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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00162435 |
Description Activated On: 5/21/2026 6:19:33 AM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. Directs development, coordination, and implementation of transportation plans and programs as required by federal and state laws, regulations, and policies for the Metropolitan and Rural Planning Organizations in Western Pennsylvania. |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. Performs managerial planning and programming duties in the Transportation Program Development Division within the Center for Program Development and Management. Serves as the Western MPO Section Manager and is responsible for planning and programming activities related to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC), Erie (EATS), and Shenango Valley (SVTS) Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), and the Northwest Rural Planning Organization (RPO). Oversees federal and state required MPO/RPO work products and activities and ensure compliance with federal and state regulations in completion of these tasks. The Section Manager assigns appropriate planning and programming activities, for identified MPO/RPO areas to the subordinate positions. Final review of all work is the Section Manager’s responsibility. Supervises the work of the planning staffs of each MPO to assure that all required transportation planning and programming activities and products, meet and satisfy all federal [Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Federal Environmental Protections Agency (EPA)] and state regulations, requirements, and policies for highways and public transportation. Provides guidance and assistance, as needed, to Department District staff on policy and funding aspects of the planning and programming process. This includes activities related to Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) development and management, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) implementation, Program Management Committee (PMC) item preparation, transportation briefings, management of accrued unbilled costs and inactive obligations, ensuring alignment of funding with project delivery and construction schedules, funding eligibility determinations, and general coordination with the MPOs and Central Office executive management on planning and programming activities and project implementation issues. Works with staffs of the assigned MPOs and RPOs and appropriate federal, state, and local officials or their representatives to reach decisions on all programs and other issues impacting transportation program development and implementation (TIPs, Unified Planning Work Programs/contracts, Long Range Transportation Plans, Federal Certification Reviews, current federal legislation implementation, invoices, Performance Management, etc.). Coordinates and manages preparation and approval of the Unified Planning Work Programs (UPWPs) for assigned MPO and RPO areas, and the completion of all performance objectives in accordance with a prescribed schedule, including Safety, Bridge and Pavement Asset Management, Congestion and Intermodal Management Systems planning, etc. Supports development of Planning Priorities information which provides MPOs and RPOs with direction for development of the UPWPs. Assures that UPWP guidance issued by the Department is followed in development, approval and submission of the UPWPs to the Department. Ensures that FHWA/FTA have adequate time to review and comment on the draft UPWP documents before they are presented to the Coordinating Committee/Policy Boards for approval. After approval, ensures that the MPOs and RPOs have provided all required documents as part of their submission to the Department for FHWA's back-check of the documents/final approval so that contract execution may begin. Reviews Supplemental Planning Study funding requests from assigned MPOs and RPOs and recommends approval/non-approval to management based on project priorities. If approved, manages the funding, progress and payment of these activities. Participates and directs the implementation of planning studies with the assigned MPOs and RPOs (which includes, but limited to Long Range Transportation Plans, Corridor Studies, Park and Ride Studies, Congestion Management Process Studies, etc.). Prepares semi-annual reports to FHWA and FTA on the development and progress of the tasks identified in each MPO/RPO UPWP. Provides technical assistance to the MPO/RPO in the development of supplemental planning studies. Reviews each work task performed by each MPO/RPO in their UPWP which is under contract with the Department. After review, recommends full or partial payment of invoices for the contract work. Assures compliance of projects on the TIP and Long-Range Plans with the requirements of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA), as amended. Coordinates Western MPO planning and programming activities with the Interstate Management Program (IMP), Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program (TASA), Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), Multimodal programs and any new funding programs that require administration through the TIP/12-Year Program (TYP). Coordinates with the Bureau of Public Transportation (BPT) and Transit Operators in transit planning and programming activities related to the TIP and Long-Range Plan. Responsible for up-to-date status reports and briefings to decision makers on all major highway, bridge and transit projects in the assigned MPO and RPO areas. This involves active involvement in the preliminary engineering and environmental studies for these projects. Prepares letters of response for Secretary, Deputy Secretary, or Bureau Director's signature for various correspondence concerning highway, bridge and transit projects and transportation program matters. Provides support to PMC including preparation of meetings minutes, prepares PMC/CPDM action items and inputs PMC/CPDM decisions into MPMS. Provide support for the