Regional PlannerLee-Russell Council of GovernmentsOpelika,ALUnited States
How to Apply URL: https://www.indeed.com/job/regional-planner-325cff846eecfbbbPurpose: The Regional Planner assesses and proposes solutions to region-wide issues as well as manages and maintains the eligibility of the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for funding by developing and coordinating transportation planning and program requirements in the MPO Study Area and the rural areas of Lee and Russell Counties. Assumes responsibility for developing and maintaining GIS hardware, software and data to support the transportation planning process.
Supervisory Controls: The Regional Planner works under the administrative direction of the Planning & Economic Development Director. Supervisor sets overall objectives and employee and supervisor, in consultation, develop the deadlines, projects, and work to be done; employee is responsible for planning and carrying out the assignment; and work is reviewed from an overall standpoint.
Direct Reports: None.
Responsibilities and Duties: Collect, organize, analyze, interpret, and present regional dataDevelops, tests and implements geospatial data to support transportation modeling and regional land use and development planningDevelops new information technology and imagery processes and programs and coordinates data management in specific planning areas; inputs, maintains, and retrieves data from specialized databasesCoordinates the member government staff to facilitate data sharing, development, and managementCreates databases to link attributes on the computerized maps.Digitizes dataCreates and updates maps using GIS softwareMonitor Land Use and Transportation System Network ChangesUse GIS, data analytics, and other relevant tools to understand current land use configurations, trends, and potential future.Continuously assess the performance of the transportation system network in response to changing land use dynamicsStay abreast of ongoing and planned multimodal infrastructure development projects and assess their impact on land use and transportation patternsDevelop Planning ActivitiesIdentify and define regional planning problems and priorities; provide technical assistance to local governments in identifying and defining local planning problems and priorities.Develops study designs, work programs, contract documents, and project budgets.Advises management and board on selection of professional transportation planning consultants.Drafts policy statements for review and approval by senior management and board of directors.Represent the Council on Auburn-Opelika and the Columbus-Phenix City Metropolitan Planning Organization Technical Advisory Committee.Coordinate of Planning Activities Manages and maintains the eligibility of the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the Rural Planning Organization (RPO) to receive Federal transportation funds by coordinating federally mandated transportation planning and programming.Coordinates and communicates the MPO and RPO transportation activities with member governments, state, and federal agencies, and MPO standing committees.Meets with local officials and regulatory agencies to obtain input to and explain results of planning studies.Manages the Public Involvement Plan (PIP), Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and other transportation and region-wide plans.Coordinates public involvement, transportation planning, and MPO and RPO committee meetings to include notification, preparation of meeting materials, resolutions for approval and developing minutes.Participates in public meetings and hearings to explain the organization's planning and project proposals.Provides technical assistance and prepares grant applications for member governments.Miscellaneous Attends public transportation trainings and events as necessary.Attends educational programs and training to maintain and develop knowledge base.Prepare and Deliver presentations to the public and to local, state and federal officials, the business community and advocacy groups.Other duties as assigned.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required: KnowledgeWell-developed knowledge of the planning process, especially as it relates to transportation planningPrinciples, methodology, practices of research and data collectionContemporary transportation, environmental, land use, social, economic, fiscal, legal, and political issuesUnderstanding of the Land Use-Transportation InteractionFederal and state laws concerning land use and transportationEffective public participation techniquesIntermediate knowledge of GIS Computer systems, such as ArcGISSkillsComplex Problem SolvingCritical ThinkingSystems Analysis and EvaluationStrong communication skills, both oral and writtenProficiency with ESRI ArcGISAbilitiesAbility to read paper and electronic mapsAbility to comprehend and interpret data from a variety of sourcesAbility to attend meetings at night, travel workshops, speaking engagements, and other official functions which may require overnight travelAbility to occasionally work nonstandard hoursRequired Qualifications: EducationA bachelor's degree in Transportation Planning, City/Community/Regional Planning, orA Bachelor's Degree in a related field such as: Geography, GIS, Public Policy, Public Administration, Environmental Policy or Studies, Sociology, Economics, or Civil Engineering and 12 semester hours (or equivalent quarter units) in transportation planning; city, community, regional, rural or urban studies, land use planning and development, or travel analysis and forecasting2. ExperienceFour years of professional planning experience. A master's degree in planning or transportation can be substituted for two years of experience.Must possess a valid driver's licensePreferred Qualifications A Master's degree in planning or transportation with three years of professional work experience in transportation planning or a bachelor's degree in a transportation and five years of professional work experience in planning.Membership in American Institute of Certified Planners or Professional Transportation Planner program.Proficiency with transportation modeling software such as TransCAD.Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking and hiking trails; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as papers, books, small parts; driving an automobile, etc. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
Health insurancePaid time offRetirement planWork setting:
In-personOfficeAbility to Relocate:
Opelika, AL 36801: Relocate before starting work (Required)Work Location: In person
About us Lee-Russell Council of Governments is a public agency encompassing and serving the people and local governments in the region. It is founded on, sustained by, and directly tied to Alabama local governments through state law, regional compacts, inter-governmental agreements, and articles of incorporation. Our goal is to improve the quality of life in the region by acting as servant leaders, with proactive purpose, and in collaboration with all community partners.
