The Position
The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) is seeking a team-oriented professional to lead its Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)/Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) group within the Transportation Division. This position will provide leadership and expertise in planning and implementation efforts of regional goals and objectives in the ITS/TSMO areas. Responsibilities for the position include leading regional ITS/TSMO planning efforts with a specific focus on the development and implementation of an update to the ITS/TSMO regional plan as a part of the regional transportation planning process; provide technical advisory services to MAG member-agencies; analysis and identification of technology solutions for improvement of the regional transportation system management and operations across various planning horizons and different transportation modes; project management and contractual negotiations. The program manager will have extensive demonstrated expertise in modern ITS and TSMO technologies and serve as an expert advisor to MAG staff and MAG member-agencies. The program manager will provide support and establish strong rapport with the MAG ITS technical committee, directly supervise program staff, and provide technical and administrative leadership for the program.

Post date: 8/5/2024
Closes: The position is open until filled.
Status: Full-time, Exempt.
Salary: Grade 42 $101,139.62 – $151,709.43
Location: Maricopa Association of Governments, downtown Phoenix, Arizona.

Essential Qualifications and Skills:

• Extensive knowledge of ITS and TSMO, including emerging technologies.
• Proven track record of successfully managing and mentoring staff members.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to partner internally and externally to find solutions to complex problems.
• Strong work ethic and a desire to be a part of a high-performance environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate complex technical information in a simple, easy to understand manner to a variety of audiences, including the MAG policy and technical committees, stakeholder groups, and members of the public.

Background:

Over the past two decades, the MAG region has benefitted from a well-funded ITS program; most member agencies have leveraged the federal funding and local sources available to build out their ITS networks. Under the Regional Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Investment Plan (RSTIIP), which guides transportation funding policy in the MAG region for the next 20-year period, there will be a significant increase in the amount of funding allocated for ITS. Specifically, the RSTIIP allocates more than $700 million over a 20-year period, or $35 million per year specifically for ITS improvements. Further, most of the funding allocated by the RSTIIP comes from regional sales tax revenues instead of federal funding, which provides the opportunity to be more creative and flexible with projects. The availability of these financial resources come at a pivotal time for the region as it is uniquely positioned to become a leader in the ITS space given the arterial grid system, age of the region’s transportation infrastructure, and relationship with external transportation agencies.

Throughout the years, MAG and its regional partners have worked together to develop a comprehensive, well-connected ITS infrastructure under a collaborative umbrella while allowing for the coordination of transportation operations and traffic management regionwide. The 2018 Systems Management and Operations Plan, MAG’s most recent regional ITS plan, continued pursuit of bridging ITS infrastructure with transportation operations. This position will oversee the update of this plan, as well as other regional ITS/TSMO planning projects and efforts that will serve as the basis for distribution of the funding throughout the region.

The Candidate

• The ideal candidate will be an experienced, forward-looking professional with a broad range of ITS and TSMO experience.
• Candidates should have strong planning, project management, communication and organizational skills.
• Candidates should demonstrate the ability to think critically and analytically to bring together complex tasks into a set of cohesive deliverables that will inform policies and strategies and help build consensus.
• The candidate will also require the ability to provide public meeting presentations, conveying complex, technical information in a clear and concise manner, and facilitate productive committee and working group sessions.
• Ability to work efficiently and responsively as a team member in a fast-paced environment with numerous projects and requests is essential.
• Ability to be an effective and supportive team member is a must.
• Knowledge of the metropolitan planning processes and funding, familiarity with federal laws and regulations relevant to TSMO and ITS planning on a regional level is highly desirable.

Experience and Education

• A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, transportation planning, public administration or a related field; master’s degree preferred.
• The candidate must have at least five years of applicable experience, including demonstrated progressive management experience and prior work in ITS and TSMO.

Location
This job is located at the MAG office in downtown Phoenix, Arizona (302 N 1st. Ave, Suite 300, Phoenix, AZ 85003). The agency is currently operating in a hybrid work environment, with a minimum of three days in-office. Relocation assistance may be available.

About MAG
The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) is a group of local governments working together on issues that touch the lives of every resident. We are a regional planning agency that develops solutions in areas such as transportation, air quality, economic development, and programs that meet the human needs of the region.
MAG serves a thriving region of more than 4 million people. Our members include 27 cities and towns, three Native American communities, Maricopa County and Pinal County. Our planning area encompasses more than 10,000 square miles. MAG is a council of governments and the designated metropolitan planning organization for transportation planning.
MAG conducts extensive applied research to help frame public policy and further our core mission of strengthening the Greater Phoenix region. Through innovative tools such as our interactive online maps, we make data accessible to the public for a broad range of uses. Visit www.azmag.gov to learn more. MAG is a great place to work. We are an equal opportunity employer and provide an excellent benefits package.

Link to Job Posting here.

Link to Apply for Job here.

Job Type: In-office