Assistant Transportation Planner

AC Transit is currently seeking candidates for the position of Assistant Transportation Planner in the Planning & Engineering Department. Under direct supervision, this position, provides assistance to Service Planning staff in the development and implementation of service changes by participating in planning efforts and coordinating bus stop adjustments with local jurisdictions and internal stakeholders.  Typical activities include the identification of issues, collection, analysis, and reporting of data; the preparation and presentation of oral and written reports, and general responsibility for planning bus stop changes, including shepherding those changes through the approval and implementation process. Initially, under close supervision, incumbents receive training and learn policies and procedures, specific methods, and regulations relevant to transportation planning. This is the entry, learning level within the classification series. Incumbents in this classification learn the intricacies of transportation planning including applicable laws, rules, regulations.  There are four (4) levels within the Transportation Planner series, which are distinguished from one another by the technical complexity of the assigned duties and the level of discretion and independent judgment exercised.

Positions at this level provide administrative, coordinative support and assist the higher-level transportation planners. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied, complex, and review of the work become less frequent. This classification performs a significant portion of the work assigned to the Transportation Planner (experienced level), but without the level of independence or full responsibility expected of the higher-level classification.

This is an excellent opportunity to work for the largest bus agency in California, make a difference in our local community, and promote AC Transit as a great employer of the East Bay. In addition to working with some of the best in the business, AC Transit also has an excellent benefits package that includes pension, medical, dental and vision coverage, flexible spending, and 457 savings plan.

Representative Functions

Provides assistance as directed for the preparation of a variety of routine to complex transportation planning studies and written reports that may include documentation of service performance, service analyses, recommendations for service enhancements, and discussion of pertinent issues.

Provides assistance as directed to the preparation of transportation and service delivery studies including route analysis, boarding, and alighting studies, and the capital planning process.
Monitors current service levels; identifies potential areas for study, and may prepare cost analysis.

Supports Service Planning aspects of bus stop program including identifying and vetting stop locations for route or service change proposals, shepherding stop and layover proposals through jurisdictional permitting processes, and working with internal stakeholders to translate stop/layover proposals into in-service reality.

Analyzes technical, demographic, economic, and financial data used for assessing route and schedule changes, as well as related service enhancements; and provides expertise to planning staff in the development of recommendations for change.

Collects data, develops and implements surveys,  and may participate in or supervise field studies.
Prepares statistical charts, maps, and other documents to accompany studies, reports, and presentations.

Responds orally and in writing to requests from the public, staff, governmental agencies, advisory committees, and community groups, for information regarding existing services, suggested service adjustments, and long-range planning issues.

Provides assistance as directed to the preparation of oral presentations on transportation and other service-related issues to the Board of Directors, staff, service users, governmental agencies, advisory committees, and community groups.

May meet with local authorities, consultants, and transit groups to exchange transit information, under supervision, and as part of a District planning team.

May work on service delivery projects with consultants, and contractors. 
Attends and participates in a variety of professional meetings and regulatory training; stays abreast of new trends, innovations, laws, and regulations as they relate to the field of transportation planning.
Performs related duties as required.
 

Minimum Qualifications
Education: Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in mathematics, statistics, computer applications, geography, transportation, urban planning, business, public administration, or a closely related field.

Experience: Completion of an internship in transportation planning, or six (6) months experience in a transportation planning environment, or at least one (1) year of experience at a level equivalent to the District’s classification of Senior Transit Scheduler.

Additional Information
Physical Requirements: Must maintain the physical condition necessary to perform tasks in an office setting operating a computer, keyboard, and other peripheral equipment; safely drive a District automobile; and walk, stand, and climb short distances in construction settings in order to inspect the progress of assigned projects.