MetroBike has the following job opportunity:

Bikeshare Planner

MetroBike, LLC is an internationally known bikeshare consultancy and the first of its kind in North America. Established in 2004, MetroBike has a client list which includes local and federal governments, non-profit and for-profit organizations, and universities.

MetroBike is hiring a full-time Bikeshare Planner in the Washington, D.C. region to assist with planning for the Capital Bikeshare system.

Responsibilities of the job include:

• analysis of potential bikeshare station sites;
• work with local government bureaus, federal agencies, private property owners, and civic associations to obtain input on proposed station sites;
• develop a concept drawing for each station site;
• coordinate construction of pads and bulb-outs on top of which stations will be installed;
• direct station installations, relocations, expansions, and contractions with the operator;
• coordinate signage, markings, and delineator placement; and
• analyze data and write reports.

 Qualifications:

• college degree in planning, transport, engineering, or related field, advanced degree a plus;
• bicycle facility design experience;
• 3 – 5 years of related experience;
• excellent communication and organizational skills;
• strong analytical and problem solving skills;
• basic graphic design skills; and
• passion for bikesharing and urban cycling.
• GIS skills are a plus.

Compensation:

The salary range for this position is $60,000 – $65,000. The benefits package includes paid time off, health, and a retirement plan that is matched by the company.

To be considered for this role, send your cover letter and resume to hello @ metrobike.net. This position is open until filled.

Details here: http://www.sfcta.org/senior-transportation-planner-planning

SUMMARY

The Transportation Planner Series, Planning Division, includes three levels of professional Transportation Planners who manage planning and corridor studies and other planning projects, facilitate community outreach efforts, and represent the Transportation Authority on technical and policy advisory groups.

The Senior Transportation Planner is the intermediate level of the Transportation Planner Series, Planning Division. The Senior Transportation Planner is responsible for assignments that are highly complex and sensitive in nature, where substantial judgment and initiative are essential in making recommendations and resolving problems. The duties specified below are characteristic of the range of duties and responsibilities assigned to this position, and not intended to be a comprehensive listing.

REQUIREMENTS

Completion of a graduate degree in an appropriate discipline such as transportation planning or civil engineering; and three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in transportation. Basic research methods and database management techniques; proficiency with standard computer spreadsheet, word processing, presentation and internet software; and statistical and computational analysis principles and methods; and advanced knowledge of transportation planning principles, techniques and methods; transportation funding and finance; and capital project development phases. Knowledge in planning and developing freeway managed lanes concepts and vehicle pricing strategies desired.

Download a PDF with complete job description and qualifications.

ANNUAL COMPENSATION RANGE

$88,680–$119,712 (depending on experience), plus excellent benefits.

Salary is effectively higher since the Transportation Authority offers employer contribution to a retirement plan in lieu of Social Security.

In addition, the Transportation Authority offers a generous cafeteria-style benefits package, elements of which include, but are not limited to:

• Retirement: Up to 8.5% employer contribution
• Insurance: Health, dental, life, and long-term disability. Medical and dependent care pre-tax reimbursement accounts.
• Vacation: Three (3) weeks of vacation per year during the first five (5) years of service
• Holidays: 11 holidays per year, plus 3 personal holidays
• Up to $130 per month in Commuter Checks or $20 per month bike benefit.

SUBMISSION

Send cover letter (indicating where you saw this job posted) and resume via email (jobs@sfcta.org), fax (415.522.4829), or mail:

RE: Senior Transportation Planner, Planning
Attn: Human Resources
San Francisco County Transportation Authority
1455 Market St., 22nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94103

This position is located in the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), Policy, Planning Sustainability Administration (PPSA). The incumbent is responsible for formulating transportation and transit planning documents for the District of Columbia’s (District) transportation network which advance the safe and efficient movement of people, goods and information along the public rights-of-way to improve the District’s environmental quality, economic competitiveness and quality of life for its citizens. See PDF document below for more info.

This chart, via Jennifer Keesmaat, shows the important nexus between the infrastructure design and public health.. As evident from the chart, when it comes to building healthy communities the United States has a long way to go in catching up with their counterparts and the huge (no pun intended) disparity in % of obese people shows how unhealthy we are as a nation.

