TransportGooru

Job Title:  Transit Data Planner I

Job ID:  118658

Date Closed: 12/04/2012

Business Unit: Charlotte Area Transit System

Full/Part Time:   Full-Time

Regular/Temporary:  Regular

Image Courtesy: Google Images – Click to apply

It is the mission of the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) to improve the quality of life for everyone in the greater Charlotte region by providing outstanding community-wide public transportation services while proactively contributing to focused growth and sustainable regional development. The Transportation Planner I accomplishes this by utilizing transit operation data to support the implementation of service enhancements to CATS’ existing and future transit services. The Transportation Planner I analyzes information received from transit technology systems, i.e. Automatic Vehicle Locators (AVL), digital cameras, Automatic Passenger Counters (APC), GIS information and other databases, to develop route and service change plans. Proficiency in GIS applications and knowledge of database applications is highly desirable. Knowledge of transit practices is preferred.

Responsibilities:

• Conducts ongoing performance and cost analysis of existing transit services and make recommendations for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of bus services.
• Assists in the preparation and development of detailed transit planning reports, programs, and documents.
• Assist in the preparation of service change and service planning activities.
• Participate in the monitoring and reporting on the performance of CATS bus routes and overall system performance.
• Assist in the development and analysis of CATS Route Performance Program Reports.
• Participates in the development and maintenance of comprehensive bus stop databases.
• Collects statistical data and assist in report preparation.
• Responds to citizen and customer inquiries by explaining policies and/or investigating service issues.
• Conducts field evaluations and assessments, and participates in special projects as required.
• Some transit scheduling work is required.
• Coordinate and attends public and departmental meetings.

Minimum Qualifications

Requires a BA or BS degree in planning, geography or related field. Excellent verbal and written skills are required as the position coordinates aspects of database flow across functionary departments. Must be able to work flexible schedule. Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test, a criminal background check, DMV report and be eligible for a City Driving permit.

 Click here to apply

TO APPLY  Send a one- or two-page letter describing why you are the person for the job with a resume to alex@bicyclecoalition.org

Position available February 1. Applications accepted until the position is filled.

Because there are better ways to get around, the Bicycle Coalition’s Development Director will lead three fundraising teams: major gifts, membership and stewardship/database. These organization-wide teams are working to meet our 2014 strategic plan goals of raising $250,000 in major gifts, doubling membership to 3600 households and engaging our donors in our mission.

We have grown from an annual budget of $200,000 to $1,000,000 in just a few years — mainly through grants and contracts. To sustain our growth, we need to grow the individual support that is the core of our past and future as a membership organization.

Financial support from individuals provides a reliable stream of unrestricted money for our work, demonstrates community support, and produces members who are our best advocates, volunteers and education ambassadors.

Please visit www.bicyclecoalition.org/jobs to apply. Position available February 1. Applications accepted until the position is filled.

PURPOSE AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Making bicycling better through advocacy and education, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia (BCGP) promotes biking as a healthy, low-cost, and environmentally-friendly form of transportation and recreation in ten counties in Southeast Pennsylvania, South Jersey and Delaware.

We believe in better ways to get around and:

• excellence in pursuit of our mission,
• a workplace where every person’s contribution is valued,
• representing the diversity of the community we serve,
• the joy of riding a bike, and
• working hard while still having time for family, friends and bike rides.

The Development Director will lead a team fundraising effort of board members, volunteers, the Executive Director and seven other staff from across the organization. (The Development Director directly supervises two staff.) Our fundraising is composed of three teams (major gifts, membership and stewardship/database) to achieve the goals of significantly increasing major gifts and membership laid out in the 2011-2014 Strategic Plan (you can find the plan at bicyclecoalition.org/about).

