Job Title: Transportation Planner I
Closing Date: Position will remain open until filled
Salary: $23.60/hr - $34.09/hr (DOQ)
Location: Omaha, NE

The Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) is seeking a transportation planning professional to assist with ongoing transportation planning functions of the agency. This position is responsible for entry level transportation planning work with significant supervision. The position involves research, data gathering and analysis, drafting reports and studies, assisting in the preparation of plans and financial assistance applications, assisting with public engagement activities, and limited project management. 

The candidate should possess strong verbal and written skills in order to communicate technical information effectively to the public and work effectively with stakeholders, partner agencies, and elected officials. The successful candidate will be able to develop and maintain strong working relationships. The candidate must be self-motivated and able to work and develop skills independently.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with the region's local governments, Federal and State DOT, transit operators, and other stakeholders to coordinate transportation plans and programs for consideration in the Regional Transportation Plan and Federal Transportation Program
• Provide staff support to committees, task forces, workshops as assigned, by coordinating agendas, developing staff reports, and presentation materials and presenting information as necessary
• Coordinate, participate, and prepare grant applications as assigned and as opportunities arise
• Perform technical and policy-related research on transportation issues and write analysis and technical reports for discussions at the policy committees, task forces, and workshop settings
• Conduct and present information and recommendations regarding research and policy analysis for transportation planning and related issues
• Represent MAPA on public forums related to transportation issues, and transportation planning studies conducted by partner agencies, professional associations, and regional organizations

Requirements Include:

• Any combination of training, education, and experience that would provide the required skills, knowledge, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be a Bachelor’s Degree in transportation planning, land use planning, urban or regional planning, GIS, transportation forecast modeling, policy administration, communications or other related fields which include analytical and quantitative methods.
• Knowledge of the practical application of the principles, practices and techniques of regional planning and transportation planning research.
• Knowledge of the funding sources, programs and applicable regulations that relate to planning and development.
• Knowledge of federal and state planning regulations relevant to transportation planning and MPOs
• Ability to apply techniques of planning research to general and specific planning activities.
• Ability to participate in a variety of public meetings by making presentations and recommendations on various aspects of the planning program.
• Ability to analyze and compile technical and statistical information and prepare/develop reports; experience using spreadsheets and pivot tables a plus.
• Ability to respond to public requests and inquiries.
• Must have strong organizational skills and the ability to prepare and interpret quantitative data.
• Must be a self-starter and problem solver
• Should possess skills in GSuite, and/or web-based systems. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) experience is beneficial, but not required.

Compensation: The pay ranges from $23.60 – $34.09 per hour, depending upon qualifications and experience. This is a full time non-exempt position. MAPA reserves the right to hire at an appropriate level.

Benefits: MAPA offers generous employee benefits including but not limited to:

• Major Medical Insurance
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Paid Annual Leave and Sick Leave
• 13.5 Paid Federal Holidays
• Heartland B-Cycle Corporate Membership
• Employer Contributions to Retirement
• Tuition Reimbursement & Professional Development
• Flexible Scheduling

MAPA is the Council of Governments serving a six-county region (Cass, Douglas, Sarpy and Washington  Counties in Nebraska and Mills and Pottawattamie Counties in Iowa). MAPA performs work related to planning, community development, and transportation and other issues of regional significance. MAPA also serves as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), or Transportation Management Area (TMA) for Douglas and Sarpy Counties in Nebraska and the western-most portion of Pottawattamie County in Iowa. As a planner at MAPA, this position will have the opportunity to help shape the future by working on core issues that impact the vibrancy of the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area and its surrounding communities.

MAPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  For more information on MAPA see our website www.mapacog.org.