Transit Planning Specialist II

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

Job summary

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) seeks a Planner II to lead route analyses, service design, and technical studies. You will apply data analysis, GIS, and feasibility to support system-wide planning initiatives and corridor studies, reporting findings to leadership.

You will collaborate across departments, manage stakeholder meetings, and contribute to Title VI analyses, service standards, and grant readiness, advancing COTA's mission of moving every life forward.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in city and regional planning, transportation, geography, or a related field, with 3–5 years' transit/GIS/data analysis experience.
• Master's degree preferred in city and regional planning, urban planning, geography, business, or related fields.
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Lead advanced data collection and analysis of APC, farebox, on-board, and demographic datasets with monthly/annual reporting.
• Manage route performance studies and develop service adjustments with formal proposals.
• Design surveys and field programs; analyze results and integrate equity data into Title VI analyses and decisions.
• Serve as primary contact for assigned routes; coordinate with stakeholders and prepare public materials.
• Coordinate cross-department planning for events, manage schedules and resources, and create outreach materials.
• Conduct research and present findings to planning leadership to support policy decisions.
• Facilitate public meetings, stakeholder sessions, and interagency groups with clear technical communication.
• Perform geospatial analyses including accessibility modeling and network analysis; GIS scripting preferred.
• Assist with special projects like Bus Stop improvements, data management, and grant preparation.

Skills

Data analysis

GIS

Data collection

Stakeholder coordination

Education

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

Master's degree preferred in planning, geography, business, or related fields

Tools

GIS scripting

Data analysis tools

Job description

The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) seeks a Planner II to lead route analyses, service design, and technical studies. You will apply data analysis, GIS, and feasibility to support system-wide planning initiatives and corridor studies, reporting findings to leadership.

You will collaborate across departments, manage stakeholder meetings, and contribute to Title VI analyses, service standards, and grant readiness, advancing COTA's mission of moving every life forward.