Transportation Program Planner III- MPO Activities (Transportation Program Planner III)

Position Summary

MassDOT’s Office of Transportation Planning is hiring a position in the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Activities group. This Group supports the planning, policy making, and data analysis needs of all metropolitan planning organizations (MPO) across the Commonwealth, as well as various departments and Divisions within MassDOT. An MPO is a federally required regional transportation policy-making organization consisting of representatives from local government, regional transit operators, and state transportation agencies.

Recent work of this group has established foundational planning efforts such as the Statewide Long Range Transportation Plan, Beyond Mobility. Additionally, as the Commonwealth’s MPOs continue to look for ways to perform innovative planning work on behalf of their member communities, the Group has helped to provide guidance for regional planning work to support and influence these changes.

The Group is also responsible for managing federally-required performance-based planning programming (PBPP) efforts, as well as coordinating the development and implementation of the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The STIP is a program consisting of all federally-funded surface transportation (roadway and transit) projects statewide. The group also manages a number of federal programs, including Safe Routes to School (SRTS), Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ), and the Scenic Byways Program. Because OTP is a shared service department, this Group also supports capital planning and policy initiatives for the Secretary’s Office, Highway Division, Rail & Transit Division, and others.

The right candidate for this position is someone who both understands how to navigate complex planning processes, and who has a passion for working with people at all levels of government to carry out a collaborative planning process. This is an opportunity to work in a dynamic environment with professionals who are committed to building a more sustainable and equitable future.

Duties and Responsibilities

The selected applicant will be assigned to the MPO Activities group of the Office of Transportation Planning and will manage several federal programs as well as liaise with MassDOT’s regional partners. In addition to serving as a MassDOT liaison to a number of MPOs, this position will play a role in advancing federally-required, performance-based planning efforts and a large supporting role in implementing the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Specific duties include the following: 

• Liaising between MassDOT and several Massachusetts MPOs to coordinate appropriate actions required for amendments and adjustments to key regional planning documents, including Regional Transportation Plans (RTPs), Transportation Improvement Programs (TIPs), and Unified Planning Work Programs (UPWPs).
• Working with MPOs to develop a prioritized program of transportation projects based on sound technical planning.
• Tracking federally-funded transportation project status and costs.
• Leading the advancement of performance-based planning and programming efforts in coordination with MassDOT’s federal and regional partners, which will entail analyzing data and coordinating with other MassDOT Divisions as appropriate to develop trendlines for key metrics in the areas of safety, pavement and bridge condition, and system performance measures.
• Participating in selection committees for federally-funded grants and contracts administered by both OTP and other MassDOT Divisions to provide the MPO Activities Group’s perspective on matters related to project eligibility and merit.
• Supporting the development and administration of the Commonwealth’s five year STIP on behalf of MassDOT and the MBTA, a crucial component of the annual Capital Investment Plan (CIP).
• Developing financial planning/policy/program sizing guidance and recommendations for consideration to the Secretary and CEO of MassDOT, Highway Division Administrator, Manager of Capital Planning; and Director and Deputy Director of Planning.
• Developing financial policy and recommendations to external agencies such as the Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies (MARPA).
• Overseeing the development and implementation of MassDOT contracts with the Commonwealth’s regional planning agencies.
• Assisting with the tracking of key federal milestones and MPO tasks; developing, tracking, and communicating schedules effectively to MPOs, RPAs, RTAs, and MassDOT units; and tracking and communicating progress/status of various tasks and milestones.
• Supporting and monitoring transportation program planning activities by MPOs.
• Coordinating with the Manager of MPO Activities, MPOs, regional planning agencies (RPAs), regional transit authorities (RTAs), other MassDOT offices, other state agencies, and outside stakeholders in order to support regional transportation planning and project programming.

Preferred Qualifications

While there is an expectation that the individual in this role will still have room to develop and hone some skills, the ideal candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate the following skills or interests:

Project Management – an ability to assist the Group in the management of administrative tasks associated with consultant support projects, including the development of work scopes, procurement of consultant services, management of consultant teams, budget oversight, etc. The Office uses public resources to complete transportation planning studies and reports, and also often employs private consultants in these efforts. It is imperative that the candidate know how to manage a budget and schedule on-time and within budget.

Strong Communication Skills – an ability to write clearly and efficiently in white papers, memos, and emails for a range of public audiences and internal and external stakeholders; an ability to communicate messages visually through assorted graphics and PowerPoint presentations for internal and public audiences; and confident public speaking skills. The diversity of information and audiences relevant to this position make the ideal candidate one who can both understand and communicate across a range of topic areas, but also learn and appreciate the perspectives of these varied audiences.

Analytical Skills – an ability to review, digest, and draw conclusions from data related to a range of transportation planning or policy issues, particularly those related to the MBTA and other public transit providers in the Commonwealthas well as a comfort in manipulating data and conducting analysis using excel, GIS, and other  analytical tools.

Professional Work Ethic – a proven capacity and willingness to work in a fast-paced environment characterized by multiple and overlapping deadlines; an ability to be flexible and respond to changes in direction from MassDOT/MBTA leadership; an ability to independently execute tasks both with direct support as well as with more limited oversight.

Encourage and Sustain Positive Team Dynamic –The nature of transportation planning requires collaboration and teamwork. The ideal candidate should like to work in teams and know how to create and improve team dynamics to ensure good transportation planning.

 Demonstrated Interest and Passion for Improving Public Transportation in Massachusetts – including an understanding of the factors that make public transportation competitive; a familiarity with the political, media and government context within which the MBTA and other public transit providers in the Commonwealth operate; and an interest in creatively pursuing their own ideas to improve the experience of transit riders.

This position is eligible for a five-thousand dollar ($5,000) signing bonus (“Signing Bonus”) if you are newly hired at MassDOT. Current MassDOT employees are not eligible for the Signing Bonus. The Signing Bonus will be paid in two parts: 1) $3,000 (less applicable taxes) included in the employee's first paycheck. 2) $2,000 (less applicable taxes) after the successful completion of the employee’s probationary period.

About MassDOT

The 4,000+ employees of Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) take great pride in connecting the Commonwealth’s residents and communities. MassDOT is responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating transportation policies and projects for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and to efficiently plan, design, construct, and maintain a safe statewide transportation system which effectively meets the transportation needs of the Commonwealth. Information about MassDOT’s culture and career opportunities can be found at mass.gov/massdot-careers.

MassDOT’s divisions include Highway, Registry of Motor Vehicles, Aeronautics, and Rail & Transit. Headquarters (Planning & Enterprise Services) provides business and administrative support and policy leadership for each of the four (4) divisions. 

Current MassDOT employees should use their internal MassCareers account to apply.

All job applications must be submitted online through MassCareers to be considered. 

Please provide a complete, accurate and current resume / application for MassDOT to review in order to determine if your submitted materials meet the minimum entrance requirements for the position.   

Applicants must have at least (A) four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional or technical experience in urban planning, regional planning, land use planning or transportation planning, and (B) of which at least two years must have been in a professional capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

• For questions regarding the job posting, please email the MassDOT Talent Acquisition Team at [email protected].
• For general questions regarding MassDOT, call the Human Resources Service Center at 857-368-4722.
• For a disability-related reasonable accommodation or alternative application method, call Lucy Bayard, ADA Coordinator, at 857-274-1935

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

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An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.