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The Development Director reports to the Executive Director. The Development Director will:

• Work primarily out of the Bicycle Coalition office
• Occasionally work outdoors
• Travel to suburban evening meetings as well as several national events a year
• Work some evenings and weekends

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Development Director will:

• Manage budgeting, planning and implementation for all fundraising, including major gifts, membership and stewardship
• In collaboration with the Executive Director and Development Committee of the Board of Directors, implement a major donor campaign raising $250,000 from 400 identified donors
• Develop and implement a membership campaign to double membership to 3600 households over two years
• Manage the stewardship of all gifts, including managing donor data in Salesforce, workflows for acknowledgement, new members, recruiting volunteers and member communications
• Supervise two fundraising staff and lead three staff-wide fundraising teams
• Manage the Bicycle Coalition’s communications plan in coordination with the Policy Director and the Education & Safety Director
• Support the Executive Director and Policy Directors’ work on grant applications and stewardship

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• A strong commitment to the Bicycle Coalition’s mission
• Three or more years of a demonstrated working knowledge of the principles and practices of philanthropy, especially raising money from individuals through membership/annual giving and major gifts
• Ability to communicate effectively with people of all ages, abilities, cultural groups, economic status or sexual orientation
• Ability to lead teams of volunteers and staff not under your direct supervision to achieve well-defined goals
• Experience in managing donor data in an organization-wide database
• Ability to complete work in an unstructured and informal environment with limited supervision
• Problem solving skills, creativity, flexibility and self-motivation
• A professional appearance and manner
• Experience with Microsoft Office
• A personal history of giving

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in making major gift solicitations and coordinating the efforts of volunteers in making solicitations of up to $50,000
• Proven success in growing membership/annual fund giving, especially at an organization with a budget under $2 million
• Supervisory experience, especially leading teams that cross program areas
• Proven success in creating and managing direct mail campaigns
• Experience with online giving and an understanding of how online content and communications drive fundraising results
• Experience with Salesforce

This is an exempt position. Salary commensurate with experience.

The Bicycle Coalition is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, disability, sex or age.

Position Description: 

PURPOSE

The purpose of this position is to help develop, coordinate, implement, and communicate all of the Georgetown BID’s transportation initiatives to make Georgetown more accessible, improve pedestrian, bike, transit, and auto mobility, and improve the perception that Georgetown is easy to get to, around, and from.

RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Works with CEO, Marketing Director, Deputy Director for Operations, and other Staff, Board, and community, stakeholders to develop Georgetown transportation initiatives and participates in all city efforts that contribute to, or impact, Georgetown transportation including: public and private parking, street configuration, signage,
street cars and bus transit, taxi, para-transit, bike, bike sharing, car sharing, curb management, pedestrian experience, transportation marketing, organizing, and
advocacy programs.

B. Specifically:

1. Coordinates the BID’s participation in citywide streetcar program and organizes the BID stakeholder coalition working to bring the streetcar to Georgetown.
2. Coordinates the BID’s participation with the DC Circulator (DC Surface Transit Inc.)
3. Works with research coordinator to collect, update and report Georgetown transportation data including pedestrian counts, vehicle counts, parking statistics, and other relevant information.
4. Coordinates the BID’s activities to improve signage and wayfinding in Georgetown.
5. Oversees the BIDs efforts to develop a retail parking program (both on and off street).
6. Participates in an implementation program to improve Georgetown’s street furniture system. This should be integrated with other programs such as the Circulator and CaBi.
7. Works with city agencies and neighborhood stakeholders to plan and implement performance parking and other transportation programs that improve the experience of coming to Georgetown whether by car, bike, bus, or foot.
8. Works with marketing department to develop and communicate all materials necessary to support this program.

C. In general develops project plans, budgets, and implementation schedules, prepares RFPs for appropriate phases of projects, administers contracts and manages projects to timely completion.
D. Helps identify and secure outside resources to fund both planning and implementation from private, partnership, city and federal sources.
E. Integrates the BIDs transportation agenda into other relevant parts of the BID program.
F. Provides support for other Georgetown projects upon request of the CEO.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Georgetown dc day (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Transportation Director reports to the CEO and works closely with all other staff members.

SCOPE

• Manages interns and consultants only.
• May represent the Georgetown BID to the city and Georgetown stakeholders on transportation issues.
• Exercises high level of initiative, independence, non-policy decision making and negotiation and implementation of projects.
• Develops budgets, and expends funds as approved for specific line items.
• Makes recommendations on major expenditures.
• Integrates transportation with other departments and organizations of the BID.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 4-years of experience in the field of transportation, urban planning or related field.
• Strong written communication skills, including preparation of RFPs, and/or detailed reports.
• Excellent verbal communication skills including public speaking, facilitating and negotiating skills.
• Demonstrated skills in strategic planning.
• Experience managing multiple tasks to bring projects to timely completion.
• Basic analytical skills
• Bachelors degree required (preferably in related field of transportation, urban planning, public administration, public policy or related field). Masters degree preferred but not required.

