Want a chance to work on some of the most innovative regional transit policy and funding issues? Your analytical and communication skills is needed at the premiere transit organization in Northern Virginia.

As part of its Transit Fellows program, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) seeks a Policy Fellow, full time for a term of six months, renewable for up to a year. This fellowship provides a professional development opportunity for mid-career t

A PRTC OmniRide bus in Arlington, Virginia operating the Lake Ridge express route. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

ransportation specialists as well as college graduates and graduate students. Successful applicants will gain in-depth knowledge of transit policy and funding issues and will serve a key role in tracking and analyzing federal and state policy including legislation, policy and planning. The Policy Fellow will draft issue briefs, prepare presentations, as well as write policy memorandum, newsletter articles, web content and special reports for the Commission and its stakeholders. Specific activities include: supporting briefings of policy makers on key transit issues, analyzing legislation related to transit and the Commission, participating in the planning and execution of NVTC’s annual briefing of the General Assembly and NVTC Commission Meeting in Richmond in February, and staff support of the Executive Director. The responsibilities will include local travel and some evening commitments.

MINIMUM AND PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• College graduates, graduate students or mid-career professionals
• Bachelor’s Degree in policy, government, journalism, transportation planning, public administration, economics, policy or related area
• Demonstrated interest in public transportation or transportation planning and policy development
• Strong writing and analytical skills
• Ability to work in a small office/team oriented environment

Duration of the appointment is six months and is a renewable for six months. Priority will be given to applicants who can begin their fellowship quickly.

WHO SHOULD APPLY:

Fellowships are awarded to professionals with a strong understanding of transportation policy, finance and transportation funding and/or public outreach. Graduate students and mid-career professionals are encouraged to apply.

COMPENSATION:

The Fellow will receive compensation consistent with compensation guidelines of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation and will be eligible for transit benefits.

HOW TO APPLY:

Send cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample to Colethia Quarles at transitfellows@nvtdc.org. The cover letter should describe the applicant’s objectives in pursuing the fellowship. Please highlight particular skills, knowledge or interests as it relates to a demonstrated interest in the Commission’s work, familiarity with federal or state legislative and policy issues, and experience or knowledge in public outreach. Please note your availability at the top of the cover letter.

Applications can also be mailed to:

Colethia Quarles
​Transit Fellowship Program
​2300 Wilson Blvd., Suite 620
​Arlington, VA 22201

DEADLINE:

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until a candidate is selected.

ABOUT NVTC:

NVTC has a small staff located in offices in the vibrant Court House area of Arlington. NVTC is a leading expert on performance metrics and transit finance, coordinates regional planning studies and evaluations, partners with other regional entities including the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. NVTC encompasses six cities and counties, a commuter rail service, six bus systems including MetroBus, Metrorail and the Vanpool Alliance.

The Department of Transportation Planning of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments is seeking a Planner II or III to work with a small team responsible for public involvement and communications. The successful candidate will be a part of the Program Coordination Team, which supports the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB), the federally designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the Washington, D.C. region. The TPB plays an important role as the regional forum for transportation planning in the National Capital region.  The TPB prepares plans and programs that the federal government must approve in order for federal-aid transportation funds to flow to the Washington region.

A successful candidate will perform professional-level planning activities with a focus on enhancing and maintaining communications and public outreach efforts.  Activities are likely to include:

• Improve external visibility of the TPB.
• Assist with long-range planning activities, such as scenario planning and development of a regional priorities plan, with a focus on public involvement and communications.
• Provide staff support to TPB activities and committees.

Please see the full job description below, which includes information on how to apply:  http://www.mwcog.org/resources/opportunities/detail.asp?JOB_ID=282

Job at a Glance

• Job Category: Transportation Planning
• Job Level: Mid I (1-4 years)
• Salary Range: $45,286-$66,406 DOQ
• AICP Certification: Not Required

Job Description

• Transportation Planner II (Grade 6): $45,286-$60,369
• Transportation Planner III (Grade 7): $49,814-$66,406

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS:

The Department of Transportation Planning of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments is seeking a Planner II or III for the Program Coordination Team. The Program Coordination Team supports the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB), the federally designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the Washington, D.C. region. The TPB plays an important role as the regional forum for transportation planning in the National Capital region, and prepares plans and programs that the federal government must approve in order for federal-aid transportation funds to flow to the Washington region. The successful candidate will perform professional level planning activities on a wide range of activities, such as:

(1) Support the development, analysis and documentation of the Financially Constrained Long Range Transportation Plan (CLRP) which could include:

• Updating regional maps showing the major projects in the CLRP;
• Analyzing travel demand data to describe the performance of the plan and creating clear and concise charts and graphics;
• Writing content for websites, brochures and reports; and
• Providing website support for on-line public comment periods.

(2) Assist with regional transportation and land use scenario planning which could include:

• Analyzing additional scenarios with travel demand output data, developing high-level maps and graphics, and writing reports and website content; and
• Conducting cost-benefit analysis of additional transportation and land use scenarios.

(3) Support the environmental consultation and mitigation efforts, which could include:

• Assisting with efforts to meet federal requirements for environmental consultation on the development of the Financially Constrained Long Range Transportation Plan (CLRP) with environmental resource agencies which includes research, data collection, mapping of natural resources and transportation projects and getting feedback from environmental agencies;
• Researching climate change and adaptation issues for MPOs; and
• Assisting with expanded environmental consultation activities such as helping form a task force to better coordinate transportation and environmental planning and the research for and creation of a toolkit on advanced mitigation;

(4) Provide staff support to the other TPB activities and committees as needed, such as:

• Quarterly meetings of the TPB Regional Taxicab Regulators Task Force and the Access for All Advisory Committee;
• Assisting with the monthly TPB electronic mail-out;
• Developing regional transportation grant applications; and
• Promoting regional bike sharing.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Requires (1) knowledge in the principles and practices of metropolitan transportation; knowledge in environmental planning or science a plus; (2) strong software skills in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), ArcGIS, and the Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Photoshop); experience with travel demand modeling software and Microsoft Access a plus, (3) strong analytical and writing skills; presentation skills a plus; and (4) ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees, elected officials and the public.

Transportation Planner II: Requires a master’s degree in urban planning, environmental or natural science, public administration, or an appropriate related field and two years’ of working experience in planning or a related field. Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, analytical and writing skills, and abilities will be considered.

Transportation Planner III: Requires at least three years’ working experience in planning or related field, and master’s degree in urban planning, environmental or natural science, public administration, or an appropriate related field. Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, analytical and writing skills, and abilities will be considered.

Contact Information

Phone 202-962-3200
Fax 202-962-3715
Email resumes@mwcog.org
Website www.mwcog.org
Postal Address Human Resources – MWCOG
777 North Capitol Street
Suite 300
Washington, DC 20002

Full Time Regular Positions

• DTP-1101 Transportation Planner II or III
• DTP-1034 Transportation Planner II or III

Internships

• IDTP-1035 Transportaton Planning Intern

About MWCOG:  COG is a regional organization of Washington area local governments. COG is comprised of 21 local governments surrounding our nation’s capital, plus area members of the Maryland and Virginia legislatures, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives.

COG provides a focus for action and develops sound regional responses to such issues as the environment, affordable housing, economic development, health and family concerns, human services, population growth, public safety, and transportation. (Click here to learn more about MWCOG)

About COG’s TPB:  The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) is the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the region, and plays an important role as the regional forum for transportation planning. The TPB prepares plans and programs that the federal government must approve in order for federal-aid transportation funds to flow to the Washington region. (Click here to learn more about the TPB and its role in shaping the region’s transportation)

Editor’s Note: Good luck.