Transportation Planner

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 79,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is seeking a Transportation Planner to lead planning projects, engage with diverse stakeholders, and guide policy initiatives for regional transportation decisions in the Gateway to meet Port of Vancouver needs. The role involves preparing permit reviews, coordinating budgets, and delivering communications.

Candidates should have 3+ years in transportation planning and a degree in planning/engineering, with experience in ITS and modelling tools.

Qualifications

• University degree in planning, urban geography or engineering with at least 3 years of transportation planning or traffic engineering experience.
• Experience leading engagement and consultation processes to develop transportation-related policies, strategies and plans.
• Familiarity with ITS for Commercial Vehicle Operations and transportation/traffic modelling applications.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct transportation planning projects and studies to improve road and rail access to the Port.
• Prepare reviews of PER permit applications and associated transportation designs and traffic management plans.
• Engage with a broad range of stakeholders including terminals, port tenants, government agencies, and the public.

Skills

Transportation planning

Stakeholder engagement

Policy development

Project coordination

Education

University degree in planning/urban geography/engineering

Tools

Intelligent Transportation Systems

Transportation modelling

Job description

Where your career meets Canada’s future

At the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the work we do matters. Every day, our people help connect Canada to global markets, strengthen supply chains, support sustainable growth, and shape the future of Canada’s largest port.

Detailed Job Description

Where your career meets Canada’s future

At the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the work we do matters. Every day, our people help connect Canada to global markets, strengthen supply chains, support sustainable growth, and shape the future of Canada’s largest port.

If you're looking for purposeful work where your contributions make a difference, you'll find it here - supported by a team that is collaborative, innovative, and committed to excellence.

Why join us

At The Port Authority, We’re Committed To Delivering An Employee Experience That Is As Rewarding As The Work Itself. We Offer

• Meaningful work that contributes to Canada’s trade and economic prosperity
• Opportunities for learning, development, and career growth
• A collaborative and inclusive workplace culture
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits
• Flexible programs that support employee wellbeing and work-life integration

Manage and plan assets with a long-term, public-interest lens – not short-term speculation. Your work balances commercial value, community needs, environmental considerations, and future growth. Decisions here shape how land supports trade, jobs, and regional development for decades.

Build a career with purpose

If you’re looking for work that is meaningful, challenging, and connected to something bigger, we’d love to hear from you. Join us and discover how your career can help shape Canada’s future.

The Transportation Planner is responsible for administering transportation planning and policy initiatives, including port-wide, local area and/or site-specific plans as well as implementing strategies and action plans related to regional transportation decisions in the Gateway to achieve Port of Vancouver transportation needs.

What Success Looks Like

• The Transportation Planner undertakes transportation planning projects and studies that focus on improving road and rail access to the Port, including studies to assess transportation service needs, infrastructure requirements and expansion opportunities. Responds to enquiries from and provides advice and recommendations to staff, Port stakeholders, outside agencies and the public on transportation planning issues and concerns affecting the Port and the Gateway.
• Prepare and complete the transportation review of Project & Environmental Review (PER) permit applications, including the review of transportation engineering designs and construction traffic management plans.
• Participate, in collaboration with other port authority departments, comprehensive engagement and consultation processes involving a broad range of stakeholder groups including, but not limited to, terminal operators and port tenants, local, provincial and federal government representatives, regional agencies, community representatives and the general public in undertaking transportation planning and policy initiatives, including port-wide, local area and/or site specific plans or projects.
• Prepare procurement documents, coordinate internal processes for the approval of budgets, and track budgets to ensure costs are controlled.
• Meet with project proponents and draft agendas, meeting notes, follow-up correspondence.
• Represent the port as liaison with industry, governments, and other stakeholders
• Coordinate the activities of professional consultants to carry out technical work to inform preparation of transportation planning strategies and/or plans.
• Prepare and deliver communication materials including presentations, briefing notes and reports in different forums to internal and external audiences.
• Organize, support and facilitate committee-related activities, including scheduling meetings, preparing briefing materials, documenting outcomes, and tracking action items.
• Monitors external transportation policies, plans, and programs that impact the Port and the Gateway. Representatives VFPA interests in external transportation planning initiatives undertaken by other transportation agencies (including local municipalities, Metro Vancouver, TransLink, Ministry of Transportation, BC Transportation Financing Authorities and Transport Canada) on appropriate occasions to provide a bridging function between VFPA and these agencies.
• Performs other assigned duties as required.

Qualifications

• Must have a university degree in planning, urban geography or engineering, along with a minimum of three years related experience in transportation planning or traffic engineering and experience leading engagement and consultation processes to develop transportation related policies, strategies and plans. Experience working in the commercial vehicle, railway, and/or marine sectors is preferred, and experience with Intelligent Transportation Systems for Commercial Vehicle Operations would be an asset along with a working knowledge of transportation and traffic engineering modelling applications.
• A high degree of initiative, interpersonal skills, and good judgement are required. Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to translate technical concepts into easily understood reports and presentations are required. Must be able to communicate tactfully and positively and is able to forge relationships, influence and advocate VFPA interests with stakeholders, including senior representatives from business and government.
• Must exhibit a strong orientation towards customer service and ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Must be organized with an attention to detail and consistently deliver a high level of accuracy.

Salary:

The starting rate for this position is $57.22 per hour, with scheduled wage progression in accordance with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 517 collective agreement. Based on a 37.5-hour work week.

Location:

Vancouver, Canada

Job type:

Bargaining Unit, Full-Time, Permanent, Hybrid

Working environment:

Normal office conditions with travel to VFPA properties. After-hours participation in public meetings, workshops and other meetings, as required.

Marine Transportation Security Clearance (if Required)

The incumbent must obtain and maintain a valid Marine Transportation Security Clearance as this position is required to access restricted areas/information as defined by the Marine Transportation Security Regulations.

This is Canadian-based employment, and all employees are expected to maintain legal eligibility to work in Canada. Applicants advancing in the hiring process may be subject to technical assignments, psychometric assessments, and/or background checks, including but not limited to criminal record, credit, and/or reference checks.

At the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, we are dedicated to employment equity and a workplace reflective of the diversity of our port community. We believe our strength comes from the diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds of our people. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, including Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities, racialized individuals, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and other equity-deserving groups.

Reasonable accommodation can be provided in the selection process and while working with the port authority. If you require assistance with applying to our openings or are seeking accommodations to apply in an alternative format, please contact us through a confidential, secure inbox at [e-mail]. We are committed to supporting your needs and will do our best to provide the necessary assistance.

We recognize and acknowledge that we are located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. To learn more about our First Nation relations and commitment to reconciliation, please visit our website.