Regional Transportation Planner III, or IV - TPP Division - Austin, TX

TxDOT Transportation Planning and Programming Division is seeking a motivated individual to join the Metropolitan Planning team.  Planner will assist and guide MPOs with their planning, programming, policy initiatives, and travel demand modeling.  Responsibilities will include transportation planning, policy review, data analysis, formal correspondence (i.e., short memos), and guidance to Texas MPOs.  
The ideal candidate will be able to research and interpret state and federal regulations; demonstrate knowledge and/or experience in the development of model networks, demographic data and have experience in the calibration and validation of travel demand models; proficient to advanced in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and SharePoint; and are excited to learn, strategize, and contribute to process improvement.  Opportunities abound for training, and growing hard and soft skills, including communication, leadership, project management, formal correspondence, SharePoint, and TransCAD to name a few, as well as a library of other training offerings through TxDOT's enterprise LinkedIn Learning license.  
Work includes periodic site visits to assigned MPOs, evaluating federal and state required planning documents and annual reports, including but not limited to the Travel Demand Modeling, Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), Annual Project Listing, and Congestion Management strategies.  Work also includes close coordination with MPO and Federal Highway staff, tracking federal funds expenditures and balances, evaluating processes with an eye towards improving efficiency and customer service, and leading the work of others.  
Stassney Campus https://youtu.be/u42vEZacDgA

• Planner III - B22 Salary Range $70,000.00 - $85,000.00
• Planner IV - B24 Salary Range $80,000.00 - $95,000.00

****The Texas Department of Transportation reserves the sole right in determining the level of position based on the applicant’s work experience, education, skill level, and all other appropriate factors, and based on business needs. 

At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including:

• Retirement Plans
• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Leave and Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
• On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package
To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance (ERS.texas.gov)
 

Planner Iii:

Performs complex planning and programming activities in support of management-related programs and/or transportation projects. Work requires contact with departmental managers, high-level executives, governmental/university officials and/or private entities. Employees at this level establish their own work plan and priorities to meet set objectives. Issues are rarely referred to the supervisor but are handled at the occurrence.

Planner Iv:

Performs complex planning and programming activities in support of management-related programs and/or transportation projects. Work requires contact with departmental managers, high-level executives, governmental/university officials, and/or private entities. Employees at this level are virtually self-supervising and assume direct accountability for the work product.

Essential Duties:

Planner Iii:

• Conducts MPO travel demand model, plan, and program development meetings with sponsors to identify requirements, exchange information, and keep informed on status.
• Represents the Department at local, state, and federal levels in support of MPOs and travel demand modeling.
• Reviews and prepares correspondence, reports, studies, gives briefings, and makes presentations to MPO Technical and Policy Boards.
• Performs or manages the development of complex travel demand models and supports the use of model in support of Metropolitan Planning 
• organization transportation plans and District projects.
• Provides technical direction for the development and execution of travel demand models.
• Develops and maintains demographic databases, travel demand model networks, and traffic analysis zones.
• Evaluates consultant performance for contractual compliance.
• Stays abreast of transportation industry changes and requirements, policies, procedures, and legislation.
• Conducts research and analysis on complex issues, legislation, departmental policies and assists in developing departmental policy positions pertinent to those issues and areas of expertise.
• Conducts needs assessments associated with travel demand models for both model development and application. 
• Plans, implements and monitors training and technology sharing programs, including classes, seminars and conferences related to travel demand modeling and metropolitan transportation planning.
• May serve as a lead worker on related tasks.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.
• Planner IV:
• All of the above and:
• Coordinates planning projects involving districts, divisions, various public transportation interests, research endeavors with universities, other agencies and/or local, state and federal agencies.
• Develops and monitors statistical performance measures associated with travel demand models, and MPO federal and state required plans.
• Oversees planning studies to include feasibility studies, master plans and environmental assessments or constraints identification. 

Minimum Qualifications:

Planner Iii:

Education:

Bachelor's Degree in Transportation Planning, Engineering, Business Admin or related field.

Experience:

• 3 YEARS Planning, Research or legislative analysis-related activities
• Experience can be satisfied by full-time or prorated part-time equivalent
• Relevant work experience may be substituted for degree on a year per year basis OR related graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications 

Licenses And Certifications:

• Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.

Planner Iv:

Education:

Bachelor's Degree in Transportation/Urban Planning, Engineering, Business Admin or related field.

Experience:

• 4 YEARS Planning, Research, or legislative analysis-related activities
• Experience can be satisfied by full-time or prorated part-time equivalent
• Relevant work experience may be substituted for degree on a year per year basis OR related graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications 

Licenses And Certifications:

• Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.

Preferred Qualifications: Planning Degree with specific course work emphasizing in transportation planning, public administration, or travel demand modeling.

Competencies:

Planner Iii:

• Urban transportation planning 
• Public relations for maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external 
• Collaborates and cooperates with others and builds effective working relationships with internal and external members to accomplish organizational goals 
• Planning, coordinating, and handling multiple projects within the area of responsibility to meet short and long-term deadlines 
• Travel demand model planning, development, and management methodologies 
• Demographic data development, evaluation, and usage in support of travel demand models 
• Forecasting methodologies for urban planning and travel demand models 
• Researching, evaluating, and interpreting complex information associated with travel demand model development and application. 
• Developing and giving presentations to that convey images and ideas in a clear, concise, organized, and interesting manner to optimize the audience. 
• Composing correspondence and technical documents 
• Collecting, sorting, and compiling data 
• Planning, directing, coordinating, and scheduling 
• Prioritizing and organizing work assignments 
• Leading, assigning, reviewing, and monitoring the work of others 
• Applicable laws, rules, and regulations 
• Planner IV:
• All of the above and:
• Establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support overall business strategy/results; anticipating and adjusting for problems/roadblocks 
• Researching, analyzing, and interpreting policies and state and federal laws and regulations specific to the functional area

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions:

• Sedentary work: Lift up to 10 lbs at a time and occasionally carry files/small tools
• Talking-expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words
• Hearing-perceive sound at normal speaking levels; receive information by oral communication
• Close Visual Acuity-work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading
• Conditions of Employment:
• Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)

TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category. 

To view the MOS codes please click on link below and click on the appropriate occupational category.

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions

The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990.

Please click this link to read the information for applicants: Additional Applicant Information