Transportation Planning Specialist (Planning Specialist II) - Denver

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Transportation Planning Specialist works in the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Statewide & Regional Planning Section of the Division of Transportation Development. The Section facilitates and directs Colorado’s statewide transportation planning process, including development of the long-range statewide multimodal transportation plan and integration of the Department’s other modal plans. It also works with the state’s five Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and ten rural Transportation Planning Regions (TPRs) and assists them with developing Regional Transportation Plans. Under the supervision of the section manager, this position assists with developing Statewide and Regional Transportation Plans; serves as a liaison to assigned CDOT regions, TPRs, and MPOs; conducts assigned planning research; writes briefs and reports; assists with or conducts data analysis and prepares spreadsheets; supports strategic communications; and assists with reviewing and producing planning materials. The position provides planning support statewide, helps coordinate and document meetings and presentations, and assists partner organizations with planning and program responsibilities under state and federal legislation. The schedule is primarily 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with flexibility to support work-life balance while meeting business needs. The position will likely follow a hybrid schedule combining in-office and remote work. Travel throughout Colorado is required for regional meetings, public engagement events, and meetings with regional CDOT staff. The employee must drive CDOT vehicles. The position is open only to Colorado residents.

Requirements

At least five years of experience in regional, transportation, or urban planning; business administration; finance; political science; public administration; or other work closely related to the position’s main duties. At least one year must involve regional, urban, and/or transportation planning.
Alternatively, a combination of relevant education and experience totaling at least five years. Relevant education may be in planning (regional, transportation, or urban), business administration, finance, political science, public administration, or another field closely related to the position’s main duties.
A current valid driver’s license is required for positions that require operating a state or personal motor vehicle to perform essential functions; this position requires driving CDOT vehicles.
Must pass pre-employment screening, which may include social security number trace, criminal records, public court records, educational records, and driving records checks.
If using education to qualify, submit legible official or unofficial college transcripts or an official foreign credential evaluation report meeting the stated requirements.
Applicants must provide a complete application and supplemental questionnaire, a cover letter, and a detailed chronological resume; additional documentation may be required depending on qualifications or veteran status.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated success performing the duties listed in the job description.
High standards of work and personal ethics and integrity.
State service experience related to the duties of the position.
Experience with transportation planning.
Knowledge of or experience with transportation planning processes.
Experience with research, report writing, and data analysis.
Knowledge of and experience with databases.
Strong customer service skills and orientation.
Ability to work under tight deadlines and adapt to changing assignments.
Effective interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
Strong time and project management skills, including prioritization.
Excellent reasoning, analytical, and problem-solving ability.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentation skills.
Strong attention to technical detail and accuracy.
Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team.
Fluency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat, Google Applications, Gmail, SAP, Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, and ability to learn other software systems quickly.

Responsibilities

Provide planning support to assigned geographic areas statewide.
Learn to represent CDOT at TPR/MPO meetings, internal and external technical committees, and public meetings.
Prepare or assist in preparing and presenting materials, documenting outcomes, identifying issues, and communicating information to appropriate parties.
Assist with developing planning and policy presentations and deliver or assist with presentations to CDOT planning partners on topics such as the Colorado Transportation Planning Process, TPR administration, funding and grant opportunities, and other statewide planning topics.
Assist with compiling and analyzing regional information into consolidated statewide summaries.
Assist in representing CDOT while helping MPOs and rural TPRs carry out responsibilities for developing plans and programs, implementing transportation programs and projects, and meeting responsibilities under state and federal legislation.
Coordinate or assist with coordinating and tracking MPO or TPR documents requiring approval from the Governor, Transportation Commission, Department of Public Health and Environment, FHWA, FTA, or EPA.
Work with the Statewide and Regional Planning Manager and other CDOT staff on the Statewide Transportation Plan and Regional Transportation Plans, including meeting coordination, meeting materials, and draft minutes.
Develop presentations and support materials for internal and external partner meetings, including the Statewide Transportation Advisory Committee, Statewide Plan Team, and Statewide MPO meeting.
Assist with writing and editing components of the Statewide Plan and assigned Regional Transportation Plans.