11/30/2012 11680

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING SPECIALIST 2

DEFINITION: This is advanced professional work in transportation planning and programming in the Department of Transportation involving highway, mass transit, aviation, rail freight, port, or waterway systems.

An employee in this job independently coordinates the development, update, and maintenance of statewide, regional, or district-wide transportation plans and programs. Work involves developing project program schedules, funding plans, and budgets; preparing reports relative to these plans and programs; collecting, validating, analyzing, and projecting transportation planning and programming data; assigning traffic volumes to proposed highway locations; validating aviation demand forecasts at statewide airport locations; providing strategic management support; performing highway functional classification activities; or conducting transportation studies. In the Central Office, work involves responsibility to develop new programs; accountability for a regional transportation organization to include service to the most complex local transportation planning organizations; or providing ongoing management of a complex transportation program characterized by multi-faceted, diverse, and intricate application processes and participation by organizations. In an Engineering District Office, work involves total program control for the district’s planning and programming function. Work may involve providing guidance to technicians performing transportation data collection, entry, and analysis and lower-level specialists who participate in the development and maintenance of transportation plans and programs. Work at this level is distinguished from the lower level by having increased decision making responsibility; involvement in the determination of program guidance; direct responsibility for multiple components or variables within the program that have significant effects on Department funding; and independence of action in determining daily operations. Work is performed with considerable independence, with general instructions received from a supervisor who reviews work upon completion for adherence to technical standards, policies, and results obtained.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Develops and monitors a program and schedule for project implementation in the area of highway construction and restoration, bridge rehabilitation and replacement, highway congestion and safety, public transportation, mass transit, rail freight, or airport development consistent with state funding capabilities or available funds.

In the Central Office, develops and monitors the statewide aviation improvement program and schedule for project implementation in the areas of airport planning, intermodal development, environmental compliance, navigational hazard mitigation, land/easement acquisition, facility improvements, and equipment procurement.

In the Central Office, develops and updates the statewide aviation Twelve Year Plan and balances the annual aviation improvement program.

In an Engineering District environment, develops, submits, and monitors the District Betterment Program.

In an Engineering District environment, develops and updates the Twelve Year Program, Annual Obligation Plan, Letting Schedules, and Capital Budgets.

Monitors the implementation schedules for key economic projects.

Conducts strategic planning studies related to varied aspects of the organization or to specific transportation issues.

Provides staff support and coordinates the development and maintenance of Priority Networks, the State Aviation System Plan, and the State Aviation Pavement Management System Plan.

Reviews and analyzes financing mechanisms and state and federal legislation.

Coordinates the analysis, study, and development of transportation partnerships, sponsors, and planning consultants to ensure that project eligibility, purpose, need, and feasibility are addressed and that priorities for funding key transportation projects are established.

Coordinates the development and monitoring of annual transportation planning and programming work.

Coordinates the development and annual update of the Four Year Business Plan budget.

Prepares written and oral reports for agency and local decision makers on individual projects, programs, and issues demanding attention.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles and objectives of transportation planning and programming.

Knowledge of the techniques and procedures involved in the collection, analysis, and evaluation of transportation planning data.

Knowledge of project planning methods and techniques.

Knowledge of statistical sampling techniques.

Knowledge of algebra and basic statistics.

Knowledge of the use and functionality of industry standard software application programs such as word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail, and database.

Ability to apply and interpret transportation planning principles and techniques to transportation planning studies and programs.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year of experience as a Transportation Planning Specialist 1;

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Two years of professional transportation planning or transportation programming experience, and a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, electrical engineering, mathematics, statistics, planning, computer science, or geography;

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An equivalent combination of experience and training.