Transportation Planner 2 (40 Hour) (Office of Rail, Capital Planning Unit)

State of Connecticut; Newington (CT); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State Employee Benefits Overview

Professional growth and development

Healthy work/life balance

Award-winning agency

Job summary

The Transportation Planner 2 position at CTDOT's Office of Rail in Newington leads advanced planning and analysis of the state's passenger and freight rail capital program, coordinating with CTDOT bureaus, partner agencies, and federal programs.

The role serves as a working lead and SME on rail infrastructure planning, federal program coordination, and long-range investment strategy development for rail corridors in Connecticut.

Qualifications

• Seven years of professional experience in transportation planning or related field.
• One year of general experience coordinating complex planning projects.
• Substitutions: Bachelor's degree may substitute for part of experience per policy.

Responsibilities

• Lead or coordinate capital planning studies for rail projects.
• Develop planning documentation for Rail Capital Program.
• Assist with federal funding applications and coordinate with partners.
• Support multimodal planning integrating rail with other modes.
• Coordinate with Amtrak, Metro-North, FRA, NEC and MPOs.
• Prepare maps, reports, and presentations illustrating rail investments.
• Maintain the CTDOT Rail Capital Planning Database.
• Represent the Office of Rail in interagency hearings.

Skills

Multimodal planning

Environmental considerations

Interpersonal skills

Written and oral communication

Planning software & models

Data analysis

Regulatory comprehension

Analytical ability

Leadership

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

GIS

Data visualization tools

Job description

Introduction

The State of Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), is accepting applications for Transportation Planner 2 to join the Office of Rail, Capital Planning Unit. The Capital Planning Unit is responsible for leading and supporting statewide rail capital planning activities within the Connecticut Department of Transportation. This position develops, evaluates, and prioritizes passenger and freight rail projects, ensuring coordination across CTDOT bureaus, partner agencies, and federal programs such as FRA Corridor ID and NEC Commission initiatives. The role emphasizes multimodal integration, data-driven decision making, and alignment with the Department’s long-range strategic goals.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Our State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
• Working for an award winning agency! CTDOT was recently awarded the Employer of the Year award by the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers (CSCE) and named the Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS) CT Employer of the Year for 2024!

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• Monday - Friday
• Full Time, 40 hours per week
• First Shift
• Location: Newington
• P-4 (Engineering and Scientific) bargaining unit
• This position is eligible to apply for telework after successful completion of the working test period, and thereafter, in accordance with the Telework Policy. Employees in their working test period must work on site in the office. Learn more about the Telework Policy.

THE ROLE

The Transportation Planner 2 is responsible for advanced planning and analysis of Connecticut’s passenger and freight rail capital program, supporting the development, evaluation, and prioritization of projects within CTDOT’s Office of Rail. The Transportation Planner 2 (Capital Planning) serves as a working lead and subject matter expert on rail infrastructure planning, federal program coordination, and long-range investment strategy development for rail corridors in Connecticut.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Lead or coordinate capital planning studies, including identification, scoping, and justification of new or upgraded rail projects (stations, bridges, track, rolling stock, and yard facilities).
• Develop and manage planning documentation supporting the Rail Capital Program, including reports, cost estimates, schedules, phasing, and funding strategy.
• Assist with preparation of federal funding applications (FRA Corridor ID, FSP-NEC, BIL/IIJA grants, etc.) and coordinate with internal and external partners to ensure compliance with federal guidelines.
• Support multimodal planning initiatives integrating rail with highway, bus, and active transportation networks.
• Review consultant studies, service development plans, and feasibility analyses to align with CTDOT goals and federal requirements.
• Collaborate with the Project Concepts and Design units to transition projects from planning to design.
• Participate in coordination with Amtrak, Metro-North Railroad, FRA, FTA, NEC Commission, and regional MPOs regarding service planning, capital improvement prioritization, and funding allocations.
• Develop maps, reports, presentations, and data analyses illustrating rail system performance, capacity constraints, and investment opportunities.
• Lead or assist in maintaining the CTDOT Rail Capital Planning Database and contribute to the annual Transportation Capital Plan and Time for CT program updates.
• Represent the Office of Rail at interagency working groups, legislative hearings, and public information sessions.

Our ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Considerable knowledge of transportation planning principles, practices, and federal funding programs related to rail infrastructure.
• Skill in project prioritization, economic and ridership analysis, and cost-benefit evaluation.
• Ability to interpret and apply federal guidance (e.g., FRA, FTA, NEC Commission).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, GIS, and data visualization tools.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of technical and policy documents.
• Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary efforts across CTDOT bureaus, local agencies, consultants, and federal partners.
• Supervisory ability and experience mentoring junior planners or interns.

ABOUT US

As one of Connecticut’s largest State agencies, DOT employs approximately 3,300 individuals statewide in five bureaus. CTDOT is guided by its mission to improve lives through transportation. Our infrastructure and transit systems are essential to the safety and mobility of Connecticut residents, and our work strengthens both economic and community development. CTDOT is committed to fostering a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, and individuals with broad-ranging backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to apply. Learn more about our mission, vision, and values!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Transportation and the Connecticut Airport Authority this class is accountable for acting as a working lead and/or for performing the most complex tasks in transportation planning studies, programs and related activities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• WORKING LEAD LEVEL:
• As assigned by a supervisor, distributes, prioritizes, oversees and reviews office unit work;
• Provides staff training and assistance;
• Conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations;
• Acts as liaison with operating units, agencies, consultant staff and other outside officials regarding unit office policies and standards;
• Prepares correspondence;
• Performs related duties as required.
• ADVANCED LEVEL:
• Performs complex tasks and assignments in developing, coordinating and reviewing transportation planning programs;
• Recommends, coordinates or participates in transportation demonstration projects;
• Participates in preparation and negotiation of agreements and contracts;
• Oversees and participates in corridor studies;
• Prepares and reviews reports, studies and surveys in compliance with department standards and needs and state and federal laws and regulations;
• Coordinates activities or projects with local, regional, state and federal agencies, consultants and stakeholders as required;
• Reviews consultants’ work;
• Investigates and responds to public inquiries and complaints regarding transportation plans, programs and/or projects;
• May make presentations at legislative or public hearings;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of multi-modal transportation planning theory, practices and methodologies;
• Knowledge of environmental considerations involved in transportation planning;
• interpersonal skills;
• oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to develop and use computer software including planning models and other programs related to planning process;
• forecast trends based upon empirical data;
• comprehend and interpret laws and regulations;
• Analytical ability;
• Lead ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Seven (7) years of professional experience in transportation engineering or transportation, urban, regional or environmental planning.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must include individual responsibility for the coordination of complex planning projects in a relevant planning area. NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Transportation Planner 1 or Transportation Engineer 2.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
• A Master's degree in a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in rail or transit capital project planning, including the development of feasibility studies, master plans, and service plans.
• Experience in Project management including scope development, invoicing, scheduling, cost estimating, and interagency coordination.
• Experience coordinating with external stakeholders such as municipalities, state and/or federal agencies, and MPOs.
• Experience maintaining datasets, analyzing data, and presenting insights; experience synthesizing technical information for leadership and external stakeholders.
• Experience coordinating rail or transit projects with other transportation modes and with construction.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.