Transportation Planner

Clearpath; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

RPA is seeking a Transportation Planner to analyze data across transportation, energy, housing, and climate policies for the NY-NJ-CT metro region. The role reports to the Vice President for Transportation and collaborates with staff on a range of projects in a nonprofit urban planning setting.

The position emphasizes equitable, healthy, and sustainable cities with hybrid work and in-office collaboration, including 1–2 days weekly in NYC. Salary ranges reflect regional market norms.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree with demonstrated research experience in urban studies, urban planning, environmental sciences, geography, sociology, political science or related fields.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, writing and presentation skills; teamwork experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct statistical, geographic, and policy analysis of plans, programs, data, and reports on demographic and economic trends, regional land use, transportation, housing, energy trends, and climate and environmental policies.
• Provide technical support on research projects and advocacy campaigns and conduct research on climate, energy, housing, transportation, and land use policies at local, state and federal levels.
• Organize, maintain, and visualize a diverse array of datasets.
• Draft memos and reports.

Skills

GIS

Python

R

LLMs

Microsoft Office

Google platforms

Adobe Creative Suite

JavaScript

Data visualization

Analytical writing

Education

Master’s degree in urban studies/urban planning/environmental sciences or related field

Tools

ArcGIS

QGIS

Python

R

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

The successful candidate will conduct research and analyze data across the fields of transportation, energy & environment, and housing to help inform urban planning policy recommendations spanning the New York metropolitan region, which includes New York City, Long Island, Hudson Valley, Northern New Jersey, and Southwestern Connecticut. The position reports to the Vice President for Transportation and works closely with all staff on a variety of projects.

We are looking for people who share our passion for fostering equitable, healthy, and sustainable cities and communities. We encourage a challenging, collaborative, and fun work environment. We also believe in work-life balance.

Responsibilities

• Conduct statistical, geographic, and policy analysis of plans, programs, data, and reports on demographic and economic trends, regional land use, transportation, housing, energy trends, and climate and environmental policies.
• Provide technical support on research projects and advocacy campaigns and conduct research on relevant climate, energy, housing, transportation, and land use policies at local, state and federal levels.
• Organize, maintain, and visualize a diverse array of datasets.
• Draft memos and reports.

Qualifications

Candidates should have a master’s degree with demonstrated research experience, preferably with a concentration in urban studies, urban planning, environmental sciences, geography, sociology, political science, public policy, economics, statistics, civil engineering or other relevant fields. Excellent organizational, analytical, writing and presentation skills, as well as experience working in teams, are essential.

Candidates for the Transportation Planner position should have a minimum of two to five years professional experience showing increasing responsibility and should be able to take initiative and balance multiple projects and responsibilities. Advanced proficiency with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Python and R (or relevant statistical and coding language) and LLMs is essential. Likewise, proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google platforms is expected and required. Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite and JavaScript is a plus.

This position is based in New York City, with some flexibility in work from home opportunities. Salary range is $65,000 - $95,000 annually commensurate with experience. RPA provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits package.

This position is hybrid, consisting of a combination of remote work, in-person meetings and events, as well as 1-2 days per week in RPA’s NYC office in Lower Manhattan.

ABOUT RPA

RPA is an urban planning nonprofit, non-partisan organization that conducts planning, research, and advocacy to prepare the NY-NJ-CT metro region for the challenges of the next generation. These include major infrastructure, urban planning, housing, environment, and climate policies and investments.

RPA is based in New York City, with offices in Newark, NJ, Princeton, NJ, and Stamford, CT. The organization encourages a challenging, collaborative, and fun work environment. We believe in work-life balance and value diversity and equity.

Employment and promotional opportunities are equal opportunity without regard to race, color, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected class as established by law.