Transportation Planner II

Transportation Planner II

Salary

$74,000.16 - $77,350.00 Annually

Location

Houston, TX

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

38618

Department

Planning and Development

Division

Transportation

Opening Date

04/14/2026

Closing Date

4/28/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

POSITION OVERVIEW

Applications accepted from: All Persons Interested.

Division: Transportation Planning

Reporting Location: 611 Walker, 6th Floor

Workdays & Hours: Monday to Friday 8am-5pm*

Subject to Change*

Bring your passion for public service and improving the Houston community to our team as a Transportation Planner II. The work we do has a lasting impact on the future of our city. Houston is a place where the cost of living is more than 25% below the top 20 metro average, and with no state income tax, home ownership is very achievable. As the fourth largest and most ethnically diversity city in the U.S., Houston has first-class access to medical care, recreation, food, festivals, sports, museums, and the performing arts.

ABOUT US

The City of Houston's Planning & Development Department is a key player in the mayor's efforts to improve public safety and infrastructure, enhance the quality of life, and maintain an efficient government that works for more than 2 million residents. Much like Houston itself, we are a culturally diverse team that is committed to improving Houston's built environment. Our team draws and retains passionate, curious, life-long learners, and big picture thought leaders who make a difference every day by balancing the needs and interests of the community we serve. We strive to operate as a customer-focused, goal-oriented, and efficient organization. We treat ourselves, our partners, and our customers with respect while placing continuous learning at the center of our operations.

POSITION PROFILE

The City of Houston's Planning & Development Department Transportation team offers an exceptional opportunity to make significant and tangible impact on the daily lives of one of America's largest and most complex urban environments. Houston is not a one-size-fits-all city. In this role, you will be in the front line of developing innovative solutions to improve mobility, expand access, and provide safe active transportation for all. The dynamic nature of Houston's growth means you will work on a wide variety of projects including the Major Thoroughfare and Freeway plan, Mayor Whitmire's sidewalk initiative, bike-to-trail plan, waterways plan, and safe railroad crossings plan to name a few. You will work closely with the GIS team to assemble data for the high injury database and leverage third party's traffic data to enhance our toolbox for decision making. You will be coordinating mobility and transit projects with other agencies such as METRO, HGAC, TXDoT, Harris County, TIRZs, Management Districts, Houston Parks Board, and more. A career in public service with the City of Houston Planning & Development Department Transportation team provides a chance to engage in challenging work that directly shapes the urban landscape, ensuring the city's transportation network supports a high quality of life

and economic opportunity for everyone. Demonstrated proficiency in GIS and transportation modeling software are preferred.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Presents, or assists in presenting, detailed reports or studies to community groups, government agencies, stakeholders, and the public.
• Assists in the development of studies in support of new or updated plans, programs, projects, or regulations.
• Serves as liaison to coordinate plans, projects, and policies with other City departments and outside organizations.
• Writes, or assists in writing, formal and technical reports, planning documents, grants and correspondences.
• Reviews project proposals of moderate complexity for compliance with applicable regulations or standards.
• Provides technical assistance and professional support in the administration of specific transportation planning programs, regulations, grants, or projects.
• Research and compiles information on a variety of planning issues from multiple sources.
• Prepares maps and other graphical representations of data of varying complexity.
• Works closely with the public on transportation planning programs, requirements, or projects.
• Create and maintain data in a geographical information system or other database format.

JOB SPECIFIC SKILLS:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Proficiency in ArcGIS and other specialized software such as TransCAD, Remix, etc.
• Ability to communicate orally, graphically, and in written form about transportation planning programs, studies, and projects the public and technical audiences.
• Project management, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Attention to detail; time management & organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines; proposes new ideas and solutions; success working with diverse stakeholders.

PERSONALITY TRAITS:

• Disciplined, self-responsible, reliable, result-oriented with a positive outlook, and a clear focus on high quality and customer service.
• A natural forward-thinker who critically assesses own performance and has an aptitude and desire to learn new competencies and skills.
• Professional and skilled at representing the Department to a wide range of audiences.
• Adapts well to changes and works well with others.
• Well-presented and businesslike.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The position occasionally requires stooping or bending. Occasional very light lifting, such as three or four reams of papers or books (up to 20 pounds or an equivalent weight) may be required.

There are occasional minor discomforts from exposure to less-than-optimal temperature and air conditions. The position may involve dealing with modestly unpleasant situations, as with occasional exposure to office chemicals and/or extensive use of a video display terminal.

This is a Planning and Development Position at the Tier III Level.