Health implications of city design: more walking, cycling and transit means less obesity + chronic disease (via @jen_keesmaat on Twitter)

Spurred by this tweet, I went looking for data on healthcare spending in the US vs. other OECD countries. Sigh! The chart below shows how much we spend on health compared to other countries (slightly older data).  If we spent a few billion dollars on building more walking/biking/transit infrastructure instead of building more highways and encouraged more people to walk/bike/ride transit, may be we don’t have to incur such an expensive medical bills after all.  Despite all the evidence, our lawmakers seems to be favoring the highway lobbies (and the optics of ribbon cutting for new highways) but talk endlessly about healthcare spending every election cycle!

U.S health spending vs. other countries

Here is a snapshot of the US health spending, according to the OECD:

• Health expenditure per capita: $8,713
• Expenditure as a pct. of GDP: 16.4%
•  Obesity rate: 35.3%
• Life expectancy: 78.8 yrs

“Health spending in the United States (excluding investment expenditure in the health sector) was 16.4% of GDP in 2013, well above the OECD average of 8.9% and the next highest spenders – the Netherlands (11.1%), Switzerland (11.1%) and Sweden (11.0%). The share of GDP spent on healthcare has remained unchanged since 2009 and health spending growth has matched economic growth. The share of government spending in the United States as a share of total spending on health has increased from around 44% in 2000 to above 48% by 2013. Over this period there has been an increase in health coverage for the population – in 2006, Medicare Part D, a voluntary drug benefit programme for seniors and certain disabled persons was introduced.

Smart Growth America is seeking a Transportation Program Manager to help communities across the country better coordinate land use and transportation policies. This person will deliver technical assistance to state agency staff, work with town and city leaders across the country, and advocate on transportation policy and program issues with members of Congress.

Position description
An ideal Transportation Program Manager will be a technical expert, personal connector, and outstanding project manager. This person will be a transportation engineer by training with an in-depth knowledge of the integration of transportation and land use policy and practice; performance measures; project selection, development, design and delivery standards and procedures within a DOT; and the funding, rules, and policies governing DOT planning, project development, and project delivery. They will also have specific knowledge of Complete Streets, and experience designing and delivering multimodal transportation projects.

Responsibilities
The Transportation Program Manager will be responsible for working with DOTs, MPOs and City or County DOTs and public works on a wide range of land use and transportation issues. That includes helping those agencies to adopt and implement Complete Streets policies and practices; adopt performance measures; and improve return on investment from transportation projects across a number of criteria including economic, health, equity, and environmental measures. This position’s work may also include leading studies, reports, and trainings on these and other topics and policy issues. This person will act as lead on many of these projects, so experience managing staff, budget, and grant timelines is preferred. Additional responsibilities will include:

• Lead technical assistance for state DOTs, MPOs, and City and County DOTs;
• Conduct research, develop policy positions, write policy papers, and inform transportation advocacy efforts;
• Act as lead or team member for technical assistance efforts to local governments, state governments and other SGA technical assistance efforts;
• Assist on other projects where specific transportation expertise is needed;
• Manage program staff, budget, and grant deliverables;
• Help market the transportation program;
• Conduct limited fundraising; and
• Speak publicly before elected officials, transportation professionals, and the general public.

Requirements
This position requires a self-starting, detail-oriented engineering professional with excellent writing, oral communication, research, technical, and organizational skills. A successful applicant will also have the following:

• A degree in civil engineering;
• A professional engineering license in at least one state;
• Experience working at a state or local DOT;
• Basic computer literacy in word processing and Microsoft Excel;
• The ability to work in teams;
• The ability to manage their time to accommodate multiple assignments from different project leads; and
• A dedication to delivering high quality work.

Compensation, location and time frame
Salary commensurate with experience. This is a full-time position based in Washington, DC. Benefits include health insurance, 401(k), and paid vacation and sick time. This position will report to the Transportation Program Director.

How to apply
Please send a resume, cover letter, three references, and two short writing samples (no more than two pages each) to jobs@smartgrowthamerica.org, with “Transportation Program Manager” in the subject line. Applications will be accepted immediately on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Equal Opportunity Employment
Equal opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at Smart Growth America. Employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law.

AMTRAK in Washington DC is looking to hire a new Senior Manager, Service Planning and Costing. Click here for a direct link to the application and additional information.

Photo by Loco Steve

This position is responsible for leading the route and service change evaluation process and the development of state corridor payment forecasts and charges. It directly supervises a Lead Service Planner and two Senior Service Planner positions that assist in these efforts. The position manages cross-functional and inter-department teams to develop accurate cost and contribution impact forecasts. It also provides, both in written and presentation form, evaluation results and recommendations to senior management and external customers.