development of various guidance documents related to the development of regional TIPS, UPWPs, etc. Provide support to the development and implementation of action plans in response to federal reviews (Federal Certification Reviews/STIP planning findings), audit findings, etc. Provides coordination support to the Press Office, Office of Legislative Affairs, Department Management, and other parties on regional inquiries. Meet federal and state laws, supervises and develops each MPOs, and transit authorities’ Transportation Improvements Program (TIP), Twelve Year Program (TYP), and Long-Range Transportation Plan for highways and public transportation projects in coordination with each MPO and RPO and the Department’s District planning and programming personnel. Directs the management and implementation of the transportation program in Western Pennsylvania that involves planning, programming and implementation of highway and transit transportation projects in the assigned MPO and RPO regions. Assures that the development of the TIPs and TYPs are in compliance with FHWA, FTA, EPA and state regulations and requirements. Directs the development, completion and presentation of all funding Program adjustments to the TIP/TYP through fiscal constraint charts for highway and transit projects at all MPO’s Technical and Coordinating Committee meetings, and for approvals by the Coordinating Committee, FHWA, FTA, EPA and the Department’s management through the Program Management Committee. Supports data integrity activities by ensuring highway, bridge and transit project and financial related data is complete, up-to-date, and accurate in terms of milestones, narrative (including air quality conformity information) and funding information. Key dates for planning activities are monitored, tracked and updated to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations and policies. Serve on SPC’s Commission as a voting member. Serve as the alternate for the Deputy Secretary for Planning on the SPC Board, Executive Committee, Regional Policy Advisory Committee and special meetings as required. Serve as the alternate Department representative for the Erie MPO, Shenango Valley MPO, and Northwestern PA RPO on the coordinating and technical committees when necessary. Serve on the following additional MPO and Department Committees: -SPC Long Range Plan Subcommittee -SPC Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality (CMAQ)/Carbon Reduction Selection Subcommittee -SPC TIP Development Subcommittee -SPC Congestion Management Process (CMP) Subcommittee -SPC Transportation Operations and Safety Subcommittee (TOSS) -SPC Regional Operations Plan Subcommittee (ROP) -SPC Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program Subcommittee (TAP) Coordinates SPC regional planning activities with Ohio and West Virginia representatives, when required. Coordinates Western PA planning and programming activities with federal discretionary funding awards. Develop and maintain strong working relationships since development and management of all work products requires significant coordination with all planning partners (FHWA/FTA/MPO and RPO staff and members/county and local governments/District Offices). Assists in the implementation of private/public partnerships to finance transportation improvements by serving as a resource for interested groups and monitor progress through attendance at any advocate sponsored meetings. Presents various status reports on federal and state funds, funding issues and Department policies at MPO Committee meetings. Works with local projects sponsors to identify funding strategies for local projects. Coordinates the development and programming of transit and rail freight projects for the Southwestern Pennsylvania region with the Department’s Bureau of Public Transportation and the Bureau of Rail Freight. Perform Other Duties as required Safety: Assesses the environment and takes responsibility for individuals’ safety, the safety of co-workers, and the public. Attends required safety training and adheres to the requirements of all safety manuals, policies, and laws. Immediately reports to supervisor any incident, unsafe practice, or near miss. When in an enclosed environment (office buildings, confined spaces, flagger stations, equipment pinch points, etc.), Knows the evacuation process and escape route, communication protocols, and appropriately react in the event of an incident. Promotes a CULTURE that emphasizes SAFETY as a core value: - Immediately stop any unsafe actions. - Incorporate safety into all discussions, deliberations, and decisions. - Continuously communicate the safety direction. - Inspire employees to be a MODEL for safety. Encourage and support safety initiatives and programs by participating and involving your staff. Recognize safety daily. Acknowledge EXTRAORDINARY achievements. Learn and improve through After-Action Reviews (AARs). Enforce accountability. Workforce and Succession Planning: Actively engage in succession planning by assessing potential vacancies; identifying current and future critical needs and competencies; and assessing the interest, availability, and readiness of current staff and candidate pools. Work with employees to complete and maintain a Career Development Plan. Engage employees and recognize employees and their accomplishments. Establish a mechanism to identify, capture, and share explicit and tacit program/technical knowledge among staff. Provide guidance and training to newer employees as needed to help continuous workforce development. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. The employee works independently on all of the tasks mentioned above in the description of duties. Where required, the necessary signature authorizations will be obtained from the Bureau Director, Deputy Secretary or other designee. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. N/A 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. 5. 6. |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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