MetroPlan Planning Manager Position Summary
The Planning Manager actively supports and advances MetroPlan’s mission and values while performing high-level professional management, administrative, supervisory, and transportation planning functions. This position serves as the manager of MetroPlan and reports directly to the MetroPlan Executive Director.
Under the general direction of the Executive Director, the Planning Manager exercises a high degree of independent judgment, initiative, and professional expertise in the administration of MetroPlan. The position directs and coordinates multi-jurisdictional transportation planning and programming throughout the region. Principal responsibilities include developing regional and jurisdictional policies; evaluating existing and proposed programs; recommending changes to programs and service levels; ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and requirements governing transportation planning including the production and management of the following federally mandated efforts: the Overall Work Program, Transportation Improvement Program, and Long-Range Transportation Plan.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
-
Supervises assigned staff and interns, including directing work, establishing priorities, and supporting performance and professional development.
-
Assists with revenue development, expenditure projections, and preparation and administration of MetroPlan’s short- and long-term operating and capital budgets.
-
Develops, implements, and monitors MetroPlan’s strategic priorities, short- and long-term goals, policies, and procedures.
-
Ensures organizational compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, grant requirements, policies, and procedures.
-
Provides responsive, professional service and communicates MetroPlan priorities, programs, and activities to internal and external stakeholders, the public, governing bodies, and civic and professional organizations.
-
Prepares, reviews, and submits required reports and supporting documentation to federal, state, and local agencies; researches and resolves reporting discrepancies.
-
Researches, analyzes, and presents technical transportation planning and engineering information, recommendations, and reports to the Executive Director, MetroPlan Executive Board, member organizations, department leaders, and legislative bodies.
-
Under the direction of the Executive Director, makes administrative and planning decisions and provides recommendations to the MetroPlan Executive Board.
-
Develops and recommends regional transportation policies and planning goals, including policies related to the transportation element of the Regional Land Use and Transportation Plan, in coordination with member agencies and regional partners.
-
Coordinates regional transportation planning activities with City and County leadership, the Arizona Department of Transportation, Northern Arizona University, transit agencies, councils of government, and other partner organizations.
-
Serves as MetroPlan’s liaison on transportation matters with member agencies, state and federal legislative representatives, advocacy organizations, and national transportation organizations.
-
Represents MetroPlan at Executive Board, Technical Advisory Committee, City Council, County Board of Supervisors, Arizona State Transportation Board, and other public or professional meetings, as required.
-
Directs MetroPlan’s planning and technical priorities and prepares written communications, reports, and presentations regarding transportation projects, programs, and activities.
-
Develops and administers the Five-Year Transportation Plan in accordance with applicable state and federal requirements.
-
Keeps designated agency executives and regional partners informed of transportation planning activities through timely oral and written briefings.
-
Maintains current knowledge of transportation planning, engineering practices, regulatory requirements, and public administration through continuing education and participation in professional organizations, conferences, and meetings.
-
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
Safety Statement
This is not a safety sensitive position as defined by the rules and regulations of the Federal Transit Administration. The incumbent is required to fully comply with all safety rules and regulations established by Mountain Line.
Attendance
Regular and predictable attendance is required. The position is subject to established policies governing vacation, sick leave, and unpaid leave and may occasionally require work outside the employee’s regular schedule, including overtime or reporting to work on a scheduled day off.
Confidentiality
This position is a key member of the management team and is entrusted with highly sensitive business information and strategic planning data. Due to the nature of the role, the Planning Manager requires access to confidential operational plans, forecasting models, business strategies, performance metrics, financial information, and organizational initiatives. The Planning Manager is expected to exercise sound judgment and maintain the highest level of confidentiality regarding employee, customer, and company information while supporting effective planning and decision-making across the organization.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge
-
Extensive knowledge of modern theories, principles, and practices of transportation planning and development as applied to the preparation of a transportation program.
-
Considerable knowledge of recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to multi-modal transportation planning and urban growth and development.
-
Considerable knowledge of the methods and techniques of technical report preparation and presentation.
-
Working knowledge of the principles and practices of preparation, federal funding, and planning as it may pertain to transportation planning.
Skills and Abilities
-
Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and to make public presentation.
-
Ability to coordinate activities of MetroPlan with City, County, State and Federal agencies and their respective departments and divisions such as traffic engineering, land use planning, public works, capital improvements, legal and finance.
-
Ability to represent planning decisions that may be controversial in nature.
-
Ability to make difficult and independent decisions with limited supervision.
-
Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with subordinates, member agency officials, other agencies and the general public.
-
Demonstrated ability to maintain a high degree of organization, coordination, and attention to detail in administering project management assignments.
-
Ability to research, analyze, and recommend modifications to existing plans, and to interpret, apply, and ensure plan, project and documentation compliance with federal, state, and local rules, laws, and regulations.
-
Ability to administer contracts and evaluate the quality of work of outside consultants.
-
Ability to chair transportation related committees, define issues, prepare agendas, coordinate and evaluate work of members and ensure completion of committee tasks and goals.
-
Ability to effectively utilize computer systems and software.
Working Conditions, Exposure to Risks, and Physical Dangers
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, use hands to finger/handle/feel, talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, taste, or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Vision requirements for this position include close vision. There are no special working conditions for this position. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Education Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in planning, Public Administration, Transportation or related field.
-
Master’s degree in planning, Public Administration, Business Administration or related field, preferred.
Similar Work Experience
-
One-year professional level experience in governmental transportation planning, capital improvements, and project planning and management.
-
One-year professional level experience in geographic information systems database management, data development, and spatial analysis.
-
Experience in coordination of multi-agency programs and issues.
-
Experience in grant application and administration.
-
Experience with urban design, environmental planning, and land use planning issues.
-
Experience in public relations and public outreach.
Licenses, Training, and/or Certifications Required
-
Must possess, or obtain upon employment, a valid Arizona driver’s license.
Substitutions
Any combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, abilities, and skill to perform the duties of the position.
Mountain Line is an equal employment opportunity employer.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This position falls under MetroPlan, an independent 501.3c non-profit organization, the employees for which are employed by Mountain Line Transit for the purposes of payroll and benefits administration.
