Regional Transportation Planner

The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) is seeking a highly motivated and skilled professional to join our team as a Regional Transportation Planner. This dynamic position offers a unique opportunity to turn innovative and inspiring concepts into real-world applications to address congestion and other major transportation challenges. This is an ideal position for an individual who is interested and passionate in travel demand modelling and data analytics. Join us in developing a more sustainable, equitable, and safer multimodal transportation network for all.

SALARY: Starting at $85,000 (Depending on qualifications and experience)

BACKGROUND:

NVTA is a regional governmental entity dedicated to long-range transportation planning. Through a dedicated revenue stream, NVTA invests in multimodal transportation solutions to reduce congestion across the region. NVTA is comprised of an enthusiastic team committed to improving transportation in Northern Virginia.

NVTA's primary responsibilities include updating TransAction, the long-range transportation plan for Northern Virginia and adopting a significant funding program, typically valued in excess of $600 million, every two years.

In just over a decade, NVTA has directly invested $3.8 billion in transportation projects spanning transit, rail, roadway enhancements, technology, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and intersection/interchange improvements, across the Northern Virginia region.

Through the combination of NVTA's Regional Revenue and Local Distribution Funds, NVTA's investments to projects such as this are expected to:

create 42,000 new jobs, with 90% remaining in Northern Virginia save 400 million hours of travel time by 2035, and provide $6 billion in monetary savings for Northern Virginia taxpayers.

NVTA staff work closely with Northern Virginia counterparts including the four counties and five cities, as well as the region's five largest towns, and transit agencies, including Virginia Railway Express (VRE), OmniRide, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), and numerous other regional partners and stakeholders.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Transportation Planning

Develop, as part of a team, updates and amendments to TransAction, the region's long-range, multimodal transportation plan. This includes supporting project evaluation and public engagement activities, and coordination with jurisdiction/agency staff and NVTA's external consultants as needed.

Engage in other region wide transportation planning initiatives, including planning for a regional Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. Represent NVTA as a stakeholder in the development of state, regional, and local plans such as VTRANS, the Constrained Long-Range Plan, jurisdiction Comprehensive Plans, Transit Development Plans, and transit agency plans/operating plans.

Transportation Programming

Perform critical roles in the development of NVTA's funding program called Six Year Program. This includes soliciting and reviewing project applications, aiding in evaluations, and preparing reports for NVTA meetings.

Oversee progress of projects receiving NVTA funds with respect to approved project description, schedule and reimbursement requests. This may include review of requests for proposals by member jurisdictions and other agencies, use of NVTA's Program Information Monitoring and Management System (PIMMS), enhancement of online project reporting using interactive mapping and/or GIS, and development of a congestion trend monitoring program. Collaborate with, and advise, member jurisdictions to ensure adequate understanding on the use of funds provided by HB Review member jurisdiction use of funds to ensure compliance with HB 2313, conferring with the CFO of any known or possible problems. Examine and critique initial requests for project reimbursements from jurisdictions and implementing agencies and coordinate with NVTA Finance Team on those requests. Ensure the CFO is informed of potential changes to project expenditure schedules that could provide warning signs of project progress or notice of project acceleration.

Transportation Technology

Facilitate and support the implementation of the NVTA's Regional Multimodal Mobility Program (RM3P) project. This includes coordination with project partner, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), and numerous public and private sector stakeholders across Northern Virginia.

Collaborate with the Principal, Transportation Planning and Programming, in the development and execution of Transportation Technology Committee (TTC) activities. This includes development of Committee deliverables as inputs to the development of TransAction and other NVTA work products. Lead content creation of Driven by Innovation, NVTA's monthly eBlast on emerging transportation technologies and related transportation behaviors. Coordinate the annual Northern Virginia Transportation Roundtable, jointly hosted by NVTA and the Intelligent Transportation Society of Virginia.

Coordination

Collaborate with the Principal, Transportation Planning and Programming, in the development and execution of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), and the Planning Coordination Advisory Committee (PCAC), and Planning and Programming Committee (PPC) activities. This includes development of agendas (in collaboration with respective committee chairs), developing meeting minutes, and providing staff support.

Actively participate as an NVTA member of the Regional Jurisdiction and Agency Coordinating Committee (RJACC). In coordination with the RJACC, manage the development and tracking of Federal Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds. In collaboration with the chair of RJACC, coordinate NVTA plans and programs with external agencies (e.g., VDOT, VDRPT, VPRA, WMATA, VRE, NVPA, NVTC, PRTC, and TPB). Assist with preparing responses to comments received by the NVTA during public outreach efforts.

Analytics and Reporting

Develop and analyze data for NVTA's annual reporting activities. NVTA is required to submit an annual report each November to the Joint Commission on Transportation Accountability (JCTA). The NVTA also produces an annual report on its transportation planning, programming and funding activities, building on the JCTA annual report.

Support the development, implementation and utilization of in-house modelling capabilities. Drive the development of interactive mapping/GIS capabilities and congestion trend monitoring. Support the implementation of long term benefit analysis guidelines.

PREFERRED CHARACTERISTICS:

Self-starter comfortable working with considerable responsibility with minimal supervision. Ability to effectively schedule and plan multiple priorities with long and short term projects. Ability to interact at varying levels of authority and function as a liaison with internal and external parties. Effective public speaker and communicator. Experience in working with multiple agencies and engendering cooperative relationships. Experience and ability to work with elected leaders and within a political environment. Ability to communicate with elected and appointed officials, prepare clear briefings, charts and information papers for various audiences; ability to clearly communicate technical information to the general public. Ability to work with advisory committees and the general public, to include environments in which they may disagree with staff recommendations. Experience and ability to support event management.

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of a bachelor's degree in relevant field, e.g., transportation planning, transportation engineering (with transportation planning experience), public administration (with transportation planning experience), environmental science (with transportation planning experience). A minimum of two years related professional experience in metropolitan transportation planning is preferred. Appropriate internships maybe substituted for professional experience. Demonstrated knowledge/experience in any of the following is desirable: Relevant models, e.g., travel demand and air quality models, and simulation tools. Transportation technology. Transit planning and operations Transportation dashboards. Transportation performance measures. Relevant planning software programs, e.g., statistical analysis packages, electronic spreadsheets, database management, computer graphics, geographic information systems (GIS), simulation tools and models. Developing meeting agendas, leading meeting discussions, preparing meeting summaries.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

It is preferred that NVTA staff live in Northern Virginia. Reimbursable local travel should be anticipated. Evening meeting commitments will occur.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work will typically be performed in a quiet, office environment. Support to Authority (and potentially committee) meetings will be in a public meeting environment. Authority and committee meetings are often conducted during evening hours. Attendance at other regional evening meetings may be required. During periods of public engagement, evening and weekend work may be required.

NVTA staff currently work in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with the remaining portion of the week working remote. Each employee has an individual hard walled office.

Application Information

NVTA participates in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS). In addition, the Authority offers comprehensive medical and dental insurance, vacation and sick leave, life insurance and continuing education opportunities. Additional information regarding the Authority can be found at

This position is open until filled. To apply or ask questions, please send a cover letter and resume to

The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation or disability.