POSITION SUMMARY:

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is the regional planning and intergovernmental coordination agency that focuses on issues critical to the region’s success, including growth and development, transportation, water resources, services for older adults and workforce solutions. ARC is dedicated to unifying the region’s collective resources to prepare the metropolitan area for a prosperous future. This is done through professional planning initiatives, the provision of objective information and the involvement of the community in collaborative partnerships.

The Atlanta Regional Commission is looking for a professional Planning Administrator that will be responsible for leading the organization’s day-to-day tasks in coordinating with communities in seeking regional discretionary federal transportation funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) – or commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, educating stakeholders on the IIJA federal grant-making process, and building consensus on IIJA grant priorities within the regional planning process. The position researches and assists local planning agencies and supports on-going or emerging planning practice areas including provide grant application support and education among key federal, state and local stakeholders.

ARC functions as the Atlanta region’s federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) located within the Transportation Planning Department. The position will provide professional planning support to initiatives in a variety of planning practice areas, including active modes, transportation equity, infrastructure resiliency, transit-oriented development, micro-mobility and transit, transportation technology and electrification, freight and logistics, and land use and transportation coordination.

This position may require attending meetings that are outside of the normal hours of business operations. This can at times include evening and weekend meetings.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervises staff including conducting performance evaluations, coordinating training, and implementing hiring, discipline and termination procedures; or coordinates highly technical, enterprise-wide functions, as assigned and/or provides lead direction as assigned;
• Organizes, convenes, and supports ARC IIJA and stakeholder grant activities – including the identification of major project and program priorities;
• Coordinates with ARC’s management team in identifying priority projects for discretionary grant opportunities;
• Convenes and leads meetings with both external staff and policy-maker stakeholders at the local, state and federal level to identify and discuss IIJA funding priorities;
• Ensures coordination of IIJA discretionary grant opportunities with the comprehensive regional transportation planning process and also support the overall Transportation Planning Department team(s) developing the Metropolitan Transportation Plan and the Transportation Improvement Program;
• Identifies of key opportunities for either ARC-identified or locally sponsored discretionary grant funding opportunities.
• Assists with planning partner outreach and coordination, such as meeting preparation, agenda setting, making presentations, and compiling summaries.
• Prepares of original documents and conducting data analysis is also required.
• Conducts research and analysis, including mastering the knowledge required to strategically advise on the best funding sources for a variety of transportation projects;
• Prepares original documents and written materials including reports and presenting technical information;
• Conducts meetings and present on ARC programs and projects to various stakeholders, such as: local governments, federal and state agencies, ARC Committees, and presenting at conferences.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support agency goals and objectives.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES:

• Knowledge of the federal transportation planning and programming process, including both the functions of a MPO and the federal programmatic requirements of IIJA discretionary programs;
• Knowledge of urban and regional planning, particularly multi-modal transportation planning;
• Knowledge and understanding of what constitutes inclusive and equitable community engagement;
• Supervisory principles, practices and techniques;
• Ability to clearly communicate and give presentations to a variety of Boards and Committees;
• Ability to build partnerships, influence decisions, work in a collaborative style;
• Ability to possess strong leadership skills and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to work with diverse groups to reach consensus on transportation priorities for future funding;
• Ability be a self-starter and goal-oriented;
• Ability to work well under pressure, while managing multiple priorities;
• Managing, supervising, evaluating and motivating staff;
• Must have superior organizational skills, including time management;
• Ability to make decisions while working within a team environment;
• Prior demonstrated successful experience in working with local and state officials and staff to achieve success in transportation project funding;
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes, regulations (based on assignment);
• Position requires strong verbal and written communication skills; and
• Proficiency in standard office software required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Master’s degree in urban or regional planning, economics, public administration, architecture, landscape architecture, or related field
• Four (4) years of professional planning experience
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in transportation planning, urban or regional planning, public policy or administration, or related field.
• Five (5) years professional transportation planning experience.