Director of Transit Planning

Salary:

Position Range: $127,539.00 - $176,544.00 Hiring Range: $135,707.000 - $160,210.000 Most applicants’ offers will fall within this hiring range based on qualifications, experience, and alignment with the role’s needs.

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Join the team that keeps the Tri-Cities moving!

OUR MISSION

Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) provides exceptional and cost-effective transportation services that consistently exceed customer expectations while promoting the principles and practices of livable communities and sustainable development.

OUR VALUES

We value customer service, collaboration, diversity, fiscal accountability, innovation, sustainability and safety.  Employees and representatives of BFT are expected to uphold our values and mission.

NATURE OF POSITION

Direct and oversee the Agency’s service planning function under the leadership of the Chief Planning & Development Officer; lead the development of short- and long-range transit planning efforts across fixed route, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit, on-demand CONNECT, and Rideshare/Vanpool programs; manage performance measurement, route analysis, and new service development; provide direct supervision to department planning staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct short- and long-range transit planning studies in coordination with the Chief Planning & Development Office; analyze and evaluate current and proposed transportation services across all agency modes; utilize transit performance data to evaluate travel patterns and develop recommendations on service improvements.

• Oversee project implementation; manage planning staff, consultants, and/or contractors to ensure projects are completed on scope, schedule, and budget.

• Perform complex cost-benefit analysis on current and proposed service alternatives.

• Develop and apply ridership demand models and data analytics to forecast route performance and inform short- and long-range service planning decisions.

• Directly supervise the Planning Scheduler position and provide oversight of all fixed route scheduling functions, including schedule development, run cut coordination, sign-up coordination, and service change implementation.

• Supervise systematic sampling plans to support manual and automated passenger and performance data collection programs.

• Oversee Global Positioning System (GPS) and geospatial data collection activities in support of agency transit planning, ensuring data quality and integration with planning workflows.

• Oversee the Agency’s use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to create maps, spatial analyses, and reports supporting transit planning decisions; ensure GIS data and tools are maintained and kept current, without directly performing this work.

• Monitor programs related to Agency’s bus stops and transit centers.

• Lead compilation of the planning-related elements of the Agency’s annual Transit Development Plan (TDP), working with the Chief Planning & Development Officer, Director of Finance, and Director of Capital Projects, including Board presentation materials and public comment processes.

• Inform and update the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to ensure planning needs for passenger facilities (e.g., bus stops, transit centers) are reflected; this position does not have oversight of the CIP.

• Lead the Agency’s Annual Service Plan (ASP) update process and determine how it will impact the operational budget.

• Oversee fixed route scheduling processes, ensuring service is planned efficiently and aligns with service standards, available resources, and the ASP.

• Develop, implement, and maintain the Agency’s Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP); maintain and update the approved Long-Range Transit Plan (LRTP).

• Oversee the Agency’s CONNECT third-party service contract.

• Work with the Manager of Data & Analytics to compile service-related National Transit Database (NTD) reporting and support overall data analysis functions.

• Plan, assign, and supervise the work of staff; interview and recommend selection of job candidates; train, monitor and evaluate performance; take corrective action as needed.

• Assist with grant identification, writing, and administration to secure federal, state, and regional funding for planning projects; ensure compliance with grant requirements and reporting obligations.

• Create and present reports, presentations, and recommendations to internal stakeholders, BFT’s Board of Directors, governmental agencies, and the community. 

• Work collaboratively with local officials, agencies, jurisdictions, and developers to advance transit projects and programs; communicate and coordinate transit planning impacts with various agencies; assist the Chief Planning & Development Officer in jurisdictional coordination with the cities BFT serves, as well as with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and the Benton Franklin Council of Governments.

• Stay current with local, state, and national legislation regarding transportation to evaluate the legality of current and potential infrastructure.

• Update and maintain operational service guidelines, performance standards, and related policies.

• Apply transit-specific software and data systems to analyze operations, service statistics, and budget information; use findings to guide short- and long-range service planning and delivery.

• Manage ongoing planning-adjacent software contracts and lead procurement of new planning software as needed (e.g., Remix, CSched, Swiftly).

