Senior Transportation Planner (TPO)

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree in planning, transportation planning, urban or related field, and one year of professional-level planning experience; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience.
Successful completion of all applicable background checks is required.

Position Summary

This is highly responsible professional and technical work within the Gainesville & Alachua Transportation Planning Organization (GACTPO) providing multi-disciplinary transportation and mobility planning and activities, agency coordination, performance monitoring, and technical assistance to the TPO Executive Director and senior staff in the assessment and development of multimodal transportation plans, studies, and projects to ensure adherence of the TPO’s transportation planning process as established by federal requirements in Title 23 CFR, Parts 450 and 500, 23 USC 134, and Section 339.175, Florida Statutes.
An employee assigned to this classification will assist in the implementation and production of the TPO’s most fundamental and mission-critical requirements and directives, as mandated by the above-listed federal and state requirements, including the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), List of Priority Projects (LOPP), and other state and federally mandated plans and will engage in opportunities for innovative transportation projects, such as complete streets projects, corridor studies, pedestrian and bicycle safety studies, and collaboration with agency partners and the general public on special activities that promote the efficient movement of people and goods. This requires excellent communication skills and technical knowledge of multimodal transportation planning, process, and distribution, reimbursement, and reporting requirements related to federal, state, and local funds.
Work is performed under the general direction of a higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and the observation of results obtained.
COMPETENCIES:
•Effective communication
•Attention to detail
•Relationship building
•Time management
•Self-direction
•Problem solving

Examples of Duties

Participates and assists in the development of innovative transportation ideas and strategies for enhancing or optimizing complete streets projects, corridor studies, pedestrian and bicycle safety studies and projects, and trails development.

Collaborates with agency partners, state and federal governments, and the general public on creating transportation systems and designs that promote the efficient and safe movement of people and goods through a comprehensive, continuous and cooperative systems planning process.

Evaluates transportation needs of all users throughout the County and leads the development and updates of planning documents, including the List of Priority Projects (LOPP), Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), and other transportation planning products with the countywide needs in mind.
Leads the development of special plans, studies, and collaborative efforts related to multimodal transportation planning and studies, including Vision Zero, Safe Streets for All Grants and Programs, Safe Systems Planning, etc.
Leads the collection, maintenance, and analysis of transportation system performance data to develop and report on performance measures and targets, and works with the other TPO staff to report system performance.
Serves as a liaison to local jurisdictions and works with the City of Gainesville, Alachua County, Gainesville RTS, FDOT MPO Liaison Office, and UF to support transportation and transit objectives.
Assists in public engagement efforts, including public meetings and outreach events, and responds to inquiries from residents and partner agencies, and represents the TPO in meetings, as needed and directed by the Executive Director.
Works closely with the Florida Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and Federal Transit Administration to ensure compliance with federal and state funding requirements for MPOs, including plan approvals, development of mandated documents, and certifications.
Researches Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), grants, and other state and federal funding opportunities, and works closely with the Executive Director to seek, secure, and/or leverage funding opportunities for transportation improvements, including auto, freight, bicycle, pedestrian, trail, and transit systems.
Provides board and staff support, including preparing meeting agenda packets and minutes.  This includes attending meetings of the Gainesville & Alachua Transportation Planning Organization (GACTPO) Board, advisory committees, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, and the Gainesville Regional Transit System (RTS) Board. Responsible for presentations and responding to the direction of the Board and committees.
Performs other duties as needed.
NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of principles, practices, methods, and trends of transportation planning, transportation engineering, land use planning, public administration and grants management.
Knowledge of federal and state metropolitan planning requirements and regulations, including process and procedures.
Knowledge of design and management of multimodal transportation systems, including roadway, bicycle, pedestrian, trail, and transit networks.
Knowledge of statistical research methods as applied to the collection, tabulation, and analysis of transportation, socio-economic, and demographic data.
Knowledge of transportation financing and operating practices.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local grant programs related to transportation studies, programs, activities, and construction.
Knowledge of techniques of grant and contract budget development and administration.
Knowledge of the legislative process and transportation planning policy formulation
Knowledge of principles and techniques of project leadership. 
Knowledge of community engagement techniques and public involvement strategies.
Skills in the use of the suite of Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Skills in coordinating meetings, presentations, agendas, and project tasks.
Ability to collect, analyze, interpret, organize, and present technical statistical data and related information pertaining to transportation planning programs. Ability to collect, evaluate, and interpret transportation data and performance measures.
Ability to direct the creation of maps using GIS or comparable tools and to interpret and present such maps to the GACTPO Board, committees, and the public.
Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, including public speaking, delivering effective presentations, and preparing written reports and planning documents.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with federal, state, regional, and local agencies, community leaders, and the general public.
Ability to prepare transportation policy recommendations.
Ability to prepare transportation programs or grant budgets, grant applications, and related reports.
Ability to prepare, implement, and monitor contracts, project work plans, and timelines.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach and occasionally required to be mobile.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus associated with the constant use of computer monitors.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions and the risk of electrical shock. The employee may perform field work in inclement weather.
This work is primarily performed in an office setting. Light travel is required throughout Alachua County and beyond.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Supplemental Information

Desirables: Involvement in congestion management, long-range transportation planning, transportation funding or programming, planning for a specific transportation mode, transportation project implementation, transportation planning for persons with disabilities, transportation demand management, ridesharing or other transportation planning programs. Management of a project team and administration of transportation program grants or contracts. AICP certification.

Not eligible for trainee status.

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future. BoCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical/Health Insurance  
• Employee Life Insurance  
• Florida Retirement System  
• Employee Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental Insurance  
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program  

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits. 

• FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement.  A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
• TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Office for program details.
• HOLIDAYS Holidays are as follows: 

1. New Years Day  
2. Martin Luther King Day  
3. Memorial Day  
4. Juneteenth
5. Independence Day  
6. Labor Day  
7. Veterans' Day  
8. Thanksgiving Day  
9. Friday following Thanksgiving  
10. Christmas Eve (IAFF*)  
11. Christmas Day  
12. Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)  
13. 2 Floating Holidays  (All non- IAFF employees)

*IAFF – International Association of Firefighters Pay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday. International Association of Firefighters follow the General Contract 7k regarding holidays.

Vacation Leave – Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2.

Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees*. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 *Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.

$76,564.80 Annually