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City of Madison, WI

Transportation Planner

Responsible professional urban and regional transportation planning work supporting the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Madison urban area. A primary responsibility of the position is the operation and maintenance of a regional travel demand forecast model for generating traffic and transit use forecasts to support MPO planning work activities. Other general responsibilities include preparing socioeconomic data forecasts and assembling and analyzing other data for transportation planning and modeling purposes; providing assistance with the preparation of multi-modal transportation plans, reports and studies; providing assistance with the annual update to the Transportation Improvement Program; and providing staff support to the MPO policy board and MPO advisory committees.

The selected candidate may be hired as a Planner 1 or 2, depending upon the individual's qualifications. The Planner 1 is an entry level position and will work under close supervision. The Planner 2 is an objective level position and will be expected to perform work independently under general supervision.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities:
Operate and maintain the regional travel demand forecast model in TP+/CUBE software environment to develop traffic and transit use forecasts in support of development of the regional transportation plan, corridor or small area plans/studies, site-specific traffic impact assessments, and the design of individual roadway projects. Prepare inputs for and run the model, and provide calibration and validation on model networks. Create and maintain the traffic analysis zone system for the model. Also, provide assistance to private consultants with major updates and improvements to the model. Analyze model results, and analyze data collection procedures and model attributes. Prepare maps, graphics, and reports related to travel forecasts. Provide technical assistance to private consultants using the model for area plans and studies.

Develop and maintain transportation planning information systems and data bases to support planning and travel forecasting activities, including the MPO’s Congestion Management Process. Monitor, assemble, and analyze land use, socio-economic, travel, and other data relevant to transportation planning and travel modeling. Also, provide assistance in the design and analysis of surveys related to calibration/validation of the regional travel demand forecast model. Assist in preparing population, housing, and employment forecasts to support travel forecast modeling. Respond to requests for data and information on the MPO’s plans from other agency staff, local officials, and the public. Conduct special research and data collection, as needed. Prepare and present informational materials and graphics at staff and committee meetings.

Assist in preparation of regional multi-modal transportation plans, corridor and small area studies, analysis of the traffic impacts of development plans and projects, and review of local land use and transportation plans. Prepare data, maps, graphics, and text to be incorporated into plan and study documents. Prepare analyses of traffic impacts and transportation issues associated with development plans related to requests for urban sewer service area amendments. Review and provide comments on local transportation/land use plans and proposals concerning consistency with adopted regional transportation plans. Provide presentations at work sessions and meetings related to plans and projects. Participate on staff technical committees.

Assist in preparation of annual update to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Incorporate implementing agency project submittals into a coordinated listing of projects. Assist in scoring and ranking projects seeking STP-Urban and Enhancements funding. Prepare appendices to the TIP with data and information on programmed funding, status of previously programmed projects, demonstration of financial constraint requirements, etc. Present the TIP to the MPO board and committees during development and adoption process. Process amendments to the TIP.
Minimum Qualifications:
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of land use and transportation planning principles, including trip generation and distribution, roadway capacity and level-of-service, and land use/travel relationships. Knowledge of techniques and practices in travel demand modeling, preferably with ability to maintain and operate travel demand modeling software, in particular TP+/CUBE. Considerable knowledge and experience with geographic information systems (ArcGIS) and Microsoft Excel. Ability to assemble, manipulate, and analyze land use, socio-economic, Census, traffic, and other data related to transportation planning purposes, and to prepare graphic materials and maps (with GIS staff assistance) to effectively present the materials. Excellent technical writing and communication skills to convey technical material to non-technical audiences. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships. Knowledge of Metropolitan Planning Organization procedures and Federal rule requirements related to transportation planning and programming processes for large urban areas is helpful.

Training and Experience:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in Urban/Regional Planning, Civil Engineering, Urban Studies, or related studies or programs. Other combinations of training and/or experience which can be demonstrated to result in possession of the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position will also be considered.

At least two years of professional land use/transportation planning or traffic engineering experience, comparable to duties and responsibilities gained as a Planner 1 with the City of Madison, is required to be hired at the Planner 2 level.

Special Requirements:
Operation of computer software applications, including TP+/CUBE, GIS (ArcGIS), and Microsoft Excel.

Possession of a valid Wisconsin driver’s license and ability to meet the transportation requirements of the position.

Physical Requirements:
Incumbents must be able to physically access and inspect development sites throughout the City. In addition, incumbents will be expected to attend meetings and provide presentations outside the normal work schedule, including evenings and weekends.