by the division director.

Responsibilities

Overseeing, directing, and supervising work of the Polk Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) staff in the implementation of the TPO’s Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP).
Managing staff activities related to the annual development of the UPWP, the Transportation Improvement Program, and priority transportation projects.
Preparing project scopes of services, allocating consultant and staff resources, and managing these resources in the preparation of short and long-range plans including the Transit Development Plan and the Long-Range Transportation Plan to ensure compliance with federal and state requirements.
Planning and executing community engagement activities consistent with the Polk TPO Public Participation Plan (PPP).
Assisting the TPO Executive Director in formulating transportation policies for consideration and adoption by the TPO board.
Serving as a liaison to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) on day-to-day policy and administrative matters related to the Polk TPO.
Administering the TPO’s programs consistent with the (FDOT) Office of Policy Planning’s Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Program Management Handbook.
Representing the Polk TPO at statewide, regional, and local transportation functions.
Serving as the alternate to the TPO Executive Director on the Florida Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council (MPOAC) and other related organizations.
Briefing elected officials, county and municipal administration on transportation planning initiatives, funding opportunities, and other related activities.
Determining the meeting schedule and agenda for the TPO board and advisory committees including the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC); arranging for newsletters and events for the Transportation Adviser Network.
Coordinating the preparation of agenda items and the provision of speakers at these, and other TPO related meetings.
Assisting the TPO Executive Director in administering personnel matters (i.e., hiring, training, guidance, and supervision) and in the development of the TPO's work program.
Serving as the acting TPO Executive Director in his or her absence.
Monitoring staff activities to ensure accomplishment of mandated TPO planning responsibilities related to the Long-Range Transportation Plan, Transportation Improvement Program, and UPWP.
Tracking allocation of staff resources under the UPWP.
Assigning TPO staff to manage grants and projects as appropriate.
Preparing or coordinating preparation of grant applications, invoices, and progress reports.
Performing related duties as required.
Working before, during, or after an emergency, potentially temporarily assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the county and its residents.