Job Specification Details

This is the second level of professional inter-disciplinary planning work developing, coordinating and implementing long range planning activities for the Policy & Planning Division of the Agency of Transportation. Work principally involves conceiving, planning and managing complex planning studies in conjunction with other Agency divisions, state agencies, and Vermont's cities and towns. Requires considerable independent judgment selecting, adapting, and applying planning methods, tools and techniques to solve problems and conduct planning projects. A class incumbent is a technical expert in more than one phase of transportation planning. Incumbents receive managerial direction from an administrative supervisor, but work with considerable independence of action and are fully accountable for assigned activities and projects.

Plans, designs and implements, or manages the implementation, of the Division's more complex planning projects and studies pertaining to highway, rail, air, and public transportation and freight movement. Serves as project manager for various program plans, policy plans and statewide modal studies. Responsible for completion of assigned projects from beginning to end, and for the quality and timeliness of work performed by consultants hired to assist the agency with planning. Coordinates with other divisions and regions within the agency; other state agencies; plus agencies of the Federal and local governments as necessary. Drafts proposed results, conclusions and recommendations. Coordinates internal Agency reviews of planning products and reviews by other agencies, including other state agencies, and regional and local planning commissions. Represents the Agency at various hearings and meetings. Presents and explains the results of studies to policy makers, other agencies and the public. May testify as an expert witness at hearings when so required. Provides general planning advice and assistance to planning offices and agencies at all levels throughout the state.

Normal office working conditions general apply. Incumbents must be prepared to attend meetings, conferences or seminars which may occur outside normal working hours. Private means of transportation is required for a significant amount of travel to field sites. There will be an occasional need to travel outside the state to attend meetings, conferences and training. When making public presentations or facilitating meetings, strong differences of opinion may be expressed. Interaction with a variety of persons may generate strong differences of opinion when making public presentations or facilitating meetings.

Considerable knowledge of transportation planning principles, practices and theory; and of Federal transportation long range planning requirements and procedures; and, of the principles of land use planning.

Considerable knowledge of public information and input processes, and the ability to clearly and credibly present information about Agency policies and transportation planning issues in public forums. 

Considerable knowledge of the Vermont Agency of Transportation programs, objectives and procedures, and of the structure and interaction among federal, state, regional, and local organizations involved in planning.

Considerable knowledge of transportation planning tools and methods, particularly Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications and transportation modeling.

Ability to plan, develop and implement, or manage the implementation, of complex transportation planning studies effectively addressing highway, rail, air, public transportation and freight movement issues and concerns.

Ability to coordinate transportation planning effectively within the required agency processes.

Ability to plan, develop and implement or manage the implementation of complex transportation planning studies Ability to design studies, perform statistical research, and analyze results.

Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with a wide variety of audiences. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Master's degree in planning, engineering, economics, natural resources, transportation land use, public administration, or related field.
OR
Bachelor's degree or higher in planning, engineering, economics, natural resources, transportation land use, or public administration AND four (4) years of experience in transportation planning, environmental planning, land use and community planning, city and regional planning, transportation engineering and/or natural resources planning.
OR
Six (6) years of experience in transportation planning, environmental planning, land use and community planning, city and regional planning, transportation engineering and/or natural resources planning. 

Coursework in statistics, engineering, economics, natural resources, transportation, land use or community planning, or business/public administration.