What: Under the direction of the Manager of Strategic and Corridor Planning, develops and manages RTA-led regional planning studies of major transportation investments in the Chicago metropolitan area. Develops and implements study scope and approach including program management plans, schedule and participation. Performs planning and analysis to identify mobility issues and evaluate transportation networks. Assists in the development of policy recommendations and provides guidance and input to senior management on such issues. Directs consultant services in the performance of RTA led studies and provides support and guidance for study committees. Provides technical guidance to external projects led by other agencies and partners. Prepares and presents reports to the RTA Board of Directors, RTA Service Boards, counties, councils of government, and other regional partners/organizations.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Performs planning and analysis to identify travel patterns and mobility issues, and develop and evaluate complex multi-modal transportation networks. Researches and guides implementation of new mobility solutions, emerging technologies and autonomous vehicles. Assists in the development of policy recommendations and provides guidance and input to senior management on such issues.
- Performs annual progress reporting on regional goals and measures of the Regional Transit Strategic Plan, and implementing strategies of the Plan. Assists with updating/developing the Plan on a 5-year cycle.
- Develops and implements a Strategic Asset Management system to compare funding scenarios and inform regional investment decisions.
- Assembles and analyzes data from multiple existing national and regional sources for demographics, travel demand, mode preference and economics to understand travel patterns trends, and transit market characteristics.
- Maintains the RTA’s regionally-calibrated version of the FTA STOPS transit project ridership model, including updates with new datasets. Performs model calibration and uses model for project evaluation. Assists other agencies with application of model.
- Maintains the RTA’s Geographic Information System (GIS)-based Access Index. Updates underlying data sets and uses tool to generate new results.
- Designs and implements transit and travel surveys to update and supplement existing regional resources.
- Directs outside consultant services to ensure a high quality work product and the timely and efficient completion of RTA planning initiatives. Manages consultant contracts, budgets and payments.
- Develops extensive written products that include technical documentation of models and tools developed by RTA; documentation of study methodologies, results, and recommendations for published technical reports; and summarized study results for executive and public briefings. Liaisons with other RTA groups and departments as needed for graphic design and other services related to the production of professional documents.
- Develops and presents materials and ordinances, and study findings to the RTA Board.
- Represents RTA on inter-agency task forces, advisory committees for new transit services, facilities and planning studies.
The ideal candidate will have: experience applying planning principles and data analysis towards strategic goals and objectives; demonstrated ability to create and maintain strong positive working relationships with federal, state, regional and local entities; the ability to multi-task on concurrent projects; the ability to respond quickly and accurately to time sensitive requests. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and organization skills required.
Benefits: The RTA offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. The RTA reimburses for travel at the federal rate for mileage reimbursement. Minimum salary $68,000.
The full job posting and application information can be found online here.