The Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments
invites applications for the position of:
Planner/Associate Planner
Open Until Filled. First Review 9/1/2015.
The Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG) AMBAG’s mission is to provide strategic leadership and services to analyze, plan, and implement regional policies for the benefit of the cities and counties of Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz. Balancing local control with regional collaboration, AMBAG was organized in 1968 and formed as a Joint Powers Authority (JPA). It is governed by a twenty-four member Board of Directors comprised of elected officials from each city and county. AMBAG is the region’s federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and a Council of Governments (COG). Among its many duties, AMBAG is responsible for developing the region’s Metropolitan Transportation Plan and the Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program, as well as developing and maintaining the region’s travel demand forecasting model. AMBAG also prepares the regional housing, population, and employment forecasts. These forecasts are utilized in a variety of regional and jurisdictional plans. Funding for the organization comes primarily from federal and state grants. A small, but critical, component of AMBAG’s funding is derived from annual member dues. Membership and participation in AMBAG is voluntary.
The Position: Under the general direction of the Director of Modeling, this position will perform a wide variety of professional and technical planning assignments, including data and analysis support for the regional travel demand model, long range transportation planning, economic development, land use, housing, environmental, and sustainability. This is a professional position that will support implementation and maintenance of the regional transportation models. The position will be part of a team that helps estimate, calibrate, validate, and apply multimodal travel demand models to help AMBAG expand its technical capabilities relating to air quality, land use and transit planning. The position requires an individual with interest and flair for data analysis and management, strong attention to detail and an aptitude for using graphics and visual communication methods to summarize and convey technical results. The position also requires a collaborative team perspective and an ability to work with and within diverse groups. The position will also manage planning grant projects and participate in the activities and operations of major regional planning programs and projects; coordinate assigned activities with other AMBAG functions, committees, and outside agencies, and provide responsible and complex professional support to higher level management.
Job Responsibilities:
- Assist with technical support for development and application of the Regional Travel Demand Model used for the development of the region’s Metropolitan Transportation Plan/ Sustainable Communities Strategy (MTP/SCS).
- Assist with technical support for the Bicycle Model tool and data collection. ·
- Obtain and analyze Census, employment and demographic information at the local, county, and regional levels. ·
- Assist in the development of major regional transportation programs and projects, including updating the MTP/SCS, the Regional Housing Needs Assessment, population and employment forecasts, land use and economic development studies, goods movement transportation plans, and sub-regional transportation planning studies. ·
- Manage transportation and land use planning projects. ·
- Plan, manage, and coordinate assigned planning projects within the Overall Work Program; meet with management staff to identify and resolve problems; review and evaluate work methods and procedures.
- Coordinate the development and administration of the Overall Work Program budget for assigned activities; prepare budgetary adjustments as necessary. ·
- Represent planning projects to the AMBAG Board, other committees, elected officials, and outside agencies; explain and interpret planning projects, policies, and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive, significant, and controversial issues. ·
- Oversee the administration of contracts with contractors, engineers, planners, and consultants in support of assigned program activities; evaluate quality of products and approve contractor payments. ·
- Research, interpret and apply land use, environmental, transportation, and general planning laws and regulations to ensure compliance. ·
- Review and develop, as needed, proposed state and federal legislation in support of AMBAG's programs, objectives, and plans. ·
- Coordinate planning project activities with those of other AMBAG functions and outside agencies and organizations. ·
- Provide staff assistance to higher level management; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence. ·
- Participate on a variety of committees and task forces; attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of regional transportation programs. ·
- Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive inquiries and complaints.
Experience and Qualifications:
The minimum education, training, and experience qualifications include a bachelor’s degree with major course work in regional, transportation, or environmental planning, public or business administration, or a related field, and a minimum of three to five years of increasingly responsible, professional, urban and transportation planning experience preferably at the state, regional, and municipal level. An advanced degree in Geography, urban planning or related field is desirable and may substitute for up to one year of relevant experience.
Qualifications/Experience:
The candidate will be classified as Planner or Associate Planner depending on qualifications and experience. This position requires an individual with competence in transportation planning and analysis methods, as well as above average computer skills.
- Experience with transportation modeling, spreadsheet, database and GIS software is required.
