Transportation Planner; TPO

Position Summary

This is responsible, professional planning work supporting transportation planning activities, agency coordination, performance monitoring, and providing technical assistance to the TPO Executive Director and senior staff. The employee will assist in the development and implementation of the TPO’s major programs, plans, and activities—including the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), and Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)—through innovative research and analysis techniques.

The role involves coordinating auto, freight, transit, bicycle, pedestrian, and trail system planning with partner agencies and federal and state agencies, and working closely with local governments, transportation providers, advocacy groups, neighborhoods, and constituents.

• Bachelor’s degree in urban/regional planning, transportation planning, or a closely related field.
• One year of professional planning experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Successful completion of all applicable background checks.

• Provide board and staff support, including preparing meeting agenda packets and minutes.
• Attend meetings of the Gainesville & Alachua County Transportation Planning Organization (GACTPO) Board, Advisory Committees, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, and the Gainesville Regional Transit System (RTS) Board.
• Prepare and give presentations and respond to the direction of the Board and Committees.
• Assist with the development and implementation of federally and state-mandated documents, including the List of Priority Projects (LOPP), Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), Public Participation Plan (PPP), Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), and other transportation planning products.
• Participate in the collection, analysis, and monitoring of transportation system performance data, and research and tabulate socio‑economic and demographic data to develop and report on performance measures and targets.
• Serve as a liaison to local jurisdictions and work with the City of Gainesville, Alachua County, and Gainesville RTS staff to support transportation and transit objectives.
• Support public engagement efforts, including attending public meetings and meetings with transportation partners.
• Prepare maps, presentations, visualization tools, and other required documents, and review and analyze projects and reports.
• Assist in the preparation and participation of public information meetings and hearings.
• Perform other duties as needed.

• Effective communication
• Attention to detail
• Relationship building
• Time management
• Self‑direction
• Problem solving

• Knowledge of transportation planning principles, practices, and methods.
• Knowledge of federal and state metropolitan planning requirements and regulations.
• Knowledge of multimodal transportation systems, including roadways, bicycles, pedestrians, and transit networks.
• Knowledge of community engagement techniques and public involvement strategies.
• Knowledge of data sources related to transportation planning (traffic counts, transit data, safety data, census data, etc.).
• Skill in coordinating meetings, presentations, agendas, and project tasks.
• Skill in using planning and analytical software (GIS, Excel, data dashboards).
• Skill in using presentation tools and graphic preparation software (PowerPoint, Adobe tools, etc.).
• Ability to collect, evaluate, and interpret transportation data and performance measures.
• Ability to create, interpret, and present maps using GIS or comparable tools.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with federal, state, regional, and local agencies, community leaders, and the general public.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, including public speaking, delivering effective presentations, and preparing written reports and memoranda.

Regularly required to sit, frequently required to talk or hear, and occasionally required to be mobile. Requires close vision, ability to adjust focus, and occasional lifting or moving of up to 10 pounds.

Primarily performed in an office setting with light travel throughout Alachua County and beyond. Employees may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions and electrical shock risks during field work. Noise level is usually moderate.

• Medical/Health Insurance
• Employee Life Insurance
• Florida Retirement System
• Employee Assistance Program

• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program

Additional details regarding benefits, holidays, and leave policies are available in the Employee Policy Manual and public resources.