Job & Business Opportunities

Job Summary

This classification is primarily responsible for performing many of the tasks in the following areas: Data and Statistical Analysis, Project Oversight and Management, Supervisory Administrative, Public Information Services, Transportation Data Collection, Review, and Analysis, Program Policy and Procedure Review Analysis and Support – Internal Programs and Policies, Program Policy and Procedure Review Analysis and Support – External Programs and Policies. Work mainly involves the gathering and interpreting of data dealing with problems and difficult situations. May put forth alternative solutions for consideration. This class typically supervises subordinate staff and receives occasional supervision.

Supervision

Supervision Received: This class typically receives occasional supervision while working toward a definite objective that requires use of a wide range of procedures and while working on new or innovative programs or projects. Only unusual matters are referred to supervisor, typically with some suggestion of a solution.

Supervision Exercised: This class provides direct supervision to lower level personnel.

Distinguishing Characteristics

N/A

Essential Functions

A. Data and Statistical Analysis
Duties may include:
Review processes. Develop methodology, survey, and collect ridership data as part of NTD compliance effort. Import and analyze GFI and LRT data for reasonableness, consistency. Troubleshoot, isolate, and identify system errors and correct or devise workarounds. Evaluate data for trends and anomalies. Group data for specific studies. Monitor changes in certain data subsets as requested by management. Work with Assistant Planner in generating the monthly ridership report. Review the monthly ridership report. Review the random selection of NTD trips and the process by which selections are made. Review and interpret results from various surveys performed by the service planning group. Develop and produce reports to convey results of surveys studies for stakeholders. Review count (Bus, LRT) information input to the NTD database (per audit instructions). Design, develop, and review survey and special count data as necessary. Develop database application (or modify existing application) to accumulate surveys or counts. Summarize status of surveys and counts for stakeholders. Conduct cost analysis of current service and projected service options. Analyze the financial impact of changes in fare strategies for the agency. Develop modeling tools to evaluate cost impacts for proposed scenarios. Other duties as assigned.

B. Project Oversight and Management
Duties may include:
Define scope and help develop process and tools. Advise Planning Manager of project manager assignment. Monitor and review progress of projects assigned to service planning group. Define activities, milestones, progress reporting, and completion schedules. Assign roles and responsibilities, including deliverables for project. Review and edit RFPs prior to submission to ensure accuracy of contents and that requirements are met. Prepare and/or edit scopes of work for major environmental related projects. Manage environmental consultants hired under the General Environmental Support Services contract. Take the lead on transit related issues especially as those related to land use planning and environmental impacts. Other duties as assigned.

C. Supervisory Administrative
Duties may include:
Review, monitor performance and sign timesheets. Perform periodic job performance reviews. Coach and advise staff regarding assignments. Advise Planning Manager regarding performance rewards and discipline. Advise Planning Manager regarding best use of team. Assist the Planning Manager in preparation, administration, and management of department’s work program. Supervise and monitor the work of long-range planning staff. Sign timesheets and prepare performance evaluation for long-range planning staff. Act for the Planning Manger in the manager’s absence as requested. Other duties as assigned.

D. Public Information Services
Duties may include:
Plan, organize, and present public outreach workshops dealing with service changes. Provide agency information to private citizens as requested. Perform community service at the request of the Public Information team as needed. Represent the agency with outside groups (community groups, transit management teams, etc.). Present project specific issue papers to District Board of Directors. Make presentations to elected officials of local jurisdictions. Attend community meetings discussing the District’s projects or projects with implications for transit planning. Represent the District on inter-agency committees. Provide members of the public with information regarding current and future trans plans. Other duties as assigned.

E. Transportation Data Collection, Review, and Analysis
Duties may include:
Write, review, and edit responses to development projects application with potential impact on transit services. Prepare and review long range plans updates. Prepare and/or review issue papers for presentation to the District Board. Contribute to the preparation of revised transit plans within the District’s service area. Receive, review, and respond to notices of preparation of major environmental documents (EIR, EIS). Prepare and/or coordinate environmental analysis for transit projects. Other duties as assigned.

F. Program Policy and Procedure Review Analysis and Support – Internal
Programs and Policies
Duties may include:
Interpret department's land use planning policies and procedures as it relates to transit service provision. Provide input to inter-departmental projects which may influence program changes and/or modification. Develop and maintain Design Guidelines and Development Review Manual. Other duties as assigned.

G. Program Policy and Procedure Review Analysis and Support – External
Programs and Policies
Duties may include:
Provide transit-related input to local jurisdiction’s adopted plans that may influence their programs and policies. Participate in updating the circulation element of local agencies adopted plans (General Plan, Community Plan, Etc). Participate in local agencies' (SACOG, Cities/County) programs and policies formulation related to land use projects. Other duties as assigned.

Job Demands

Physical and Mental Requirements:

• Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional bending or squatting.


• Lifting: frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 25 pounds.


• Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision.


• Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.


• Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone.


• Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone.


• Environmental: frequent exposure to noise.

Knowledge and Abilities

Required Knowledge of:

• Database principles (coding, relationships, file and table structures, queries).


• Data collection techniques in transportation (via GFI, ride checkers, survey methods, etc.).


• Service planning principles and metrics used to evaluate performance.


• Statistical sampling methods.


• Differences between costing methods (direct, total) and when to use them.


• Cost allocation model factors.


• Route measurement methods.


• Critical path method in approaching a project.


• Local agencies applicable planning laws, zoning regulations, and adopted plans.


• Software relevant to the planning process.


• Transit planning and land use planning principles and practices.


• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements and regulations.


• Project management procedures and process.


• Principles and practices of supervision.


• Basic communication skills.


• Public participation process and sources of vital information.


• Administrative guidelines and manuals related to programs and policies.

• Perceive and understand the different needs of various stakeholders.


• Identify best way to infer or dismiss a hypotheses using the data available.


• Enhance the skills of team members in the use of applications and in developing applications.


• Organize presentations to various groups regarding transit plans, strategy, etc.


• Interact with the public either one-on-one or with a large group.


• Instruct others on the use of the input application.


• Design a process to complete a defined objective.


• Assess capabilities of team members with an eye toward assigning tasks.


• Design survey and count strategy that will meet the objectives desired.


• Establish the validity of conclusions when the source data is questionable.


• Identify and respond to competing agendas among stakeholders.


• Go from source data to report information.


• Understand individuals and what motivates (and deters) them.


• Match team needs with individual goals.


• Match rewards and discipline relative to performance.


• Keep track of changes to federal and state environmental laws and regulations.

• Common word processing software.


• Common spreadsheet software.


• Common database applications.


• ERMS software concepts.


• Accounting or operations software functionality.


• Email, contact management, and scheduling software.


• Project management software.


• Presentation software.

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

Required Prior Experience:
Four years of progressively responsible planning experience with at least one year spent supervising planning staff. Experience with a transportation/transit agency is desirable.

Required Prior Education:
A Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Engineering, or related field. An additional six years of qualifying experience may substitute for the required education.