- Experience with transportation modeling software, such as TransCAD, and emissions modeling software, such as EMFAC/ MOVES, is preferred.
- Good written and verbal communication skills are essential.
- Applicants should have a working familiarity with metropolitan planning under current federal transportation and air pollution requirements.
The following information describes the specific types of career experiences that are most relevant to this position. Additional duties may also be assigned and be essential to the successful performance of this position: ·
- Demonstrated knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of regional planning in the areas of transportation, land use, the natural environment, economic analysis, social equity analysis, housing, inter-governmental coordination, and other program areas;
- knowledge of organizational and management practices utilized in the analysis and evaluation of regional planning services. ·
- Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and administer goals, objectives, and procedures for completing assigned projects and programs.
- Demonstrated ability to resolve complicated problems, work with or in difficult situations, and meet goals and objectives of the organization in a timely manner and within budget. ·
- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including agency and other government officials, community groups, the public, and media representatives; and gain cooperation and consensus through discussion and persuasion. ·
- Excellent written and oral presentation skills and the ability to effectively communicate to a variety of audiences including elected officials, technical staff, and the general public; ability to prepare clear and concise management and administrative reports. ·
- Knowledge of principles and practices of metropolitan planning and transportation and air quality emissions modeling. ·
- Demonstrated knowledge of comprehensive regional planning and governance processes and issues; understanding of recent developments and current trends related to regional planning. ·
- Experience with data analysis and database management ·
- General understanding of GIS theory, economic forecasting, demographic data analysis and experience with ArcGIS, TransCAD, and statistical analysis software. ·
- Working knowledge of the Windows computer operating system and experience using the Microsoft Office Suite, graphic design software, conducting research on the Internet, and other PC-based applications.
- Possession of a valid California driver’s license is required.
Benefits:
AMBAG provides a comprehensive compensation package. Competitive salaries are supplemented with a generous offering of medical, wellness, education, retirement, and time-off benefits to meet the work and life needs of employees and their families. The monthly salary range for the position is:
Planner: $4,078 – $5,483
Associate Planner: $4,615 – $6,205
Our benefit package includes the following: ·
- Retirement – CALPERS 2% at age 55. For employees new to CalPERS, it is 2% at 62%. ·
- Medical Insurance –Health, Dental, and Vision. AMBAG pays the full cost of employee only coverage and contributes $100 per month for dependent coverage. ·
- Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and Long Term Disability - paid in full by AMBAG. ·
- Sick Leave – 12 days per year. ·
- Holidays – 11 holidays and 2 floating holidays per year. ·
- Vacation – 80 hours to start, adjusted based on years of service. ·
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Provides employees and eligible dependents short-term confidential counseling, legal services, and financial planning. Also provides access to health and personal topics and training. ·
- Flexible Spending Account – Employees can use pre-tax dollars to contribute to a medical reimbursement ($2,400 annual limit) or dependent care account ($5,000 annual limit). ·
- CALPERS 457 Plan – Retirement plan is provided through CALPERS based on employee contributions (cannot exceed annual limitations). ·
- ING/ICMA-RC – Retirement plan is provided through ING/ICMA-RC based on employee contributions (cannot exceed annual limitations). ·
- Working Advantage – Provides employees access to the working advantage network which offers a variety of discounts to online vendors. ·
- AMBAG participates in a 9/80 schedule where the office is closed every other Friday.
- AMBAG participates in Social Security and Medicare.
How to Apply:
We encourage all interested candidates to apply for this position by completing an AMBAG Employment Application form. Resumes, cover letters, and work samples may be submitted in addition to the Employment Application but are not a substitute for this document. The Employment Application can be downloaded in PDF format from the AMBAG website http://www.ambag.org . Alternatively, a copy can be requested by calling (831) 883-3750 or emailing info@ambag.org. Completed applications and related materials can be submitted via e-mail, fax, regular mail, or delivered by hand. Application Supplement To help us further evaluate the skills and experience of individuals interested in this position, candidates are asked to prepare a statement summarizing their knowledge and experience with each of the elements listed in the Experience and Qualifications section of this job announcement. The information can be up to two pages in length and should be submitted with the application. This is considered a required component of the application; applications received without a response will be screened out of the selection process. Candidate Selection and Notification Applications will be reviewed and evaluated and the best qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process.