SALARY
Competitive and comes with an excellent benefits package.

TO APPLY
Please send resume and cover letter to:

Transportation Director Search
Georgetown Business Improvement District
1000 Potomac Street NW
Suite 122
Washington, DC 20007

You can also send your resume or questions to: jobs@georgetowndc.com . Please put “Transportation Director Search” in the Subject line.

BACKGROUND
The Georgetown BID is a 12 year-old publicly chartered non-profit organization dedicated to making Georgetown cleaner, safer, more user-friendly and more vibrant. . The Georgetown BID runs a variety of programs including marketing the neighborhood as a unique shopping, dining, and historic destination, keeping the streets and sidewalks clean and passable; improving the streetscapes with plantings and street furniture; collecting and disseminating economic development research; and improving transportation access and mobility throughout the area. The organization has a $3.1 million annual budget and 17 employees and full-time contractors. For more information visit our web site at www.Georgetowndc.com.

The Georgetown Business Improvement District provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, non-job-related disability, veteran status, genetic information or other protected group status. In so doing, we are committed to ensuring that all employees and applicants for employment are afforded an equal opportunity to pursue job opportunities to the fullest extent possible with the organization. Decisions on employment, promotions, opportunities for personal development, compensation and benefits reflect our commitment to furthering the principles of the Georgetown BID’s equal employment opportunity policy.

This Job Announcement, and any application submitted pursuant to it, is not an offer of employment or an employment contract.

Whether you are an Armani-wearing CEO of a company or a khaki-clad clerk building spreadsheets, we all prefer a little bit of comfort when we travel.  For some of us tired of traveling via the commercial airlines after enduring the hassles of a long check-in lines and TSA checkpoints, the alternative could be charter jets. Gone are the days when chartered jets are meant for the moneyed class. Today anyone can rent airplanes by the hour and travel quickly and conveniently. Of course, the price of travel is a bit higher compared to the commercial aviation options but none of the conventional air travel services can even come close to what is offered by the charter jets in terms of flexibility, comfort and ease.

Let’s first understand how it works. Airplane charters work very much the same way as car sharing services like ZipCar that allow you to rent cars by the hour via the internet. If you are a big city resident, you may have already seen/used car sharing services like ZipCar that allow you to rent cars by the hour via the internet. All you need is an account with the rental company and you can instantly make reservations over a smartphone/ computer whenever you need to rent a car. Once you finish using the car, you can return them to the nearest station and walk away. Airplane charters work very much the same way. Companies like JetCharters have made it quite easy for today’s wired traveler that he/she can now book chartered flights (sign up for an account when you are on the website) over the phone or via the internet using a smartphone/tablet/computer, very much like booking a car. Travelers arriving at the site are presented a simplified interface that requires trip information such as trip type, number of passengers, departure and destination airports of choice, preferred time and date for departure/arrival.

Travelers don’t have to always book a round trip flight. Based on the needs and affordability, a traveler can book a one way trip or a multi-leg trip stopping over in various airports. The hourly rate is dependent on the aircraft class. Aircraft hourly rates are dependant on aircraft size. There are three common size classes, based on cabin dimensions: light or small jets, mid-size or medium jets, heavy or full-size jets (and not to forget the air ambulances). JetCharters, one of the market leaders in the business, offers a wide selection of aircrafts ranging from small jets like a Beechjet400 (seating for six or seven passengers) to large jets like Gulfstream Legacy 600 and even a full-sized Boeing737 that can accommodate up to 172 passengers. An additional offering available under this service is the air-ambulance which could be very useful for transporting passengers with medical conditions.

So, how much it typically cost to rent an airplane by the hour? According to Chief Executive Air light jets typically cost around $2,500 per flight hour, mid-size jets cost around $3,200 per flight hour and heavy jets cost on average $4,500 per hour and up. In addition to flight charges, the charterer is responsible for all charges incurred during the trip, including over-night charges, landing fees, International fees (if you are traveling outside the country), catering and flight-phone usage.   One of the leading companies in the market, Planemasters, has taken out all the hassles and published a simple matrix showing the hourly rates for each type of plane they have on fleet.  If you would like to get smart about the details of chartering costs for a typical trip, I recommend that you check this blog. 

