Principal Planner, Subregional

C001 New Jersey Institute of Technology; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) seeks a Principal Planner, Subregional, to guide subregional planning studies, coordinate with municipal and state agencies, and lead data-driven analysis addressing land use, accessibility, resiliency, and safety.

The role oversees the Subregional Studies Program (SSP) and Subregional Transportation Program (STP), supports program solicitation, and collaborates with Finance and Administration to ensure compliance with federal guidance,

Qualifications

• Master's degree in planning, environmental studies, public policy, engineering, or related field.
• Five years of city/ regional/ transportation planning experience including project management.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative and technical guidance for Subregional Studies Program.
• Coordinate with the Senior Planner, Subregional Programs, in administering the Subregional Transportation Program.
• Manage or support planning studies, conduct analysis, and contribute to deliverables and advisory committees.
• Contribute to research, analysis and writing for the Long-Range Transportation Plan and related initiatives.
• Prepare and present data, graphs and maps to boards, committees and public audiences.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Teamwork

Continuous improvement

Organizational awareness

Creativity/innovation

Initiative

Education

Master's degree in planning or related field

Job description

Title: Principal Planner, Subregional

Department: NJTPA- Long Range Transportation Plan

Reports To: Dir, Long Range Trans Planning

Position Summary

This position will have lead oversight and guidance for a variety of planning studies undertaken by subregions. These studies are data-driven, have extensive stakeholder and public participation, and involve agencies at the municipal, regional, and state levels. Studies also include components to address coordinated land use and transportation, access to economic opportunity, environmental quality, resiliency, and safety. See https://njtpa.org/ssp/ for examples of current and previous studies.

The incumbent will also be responsible for the program solicitation and reporting processes and will work with the Finance and Administration Division to ensure that studies comply with federal guidance. The NJTPA operates this program in compliance with 2 CFR 200, Federal Uniform Administrative Requirements.

Additionally, the incumbent will, as requested, conduct and collaborate on a variety of planning efforts to advance NJTPA's regional planning agenda to address priorities identified in Connecting Communities. This includes, but is not limited to, contributing to the plan's update, which occurs every four years.

Essential Functions

• Provide administrative and technical guidance for all aspects of the NJTPA's Subregional Studies Program (SSP), working closely with various NJTPA functional divisions, NJTPA subregions, and partner agencies such as NJ TRANSIT and the NJ Department of Transportation.
• Coordinate with the Senior Planner, Subregional Programs, in the administration of the Subregional Transportation Program (STP)
• Manage or support NJTPA planning studies, conduct analysis, provide input on draft analysis, and create other deliverables. Serve on technical advisory committees for special studies and projects.

Additional Functions

• Contribute to the research, analysis and writing for the Long-Range Transportation Plan, and other initiatives
• Contribute to the writing and presentation of graphs, data, and maps and make presentations to Board of Trustees, standing committees, the subregions, central staff, and the general public as needed
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Accomplishment Aptitude

Establishes and follows through on a systematic course of action for self or others to assure accomplishment of a specific objective. Determines priorities and allocates time and resources effectively, producing desired results at the level expected for the position.

Achievement/Goal Orientation

Demonstrates a concern and aptitude for achieving or surpassing results against an internal or external standard of excellence, showing passion for improving the delivery of services with a commitment to continuous improvement.

Essential Characteristics

• Creativity/Innovation: Generates novel and valuable ideas and uses these ideas to develop new or improved processes, methods, systems, or services.
• Initiative: Evaluates, selects, and acts on various methods and strategies for solving problems and meeting objectives within parameters of position before being asked or required to do so; self-directed rather than passively complying with instructions or assignments.
• Teamwork/Team Orientation: Willingly cooperates and works collaboratively toward solutions that generally benefit all involved parties; works cooperatively with others to accomplish departmental and university objectives.
• Continuous Improvement: Continually seeks and achieves incremental improvements in work processes, results, and capabilities.
• Range: Adapts while maintaining high-quality performance and continued focus in challenging situations of a varied nature, calling upon differing and sometimes competing competencies.
• Communication: Demonstrates the ability to clearly express ideas, thoughts, and concepts verbally and/or in writing, as appropriate to the position and task at hand.
• Professionalism: Conducts oneself at all times in an ambassadorial, committed, and personable manner, demonstrating respect for the position, fellow colleagues, departmental integrity, and the university's best interests.
• Organizational Awareness: Understands the agendas and perspectives of others, recognizing and effectively balancing the interests and needs of one's own group with those of the broader organization

Prerequisite Qualifications

• Graduation with a master's degree in planning, environmental studies, public policy, engineering, or a related field.
• Five (5) years' experience in city planning, regional planning, and/or transportation planning, including project management.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least one year of experience at a metropolitan planning or other regional planning organization preferred.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) preferred but not required.
• Background or willingness to learn federal g