Assistant Regional Planner

Department of Transportation; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

NYC Department of Transportation seeks an Assistant Regional Planner to support NYMTC activities, foster collaboration along the city periphery, and assist with workflows. The role reports to the Deputy Director for Planning Coordination on the Regional & Long-Term Planning team.

The incumbent will develop expertise in metropolitan planning processes, NYMTC procedures, and federal/regional programs while coordinating with NYMTC committees and managing federally funded regional planning

Qualifications

• Master's degree in transportation engineering, urban planning, or related fields.
• Bachelor's in engineering with relevant roadway/traffic experience.
• Experience with data analysis, planning processes, and interagency coordination.

Responsibilities

• Advise NYC DOT staff on NYMTC regulations, programs, and funding decisions.
• Coordinate cross‑border planning and collaboration with agencies and partners.
• Engage NYMTC committees/work groups to advance priorities and megaprojects.
• Develop/maintain relationships with planners and local officials for joint planning.
• Manage UPWP studies, budgets, schedules, and vendor coordination.
• Support operational, fiscal, and administrative workflows across projects.

Skills

Project management

Communication skills

Intergovernmental coordination

Urban planning

Public administration

Education

Master's degree in transportation-related field

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Associate degree / 60 credits

High school diploma + 6 years experience

Tools

Python

SQL

GIS (ArcGIS/QGIS)

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

* IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION CANDIDATE MUST BE SERVING PERMANENTLY IN THE TITLE, OR BE REACHABLE ON THE LIST.* NYC DOT is seeking an Assistant Regional Planner to support the agency’s engagement with the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC), foster collaborative planning along the city’s periphery, and assist with operational, fiscal, and administrative workflows. The ideal candidate is a highly organized, internally motivated professional with strong project management and interpersonal/communication skills who is interested in transportation planning policy, regional and intergovernmental coordination, public administration, and advancing collaborative solutions to transportation challenges that cross jurisdictional boundaries. Working to support DOT’s goal of ensuring the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of people and goods across NYC, the incumbent will report to the Deputy Director for Planning Coordination on the Regional & Long-Term Planning team (R

The Assistant Regional Planner will develop a strong working expertise in metropolitan planning processes, NYMTC’s planning activities and procedures, and the federal and regional programs through which transportation planning and funding are advanced. The incumbent will support DOT’s participation in NYMTC committees, working groups, and other planning activities while managing federally funded regional planning projects and developing new opportunities for collaboration with neighboring jurisdictions. Working under general supervision with latitude for independent judgment, the incumbent will: (1) Serve as a key technical advisor to NYC DOT staff including its Program, Finance, and Administration Committee (PFAC) representative on NYMTC regulations, programs, and funding matters. Translate federal and regional requirements into clear, actionable guidance to support agency leadership and project managers throughout the project development lifecycle. Coordinate agency-wide collaboration to build consensus on pertinent issues. Actively cultivate opportunities to showcase DOT’s innovative work in regional fora. (2) Engage NYMTC, its member agencies, and other partners to advance NYC’s transportation priorities, including on megaprojects. Actively represent DOT in NYMTC committees and working groups. Contribute to development of the NYMTC-led Regional Transportation Plan and other long-term agency planning objectives. Coordinate DOT’s participation in the September 11th Memorial Fellowship Program, its participation in NYTMC’s annual emissions conformity run, and its use of NYMTC Community Planning Workshop program, including associated public outreach. (3) Develop and maintain relationships with transportation planners and local officials, particularly in jurisdictions adjacent to NYC, to identify opportunities for joint planning, data sharing, technical coordination, and coordinated approaches to cross-border projects. Cooperate with neighboring jurisdictions and regional partners to enhance multimodal connectivity and alignment at the city's periphery. Establish proactive internal frameworks for collaborative planning in neighborhoods that extend across the city’s borders. Represent DOT’s interests in interagency planning efforts, including the current DCP-led White Plains Road Neighborhood Plan. (4) Manage federal planning activities included in the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), including the current Coordinated Planning at the City's Periphery study. Develop work plans and schedules, coordinate internal and external partners, and manage both consultants and deliverables as needed. Maintain operational and fiscal accountability across projects by actively monitoring budgets and preparing comprehensive reports and policy recommendations for agency leadership. (5) Support the operational, fiscal, and administrative workflows that support the full expanse of the R

TRANSPORTATION SPECIALIST - 22316

Minimum Qualifications

• 1. A master's degree in transportation engineering, mathematics, urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture, urban studies, or related physical and social science fields; or
• 2. A baccalaureate degree in engineering from an accredited college and one year of full-time satisfactory experience performing technical work on roadway transportation and traffic studies and area-wide traffic programs; or
• 3. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of full-time satisfactory experience as described in "2" above; or
• 4. An associate degree or completion of 60 semester credits from an accredited college and four years of full-time satisfactory experience as described in "2" above; or
• 5. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and six years of full-time satisfactory experience as described in "2" above.

SPECIAL NOTE: In addition to meeting the minimum Qualification Requirements above: To be assigned to Assignment Level II, the candidate must have an additional year of experience as described in the "Qualification Requirements" listed under "2" above. To be assigned to Assignment Level III, the candidate must have an additional two years of experience as described in the "Qualification Requirements" listed under "2" above.

Preferred Skills

• 1. Experience in community-centered activities, stakeholder engagement, public outreach, intergovernmental coordination, or collaborative planning involving community organizations, local officials, public agencies, or external partners2.
• 2. Experience coordinating projects that involve data-driven planning, public service operations, or transportation analysis efforts3.
• 3. Demonstrated proficiency in data analysis tools such as Python or SQL, GIS platforms such as ArcGIS or QGIS, and/or dashboard development tools such as Power BI or Tableau4.
• 4. Experience managing vendor relationships, data service contracts, or third-party data platform procurement and onboarding or Familiarity with federal transportation planning requirements, including UPWP processes, regional emissions conformity, and MPO coordination5.
• 5. Experience developing or implementing data governance frameworks, internal data documentation standards, or open data initiatives6.
• 6. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to present technical findings to non-technical audiences including agency leadership and external partners7.
• 7. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to the above.

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.