Principal Planner

General Statement Of Job Duties

The Principal Planner is an integral member of the team responsible for development and implementation of the planning program for regional public transportation. The Principal Planner executes efforts in support of the agency's planning work program with a particular focus on management of large, highly-visible, and/or complex projects, and independently strategizes and initiates activities to secure the agency's full participation in the support and development of transit in our region. The Principal Planner ensures integration of planning functions with other agency departments. This position reports to the Manager of Planning & TOD.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Executes departmental and agency priorities in coordination with broad discretion and limited oversight.
• Provides guidance on strategic approach to securing transit as a mode and transit projects within the regional planning environment.
• Initiates, secures funding for, and supervises consultant studies associated with planning objectives.
• Develops scopes of services, independent cost estimates, and procurement documents; leads selection of planning consultants; and negotiates consultant contracts.
• Independently supervises consultant work, including active management of project scope, schedule, budget, risks, and quality management.
• Manages cost, schedule and other project controls data and maintains files through direct input of this project-related information, correspondence and documentation in the e-Builder system.
• Oversees work conducted by transportation planners, land use planners, and technicians.
• May perform technical planning tasks including GIS analysis, mapping, and document production.
• Facilitates productive engagement with staff from other GoTriangle teams such as finance, operations, transit partnerships, communications, real estate, and project delivery.
• Develops materials and makes presentations to the GoTriangle Board of Trustees, other elected and appointed Boards, business, community and other groups.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with senior technical staff and administrative staff and elected officials of regional local governments and appropriate State and Federal officials.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

The Principal Planner may specialize in one or more of the following technical planning disciplines:

Long-range Transportation Planning

• Works with regional stakeholders including MPOs and NCDOT on the continued development and improvement of regional travel demand models.
• Independently manages travel forecasting tasks for major capital projects
• Leads agency participation in the development of regional Metropolitan Transportation Plans (MTPs) for rail and other high capacity transit, regional bus services, and high occupancy vehicles.
• Works with NCDOT and municipal transportation departments to incorporate transit priority and transit accommodations into highway and roadway projects during the project development phase. Similarly, works with local sponsors of transit capital projects to contribute to positive outcomes for regional transit services.
• Develops and implements strategy for ensuring agency has leading role in the comprehensive, coordinated and continuous transportation planning process, including representing the Agency at the monthly Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC) meetings, and MPO associated committees and working groups as required.
  
  

Transit Capital Planning

• Independently manages consultant-supported facilities planning studies (park-and-rides, transfer centers, operations and maintenance facilities)
• Oversees in-house bus infrastructure planning efforts including maintenance of bus stop conditions database, bus stop improvement prioritization, and park-and-ride program development.
• Works with NCDOT and municipal transportation departments to incorporate transit priority and transit accommodations into highway and roadway projects during the design development phase. Similarly, works with local sponsors of transit capital projects to negotiate positive outcomes for regional transit services.
• Oversees agency participation in review of site plans, rezoning cases, and transportation projects to obtain outcomes consistent with best practices for transit-supportive design, including, but not limited to: safety, ADA compliance, transit operations, reliability, customer experience, and general best practices for universal design.
  
  

Environmental Planning

• Independently manages consultant-supported preparation of federally required environmental documents for implementation of major capital projects (e.g. EIS/EA)
• Independently develops environmental documents for implementation of minor capital projects (e.g. environmental checklists, categorical exclusions)
• Oversees agency participation in environmental planning processes led by others in the GoTriangle service area.
  
  

Transit-Oriented Development Planning

• Independently manages economic development, land use, and station-area planning tasks for major capital projects
• Works with municipalities and stakeholders in developing plans and policies such as land use plans and zoning ordinances that support transit oriented development.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications And Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college. Coursework in Transportation Planning, Urban Planning, Environmental Planning, Engineering, Architecture, Public Administration, Public Policy, or related field is desirable. A Master's degree in Transportation Planning is preferred.
• AICP certification is preferred.
• Seven years of progressively responsible experience in a state or local transportation planning organization, consulting firm, or similar.
• Expert-level understanding of planning, financing, implementing, and organizing a regional transportation planning program. Particular experience in transit or transportation planning is required.
• Working knowledge of state and federal requirements applicable to transportation planning and consultant procurement.
• Ability to develop program objectives and work independently to advance several program objectives at once in coordination with departmental management.
• Exceptional level of interpersonal skills required to effectively communicate with government officials, staff, and the general public.
• A working understanding of PCs, including advanced skills in SharePoint, Excel, Powerpoint, and Word.
• Experience using or overseeing use of GIS.
• Experience using project management software such as e-Builder is preferred.
  
  

An equivalent combination of related education and experience may be substituted for the above stated minimums excluding High School Diploma, GED, Licenses, or Certifications.

Working Conditions

Works in an environment where there is minimum exposure to dust, noise, or temperature. May be moderately exposed to unpleasant working conditions to include dust, noise, temperature, weather, petroleum products, and chemicals while visiting GoTriangle operating facilities, during which the incumbent should observe all policies and procedures, safety precautions and regulations, and use all protective clothing and devices provided.

Physical Requirements

Works in an environment where there is minimum exposure to dust, noise, or temperature. May be moderately exposed to unpleasant working conditions to include dust, noise, temperature, weather, petroleum products, and chemicals while visiting operating facilities, properties, construction sites, and potential properties during which the incumbent should observe all policies and procedures, safety precautions and regulations, and use all protective clothing and devices provided.

EEO Statement

GoTriangle is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal opportunity and will not discriminate in terms and conditions of employment and employment practices. Decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, protected veteran and military status or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Accommodations

GoTriangle is firmly committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment and to a program of achieving total equality of opportunity for all applicants. If you require reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact 919-485-7448. Please indicate the specific assistance needed.