Class Code: P0202
FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Transportation Planner II

Bargaining Unit: SEA

DEFINITION:

Under direction, a Transportation Planner II performs the full range of journey-level professional planning duties in support of Santa Cruz METRO transportation planning functions and processes; conducts transit planning and service delivery studies and identifies issues; obtains, organizes, analyzes and presents data for transportation-related studies; participates in planning policy development; prepares and presents oral and written reports; and performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

Transportation Planner II is the journey-level class in the professional planning series. An incumbent in this class performs professional planning tasks requiring analysis, interpretation and application of specialized transportation planning laws, regulations, policies and procedures. This class may be distinguished from the lower level class of Transportation Planner I because an incumbent in the latter class performs a limited range of duties while learning to perform the full scope of journey-level professional planning work.  This class can also be distinguished from the higher level class of Senior Transportation Planner because an incumbent in the latter class performs advanced and specialized professional planning work and typically serves as a lead worker over subordinate professional staff.  

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The duties listed below represent the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is related or a logical assignment to this class.

  • Performs the full scope of journey-level, professional planning duties in support of Santa Cruz METRO transportation planning functions and processes.
  • Performs a variety of transit planning and service delivery studies; develops work plans and budget estimates for studies; implements survey techniques and processes; collects and analyzes data and makes recommendations using transportation planning and statistical methods, modeling, and budgeting and financial analyses data; forecasts future transit, transportation, economic or demographic conditions and trends.   
  • Monitors current transit service levels and identifies potential areas for study; analyzes service delivery parameters such as boarding and alighting and safety concerns; analyzes technical, demographic, economic, and financial data used for assessing route and schedule changes and the development of service enhancements; conducts cost-benefit analyses on service enhancement proposals. 
  • Analyzes route and schedule performance to determine areas for transit service improvement in terms of efficiency, productivity and effectiveness; assists in planning numbers of stops, length of route and runs per shift for routes according to union/management procedures and cost per mile/hour; prepares written evaluations of proposed route, service, and schedule changes.
  • Prepares planning reports, forecasts, and recommendations related to transportation system improvements; prepares statistical charts, maps, and other documents to accompany studies, reports and presentations; prepares ridership, on-time performance, productivity, and other route and service measurement reports for the General Manager, Board of Directors and others as requested.
  • Develops, interprets, monitors and writes transit documents or proposed transportation policies; assists in the development of capital programs, grant applications for transportation funds, and the development of capital funding strategies; assists in the development of regional and jurisdictional service plans and cost proposals.
  • Reviews and makes recommendations on development applications related to transportation service; provides documents and other information useful for evaluating development applications related to transportation service.
  • Briefs members of the public and representatives of community organizations regarding pending changes to routes and service changes as part of an outreach team.
  • Responds orally and in writing to requests from the public, staff, governmental agencies, advisory committees and community groups for information regarding existing services and funding, suggested service adjustments and long-range planning issues.
  • Performs GIS work including data manipulation/conversion, spatial and statistical analysis, map-making, documentation, technical support and application development.
  • Prepares written and graphical information and may make oral presentations on transit and service related issues to the Board of Directors, staff, service users, governmental agencies, advisory committees and community groups. 
  • May function as a project lead with other professional staff and consultants.
  • May act as Santa Cruz METRO’s liaison with cities, other local/regional agencies, and community groups regarding transportation issues.
  • Makes mathematical and statistical calculations; updates and maintains planning databases and directories.   
  • Provides information to employees and the public. 
  • Operates standard office equipment; utilizes computer software in performing job tasks. 
  • Drive a Santa Cruz METRO vehicle to perform assignments.
  • Performs related work as required.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

Knowledge of:

