Transportation Planner

Job Description

The City of Madison is seeking an entry-level Planner to join the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) section of the Planning Division. This position is responsible for supporting the transportation planning work activities of the Madison Area Transportation Planning Board, the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Madison Metropolitan Area. This includes assistance in preparation of the long-range multi-modal regional transportation plan, corridor and area plans and studies, public transit and active transportation plans, annual updates to the Transportation Improvement Program, and annual performance measure reporting. Planning support work includes, among other activities, maintenance of GIS data sets and creating maps and graphics, as well as collection, formatting, and analysis of other land use development, Census, and transportation data.  It also includes assistance with public involvement activities, including maintaining content on the MPO’s website and social media outlets and staff support to the MPO policy board and advisory committees.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in preparation of the multi-modal regional transportation plan, corridor and small area studies, the transit development plan, and bicycle transportation plan. Assist in conducting multi-modal transportation needs analyses and evaluating the benefits and costs of different strategies and projects to support development of transportation plans and reports.
• Assist in conducting literature reviews, best practices research, and quantitative analysis to support development of plan recommendations, and assist in preparing plan reports. Develop graphics for reports and meetings, design print products, and coordinate print production of these products. Assist in preparation of local corridor plans, working with City of Madison and other local community planning staff. Participate on interagency staff workgroups for plans and projects.
• Assist in developing and maintaining transportation planning information systems and data bases, including GIS data and cartographic products, to support transportation planning activities. Monitor, assemble, and analyze land use, socio-economic, travel, and other data relevant to transportation planning and travel demand modeling. Assist in preparing population, housing, and employment forecasts to support travel demand modeling. Assist in collecting, analyzing, and presenting data on the performance of the regional transportation system in accordance with new federal requirements. Assist in developing and maintaining GIS data sets (roadways, bicycle facilities, transit service, planned land use, etc.), including digitizing, editing, and attribute entry of GIS data layers. Assist in the design and production of maps utilizing GIS data sets. Respond to requests for data and information on the MPO’s plans from other agency staff, local officials, and the public.
• Assist in implementing the MPO’s public participation plan, including development and maintenance of content on the MPO’s website and social media outlets. Assist in evaluating the MPO’s public involvement activities and future updates to the public participation plan. Work with City of Madison IT Department staff in developing and maintaining the MPO website and any special plan/project websites. Organize and post content on the website, including plan reports, MPO board and advisory committee meetings schedules and minutes. Work with other MPO staff to find and post articles and other information to the MPO’s Facebook page. Assist in staffing committee, MPO board meetings and public information meetings on plans and projects. Assist in maintaining and implementing the MPO’s Title VI Plan.
• Assist in preparation of the annual update to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Assist in incorporating implementing agency project submittals into a coordinated listing of projects and project maps. Assist in preparing appendices to the TIP with data and information on programmed funding, status of previously programmed projects, demonstration of financial constraint requirements, etc. Process amendments to the TIP.  Perform related work as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of a Bachelors Degree in Urban/Regional Planning, Civil Engineering, Urban Studies,  or related studies or programs.

If an applicant does not possess the degree above, HR will review the application materials to determine if the applicant possesses the following equivalent experience: 

Familiarity with the following:

• Land use and transportation planning process, policies, principles, practices and methodologies, including integration with land use planning and land use/travel demand relationships, accessibility and integration of different modes of transportation.
• Geographic information systems
• Data collection methods and analysis techniques related to socio-economic, land use, and transportation data.
• Adobe Creative Suite software (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat Pro) and Microsoft Office Suite software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access).

The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its citizens and visitors.  Therefore, successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to work effectively with multicultural communities.

Apply online at link included