Planner 3 – Transportation Systems Planning Lead

Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County is seeking a Planner 3 – Systems Planning Lead in the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT). The role leads the long-range and system planning program, guiding multimodal plans and corridor studies in coordination with partners and adopted initiatives.

The position manages staff, directs project charters, and aligns planning with capital budgeting and implementation, ensuring consistency with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and six (6) years of planning experience.
• Master's Degree in Planning or related field from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of planning experience.
• Employees must register for supervisory training and complete coursework within 12 months.
• Foreign accreditations are acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Lead NDOT’s long-range and system planning program and oversee staff.
• Manage major planning efforts, including multimodal plans and corridor studies.
• Translate plans into implementable projects and capital budgeting processes.
• Coordinate planning with NDOT divisions and external partners.
• Oversee consultant teams and public engagement through stakeholder presentations.

Skills

Long-range planning

Project management

Staff supervision

Stakeholder coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Planning or related field

Master's degree in Planning or related field

Job description

Position Description

The Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) is seeking a Planner 3 – Systems Planning Lead within the Transportation Planning group in the Transportation Planning and Project Management Division. This position leads NDOT’s long-range and system planning program, including development of multimodal plans, corridor and small area studies, and supporting policies and guidance that shape the department’s transportation investments and priorities.

This role serves as project manager for high-profile planning efforts and provides direction to staff leading other studies. The position is responsible for advancing planning work into project development and capital implementation by integrating recommendations from adopted plans into fiscally constrained work programs and capital budget requests. The System Planning Lead supervises planning staff, including oversight of project charter development, coordinates with internal and external partners, and ensures alignment with adopted plans and initiatives such as NashvilleNext, Connect Downtown, and East Bank planning efforts. Performs related duties as assigned.

Typical Duties

• Serves as project manager for major planning efforts and provides direction and oversight to staff leading other plans and studies.
• Leads NDOT’s long-range and system planning program, including development of plans, studies, policies, and implementation guidance (e.g., multimodal plans, corridor studies, and design or programmatic frameworks).
• Translates adopted plans and studies into implementable projects and programs by defining project scope, limits, and phasing; advancing recommendations into project charters and capital planning processes; and integrating recommendations from multiple plans into fiscally constrained work programs.
• Supervises project development activities by directing staff responsible for project charters, reviewing purpose, need, and scope, and ensuring alignment with planning intent; supports project development beyond the charter phase as needed.
• Coordinates planning efforts across NDOT divisions and external partners, aligning priorities, resolving complex issues, and advancing projects toward implementation.
• Supports regional coordination activities by guiding alignment of NDOT projects with the Greater Nashville Regional Council’s planning and programming processes, including regional transportation planning and funding programs.
• Manages consultant teams by developing scopes, supporting procurement, and overseeing schedule, budget, and deliverables.
• Leads public engagement by presenting planning work to stakeholders, boards, and elected officials and incorporating feedback into project development.
• Develops policies, guidance, and frameworks that connect transportation planning, land use, and capital investment decisions.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and six (6) years of planning experience.

OR

Master's Degree in Planning or related field from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of planning experience.

Employees must register for the Metro Human Resources Supervisory Training Program prior to completion of the probationary period or work test and must complete all coursework within a 12-month period.

Candidates with accreditations earned in a foreign institute are encouraged to apply.

Note: Per Metro Ordinance No. SO94-1078. All employees of the Metropolitan Government shall be residents of the State of Tennessee or become residents of the state within six (6) months of employment as a prerequisite to employment with the Metropolitan Government.

Preferred Experience, Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Experience leading long-range planning efforts, corridor studies, or similar system-level planning initiatives
• Develop planning recommendations and advance them into projects, programs, or implementation strategies
• Experience integrating planning work into capital planning or capital improvement programming processes
• Experience with project development, including defining scope and transitioning work from planning into delivery
• Experience supervising staff or leading the work of others and managing consultant teams
• Coordinate across agencies, disciplines, and stakeholders to advance projects and resolve complex issues
• Understanding of transportation planning principles, regulations, and multimodal design practices
• Strong communication skills, including presenting technical information to diverse audiences

We are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.

Metro Nashville Government respects the religious beliefs and practices of all employees and will make, on request, an accommodation for such observances when a reasonable accommodation is available that does not create an undue hardship on business operations.

Requests for ADA or other protected accommodations for the recruitment process should be directed to Human Resources at 615-862-6640.

Full-time, Civil Service positions

• 10 Vacation Days per year (increasing after 5 years of service)
• 1 Sick Day per month
• 12 Paid Holidays per year

Public Safety - Sworn and Civilian positions

• 20 vacation days per year
• 3 Personal days per year
• 1 Sick Day per month
• 12 paid holidays per year

Part-time, Non Civil Service positions - Visit HR and Benefits webpages for more information.

Full-time, Non Civil Service positions - contact hiring department for benefits information

Seasonal/Temporary positions - no benefits offered.