To qualify, you must have a Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Economics, Transportation, Business, Public Administration, Accounting or related field and 10 years of related work experience or an equivalent combination. Prefer: Master’s degree in Planning, Economics, Transportation, Business, Public Administration, or related field or other related advanced degree.

Amtrak offers a competitive benefit package and salaries commensurate with experience. Submit your application online atwww.amtrak.com/careers.

Amtrak is committed to equal employment opportunity for all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other protected characteristic.

via YPTransportation.org

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Long Range Planning Division is accepting applications for a Community Transportation Planner 1 position in the Long Range Planning Division’s Office of Community Transportation, located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Application for the Community Transportation Planner 1 position requires completion and submission of the following three items:

• Letter explaining applicant interest in the position
• Resume that is a maximum of two pages
• Written responses to the four application questions below

The three items should be emailed to Ms. Suzie Howard, Suzie.Howard@tn.gov, by 4:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time on Thursday, February 12, 2015.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A Bachelor’s Degree in Planning or related field from an accredited college or university and at least two (2) years of planning experience

Or

Master’s Degree in Planning or related field from an accredited college or university

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Long Range Planning Division Community Transportation Planner 1 will assist in the Division’s development and implementation of strategies that coordinate the State’s land management and transportation infrastructure needs.

• Assists in the development of guidelines for coordination of land use and transportation decisions between state and local entities.
• Assists in the development of rural regional transportation plans, major thoroughfare plans, corridor management agreements, and statewide access management plans.
• Provides technical assistance to local community partners, Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Rural Planning and Consultation Organizations.
• Participates in regular collaborative opportunities with metropolitan transportation planning organizations, rural transportation consultation organizations, cities, and counties.
• Reviews new and established federal, state, and local plans and policies and makes recommendations for implementation.

This position will require occasional statewide travel.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

(Please use a separate sheet for each question.)

When answering the application questions, you should use examples of work related experiences. If you do not have appropriate work related examples, non‐work related examples are acceptable.

1. Describe two or three major trends in transportation and land use planning.
   • Do you see any of these trends in Tennessee?
   • What are some of the biggest challenges coordinating land use and transportation?
2. Give an example of a transportation planning idea or improvement that you had and how did it make a difference in the community that you were serving?
3. Give a specific example of a situation in which you had to deal with conflict when working with the public.
   • Describe in detail how you handled both the person(s) and the situation.
   • How did this affect the overall outcome of the situation or issue?
   • How did you document and communicate the outcome?
4. Provide a few detailed examples of professional and/or self‐improvement skills that you developed or enhanced over the past two years.
   • Were these skills prerequisites of your current position?
   • How have these skills assisted you in the performance of your current job responsibilities?

Please contact Ms. Tanisha Hall, Director, Long Range Planning Division, at Tanisha.Hall@tn.gov with questions about the position openings. 

Position Summary: The Bicycle Program & Transportation Communications Coordinator will coordinate the bicycle management program on campus, and identify opportunities to enhance bicycle safety initiatives. Based on benchmarking from other universities, recommend new and innovative bicycle programs for the campus community. Engage students and employees in bicycle planning. Serve as alternative transportation representative on university and/or locality committees reviewing bicycle programming and/or safety. Provide GIS data collection and mapping for alternative transportation and other Parking and Transportation units. Coordinate campus notices, news stories and special features for the Alternative Transportation program as well as other Parking and Transportation units for review by the division communication manager.

Photo by cbowns

Required Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in urban planning or public administration or equivalent training and experience. Demonstrated experience with alternative transportation modes (with an emphasis on bicycling). Working knowledge at the proficient level of GIS software, including ArcGIS, to record and analyze data, and make useful maps. Demonstrated experience analyzing and summarizing data in a variety of formats. Excellent customer service skills. Extensive computer experience and proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel. Experience using illustration and desktop publishing software such as Adobe CS/5. Ability to complete numerous projects and details simultaneously and accurately. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience working in university setting. Experience preparing press releases. Experience developing bicycle programs. Experience working with advocacy constituents.

For a complete listing of position qualifications, and to apply, please visit www.jobs.vt.edu, and search for posting SW0150063. Review of applications will begin 2/09/2015.

Click here to learn more and to apply