Careers in Quality

Title:  Regional Transit Planner I or II

Category:  Full Time Professional (Exempt)

Supervisor:  The Regional Transit Planner I or II works under the general direction of the Executive Director and the supervision of the Transportation Program Manager

Salary Range: $55,000-$85,000 depending on qualifications and experience

Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential Functions: Employee will have primary responsibility for carrying out transit planning duties as outlined in the Northern Middlesex Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) Unified Planning Work Program and through a contract with the Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA).

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide technical support as staff to the MPO
• Provide technical assistance to the LRTA in capital planning activities, data collection for grant applications, and federal and state reporting requirements
• Assist with development of the MPO’s federally required certification documents Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the Long Range Transportation Plan (RTP)
• Responsible for transit planning activities including but not limited to:
  1. Conducting route and fare structure analysis to ensure the public transit system serves the region’s population;
  2. Preparation of ridership samples for National Transit Database passenger reporting;
  3. Review of the LRTA’s Transit Asset Management Plan and Public Transit agency Safety Plan, and presenting to the MPO for approval, and maintaining LRTA bus stop and route data;
  4. Development of the Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for the MPO;
  5. Development of the MPO’s Annual Title VI Plan;
  6. Compliance with Disadvantaged Business Enterprise FTA Requirements including plan preparation, data collection and reporting;
  7. Compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements including review of Paratransit ADA applications; and
  8. Assembling and analyzing LRTA Fixed Route and Paratransit monthly ridership, revenue and safety reports, and develop quarterly and annual monitoring reports.
• Participate in transportation-related technical committees, advisory committees, working groups and task forces, as appropriate
• Respond to inquiries from the public, local communities, and state and federal agencies regarding NMCOG’s transportation planning projects
• Collaborate with other NMCOG staff on projects in housing, economic development, land use planning/ zoning, environmental planning when needed
• Maintain and develop relationships with the LRTA, member communities, Councils on Aging, human service agencies, advocacy groups, consultants, and the general public.

Minimum Qualifications:

Required Skills

• Well-developed knowledge of transit planning principles and practices
• Knowledge of transportation programs, policies, and funding sources
• Familiarity with the MPO and transportation planning processes
• Familiarity with GIS and spatial analysis software programs and applications
• Strong technical skills in the areas of transportation planning, including systems and performance management
• Strong technical, writing, and oral communication and public presentation skills
• Knowledge of statistical and data analytics
• Knowledge of computer programs and applications, including Microsoft Office Suite, econometric modeling, and database management
• Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously
• Ability to work effectively with community groups and government officials, especially local elected and appointed officials
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment as needed
• Group facilitation skills for use at community meetings and workshops

Education and Experience

Candidates must have either a Bachelor's degree in planning, engineering, public policy/management, or a closely related field and at least 3 years of relevant experience; or a Master's degree in one of the above listed fields plus at least 2 years of relevant experience. A Master's degree and/or significant additional experience is required for the Planner II position. Ideal candidates will have three to five years of professional experience in planning or engineering, with regional planning or MPO-related experience.

Licenses, Certifications, and Equipment

• A valid driver’s license is required
• AICP certification preferred but not required

The position is open until filled and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Jennifer Raitt, jraitt@nmcog.org. Candidates selected to interview may be asked to submit a sample of relevant writing or work product. Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the US and a valid driver's license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. NMCOG participates in E-Verify, which is a federal program that helps us to determine work eligibility in the United States.

NMCOG offers excellent Massachusetts state employee benefits and a flexible, hybrid work environment. NMCOG is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.

About Northern Middlesex Council of Governments

The Northern Middlesex Council of Governments is one of thirteen regional planning agencies within Massachusetts. Formed under Chapter 40B of the Massachusetts General Laws, NMCOG works with the communities of the Greater Lowell region to support and enhance a wide range of planning objectives related to land use, environmental protection, energy, economic development, housing, public health, public safety, municipal service delivery and transportation. NMCOG maintains a staff of professional planners to assist member communities in designing, facilitating, and implementing community development programs and planning initiatives which further the interests of the overall region. Special legislation (Chapter 420 of the Acts of 1989) also allows the Council to perform a wide variety of non-planning functions on behalf of its members.

Connections working at Northern Middlesex Council of Governments