Source: Planemasters.com

Charter jets workout much cheaper if you are traveling with a group because the cost you are paying for renting a particular aircraft can be divided per passenger.  Let’s say if you are planning to fly a large group, say 10, of your friends/family to a wedding in Vegas (or a board meeting in Los Angeles) and the whole thing costs you $20,000.  If you work the calculator, you can easily figure out that it costs only $2000 per person, which might be slightly more than what each of you would have paid for a first class ticket. Now, how often can you have the whole plane for just you and your wedding party? And when you have it why not get the fun started before you even arrive at your destination. One of the major and attractive features of charter jets is the ability to arrive at even the hard to reach small towns without having to worry about catching connecting planes and missing baggage.

Often, small towns and communities are not conveniently located near a large airport, but air charters opens up more travel options with smaller airports across the region. Another benefit to choosing an operator through JetCharters is that there are no repositioning fees and travelers only pay for the distance they travel (ImagineAir and Kavoo are just two of the many licensed operators offering travel options through JetCharters.com). Also, air charters can be a great way to travel shorter distances while avoiding busy highways and roadways and it offers an increased amount of flexibility with travel schedules.  Planemasters, a Chicago jet charter company that is one of the largest executive charter companies in the entire Midwest, sums it up nicely on its website showing what you get for your $$ – service, flexibility, freedom, and control.  You can bet every traveler on this planet would like to the sound of “We’re on Your Schedule.”

In today’s uber-connected world where people even rent out their spare bedrooms by the day (i.e., AirBnB), it doesn’t come as a surprise that some of these individual jet owners are renting out their jets they bought for personal use. Instead of parking it at an airport and using it occasionally to fly to a meeting or a family get together, private aircraft owners can rent out their airplanes via JetCharter by signing up as operators. So, an aircraft owner can make significant chunk of change instead of having it parked in a hanger and collecting dust.

NetJets come to India…. (Photo credit: Mark D. Martin India)

Chartered planes business is fast expanding and is considered one of the hottest sectors for many investors. With a squeezed out commercial aviation network and a congested surface transportation system that is barely meeting the demand, many business travelers are looking at chartered jet travel as a viable alternative, partly because of the flexibility, convenience and swiftness. You know a business is hot when investment guru Warren Buffet swoops in with his war chest and buys private jet operator.  Looking at the demand and the potential for massive growth in this global market, Mr. Buffet’s company Berkshire Hathaway bought Net Jets, which sells partial ownership interests in business jets, about a decade ago. More recently NetJets announced plans to spend up to $9.6 billion on as many as 425 new planes, which should be a good indicator for how much demand is there for these jets.

Doesn’t matter how we analyze it, commercial airline services are no match for the convenience of a chartered plane . Imagine arriving at private terminal with our friends after avoiding crowded security lines of commercial airports and boarding the jet that are awaiting your party, eating & drinking whatever you like (i.e., catered food and not that stale over-priced sandwich you are used to). Wouldn’t that be a great way to get things rolling for that wedding in Las Vegas or that weekend in Bahamas?

**This blog post was sponsored by Straight North and JetCharters**

Related articles

• NetJets Inc. Launches Cutting-Edge, New Website
• CEOs Seeking Global Range Tilts Market to 8000-Mile Jets – Bloomberg
• Bombardier lands a massive order for its aircraft which will secure the jobs of its employees in Belfast. Adrienne McGill reports
• Jet Charter Ny: Ensuring Flight Safety
• Renting a Private Jet Charter
• “Uber for airplanes” BlackJet takes to the skies with celeb investors including Ashton Kutcher

via YPTransportation.org

This position is located in the Innovative Program Delivery office (HIN), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Washington, D.C. The Financial Analyst will serve as a member of the TIFIA Joint Program Office (JPO), one of five teams within HIN. The ideal candidate for this position will bring specialized experience in budget and accounting to apply the principles of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (FCRA), as interpreted through guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to manage the TIFIA program funds appropriated by Congress. Working with the budget and accounting staff from the FHWA and the Office of the Secretary, as well as outside technical advisors, you will prepare TIFIA’s annual budget submission, calculate the subsidy cost of each TIFIA transaction, prepare apportionments, collect payments from applicants and borrowers, and ensure that all financial events are recorded properly in the program accounts. This position is being filled at the GS-11, 12 or 13 level and is located in Washington, DC. Salary range is $62,467.00 to $115,742.00 per year, based upon qualifications.

