Transportation Planner

The Central Transportation Planning Staff of the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) seeks a planner to join a forward-thinking and ambitious team of policy and planning experts committed to building a robust, equitable, sustainable, and resilient multimodal transportation system for the Boston region. This key role is responsible for developing and managing the MPO’s performance-based planning and programming work, which directly guides the MPO’s investment decision-making.

Working with the MPO board and key stakeholders, the planner will develop, track, and report regional transportation performance measures and targets. The planner also will play a critical role in developing the MPO’s Long‑Range Transportation Plan and five‑year capital plan, the Transportation Improvement Program. The individual in this position will serve as a key member of the team leading federally required transportation planning processes and supporting agency programs and projects.

This position requires the ability to build successful relationships and effectively communicate data and findings to technical and nontechnical audiences.

• Manage the development, evaluation, monitoring, and reporting of transportation performance measures for the Boston region.
  • Collect, analyze, and manage data related to transportation performance metrics, transportation trends, and transportation projects to support decision-making.
  • Propose metrics, data sources, and target-setting methods for performance-based planning and programming activities.
• Lead the development, maintenance, and implementation of the program work plan, including directing and coordinating staff, setting deadlines, monitoring progress, and managing the budget.
• Stay informed of, and satisfy, current federal and state requirements and best practices related to the program.
• Coordinate with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, regional transit agencies, municipalities, and other partner agencies to advance planning and capital programming.
• Support the maintenance of an online performance dashboard and other digital assets to effectively communicate regional transportation performance data to internal and external stakeholders, including members of the public.
• Participate actively in the creation of MPO plans—such as the Long‑Range Transportation Plan and the Transportation Improvement Program—including analyzing data, drafting text, and developing data visualizations.

While the following sections describe desirable qualifications, CTPS welcomes candidates who believe that their experience and skills support their ability to successfully complete the responsibilities listed above.

• Education and experience:
  • At least five years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in urban or regional planning, transportation planning, civil or transportation engineering, public policy, or another relevant field.
  • A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field plus three years of relevant professional experience.
  • A master’s degree in a relevant field plus one year of relevant professional experience.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, including proficiency working with spreadsheets and databases, and applications such as ESRI’s GIS software.
• Excellent research, writing, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively communicate with varied audiences, including the MPO board, elected officials, technical staff, diverse stakeholders, and members of the public.
• Strong relationship-building skills and proven ability to facilitate inclusive dialogue among diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage project scope, lead tasks, and instruct and supervise the work of others.
• A professional commitment to advancing the MPO’s goals for the region as relates to transportation equity, clean air and sustainable communities, safety, system preservation and modernization, capacity management and mobility, and economic vitality.
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently with strong personal initiative and on multiple projects simultaneously while…