Transportation Planner/Analyst I (Policy and Strategic Planning)

MBTA; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

MBTA in Boston seeks an entry-level Transportation Planner/Analyst I to advance long-range and multimodal planning efforts. You will participate in regional studies, develop sketch-level concepts, and support data-driven decision making with maps, diagrams, and analyses.

The role emphasizes collaboration with state agencies, municipalities, and MBTA staff, and may involve site visits and stakeholder engagement to inform plan development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; 3 years of transportation planning/analytics experience.
• Familiarity with public transport planning principles and metrics.
• Ability to work in multi-stakeholder environments and meet tight deadlines.
• Proven ability to build relationships with internal and external partners.
• Strong analytical, data collection and interpretation skills.
• Experience with at least one transportation software (Tableau, GIS, CAD, etc.).
• Proficiency in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; Excel assessment may be required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and evaluate project concepts; create maps/diagrams of transportation infrastructure.
• Support regional multi-modal plans and water transportation initiatives.
• Represent MBTA on planning studies with partner agencies.
• Support development of process improvements for multimodal collaboration.
• Conduct research and communicate findings clearly to stakeholders.
• Analyze and visualize data to support project-level decisions (Excel, GIS, Tableau).
• Prepare memoranda and slide decks summarizing analyses and recommendations.
• Engage with local/regional planning staff and community groups for feedback.
• Visit work sites and attend meetings across the MBTA service area.
• Respond to inquiries professionally; adhere to MBTA policies.

Skills

Transportation Planning

Stakeholder Engagement

Data Analysis

GIS

Excel

Communication

Coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Transportation Planning

Tools

Tableau

GIS

CAD

Synchro

Vissim

Replica

Excel

Job description

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s core values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, culture, and accessibility, and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

The Transportation Planner/Analyst I will help to advance the Authority's long-range transportation planning and work on large-scale regional projects contributing to multimodal transportation planning and quick-hit planning studies. Working within the Policy and Strategic Planning team, the Transportation Planner Analyst I will contribute to transportation studies or serve as the MBTA representative on studies being convened by other partners (including by other state agencies and by municipal partners). The Transportation Planner Analyst I will also contribute to the development of sketch‑level concepts, route diagrams, transportation and land‑use analyses, and decision‑making frameworks to advance collaboration in key project areas at the direction of leadership.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and evaluate project concepts and create maps and diagrams of transportation infrastructure.
• Support development of elements of ongoing modal and multi‑modal plans such as for Regional Rail and water transportation and other initiatives.
• Support MBTA’s engagement in regional‑scale multi‑modal projects and plans by identifying and analyzing impacts and tradeoffs of different alternatives for planning, design, service, and funding.
• Serve as MBTA representative on planning studies convened by partner agencies.
• Support development and execution of process improvements to enhance multimodal collaboration with MBTA stakeholders and external partners.
• Conduct research and analysis and communicate findings clearly and concisely.
• Analyze, compile, and visualize data to support project‑level data using excel, GIS, tableau, etc.
• Draft clear, concise memoranda and slide decks summarizing analyses and design recommendations for presentations to various internal and external stakeholders.
• Represent and work with local and regional planning staff, public community groups and others to ensure that projects and plans incorporate stakeholder feedback.
• Visit work sites, transit stations, and/or attend off‑site meetings throughout the MBTA service area.
• Respond to customer, vendor, and coworker inquiries in a courteous and professional manner.
• Adhere to the rules, and regulations, and policies of the Authority including the EEO, Anti‑Discrimination and Anti‑Harassment and Anti‑Retaliation policies.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Additional responsibilities may include a focus on one or more departments or locations. See the applicable addendum for department‑or location‑specific functions.

Supervision

• No direct reports.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Transportation Planning, Urban Planning, Geography, Civil Engineering, Business, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Three (3) years of experience in transportation planning, engineering, and analytics or other related fields.
• Familiarity with public transport planning principles and application, reliability issues and metrics to measure these.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare plans to tight timescales within multi‑stakeholder environments.
• Demonstrated ability to build working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, influencing key decision makers to make a joint outcome.
• Skilled problem solver with proven ability to resolve complex issues with skill, judgment, and ability to think clearly under pressure.
• Strong analytical skills, data collection, research, and interpretation of outputs to various audiences.
• Experience in at least one approach to advanced data analysis or transportation software (e.g., Tableau, Excel, GIS, CAD, Synchro, Vissim, Replica, or other).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. As part of the interview process, an Excel assessment or portfolio of work may be required.
• Ability to learn quickly, take direction, work independently, and use creative and collaborative approaches to resolve issues.
• Effective organizational, analytical, multi‑tasking, and time management skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Have excellent customer service and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to respond quickly and appropriately to changing deadlines.
• Flexibility to handle multiple projects simultaneously.

Substitutions

• A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the Bachelor's degree requirement.
• An Associate's degree from an accredited institution with an additional three (3) years of directly‑related experience substitutes for the Bachelor's degree requirement.
• A Master's Degree from an accredited institution in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of experience.
• A nationally recognized certification or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience.

Preferred Experience & Skills

• A Master’s Degree from an accredited institution in Transportation, Planning, Geography, Civil Engineering, Business, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Additional years of experience in transportation planning, regional planning, organizational planning, or a related field.
• Experience with GIS or other data visualization tools.

Job Conditions

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co‑op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co‑workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti‑discrimination, anti‑harassment, and anti‑retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty‑four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co‑op staff must be enrolled full or part‑time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co‑op. Additionally, interns / co‑ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre‑employment screenings / pre‑boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers And Definitions

• General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
• Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
• Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
• Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here‑in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role‑specific requirements.
• Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I‑9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no‑show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one‑time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
• Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
• On‑call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
• Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
• ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or [e-mail] .
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer . For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions .
• Intern / Co‑Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co‑op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co‑op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co‑ops.