Project Manager, Transit Priority

MBTA; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The MBTA is seeking a Project Manager in Transit Priority Planning to improve bus travel time and reliability through effective project management and stakeholder engagement. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in transportation planning and traffic engineering, and will excel in managing complex infrastructure projects, ensuring they meet requirements and timelines while engaging with the community.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience in transportation planning, engineering, or construction management.
• One year of supervisory or lead experience managing large projects.
• Experience with managing public engagement and infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of transit priority projects.
• Manage design and engineering consultant contracts.
• Coordinate project activities with multiple departments and stakeholders.

Skills

Customer Service

Conflict Resolution

Negotiation

Time Management

Analytical Skills

Organizational Skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in civil engineering, urban planning, public policy, or related field

Master’s Degree in a related subject substitutes for two years of experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Slack

Job description

The Project Manager in Transit Priority Planning supports the MBTA’s Transit Priority Group and reports to the Director of Transit Priority. The Transit Priority Group is within Operations and improves bus travel time and reliability by implementing capital improvements to municipal and other roadways.

The Project Manager is directly responsible for initiating new projects based on bus delay data and, with the cooperation of internal and external stakeholders and leadership, coordinating municipal engagement, including managing the implementation of transit priority projects within those municipalities. Candidates with experience in traffic engineering and/or signal design are especially encouraged to apply.

• Lead conceptual design activities, advancing transit priority designs for bus lanes, busways, traffic signals, and changes to streets and intersections that put bus riders’ needs first.
• Manage design and engineering consultant contracts to ensure project and program requirements are fulfilled, and that contract cost and schedule requirements are met.
• Lead the development project scopes, budgets, and schedules as part of the capital planning process.
• Manage the procurement of consultants and contractors, as required.
• Negotiate project assignments, task orders, amendments, change orders, and make recommendations for approval.
• Represent the MBTA and Transit Priority Group with clear, concise, and timely communications at public forums/meetings, including occurrences that may be outside regular work hours
• Coordinate project tasks with MBTA Capital Delivery Department colleagues, including contract administration, field staff, and other project coordinators, as required.
• Coordinate project activities with colleagues across the MBTA, including but not limited to Bus Operations, Systemwide Accessibility, Information Technology, and others.
• Manage reporting of activities in compliance with FTA/FHWA requirements.
• Manage coordination of activities with outside entities (e.g., institutions, residents, abutters) as required.
• Lead the creation, negotiation, and execution of interagency and municipal agreements (e.g., MOUs) and other third-party agreements.
• Prepare for and make project presentations to elected officials, community groups, and others as necessary.
• Work independently in addressing complex tasks in a time-sensitive environment. Follow up on actions required for task and project completion while seeking guidance as necessary.
• Respond to each inquiry, whether from a customer, vendor, or co-worker, in a courteous and professional manner consistent with the Authority's Customer Service quality standard.
• Lead approvals process including but not limited to environmental permits and approvals, real estate actions, and approvals, force accounts (e.g., utility, traffic, railroad operator).
• Organize and prioritize workload, and be proactive in identifying project needs and requirements. Prepare project-related correspondence, reports, charts, and presentations utilizing Microsoft Word, Excel, Database, and PowerPoint.
• Uphold the rights and interests of the Authority while building and maintaining an effective relationship with employees.
• Visit work sites and/or attend off-site meetings, occasionally outside of usual workdays and hours as necessary.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Supervision

• None

• A Bachelor’s Degree in civil engineering, urban planning, public policy, public administration, construction management, facilities management, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Five (5) years of experience in transportation planning, engineering, construction management, or a related field
• One (1) year of supervisory or lead experience managing large projects
• Experience with managing public engagement, planning, and/or infrastructure projects, including planning studies, design/construction, and public agency coordination
• Experience communicating with customers, employees, vendors, contractors, designers, public officials, and/or municipal, state, and federal agencies
• Demonstrated customer service, conflict resolution, negotiation, and communication skills
• Effective organizational, analytical, quantitative, and time management skills
• Proficiency with office productivity software such as Microsoft Office, Slack, and similar applications

• A Master’s Degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in Project Management, may substitute for one (1) year of experience.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution in Civil or Traffic Engineering or City/Regional Planning, Architecture, Urban Design, or Landscape Architecture.
• Master's Degree from an accredited institution in Engineering or City and Regional Planning, Architecture, Urban Design, or Landscape Architecture.
• Five (5) years of experience in the planning, design, and/or construction of infrastructure, roadway, or transit projects.
• Registered Professional Engineer in Civil or Traffic Engineering (e.g., PE or TE license).
• Demonstrated experience working on municipal or state-level projects.
• Experience with traffic signal design, TSP strategies
• Demonstrated area of specialization, including at least two years of verified experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Traffic engineering and/or signalization plans (including transit signal priority)
• Service planning/scheduling
• Civil engineering and construction management
• Active transportation planning and design
• Accessible/universal planning and design
• Complete streets planning and design
• Community engagement, stakeholder facilitation
• Demonstrated experience with FTA and FHWA grant programs.
• Familiar with MBTA and MassDOT rules and regulations regarding project delivery, environmental requirements (MEPA/NEPA), and permitting.
• Familiar with NACTO, MassDOT, AASHTO, ADA, and MBTA standards.