Transportation Planner (Planner II)

We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that is representative of our diverse community. Applicants with equivalent experience and/or education should apply.

Our hiring managers begin reviewing applications after the Job Posting End Date (see below) and will begin contacting applicants soon after that date. Thank you for your patience as we give each application the time and attention that it deserves.

Job Title:  Transportation Planner (Planner II)

Department: Planning

Hiring Range: $56,599.83 – $69,570.65

Posted Internally and Externally

Job Posting End Date: October 27, 2022

This position will perform professional transportation and transit planning work within the Buncombe County Planning Department to ensure compliance with Federal, State and Local ordinances.

Primary Purpose:

The primary purpose of this position is to exercise limited independence and judgment within the transportation and transit planning specialties and to provide professional work for specific programs related to transportation and transit within the County’s Planning Department.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire):

Bachelor’s degree in a related field and two (2) years of experience in planning or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Training and Experience: Knowledge of NCGS zoning and land use enabling legislation preferred.

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation: AICP preferred

Essential Functions of the position:

• Assist in the preparation of public transportation grant applications.
• Assist in the prepare of compliance, financial and statistical reports and associated supporting documentation for grants.
• Assist in the provision of financial management for federal, state and other grants used to support the public transportation system.
• Assist in the development of requests for proposals for public transportation system contracts.
• Assist in the oversight of public transportation contracts to ensure NCDOT and FTA compliance of public transportation operations contractor.
• Review monthly, quarterly and annual performance, and compliance reports from the public transportation operations contractor and document findings and corrective actions needed.
• Assist in the preparation of National Transit Database monthly and annual reports.
• Conduct on-site reviews of the public transportation operations contractor and documents findings and corrective actions needed.
• Maintain asset inventory for state and federal reporting for vehicles and other transit capital resources.
• Assist in the implementation of the Community Transportation Services Plan and other public transportation plans.
• Assist in the monitoring of public transportation performance indicators for service effectiveness.
• Participate on other public transportation committees and boards as requested or required.
• Serve on the MPO and RPO Technical Coordinating Committees.
• Conduct extensive research in specific or general project areas.
• Write and present formal and technical reports, working papers, and correspondence.
• Conducts public meetings and prepares public presentations.
• Provide technical assistance to other County departments.
• Answer inquiries regarding planning functions.
• Conduct planning studies in transportation and transit specialties
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of transportation and transit planning specializations.
• Knowledge of Section 5307, Section 5310, Section 5311, and other state and federal public transportation and transit grants.
• Knowledge of NCDOT and FTA requirements and laws and an understanding of federal circulars and guidance.
• Knowledge of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Drug and Alcohol Compliance/DAMIS, Title VI, Reasonable Modifications, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), EEO, and their relationship with and requirements applied to public transportation systems.
• Knowledge of MPO and RPO programs and activities involving public transit, highway, pedestrian and bicycle programs.
• Skill in collecting, analyzing and presenting technical data, research findings, reports, and recommendations to elected officials, appointed boards, community groups, and residents.
• Ability to analyze public transportation system data, prepare reports, and recommend methods and strategies to increase public transportation productivity while decreasing public transportation costs.
• Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office, GIS, modeling (transportation, etc.), and database management.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of rural and urban planning.
• Knowledge of governmental programs, laws, grants, and services pertinent to the planning process.
• Knowledge of the environmental and socioeconomic implications of the planning process.
• Knowledge of management techniques as applied to local government administration.
• Knowledge of research techniques and reporting methods.
• Knowledge of the current literature, trends, and developments in the field of planning specialization.
• Skill in the collection, analysis, and presentation of technical data and planning recommendations.
• Ability to organize and conduct complex planning and research studies and to formulate substantive recommendations based on such studies.
• Ability to express ideas effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Skill in conflict resolution and tact.
• Ability to work with the public and articulate planning issues and requirements to a wide variety of audiences.

In order to uphold internal pay parity and equity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current Buncombe County employees. All new employees are paid according to their years of relevant education and experience above minimum requirements for the position and employees have the opportunity to obtain pay increases via cost of living increases and promotions.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee’s unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. In addition, Buncombe County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.

Applicants for employment are invited to participate in the affirmative action program by reporting their status as a protected veteran or other minority. In extending this invitation, we advise you that: (a) workers (applicants) are under no obligation to respond but may do so in the future if they choose; (b) responses will remain confidential within the human resource department; and (c) responses will be used only for the necessary information to include in our affirmative action program. We are a company that values diversity. We actively encourage women, minorities, veterans and disabled employees to apply. Refusal to provide this information will have no bearing on your application and will not subject you to any adverse treatment.