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 an experienced Principal Planner to serve as the lead in the transportation department on planning for ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems), TSMO (Transportation System Management and Operations), connected and autonomous vehicles, and other new and emerging transportation technology. The position will manage regional and local planning efforts on these topics, manage the Regional TSMO Subcommittee, work with public and private sector stakeholders, research changes in technology and policy, and assist in pursuing and managing relevant grants.

The Planner, Principal will be a part of the Regional Planning team within the Transportation Department. This individual will also assist in the planning for electric vehicles/alternative fuels, freight and goods movement, ConnectATL events, climate change and resiliency, CTPs (Comprehensive Transportation Plans), the MTP (Metropolitan Transportation Plan), regional and national economic competitiveness, and other related efforts.

The ideal candidate will be a professional with experience working with the public as well as the private sector, a strong strategic and innovative thinker, and who is self-organized and motivated. The position requires a team-oriented individual who has knowledge of traditional transportation planning practices but is also driven to work in an innovative and relatively new planning subject area.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works with multiple projects and multiple team members in a hybrid work environment;
• Manages regional plans focused on ITS, TSMO, and other emerging technology;
• Works to integrate planning for ITS-TSMO into other planning efforts, such as CTPs;
• Provides technical support and expertise to local jurisdictions throughout the region;
• Researches and analyzes public and private sector ITS-TSMO policies, funding opportunities, and deployment programs;
• Develops resources based on new federal, state, and local guidelines;
• Coordinates with GDOT and local jurisdictions on planning and implementation for connected vehicle infrastructure and other ITS initiatives;
• Integrates equity into ITS-TSMO planning so that new transportation technology will have positive impacts throughout the region;
• Works effectively with ARC planners across a variety of disciplines, staff and elected officials from local jurisdictions, GDOT and other public agencies, the private sector, and other stakeholders
• Develops project scopes and RFPs, manage project budgets and process invoices;
• Reviews work done by consultants and others for completeness, accuracy, and quality;
• Assists with planning related to EVs/alternative fueling, freight, climate change and resiliency, and other topic areas of long-range planning;
• Communicates effectively via written reports, maps/figures, presentations, and other means as appropriate;
• Presents information at ARC committee/board meetings, stakeholder meetings, conferences, and other meetings/events;
• Makes minor updates to the ARC website;
• Performs other duties as assigned to support agency goals and objectives.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES:

• Knowledge of urban and regional planning principles, and of federal transportation planning at the regional level, including federal regulations, policies and procedures;
• Knowledge of principles and methods of qualitative and quantitative research;
• Ability to gather data, analyze findings, and effectively communicate the analysis results;
• Knowledge of best practices, trends and emerging technologies in planning and transportation;
• Ability to coordinate deadlines, prioritize work demands, and monitor project schedules, status, and compliance;.
• Ability to oversee the implementation of and adherence to quality assurance and standards;.
• Ability to author and prepare original reports, mapping products, technical documents and presentations;
• Ability to work well with all ranges of a diverse group of stakeholders, including elected officials, senior staff, members of the private sector, and the public;
• Ability to work independently and work effectively in a team environment;
• Ability to think critically while managing multiple tasks at the same time;
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in urban or regional planning, public policy or administration, civil engineering, economics, architecture, landscape architecture or related field;
• Three (3) years of professional planning experience

  OR
  

  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 urban or regional planning, public policy or administration, civil engineering, or related field;
  • Five (5) years professional planning experience with an MPO, state DOT, local government, or other public agency;
  • AICP certification;
  • Experience with GIS, In-Design, and/or other analysis/visualization software.