  • Principles, concepts, goals and technical aspects of transportation planning and capital funding, including traffic demand requirements.
  • Applicable Federal, State and local laws governing transit operations, including funding programs and data reporting requirements.
  • Physical, environmental, economic, aesthetic and social implications involved in transportation planning and transit-related development.
  • Principles of traffic demand management and measures of transit effectiveness used to assess route performance.
  • Working knowledge of attractions and locations that generate transit patronage.
  • Professional methods of researching, gathering, organizing and reporting data.
  • Techniques for surveying and transmitting information.
  • Financial and statistical analysis methods.
  • Budgeting and financial analysis concepts and practices, including cost analysis and modeling.
  • Community interrelationships.
  • Computer software common to the planning function (i.e., word processing, spreadsheet, modeling, mapping) at the intermediate level.
  • Project management methods and techniques. 
  • Modern office practices, procedures and equipment.
  • Business correspondence, formatting and report writing.       
  • Manual and automated record-keeping and filing systems.
  • Advanced methods of maintaining information in computerized or hard copy files.
  • Methods of prioritizing, planning and organizing work.
  • Advanced time management techniques.
  • Customer service techniques.
  • Intermediate mathematics, including percentages and intermediate statistics. 
  • The effective use of modern office equipment, personal computers, and standard business software. 

Ability to:

  • Analyze issues and numerical measures associated with transportation planning projects, including estimates derived from computer models, engineering estimates of costs and benefits and public input.
  • Develop recommendations for immediate, short, and long-range transportation service enhancements and capital requirements based on findings in studies, field observations and public contacts. 
  • Design and recommend transit service changes.
  • Participate in a variety of transportation planning outreach activities and effectively advocate and promote the use of public transit.
  • Read, analyze, understand and interpret complex scientific and technical journals, financial reports and legal documents.
  • Conduct cost/benefit, impact and other related technical analyses.
  • Formulate a response to inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, local government representatives, citizen groups or members of the business community.
  • Keep abreast of current trends in the field.
  • Write letters, memoranda, board, planning and technical reports and fact sheets designed to be understood by all audiences, including the public.
  • Design graphics/maps using computer/drawing software for publication studies.
  • Prioritize projects based on established criteria.
  • Adhere to established work schedules and timelines.
  • Work independently using good judgment, tact and discretion.
  • Balance multiple assignments simultaneously and effectively.
  • Utilize standard office equipment and computer software and learn to use specialized Santa Cruz METRO software if assigned.
  • Maintain confidentiality of materials, records, files and other privileged information.
  • Communicate clearly and effectively in both oral and written form.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department and with other divisions, departments, agencies, suppliers, vendors, and the public. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: 

Education, Training, and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in urban or regional planning, urban studies, geography, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), public administration, political science, finance or a related field.

AND

Three (3) years of increasingly responsible professional experience performing transportation planning or transportation systems analysis for a public transportation system.  

Experience must have also included at least two (2) years of recent professional experience working with raw data files and ESRI GIS software to create and analyze spatial data, create high-quality maps, and develop GIS-based solutions/scheduling applications.

Master’s degree is desirable.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES:

A valid California Driver’s License will be required at the time of appointment and throughout employment.

Must be able to obtain and maintain a current, valid California Class “C” Driver’s License.

Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable.

OR

Possession of a Professional Transportation Planner (PTP) certificate is desirable.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms; walk, sit and stand; use finger dexterity; talk and hear, and use a keyboard. Work often requires stooping at the waist and the repetitive use of both hands to grasp and feel objects. Work may require lifting up to 20 pounds unaided. Specific visual abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, the ability to see colors and shades, and the ability to perceive depth. 

Mental Demands 

While performing the duties of this job, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; performs detailed work; deals with multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work.

Work Environment: 

The employee typically works in a standard office environment where the noise level is moderate. 

OTHER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • Must pass a requisite background check.
  • Must participate in professional development activities.  
  • May occasionally work extended hours or hours outside of the regular schedule.
  • May require occasional travel. 

*Adopted: 12-11-18

*BOD Approved: 08-23-19

*Revised: 00-00-00

*Job Family: Planning Professional

*Job Series: Transportation Planner

*Job Series Level: Journey

*Confidential: No