Transit Planner II — Data-Driven Route & GIS Expert

Cota; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 74,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance

Dental Insurance

Paid Parental Leave

Employee Discounts

Bus Pass

Wellness Initiatives

On-Site Chair Massage

On-Site Health Coach

Tuition Reimbursement

Student Loan Repayment

OPERS Pension

Deferred Compensation

Job summary

COTA in Columbus, OH is seeking a Planner II to lead route analyses, service design, and related studies. This role serves as a subject matter expert in data analysis, GIS, and operational feasibility, supporting system-wide planning initiatives.

You will coordinate across departments, present findings, and contribute to Title VI analyses and grant writing, while upholding our core values and mission of moving every life forward.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in city and regional planning, transportation, geography, or a closely related field.
• 3-5 years' experience in transit, transportation planning, GIS, or data analysis.
• Master's degree preferred; equivalent combination considered.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex data collection efforts and independently analyze APC, farebox, on-board, and demographic data.
• Initiate and manage route performance studies and develop service adjustments.
• Design and oversee surveys; analyze results and integrate equity data into analyses.
• Serve as primary contact for assigned routes and represent Planning in meetings.
• Coordinate cross-department planning for temporary/event services and outreach materials.
• Conduct peer reviews and present findings to planning leadership.
• Facilitate public meetings and stakeholder sessions, communicating technical concepts clearly.
• Perform advanced geospatial analyses including accessibility modeling and network analysis.
• Assist on special projects and support grant writing for funding.

Skills

Data analysis

GIS

Stakeholder coordination

Public meetings

Geospatial analyses

Statistical summaries

Education

Bachelor's degree in city and regional planning, transportation, geography

Master's degree preferred

Tools

GIS scripting

Job description

COTA in Columbus, OH is seeking a Planner II to lead route analyses, service design, and related studies. This role serves as a subject matter expert in data analysis, GIS, and operational feasibility, supporting system-wide planning initiatives.

You will coordinate across departments, present findings, and contribute to Title VI analyses and grant writing, while upholding our core values and mission of moving every life forward.