Transportation Planner I or II

MARC is seeking a qualified individual to serve as a Transportation Planner I or II. This person will be responsible for supporting work plans to implement MARC’s initiatives related to public transit, enhanced mobility, public outreach and engagement, performance management and other related programs. 

Date posted: Feb. 15, 2024

Position status: Conducting interviews

This is a full- time professional position with MARC. MARC prepares a long-range Metropolitan Transportation Plan every five years, including elements for all modes of travel, a Transportation Improvement Program every two years allocating federal funds to projects, and other metropolitan planning products. The Transportation Department establishes priorities, guides investments, and supports coordinated operations to implement the region’s long-range plan for a safe, balanced, and equitable transportation system. It advances the region’s vision for quality places, focusing development and redevelopment energy around mixed-use, walkable activity centers, and the transportation corridors that connect them. The planner will provide support for engaging local officials, other stakeholders, and the public in integrating public transportation, enhanced mobility, and performance management initiatives with each other, and with local government and statewide plans.

What you’ll do 

• Provide lead staff support to the MARC Mobility Advisory Committee by helping advance this group’s workplan, including coordinating with key stakeholders to establish meeting agendas, recruit speakers, track committee action, deliver committee meeting packets and similar tasks.
• Lead review towards update of the Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan.  
• Support programming of FTA Section 5310 funds.  
• Lead development and maintenance of the agency’s Public Participation Plan.
• Lead Department’s Public Service Announcement PSA campaign.
• Kick off and lead other engagement focus groups (ex: High School Focus Group, etc.)
• Support transit planning initiatives with RideKC planning partners.
• Support transit planning work (Bistate Corridor, SmartMoves 3.0 update, etc.).
• Support compliance with transit-related federal performance measures program requirements.
• Support agency’s various public engagement & outreach initiatives.
• Support & help organize and convene MARC’s planners’ roundtable.  
• Support Environmental Justice analysis work around MTP, TIP, and other initiatives.
• Support and ensure compliance with Title VI, Limited English Proficiency requirements.
• Support Diversity Equity and Inclusion goals for department work efforts.
• Advance Mobility Hub planning workplan.  

Skills you’ll need

• Knowledge of transportation planning principles and practices and strong project management skills.  
• The ability to be effective in working with diverse constituencies, including local government officials, internal and external boards and committees and the public.
• Strong attention to detail, ability to handle multiple demands simultaneously, strong interpersonal skills, excellent oral, written communication and public speaking skills, and experience with communicating regional land use, transportation and environmental planning concepts.  
• Skills in operating computer programs using spreadsheet, database, word processing, geographic information systems, and other similar programs.  
• Skills in interpreting complex graphic and/or computer output related to the metropolitan planning process.

Basic requirements

Planner I Education and Experience:  

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in transportation planning, regional planning, geography, or a closely related field.  
• A master’s degree and at least one year of related work experience in transportation or regional planning is preferred.  
• Any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience may be considered to meet minimum qualifications.
• Certifications: None.
• Licenses: None.

Planner II Education and Experience:

• Requires a master’s degree in transportation planning, regional planning, geography, public administration, or a closely related field, and at least two years of related work experience. Any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience may be considered to meet minimum qualifications.
• One to two years urban planning experience (city, MPO, private, other). Experience in ESRI ArcGIS products preferred.
• Certifications: AICP certification preferred.  
• Licenses: None.

All positions require successful and progressively responsible and related work experience, and project management experience.       

• Starting salary for a Planner I is from $44,600 to $56,850 per year, depending upon qualifications.  
• Starting salary for a Planner II is from $50,600 to $64,525 per year, depending on qualifications.

MARC offers an attractive team-oriented work environment along with a competitive fringe benefit package. MARC offers employees the flexibility to work remotely for up to two days per work week. 

MARC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. MARC may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.