Transportation Planner II

Boston Planning & Development Agency

** BOSTON RESIDENCY IS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT AND MUST BE MET WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF START DATE **

TITLE: TRANSPORTATION PLANNER II

DIVISION/DEPARTMENT: PLANNING/TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING

GRADE: 6 STATUS: EXEMPT

DIVISION/DEPARTMENT: DEVELOPMENT REVIEW

OVERVIEW

The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) is the planning and economic development agency for the City of Boston. The BPDA plays an important role in shaping the City and making it an even better place to live, work, and connect. The Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff with diverse experiences while continuing to work to build and sustain an equitable and inclusive work environment, where cultural diversity is celebrated and valued. We believe every member on our team enriches our agency and allows us to see a broad range of ways to understand and engage with our city, identify challenges, and discover, design, and deliver solutions.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the direction of the Deputy Director for Transportation and Infrastructure Planning, assist in the department’s activities with regard to transportation planning initiatives, including development review, neighborhood and citywide transportation planning, transportation data management, transportation planning and policy research, and other related projects. Support the transportation planning team in striving to achieve Go Boston 2030 goals to increase transit, walking, biking and other sustainable modes. Work requires the ability to evaluate transportation planning challenges, to analyze and interpret transportation planning issues, to communicate clearly in written, verbal, and graphic form, and to operate effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team.

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The general duties and responsibilities of the position are included in but not limited to the information listed below.

Transportation Planning:

• Work with the BPDA Planning Department staff to implement the vision and goals of Imagine Boston 2030, Go Boston 2030 and Boston Complete Streets Guidelines, by proactively guiding equitable growth in Boston, creating new places to live and work, improving quality of life, increasing affordability, and fostering more sustainable, equitable transportation choices. Provide multimodal transportation planning expertise and technical support to BPDA Divisions and Departments, and to other City agencies.
• Provide multimodal transportation systems analysis support. In particular, demonstrate a thorough understanding of and experience with the typical industry standard approaches to network capacity analysis utilizing lead software programs for network modeling.
• Assist with data collection and management to inform land use, employment and population models for the evaluation of future transportation projects and policies.
• Provide transportation expertise to the BPDA development review (Article 80) process. Influence and modify future development to mitigate transportation related impacts on all modes. Incorporate best practices into site designs and their adjacent improvements/impacts to the public realm. Assist in coordinating development review with senior BPDA staff, the Boston Transportation Department and the Public Works Department.
• Assist in representing the BPDA on the topic of transportation functions of other City and State agencies, particularly on participation in planning studies; and the planning and implementation of transit and roadway projects.
• Assist in representing the BPDA regarding the activities of the Boston Transportation Department, the Public Works Department, MassDOT, Massport and the MBTA including in particular the planning and design of transportation projects; the development and maintenance of neighborhood transportation and parking programs; and the development and maintenance of neighborhood models through which policies are explored and developed.
• Assist in staffing the City’s involvement with the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).
• Participate in planning initiatives for specific city neighborhoods and citywide projects. In this connection, meet with representatives of various City agencies, community or civic groups, business/commercial organizations and other involved parties to obtain information about their needs and concerns; provide staff support to project committees. Work with consultant teams hired by the BPDA other City Departments for specific projects.
• Research, write and compile reports, briefings, correspondence, memorandums, etc.
• Develop and prepare materials for meetings and presentations.
• Assist in managing special projects as assigned by senior BPDA staff.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Article 80 Development Review:

• Review Article 80 project filings (Project Notification Forms, Draft Project Impact Reports, and similar documents) to identify and summarize transportation issues and possible improvements.
• Draft feedback and comment letters on Article 80 project filings for review by senior staff.
• Track status of Article 80 large projects including stage of review, key deadlines and transportation staff assigned, and assist the team in workflow management.
• Assist in conceptualizing site re-designs for transportation elements, including site design, cross-section designs, ROW usage, curbside management, pedestrian/public realm accommodations, bicycle facilities and transit components.
• Coordinate and participate in various meetings with internal and external stakeholders, including Boston Transportation Department, Public Works Department, and the Disabilities Commission to discuss the Agency’s position on projects.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Work requires the completion of a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning or a closely related field with a minimum of 2 years of experience in urban transportation planning or equivalent related experience. Candidates holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Studies, transportation engineering, or a closely related field with a minimum of 4 years of experience as a planner may also apply. Prior knowledge of multimodal transportation planning and familiarity with zoning and land use policies and regulations as well as familiarity with Federal, State and City agencies involved in transportation and infrastructure are preferred. Strong written and verbal communication skills are an essential requirement; strong computer graphic skills are desired. Full command of Microsoft Office programs is required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Assemble and manage data and information required for land use planning and transportation analysis.
• Knowledge of the standard approach to multi-modal transportation network analysis.
• Familiarity and interest in progressive multi-modal transportation strategies, policies and programs.
• Basic design skills relative to transportation infrastructure, the public realm and site design.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience in Adobe Creative Suite, PowerPoint or similar software to design and assemble presentations, reports and graphical representations.
• Experience with data and database management.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to exercise independent initiative as well as work well in a team environment.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants are required to submit one work sample that illustrates strong analytical, graphical and written communication skills. Work samples should be combined as a single PDF with the applicant's cover letter.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Office Environment, possible site visits and attendance at evening meetings.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Little or no exertion; occasional local travel.

** BOSTON RESIDENCY IS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT AND MUST BE MET WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF START DATE **