This Financial Analyst vacancy announcement can be viewed at: FHWA.HIN-2013-0002: DEU-Open to all US Citizenshttps://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/331226200 and

FHWA.HIN-2013-0004: Government Employees only https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/331227500.

In order to be considered, please follow specific application procedures on the announcements.

Application Cut-off: Given our continuing need for professionals in this field, we will routinely review applications and refer the top candidates for potential interviews multiple times during the open period of the announcement. The first cutoff for applications is close of business November 26, 2012, 2nd cut-off is December 26, 2012 and final review occurring after January 24, 2013 (closing date).

A pit stop at the Autrodomo Nazionale of Monza (Italy), during the 2004 Italian Grand Prix, September 12, 2004. The team’s pit crew is refuelling the car and changing tires.

So, how long does it take you/your mechanic at the tire shop to change the tires? Can you get it done in 2.31 secs? I hear you laughing but that’s exactly what it took for a Formula1 team to change all its tires. BBC offers a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes in preparation towards achieving such stellar times. For the record, McLaren is the team that recorded the world’s fastest Formula 1 pit stop during the German Grand Prix in July this year, with a stationary time of 2.31 seconds, while they changed Jenson Button‘s tyres. That’s as much as it takes for me to turn my head at times.

Related articles

• VIDEO: Tech tricks for pit stop perfection
• Lewis Hamilton Overcomes Vettel to Win Inaugural United States Grand Prix
• Brazil Grand Prix 2012: McLaren’s Jenson Button warns of risks at Interlagos

You thought texting while driving was bad? How about running a suite of machines like an office while on the move?  Here is one such case where it blows everything we preach about driver distraction.  Police stopped this above Ford Modeo in Saarland, Germany, for speeding and when they peeped in this is what they saw in the passenger seat – a laptop with docking station, a router and wi-fi antenna tied to a cellular data stick, a printer and a power inverter to keep it all humming.  For what it is worth, the German police  did not issue any citations for the Mondeo driver for any violations . Maybe because he had  his cellphone mounted to the windshield for hands-free use.  yes. That’s right.  He  at least had the sense to leave his cellphone mounted on the dashboard.  (via Motoramic – Yahoo! Autos)

Related articles

• German police stop man with mobile office in car
• Driver running mobile office while behind the wheel
• Forget texting while driving, German police nab man with entire mobile office in car
• German police stop man with mobile office in car
• German police stop man with mobile office in car

via NY Times

After seeing the devastating impacts of torrents of water on New York City subways and highway tunnels during Hurricane sandy, one would be curious to know – how do you stop rushing waters from entering your highway and transit/subway tunnels? Researchers from my alma mater, West Virginia University, have been at it for a while and they have come up with this brilliant solution – an inflatable plug.

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Learn more about it here.

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Related articles

• Creating a Balloonlike Plug to Hold Back Floodwaters
• New York City Subways: Do you believe in magic?
• Sandy: Deaths, Power Outages, and Flooding in the New York City Subway
• How The MTA Plans To Un-Flood The New York City Subway System
• MTA: In 108 Years, The NYC Subway System Has Never Faced A Disaster As Devastating As This

Via Atlantic Cities

How do you tell the story about big agenda issues like environmental impact and emissions in a city like New York? One way to do this is by taking all the relevant data you can get and stitching it together in a graphic format that visually demonstrates the scope of the problem.  Let’ s see how its done.  Let’s start with the problem.

Carbon Visuals and the Environmental Defense Fund created an animation showing giant blue balls standing in for New York’s greenhouse-gas emissions in 2010 (the last year data were available). Each sphere represents one ton of carbon-dioxide vapor. Added up, they represent 54 million metric tons of climate-toasting chemicals, which is the amount of emissions that NYC recorded in 2010.  It is quite arresting when you visually see a huge mountain (Everest-sized) of blue balls blanketing your entire city.  Check it out.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtqSIplGXOA&hd=1′]

Related articles

• Visualizing a City’s Prodigious Carbon Emissions
• These Are the Best Data Visualization Vids of Our Massive Carbon Problem
• This Is What New York City’s Carbon Footprint Looks Like
• Visualising carbon emissions and climate change
• Visualizing CO2
• Video: What does NYC’s carbon footprint “look” like?

(via Ryan Van Duzer)