Employee primarily engages in technical planning support work as staff for the Northern Middlesex Metropolitan Planning Organization (NMMPO) primarily funded by and in coordination with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), and other funding sources including but not limited to the Lowell Regional Transportation Authority and other local, state and federal entities.

Job Responsibilities:

• Performs and provides advanced professional level planning and project work assisting with the administration of the regional transportation planning program designed to achieve the region's transportation goals, including highway, bridge, Vision Zero, Complete Streets, and bicycle/pedestrian planning and projects
• Assists in development of Federal Certification documents including the regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), and the Long-Range Transportation Plan (RTP)
• Maintains current knowledge of local, state and federal transportation planning issues
• Collects, organizes and analyzes data for the region’s transportation projects, studies and activities, including traffic count data, crash data, and pavement condition inventories
• Performs field work including traffic counts, turning movement counts, parking utilization counts, crosswalk and bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure audits
• Performs technical analyses and calculations, in accordance with standard and accepted transportation planning and engineering standards and practices
• Maintains and updates transportation-related databases
• Develops and prepares transportation-related technical studies and reports, either independently or via managing a project consultant
• Presents to community and business groups and engages the community as part of transportation plans and projects
• Responds to inquiries from the public, member municipalities, and state and federal agencies regarding NMCOG’s transportation planning projects
• Participates in transportation-related technical committees, advisory committees, working groups and task forces, as appropriate
• Attends evening meetings as required
• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Required Skills

• Knowledge of transportation programs, policies, and funding sources
• Familiarity with the MPO and transportation planning processes
• Strong technical, writing, and oral communication and public presentation skills
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with member municipalities, advocacy groups, consultants, and the public
• Knowledge of computer programs and applications, including Microsoft Office Suite, econometric modeling, and database management
• Familiarity with GIS and spatial analysis software programs and applications
• Data collection and analysis, both quantitative and qualitative
• Managing projects, time and project load appropriately
• Maintaining professionalism and diplomacy
• Ability to work independently
• Knowledge of or experience with Highway Capacity software, pavement management software, and Adobe Creative Suite preferred but not required

Education and Experience
Candidates must have either a Bachelor's degree in planning, engineering, public policy/management, or a closely related field and at least 3 years of relevant experience; or a Master's degree in one of the above listed fields plus at least 2 years of relevant experience. A Master's degree and/or significant additional experience is required for the Planner II position. Ideal candidates will have three to five years of professional experience in planning or engineering, with regional planning or MPO-related experience.
 

Licenses, Certifications, and Equipment

• A valid driver’s license is required
• AICP certification preferred but not required

The position is open until filled and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to nmcogjobs@nmcog.org. Candidates selected to interview may be asked to submit a sample of relevant writing or work product. Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the US and a valid driver's license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. NMCOG participates in E-Verify, which is a federal program that helps us to determine work eligibility in the United States.

NMCOG offers excellent Massachusetts state employee benefits and a flexible, hybrid work environment. NMCOG is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.