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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSenior Associate Planner - Transportation Traffic EngineeringUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review) CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION Position Title: Senior Associate Planner – Transportation Department: Neighborhood & Development Services Division: MPOJC Supervisor: MPOJC Director FLSA: Exempt Civil Service: Yes Pay Grade: 27 Job Number: 2713 Job Summary Under direction, provides staff support for implementing the activities of the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County (MPOJC) performs as Acting Director in the Director’s absence. Prepares planning reports, monitors state and federal regulations, and administers state and federal grants for all modes of transportation. Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. • Leads and coordinates multi-faceted project teams, including consultants, to complete specific planning work program items for the urbanized area. • Assigns transportation studies to Associate Planners based on their workload and capabilities; reviews assignments with Associate Planners to keep projects on schedule. • Reviews and edits reports and memos prepared by Associate Planners. • Assists in planning activities for all modes of transportation within the Iowa City urbanized area by coordinating with local governments on transportation issues; reviews transportation plans for major development and redevelopment projects; assesses impact on transportation infrastructure. • Prepares applications and administers state and federal grant programs and assures reporting requirements are met. • Assists in planning activities for three transit systems in the Iowa City urbanized area. • Prepares special reports and memoranda as assigned; researches, analyzes and prepares studies related to transportation development, land use and the site of public facilities. • Coordinates the collection of, analyzes and summarizes data for studies related to traffic volume, speed, turning movements, collision history, transit use and recommends course of action. • Operates advanced software applications specific to transportation planning and traffic engineering including TransCAD, Synchro and Highway Capacity Manual software. • Operates Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software and prepares maps. • Maintains planning documents required by Federal Highway Administration and Iowa Department of Transportation including local MPOJC documents. • Monitors state and federal transportation regulations. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) • Conducts and gathers public input on transportation needs and planning, including facilitating public meetings. • Determines location of traffic control signs, assists with capital project development for streets, trails, intersections, street corridor elements, new subdivisions, traffic control devices, pavement markings, location of street lighting, consistent with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. • Staffs the MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board, MPOJC Rural Policy Board, MPOJC Transportation Technical Advisory Committee, and MPOJC Regional Trails and Bicycling Committee by agenda preparation, information packets, meeting minutes, technical assistance, schedule and performs duties as assigned. • Communicates with elected officials to answer questions, provides information, presentations and education. • Assists in training student interns. • Monitors and creates division website content and completes updates. • Conducts self in a professional manner which demonstrates courtesy and respect for all community members and coworkers. • Performs other duties as assigned. Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution and two years of related experience; or six years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. Degree in Urban Planning, Transportation Planning, Civil Engineering, or related. • Valid State of Iowa driver’s license with satisfactory driving record. Must be 18 years of age. Must pass criminal background check. Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other • Master’s degree from an accredited educational institution and two years of related experience; or seven years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in traffic engineering and transportation planning, and proficiency in software applications specific to transportation planning and traffic engineering. • American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities • Ability to analyze and critique plans and proposals for transportation development. • Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. • Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors. • Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. • Ability to prepare and present technical reports and recommendations. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) • Ability to read and interpret legal agreements and documents, technical journals, and financial reports. • Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties. • Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. • Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. • Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. • Knowledge of development process and local government operations. • Knowledge of principles and practices of transportation and urban planning. • Knowledge of state and federal transportation programs and policies. • Skill in the operation of a number of office machines and equipment. • Skill in using computers and applicable software applications (Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, Outlook) and GIS software, Engineering and Transportation software. Supervision No supervision of direct reports. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Duties are generally performed in an office setting with a controlled environment. The job requires sitting for extended periods of Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) time and the work may expose the employee to unpleasant social situations and significant work pace pressure. Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Reviewed/Approved by: Tracy Hightshoe, Neighborhood & Development Services Director (4/2024) I have read and understand the duties and requirements of this job description, and I agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. Employee Date ________________________________ __________________