Principal Planner

Overview

The full salary range for the position is ($93,274.95 - $) with an anticipated starting salary between entry ($93,274.95) and midpoint ($) of the range. It’s essential to note that the actual salary offered will be determined based on several factors, including skills, qualifications, experience, education, certifications, training and internal equity considerations.

Purpose of role: Ensure complex capital planning project regulatory compliance while fostering stakeholder relationships by leading projects, staff and contract management.

Bachelor's degree in urban planning, transportation engineering or a related field and six (6) years of experience in:

• Leadership in capital project planning
• Large transit infrastructure project management
• Contract and compliance administration
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
• Additional education cannot be substituted for experience.

The following functions are intended to provide a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of this position and are not an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed.

• Provide technical guidance to assigned staff, prioritize and assign work, train staff and ensure work quality and timely completion of assigned duties and provide mentorship to junior staff. May participate in hiring staff and providing input for performance evaluations.
• Perform advanced, complex technical planning functions, including research, review, analysis, presentation and coordination of large-scale capital development projects, including transit facilities and high-capacity corridor development.
• Prepare and oversee the preparation of specialized planning reports, plans and documents; perform technical plan review and design approval; and monitor capital development planning compliance.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders regarding capital development planning activities; coordinate planning efforts and facilitate communication; and respond to requests and resolve escalated issues.
• Maintain planning-related documentation and databases; and manage document processes, control and organization.
• Manage contracts and provide performance feedback, monitor contract compliance, perform quality reviews and verify invoices.
• May supervise and mentor interns.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Extensive understanding of large-scale capital development planning theories.
• Advanced comprehension of staff leadership and mentorship methodologies.
• In-depth awareness of contract administration and compliance monitoring practices.
• Detailed understanding of technical plan review and quality assurance processes.
• Thorough application of stakeholder communication and issue resolution methodologies.
• Extensive application of documentation and database management processes.
• Advanced understanding of specialized planning report processes.
• Using a computer and related software.

Skill in:

• Leading, training and mentoring planning staff.
• Facilitating complex capital development and corridor projects.
• Overseeing contract compliance and performance monitoring.
• Reviewing technical plans and ensuring quality control.
• Coordinating with internal and external stakeholders.
• Preparing specialized planning documents and reports.
• Supervising and mentoring interns.
• Communication and interpersonal skills to exchange information and receive work direction.

Knowledge:

• Land use planning principles and practices
• Economic development planning concepts applicable to capital projects
• Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program requirements

Skills:

• Using geographic information systems (GIS), including ESRI ArcGIS
• Developing clear graphics and visual materials to support planning and public communication
• Representing projects in high-profile public forums, including presentations to elected officials and media

Work is performed in a typical office setting with routine use of standard office equipment. This role is sedentary requiring the physical exertion of up to 10 lbs. occasionally or negligible weights frequently; sitting most of the time.

This role typically requires sitting, handling, fine dexterity, visual acuity, hearing, speaking, walking, standing, lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling, reaching, twisting, time pressure, tedious or exacting work, changing of tasks, multi-tasking, irregular work schedule/overtime and working with others on a team. This role also experiences seasonal exposure to extreme temperatures and communicable diseases.

Valley Metro is a Drug-Free Workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer.