Safe Routes to School Assistant – Planning Specialist

Position: Safe Routes to School Assistant – Planning Specialist I, Limited Term Employment
Program: Regional Safe Routes to School Program
Institution: East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
Classification: Full-time salaried position

Applications: Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, a resume, and two writing samples to:
Melissa Kraemer Badtke
Safe Routes to School Coordinator
East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
400 Ahnaip Street, Suite 100
Menasha, WI 54952
or submit one PDF file via email to mbadtke@eastcentralrpc.org ; Subject Line: Planning SpecialistPosition.

Receipt of applications will be acknowledged with an email reply. Applications are being accepted untilFriday, November 19th, 2010 at 5 p.m. Late applications will not be considered. Telephone inquiries willnot be accepted.

Summary:
East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission is looking for an energetic and dynamicprofessional with at least one to three years of proven success in Safe Routes to School programmingand/or bicycle/pedestrian planning to work on the Regional Safe Routes to School Program as a PlanningSpecialist I. The Safe Routes to School Assistant – Planning Specialist I will provide technical assistance andsupport to local communities looking to start and/or implement a local Safe Routes to School (SRTS)program, and produce resource guides and materials that support SRTS implementation across theregion. Other planning experience (housing, land use, economic development, GIS, etc.) is considered aplus as this position will occasionally work on other planning projects or programs under the supervisionand direction of various Commission staff.

Background:
Safe Routes to School is a federal program designed to make it safe, easy and convenient forchildren in grades K-8 to walk and bicycle to schools. Due to federal legislation adopted in 2005, StateDepartments of Transportation (in all 50 states and the District of Columbia) have funding to make SRTSprograms available to local communities. This funding is helping local communities build infrastructureand run programs that increase children’s physical activity levels, decrease traffic congestion, andimprove air quality and neighborhood safety. The SRTS Program is a major component of theCommission’s transportation planning program, which also includes responsibilities as the designatedMetropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Fox Cities and Oshkosh Urbanized Areas. Other majorCommission programs include Economic Development, Sewer Service Area Planning and ComprehensivePlanning.

Key Responsibilities:
The Safe Routes to School Assistant – Planning Specialist I position is initially fundedfor two years, and can be extended as funding permits. Key responsibilities for the Safe Routes to SchoolAssistant – Planning Specialist I include:
• Actively work with local schools to develop partners, collect evaluation data, developrecommendations, produce and implement an action plan, and apply for SRTS funding.
• Serve as an expert resource on SRTS implementationIncluding:
· Developing and giving presentations on SRTS implementation topics at meetings andrelevant conferences.
· Providing technical assistance via email , telephone, and in person to local communitiesseeking help on issues with wide-ranging consequences, such as overturning ‘no bicyclingto school’ policies, and responding to questions from the field on starting a SRTS programand implementation of recommendations.
• Create and manage committees for young people to share their thoughts on SRTSimplementation, communication, and how to best engage youth leadership.
• Work on other transportation and related projects as required.

Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in planning, geography, public health, public policy, or a related field required.
• Experience and skill in public speaking and presentations.
• Enjoys working with children.
• Experience in developing and maintaining effective working relationships with multiplestakeholders to facilitate partnerships.
• Strong background in writing and developing technical assistance materials.
• Self-motivated, creative, detail-oriented and energetic.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Organized and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously, with excellent attention to detail.
• Advanced level of proficiency and previous experience in a variety of computer softwareapplications, especially web browsers, MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with ArcMap and GIS applications a plus.

Annual Salary:
The position offers a starting annual salary in the range of $34,116 to $38,165/year(depending on experience and qualifications) plus full benefits including health insurance, flexiblescheduling, and participation in the State retirement plan. This position is a limited term employmentposition with an ending date of October 31, 2012, with potential for continued employment as fundingallows.

An Equal Opportunity Employer – M/F.
For more information on East Central’s Regional Safe Routes to School Program, visithere

More information about East Central as a whole can be found here