All duties and responsibilities may not be included in the above job description.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Requires demonstrated knowledge of principles and practices of transportation planning, as well as in-depth knowledge within one or more planning specialties. Knowledge of this level is typically obtained through experience and a Bachelors degree in Urban Planning, Transportation Planning, Civil Engineering, Geography, Public Policy or an equivalent in-depth specialized training program that is directly related to the type of work being performed.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Four years of progressively responsible planning experience required, with at least one year of professional transportation planning experience.

A Masters degree in Urban Planning, Transportation, Civil Engineering, Geography, Public Policy or closely related field may be substituted for two years of experience.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:

None

PREFERENCES

Preference will be given to individuals who have:

• Demonstrated design skills related to transportation infrastructure, i.e. street design and appropriate dimensions for street components for urban areas.
• Intermediate and above proficiency in Microsoft Office, and specifically Excel.
• Intermediate and above proficiency in ArcGIS and other specialized software such as TransCAD, Remix, etc.

Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED

The selection process will involve application review and/or interview. The hiring department may administer a skill assessment.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION - No.

If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

PAY GRADE: 21

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov.

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfm or call 832-393-6049.

If you need special services or accommodations, call 832-393-6049. (TTY 7-1-1)

If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new hires and re-hires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

EOE Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individuals sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan. Benefits include:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Wellness
• Supplemental Insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability
• Retirement pension
• 457 deferred compensation plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• 10 days of vacation each year
• 13 city holidays, plus one floating holiday
• Compensable Sick Leave
• Personal Leave
• Flexible schedules
• Hybrid-Telework for eligible positions
• Professional development opportunities
• Transportation/parking plan
• Section 125 pretax deductions
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
• Paid Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness Leaves
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

For plan details, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/benefits.html

01

Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces (United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) for more than 90 consecutive days and received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions?

• Yes
• No

02

What is the highest level of education you have obtained?

• High School Diploma / GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher
• An equivalent in-depth specialized training program that is directly related to the type of work being performed.

03

If you selected a degree above, please select the area of concentration.

• Urban Planning
• Transportation Planning
• Civil Engineering
• Geography
• Public Policy
• Other

04

If you selected "other" or "an equivalent in-depth specialized training program that is directly related to the type of work being performed," please provide the area of concentration, otherwise type N/A

05

How many years of progressively responsible planning experience do you possess?

• Less than 2 years
• 2 years but less than 3 years
• 3 years but less than 4 years
• 4 years but less than 6 years
• 6 years or more
• No experience

06

How many years of professional transportation planning experience do you possess?

• Less than One year of professional transportation planning experience
• One year but less than two years of professional transportation planning experience
• Two years but less than three years of professional transportation planning experience
• Three or more years of transportation planning experience
• No professional transportation planning experience

07

Please indicate your proficiency level in using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)?

• Beginner (ex: create basic maps with limited experience with other functionalities)
• Intermediate (ex: edit layers, create detailed maps, create, and manage geodatabase)
• Advanced (ex: geospatial analysis, programing, and ArcGIS Online map development)

08

Please explain your proficiency level and your experience in using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). If no experience type N/A

09

How many years of project management experience do you possess?

• Less than 2 years
• 2 to less than 4 years
• 4 years or more
• No experience

10

Ability to attend meetings after business-work hours.

• Yes
• No

11

Are you willing to take a technical skills test and/or provide a professional portfolio for review for this position?

• Yes
• No

12

Do you have experience, formal training, or specialized education related to transportation demand management?

• Yes
• No

13

Please explain your proficiency level and your experience related to transportation demand management. If no experience type N/A.

14

List the software applications you have used in a professional setting that relates to the responsibilities of this role. Provide examples of how you have applied these tools in past projects or tasks. If no prior experience, type N/A.

15

Are you currently an employee of COH Planning and Development Department?

• Yes
• No

16

List the software applications you have used in a professional setting that relates to the responsibilities of this role. Provide examples of how you have applied these tools in past projects or tasks. If no prior experience type N/A.

17

Please indicate your proficiency level in data analysis using Excel:

• Beginner (creation and formatting of worksheets, creating reports)
• Intermediate (Preparing Data for Analysis Using Functions, formatting and create a variety of templates, merges; manage table data, sort and filter merges, create MS Excel applications)
• Advanced (Creating an executive data summary, data for analysis in tools such as Power BI, create MS Excel applications, manage table data, sort and filter merges, advanced techniques for analyzing and manipulating data)

18

Please list any certifications you hold that are relevant to the responsibilities or requirements of this position, including the issuing organization and expiration dates (if applicable).

Required Question

Employer City of Houston

Address 901 Bagby St

Houston, Texas, 77002

Website https://www.houstontx.gov/