Overview

This position requires that the successful applicant be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to start date.  This policy is applied in compliance with applicable laws, and accommodations may be made for bona fide medical, religious, or other qualifying exemptions.

BASIC PURPOSE

Advance the mission and goals of PSTA by supporting the development of thoughtful and technically sound plans and projects.  Conduct planning and project development activities for transportation projects under the direction of more senior staff.   Provide staff support in the development, analysis, implementation, and community engagement of the Authority’s transit planning programs, projects, and grants.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Plan Development, Review and Research

  • Support development of the Transit Development Plan and annual updates, including mapping, spatial analysis, document review, comparative route analysis, peer system review, and authoring of some components.
  • Assist in the development of PSTA’s Title VI Program and LEP program.  Assist with Title VI analysis related to major service changes.
  • Support PSTA’s Sustainability Program and related initiatives.  Includes authoring sustainability related planning documents and reports, analyzing progress toward goals, and identifying new initiatives. 
  • Participate in transportation and land use planning projects led by other agencies, including the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Forward Pinellas (the Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization).
  • Analyze, evaluate, and prepare written comments on transportation studies, environmental impact reports, land use studies, and any documents or reports that are relevant to the Authority’s present and future operation.
  • Process and analyze demographic, economic, land use, transportation and spatially referenced data for use in transportation planning studies.  Present data and analysis in a cohesive, consistent format, with thoughtful and clear interpretations and conclusions.
  • Research current transportation related topics, policies, and “best practices” and document/present findings.
  • Support development of FDOT, Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and other discretionary grant proposals. Includes tasks such as authoring grant narratives, analyzing and compiling related data, and budget development. 

Transit Service Planning

  • Provide assistance in efforts to align PSTA service with community needs.  May include preparation and implementation of route surveys and other data collection to identify needs.
  • Participate in the planning of service modifications/improvements, transit center and Park and Ride development and implementation. 
  • Analyze route performance through the application of qualitative and quantitative performance standards.  Develop maps and reports to support analysis.
  • Assist in developing corridor-specific transit service plans including estimation of ridership and capital/operating costs.
  • Provide planning data, including GIS data, to other divisions and departments.  Ensure accurate data is integrated into development of services changes and planning documents.
  • Assist with the development and compilation of statistical reports for staff, management, and outside agencies.

Capital Projects

  • Assist with amenity related planning projects, including bus stop consolidation, art in transit projects, and shelter deployment planning. Coordinate with local jurisdictions and other departments on amenities.
  • Assist with planning activities associated with capital improvement projects including transit/intermodal center project development and environmental analysis.   Assist in evaluation of project costs and benefits, and development of project justification. 
  • Assist with local jurisdiction site plan review and development of recommendations on transit improvements for the site.

Agency Coordination and Public Engagement

  • Assists PSTA’s public outreach team with presentations and events.
  • Monitors agency and public comments and policies with regard to plan development and integrate as appropriate into PSTA plans.
  • Ensures requested documentation and data are available to representatives of other agencies.
  • Represent PSTA at various county, district, state, federal, and public meetings as assigned including: Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC), Pedestrian Transportation Advisory Committee (PTAC), and Technical Coordination Committee (TCC). 
  • Develops responses to requests for information as appropriate.
  • Compile documentation to track department performance scorecard metrics.

Other

  • Engage in quality control activities and peer work reviews with team members in the Planning Department.
  • Provide support and analysis for innovative projects (e.g. Mobility as a Service, Autonomous Vehicles, etc.).
  • Attend and present at industry conferences (Florida Public Transit Association (FPTA), American Public Transportation Association (APTA), American Bus Benchmarking Group (ABBG), and others as needed.
  • Perform other professional duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Education: Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in Planning, Community Development, Public Administration, or similar.  Master’s Degree preferred.
  • Required Experience:   3+ years of related work experience with a Bachelor’s degree preferred; 1+ years of related work experience with a Master’s Degree preferred.
  • Preferred: Transit/Transportation planning experience (agency or consultant) which may include internships. ESRI ArcGIS10, SPSS, graphic design.  AICP Certification, or the desire to achieve certification. 
  • License: Must possess or obtain and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

This position requires knowledge of the planning field, tools, concepts, and the use of planning best practices. Applicants with knowledge of, and experience with, transit and transportation planning processes including long range planning, systems planning, land use policy, cost/benefit analysis, travel demand model data usage, and/or geospatial data analyses and data presentation are preferred.

Communication skills, including strong writing and presentation skills, are a requirement of this position. Preferred applicants will have writing and formal presentation experience. Ability to analyze complex data using GIS, databases, and spreadsheets is also highly important.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate ability to work within a collaborative team environment and be comfortable providing assistance to multiple project managers. An ability to work across diverse departments and disciplines with respect, tact and professionalism is required. Successful candidates should also demonstrate their ability to be thoughtful, conscientious, organized, creative and passionate.

 

PSTA is a Drug Free/Smoke Free Workplace. PSTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer – M/F/D/V

 

Apply here: https://phe.tbe.taleo.net/phe01/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=UH9TY5&cws=40&rid=572

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