Senior Planner

Description of Work  

This position is responsible for drafting project scopes of work, participating in and directly managing projects as assigned, and representing the division with internal and external committees. This position requires excellent organizational skills; working knowledge of the metropolitan planning process, project management methodologies, land use planning, transit/transportation planning, and funding processes; and the ability to work well with assorted internal and external committees and consultant staff to ensure that all projects are delivered on-time and within budget.  

Work Environment

Our vision is to be recognized as a world-class leader for providing and coordinating a full array of mobility and community services. LYNX mission is to link our community by providing quality mobility options with innovation, integrity and teamwork.    LYNX Ambassadors (our employees) are committed to the LYNX Service Philosophy: “We enhance people’s lives every day through passion, pride and performance.”   In order to achieve our organizational goals in support of our mission, LYNX Ambassadors are held accountable for service excellence by continuously practicing and demonstrating the following service standards:

Safety – Safety is everyone’s business and our first priority here at LYNX.

Courtesy – We present ourselves in a professional manner and treat everyone with the utmost respect.

Efficiency – We take pride in knowing our jobs and doing things right the first time.

Cleanliness – We take pride in our personal appearance and work environment.   Because LYNX provides the community with much needed public transportation, it is important for us to resume our services as quickly and as safely as possible in the event of any natural, technological, or human-caused emergency or disaster. Therefore, all employees are considered mission critical members of LYNX’ emergency preparation and response efforts during an emergency or disaster and as such, may be asked to work during these emergencies or disasters.    

Duties and Responsibilities   Employees performing this job function may perform some or all of these duties. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. 

• Assists with management of the strategic planning process, CFRTA market research process, and transit service performance monitoring and management process.
• “Bridges the gap” between strategic (long range) planning and implementation of routes and schedules.
• Assists with development of the organizational Capital Improvement Program.
• Assists in developing department work program.
• Manages diverse projects as assigned, including transit studies, short- and long-term transit plans, ridership and market surveys, economic impact studies and technology integration.
• Develops project work scopes and schedules.
• Develops new and manages existing Joint Participation Agreement applications.
• Assists with ACCESS LYNX paratransit planning and JARC/NFP planning and compliance.
• Represents LYNX in the MPO planning activities and committees.
• Provides program support and planning functions to other LYNX departments.
• Participates in local governments' comprehensive planning and development review process. Works with local developments to integrate LYNX plans in their master plans and encourage transit-oriented development in community plans and ordinances.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Knowledge of strategic and capital planning processes in transit/transportation.
• Ability to coordinate activities between multiple departments, disciplines, federal and state programs, and agencies.
• Knowledge of planning theories, principles, and practices relating to transit planning projects.
• Knowledge of transit scheduling, run cutting and transit service performance measures.
• Familiarity of federal, state, and local funding regulations, fiscal controls, and legal constraints pertaining to public transportation.
• Knowledge of relevant business, accounting, and recordkeeping practices and procedures.
• Ability to collect, compile, and analyze complex technical statistical data and prepare reports.
• Knowledge of and skill in the operation of a personal computer and related software packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Project, GIS, etc.).
• Ability to communicate planning concepts and other data graphically and knowledge of related software packages (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign).
• Ability to simultaneously handle multiple projects; organize and prioritize multiple tasks.
•  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal staff, consultants, government representatives and those doing business with LYNX.
• Possession of good written and verbal communication skills to develop requests for proposals, professional correspondence, to make presentations and to conduct technical meetings.
• Possession of a high level of analytical skills to find solutions to complex professional, technical and administrative problems.
• Ability to provide and maintain proof of a valid Florida Driver’s License for any employee using a company vehicle. 

Physical Requirements 

• Extended periods sitting at a table, desk or workstation with use of a computer.
• Normal visual acuity and field of vision, hearing, speaking and color perception.
• Work involves bending, stooping, reaching, standing and walking.
• Requires dexterity in operating machines and office equipment. 

Minimum Education and Experience  

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Transportation or Urban Planning, Transportation Engineering or a related field plus five (5) years of progressively responsible public transit, transportation or urban planning experience involved with transit projects, system, strategic and capital planning. 

Preferred:

• A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Transportation or Urban Planning, Transportation Engineering or Public Administration.
• American Institute of Certified Planners Certification (AICP).