POSITION SUMMARY:

The Transit Planner will be a member of a dynamic team that plans and implements bus routes and schedules for the Des Moines region. The Transit Planner will perform a variety of professional and technical transit planning activities, including conducting analysis, evaluating public requests, developing recommendations, as well as siting and implementing bus stops and customer amenities. 

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Develop short and long term fixed route, Para Transit and mobility on demand service plans
• Review requests for adding, removing, relocating or upgrading transit services, bus stops and associated amenities
• Lead the site selection, planning, design and implementation of bus shelters and other transit customer amenities.
• Coordinate with municipalities and private developers to review land use, streetscape and roadway projects to recommend transit enhancements 
• Gather, analyze and report transit, land use and related statistical data
• Maintain DART’s shelter and bus stop database
• Maintain real-time information system programs and data (i.e. Arc-GIS, AVL, GTFS)
• Create maps using GIS software for spatial analysis and for Authority maps and schedules
• Provide transit representation and perspective to various groups and agencies
• Assist with public outreach to share information and collect feedback on various DART initiatives
• Perform a variety of studies regarding routing design, passenger travel surveys and market research analyses to advise service improvements
• May assist in transit scheduling functions as required

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Urban and/or Transportation Planning, Geography, Public Administration or related fields
• A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible work experience in the planning profession
• Experience in public transportation is preferred but not required
• AICP Candidate or Certification a plus

Special Requirements:

• Valid Iowa drivers’ license with acceptable driving record

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of transit planning practices as it relates to bus operations, ridership analysis and land use integration
• Knowledge of and/or experience with transit technology including passenger counting systems and automatic vehicle location technology
• Knowledge of planning principles and practices, along with data analysis methods, to understand the principles of public transportation and urban planning and the application of them
• Knowledge of the principles of bus stop placement so as to balance the concepts of pedestrian access and route speed in bus stop placement that optimizes system ridership
• Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its requirements as they pertain to the needs of the elderly and disabled when bus stop placement decisions are made
• Knowledge of personal computers and current software programs for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, email and databases at the advanced level of proficiency; as well as general knowledge of specialized software related to functional area; knowledge of Trapeze Ops beneficial 

Skills or Ability to:

• Ability to monitor and analyze demographic, ridership and performance data
• Ability to communicate orally and in written form in a clear and concise manner
• Strong organizational and analytical skills are essential
• Ability to work independently managing complex projects with multiple, third-party consultants, budgets and deadlines
• Ability to establish project goals, lead collaborative project planning efforts and successfully transition completed activities to operating personnel
• Ability to perform spatial data analysis and mapping presentation skills using ArcGIS 

Competency to:

• Developing Plans  
• Displaying Technical Expertise
• Acquiring Information
• Critical Thinking 
• Delivering High Quality Work
• Prioritizing and Organizing Work
• Reference and understand regulatory documents

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

This position may delegate work to a part-time staff member or supervise an intern 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

On a normal work day, this position requires:

• Prolonged periods of sitting, reaching, standing and/or walking
• Extensive use of hands, fingers and arms in operations requiring constant handling of paper documents, computing and entering data using a keyboard and ten key calculator
• Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less to read and enter numerical data
• The ability to hear normal verbal conversation with or without corrective devices to communicate with co-workers and customers
• The ability to speak and read the English language clearly and concisely
• Requires the capacity to exert up to 50 pounds by pushing, pulling or lifting
• Requires the capacity to conduct field reviews and take measurements in conditions that might include traversing grass, snow, gravel or pavement. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Primary work location is in a general office environment, heated during the winter and cooled in the summer.
• Occasional exposure to disagreeable elements such as extreme heat and cold in maintaining and siting bus stop signs, shelters and related
• Occasionally required to operate motor vehicle in official DART business

DISCLAIMER:

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the position. While this list is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current position, the DART Commission reserves the right to revise the functions and duties of the position, or to require that additional or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g.,  emergencies, staff shortages, work load changes, rush jobs, or technological developments).