• Provide input on operational software procurements and implementations (e.g., RideCo, TripSpark).

• Lead public engagement activities including meetings, open houses, and community outreach; present service plans and incorporate community input into planning decisions.

• Coordinate with the Director of Marketing on efforts to promote Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) services to the public; provide service planning input to inform marketing priorities and help determine the best use of marketing resources.

• Monitor services to ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI); oversee the update and implementation of BFT’s Title VI Program.

• Work with Marketing and Customer Service staff to routinely update the Agency’s Language Assistance Plan.

• Work with and maintain confidential information.

• Demonstrate regular and punctual attendance.

• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Interpret and apply Federal, State, and local regulations governing public transit systems.

• Understand and apply FTA regulations and guidance related to assigned activities.

• Principles and practices of supervision, training, and employee development.

• Principles and practices of short- and long-range transit planning, including Transit Development Plans (TDPs), Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs), urban planning, transit system development, and land use planning.

• Methods and techniques used in analyzing transit service performance and productivity.

• Principles and practices of data collection, statistical analysis, and report generation.

• Understand principles of land use permitting processes for the installation of bus stops and other passenger facilities.

• Working knowledge of GIS, GPS, and other automated support systems and software used in the transit industry, sufficient to direct and oversee their application.Read and interpret construction drawings, maps, and other technical documents and materials.

• Communicate technical information to non-technical audiences.

• Write clear, concise reports, presentations, documents, and relevant applications.

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted during work.

• Stay current with emerging technologies, best practices, and changes in policies, regulations, and guidelines established by professional organizations and governing agencies.

• Utilize office equipment and other relevant technology (software and systems) to meet business needs.

• Understand, follow, and communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

• Work as a team member and independently; effectively apply organizational and time management skills; meet deadlines and comply with Agency policies.

• Exercise sound judgment in making decisions.

• Focus on tasks and recall details; handle frequent interruptions.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

• Collaboration:  Shares time and knowledge with others; adjusts priorities as circumstances dictate; follows through on commitments, accepts responsibility for actions, resolves interpersonal conflicts constructively. 

• Diversity: Demonstrates an awareness and respect of cultural and individual values.  Treats all people with dignity, courtesy and respect.

• Fiscal Accountability: Actively contributes to the productivity of the agency; demonstrates good stewardship of company time and resources; displays high standards of ethical conduct.

• Customer Service:  Anticipates the needs of internal and external customers; delivers quality work products and services within expected timeframes. Considers and responds appropriately to people in various situations.

• Innovation: Considers new approaches to situations; encourages ideas and improvements.

• Sustainability: Actively encourages environmental benefits and the conservation of natural resources.

• Safety: Adheres to safety related laws, regulations, standards, and practices; performs work in a safe manner; encourages and supports others to be safe while at work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Transportation Planning/Engineering, or related field from an accredited institution and seven (7) years’ progressively responsible experience in transit service planning and development, including at least two (2) years in a supervisory or lead planning role; or an equivalent combination of experience, training, and education. Must possess a valid driver’s license.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS & OTHER REQUIREMENTS

None.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, or related field. Experience with scheduling, analysis, and implementation of multimodal transit services including fixed route, ADA paratransit, on-demand, and/or vanpool programs. American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification strongly desired. Experience with Title VI compliance, Transit Development Plans (TDPs), or NTD reporting is a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Generally sedentary in nature; occasionally stand and walk; intermittently kneel, stoop, bend and twist at the waist, and reach overhead; sit for long periods of time. Rarely kneel, crouch, or crawl. Occasionally lift, push/pull, or carry up to 40 pounds. Good vision to read print and computer screen. Hear and speak to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. Manual dexterity of hands and fingers to include repetitive keyboarding, grasping and reaching to operate a computer keyboard, mouse and/or standard office equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is primarily performed in an office environment where noise, distractions, and lack of privacy may be present. Operate a motor vehicle. Must be available to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends as needed. Occasional travel is required.

If you want to give back to the community, consider hopping onboard the team that's going places!

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy