Principal Planner
Closes: The position is open until 9:00am PDT Tuesday, July 9, 2024.
Status: Regular Full-time, 40 hours per week; Exempt FLSA status.
Salary: The starting salary range is $115,000 – $120,000 annually, DOE, with full benefits.
Location: Puget Sound Regional Council, Downtown Seattle, Washington; The position is eligible for hybrid or remote work (within Washington state).
The Puget Sound Regional Council is the regional transportation, growth management, and economic development planning agency serving Seattle and the central Puget Sound. The thriving region is home to over 4 million people and is one of the nation’s fastest growing metropolitan areas. PSRC brings together the region’s diverse counties, cities and towns, native tribes, ports, the state of Washington and civic interests to understand the challenges facing our region’s future and make plans for the region to continue to succeed. The agency serves as the region’s Metropolitan Planning Organization and also plays the leading regional role in growth management, transportation, and economic development under state and federal laws. Visit www.psrc.org to find out more. PSRC is an equal opportunity employer.
The strength of our region is rooted in our diversity. Barriers to opportunity and achievement for people of color and other marginalized groups only undermines the talent and resources available to our region, limiting our ceiling for excellence. Regions that remove barriers and reduce disparities maximize the ability of every resident and jurisdiction, creating stronger economies, more engaged communities, and improved outcomes for all residents. At PSRC, we’re striving to create a region where all people have the means to attain the resources and opportunities that improve their quality of life and enable them to reach their full potential; where differences in life outcomes cannot be predicted by race, class, or any other identity. In order for us to accomplish this, our workforce has to reflect the communities we serve. We’re committed to creating an agency where all of our employees can thrive. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply.
THE POSITION:
PSRC is seeking a Principal Planner to provide leadership and support to the Transportation Planning Division. This position reports to a Program Manager and will manage a diverse portfolio of planning tasks that advances transportation policies in support of VISION 2050 and the regional growth strategy. The Principal Planner will take a leading role in PSRC’s Transportation Planning Division’s major planning and policy initiatives, including work to develop and implement the Regional Transportation Plan. Primary areas of focus for this position will include transit – including access, specialized transportation, rail and ferries planning – as well as pedestrian and bicycle planning and transportation demand management. The core principles of safety, equity and climate are woven throughout all aspects of PSRC’s planning processes. This position requires extensive collaboration and coordination with member jurisdictions from around the region, including facilitation and management of PSRC staff committees. The incumbent will lead project teams of professional staff across the division and agency.
This position provides the opportunity to engage in a variety of transportation related programs and projects with teams throughout the agency.
Specific duties will include, but are not limited to:
• Supporting the Director and Program Manager in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, and priorities of assigned programs.
• Coordinating and preparing reports covering complex policy and technical analyses of various transportation planning issues.
• Providing briefings to PSRC committees and boards and representing the agency at external meetings.
• Developing work programs, agendas, and establishing consensus and collaboration with assigned advisory staff committees.
• Foster communication, teamwork, integrity, quality, and commitment to the agency’s mission and vision in leadership of project staff teams.
• Remaining current on federal, state, and local rules and requirements and their impact on regional transportation policy and programs.
Every staff member is also encouraged to work on an aspect of PSRC’s Racial Equity Action Plan, as part of PSRC’s commitment to ensuring VISION 2050’s equity goal is advanced throughout the region.
THE CANDIDATE:
The ideal candidate will have:
• Transportation planning experience, including knowledge of federal and state metropolitan transportation planning requirements.
• Ability to take initiative and develop creative solutions in alignment with agency goals and board direction.
• Ability to see and understand the big picture and communicate it effectively to multiple audiences.
• Strong attention to detail, follow-through, organization, and problem-solving skills. Highly developed verbal, listening, communication, and interpersonal skills. Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Experience managing complex planning projects, including demonstrated ability to lead development of reports using diverse data and information sources, and to present findings to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to perform data and policy analysis and research, summarize findings, and make recommendations.
• Ability to lead and supervise the work of project teams, establish priorities and guide products to successful completion.
• Experience in facilitation and collaboration with diverse stakeholders to achieve consensus outcomes.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team, and interface effectively with planning professionals and the public.
• Experience in one or more of the following planning disciplines: transit (including rail, ferry, and bus modes), pedestrian, bicycle, demand management.
• Technical proficiency with a range of computer applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:
Typical ways in which incumbents acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities include:
• Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in planning, public administration, civil engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of six years increasingly responsible experience in transportation, urban, or regional planning or related field.
• Or, any combination of lived and educational experience that would provide the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge, and ability required to perform the job.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Serviceprograms (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. Applicants will receive credit for all qualifying experience, volunteer or paid.
TO APPLY:
To be considered, applicants must submit a cover letter and resume as part of the application process and apply at
Click Here.
OTHER INFORMATION RELATED TO POSITION:
• PSRC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran, or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please contact Human Resources at hrdept@psrc.org.
• This recruitment may be used to fill future openings for up to six (6) months.
• PSRC office hours are Monday – Friday from 8:00am – 5:00pm with work hours determined upon hiring.
Job Type: Hybrid
Link to Job Description (PDF): Click Here
Link to Job Posting and to Apply: Click Here
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