Transportation Modeler - Engineer

Central Pines Regional Council; Durham (NC); Hybrid; USD 83,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Health, dental, vision, life insurance

5% 401(k) employer contribution

Paid vacation & sick leave

Retirement plan

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

Central Pines Regional Council in Durham, NC, seeks a Transportation Modeler - Engineer to support the Comprehensive Transportation Plan, ITS projects, and forecasting tasks within the TW TPO planning area. The role blends technical modeling, data analysis, and project management, with a focus on delivering accurate forecasts and cost estimates.

You will collaborate with agencies, consultants, and the public, prepare reports, present to officials, and travel regionally as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field required; master's preferred.
• 5+ years of professional experience in traffic studies, ITS, modeling, or related areas.
• Equivalents in graduate education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Provides support for the CTP, CMP, and other programs and plans.
• Leads ITS projects and planning activities.
• Develops forecasts, conducts traffic simulations, and analyzes data.
• Manages projects, budgets, and schedules; communicates with stakeholders.
• Collaborates with agencies, consultants, and the public; presents to officials.

Skills

Python

C++

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Master's degree in civil/ transportation engineering or related field

Tools

TransCAD

VISSIM

TransModeler

Synchro/SimTraffic

GIS

Job description

Transportation Modeler - Engineer

Durham, NC / Hybrid

Who We Seek:

The successful candidate is a self-starting team player who enjoys collaborating with others as well as working independently. The ideal candidate takes initiative, is highly organized, and can manage technical tasks and projects with accuracy and professionalism. This position is responsible for providing model applications, forecasting and traffic analysis, infrastructure cost estimates, project management, and other technical support for projects, studies, programs, and plans within the TPO area. This position is housed at Central Pines Regional Council (CPRC), falls under the leadership of the TPO executive director and reports directly to the manager of modeling and technical analysis.

Our Organization

Triangle West serves the western part of the Research Triangle region, home to Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina Central University (NCCU), and the Research Triangle Park. TW TPO is responsible for planning and programming all modes of transportation including highways, public transit, freight, bicycles, and pedestrians. We are forward-thinking; our work is regionally based, but community focused. We provide training, support and mentorship to develop our staff. We formulate and implement plans that will improve life quality and reflect our member communities’ collective vision.

Description of Work:

The selected individual's responsibilities and activities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• provides support for the Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP), the Congestion Management Process (CMP), and other programs and plans.
• leads Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) projects and planning activities.
• provides support for transportation studies and projects, such as NCDOT Express Design projects and TW TPO special studies; reviews and/or prepares forecasts and infrastructure cost estimates; analyzes the model results and policy-related data; conducts traffic simulation studies and testing scenarios; and reports model results.
• analyzes highly technical data; develops and makes recommendations for technical projects; reviews work and the work of others to ensure accuracy; prepares, maintains, and/or reviews technical and other reports, records, and documents.
• supports the planning team’s work advancing safer roadway designs.
• manages projects and studies; evaluates and recommends project priorities; determines project scope; identifies study/project cost and budget; monitors staff or consultant work and participation in project; reviews deliverables and makes recommendations for improvements; and ensures adherence to project schedules, budgets, and other applicable regulations, policies, and procedures.
• collaborates with stakeholders by working closely with agencies, transportation authorities, consultants, and the public; communicates project plans, addresses concerns, and ensures that transportation projects align with community needs and expectations.
• may prepare and present material to elected officials, TW TPO Technical Coordinating Committee, as well as lead the work of staff and/or interns to include monitoring and directing work activities, managing schedules, mentoring, and coaching.

This position will require some regional travel to attend meetings and perform work in other locations around the TW TPO planning area.

Education & Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, applied mathematics, or another related field is required. A master’s degree in civil engineering, transportation engineering, transportation planning, or a related field is preferred.
• At least five (5) years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas: traffic studies and analysis, intelligent transportation systems, congestion Management Processes, travel demand modeling and traffic forecasting, transportation infrastructure design and cost estimates, and transportation planning. An equivalent combination of graduate education and directly related professional experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• PE licensure is highly desirable.
• Experience in travel demand modeling, traffic forecasting, and traffic analysis, particularly using TransCAD, VISSIM, TransModeler, and/or Synchro/SimTraffic.
• Python and C++ coding experience.
• Experience in Geography Information Systems (GIS).
• Experience working with Intelligent Transportation Systems and/or Congestion Management Planning.
• Experience in road safety audits.
• Experience in transportation infrastructure design and cost estimates.

The candidate must have strong project management and communication skills to thrive in this position.

Salary & Benefits:

Hiring range: $82,996- $99,800

• 5% increase after serving a 6-month probation period.
• Position range: $82,996- $138,059
• paid vacation and sick leave
• NC Local Government Employees’ Retirement System
• 5% 401(k) employer contribution
• 100% employer-paid health, dental, vision and life insurance
• health spending account
• flexible spending account for child/dependent care expenses
• hybrid and flexible work schedules

Our organization

CPRC is a member-driven organization serving as a leading resource to connect communities and enhance their strategic priority outcomes through regional policy, collaboration, and technical assistance at the local, regional, and state level. See the kind of work we do and learn read more about CPRC’s vision, mission, organizational principles, core values, and strategic focus areas at www.centralpinesnc.gov.

CPRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and designated Best Workplace for Commuters.