Job Description
Position Summary:
MassDOT and other state agencies have been presented with many new opportunities to obtain funding for transformative infrastructure projects. This is an exciting time for MassDOT and the Commonwealth as it administers funding for high impact projects across the state. The Regional Transportation Planner will be instrumental in connecting funding opportunities with local and regional needs, developing grant applications, communicating between MassDOT departments and other state or federal agencies, and organizing grant-related information. All municipal facing work will be conducted with an emphasis on supporting rural and environmental justice (EJ) communities.
Duties and Responsibilities:
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The selected applicant will be assigned to the Municipal Grants Engagement section of the Office of Transportation Planning and will manage several federal programs as well as liaise with MassDOT's regional partners. Specific duties include the following:
- Develop and implement procedures and guidelines to accomplish regional planning objectives, ensuring alignment with agency goals, funding priorities, and regulatory requirements.
- Oversee Transportation Planners by assigning work, reviewing performance, and recommending process improvements to the Manager of Municipal Grants.
- Supervise the execution of regional plans and technical assistance programs, assisting municipalities in developing project designs and grant applications, with a focus on rural and environmental justice communities.
- Review and recommend changes in operations, policies, and procedures in response to evolving program objectives, regulations, and funding trends.
- Develop appropriate methods for conducting transportation studies and financial analyses, integrating best practices to improve funding competitiveness.
- Conduct research, input data, and facilitate stakeholder communication during project initiation using GIS applications, the Massachusetts Project Intake Tool (MaPIT), and other relevant tools.
- Utilize GIS software and geographic web-based applications from MassDOT's GIS Services Group to support municipal funding strategies and improve project targeting.
- Collect and analyze financial data related to funding programs and ongoing projects to support data-driven decision-making.
- Proactively research and identify relevant federal, state, and local transportation funding opportunities, ensuring alignment with organizational and municipal priorities.
- Lead discussions with MassDOT Divisions, state and federal representatives, municipal staff, and regional stakeholders to identify project priorities and funding needs.
- Provide guidance to municipalities on selecting the most suitable funding programs, including state and federal opportunities, and organize webinars or meetings to support applicants.
- Oversee targeted outreach to municipalities with projects well suited for specific grant programs, ensuring equitable access to funding, particularly for rural and environmental justice communities.
Preferred Qualifications:
While there is an expectation that the individual in this role will still have room to develop and hone some skills, the ideal candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate the following skills or interests:
- Project management - an ability to assist the group in the management of administrative tasks associated with consultant support projects, including the development of work scopes, procurement of consultant services, management of consultant teams, budget oversight, etc. The Office uses public resources to complete transportation planning studies and reports, and also often employs private consultants in these efforts. It is imperative that the candidate know how to manage a budget and schedule on-time and within budget.
- Business administration - The ideal candidate will have a solid foundation in business administration, particularly as it applies to transportation planning projects. This includes experience with budget development, oversight, and management of both public and private funds, ensuring that projects are delivered on time and within budget. The candidate should be comfortable with benefit-cost analyses (BCA) and other financial tools used to justify investments in transportation projects. Additionally, they should be able to collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to align project goals with financial constraints, while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
- Strong communication skills - an ability to write clearly and efficiently in white papers, memos, and emails for a range of public audiences and internal and external stakeholders; an ability to communicate messages visually through assorted graphics and PowerPoint presentations for internal and public audiences; confident public speaking skills. The diversity of information and audiences relevant to this position make the ideal candidate one who can both understand and communicate across a range of topic areas, but also learn and appreciate the perspectives of these varied audiences.
- Analytical skills - an ability to review, digest, and draw conclusions from data related to a range of transportation planning or policy issues; a comfort manipulating data and conducting analysis using excel, GIS, and other analytical tools.
- Professional work ethic - a proven capacity and willingness to work in a fast-paced environment characterized by multiple and overlapping deadlines; an ability to be flexible and respond to changes in direction from MassDOT/MBTA leadership; an ability to independently execute tasks both with direct support as well as with more limited oversight.
- Encourage and sustain positive team dynamic -The nature of transportation planning requires collaboration and teamwork. The ideal candidate should like to work in teams and know how to create and improve team dynamics to ensure good transportation planning.
- Demonstrated interest and passion for improving public transportation in Massachusetts - including an understanding of the factors that make public transportation competitive; a familiarity with the political, media and government context within which the MBTA and other public transit providers in the Commonwealth operate; and an interest in creatively pursuing their own ideas to improve the experience of transit riders.
This position is eligible for a five-thousand dollar ($5,000) signing bonus ("Signing Bonus") if you are newly hired at MassDOT. Current MassDOT employees are not eligible for the Signing Bonus. The Signing Bonus will be paid in two parts: 1) $3,000 (less applicable taxes) included in the employee's first paycheck. 2) $2,000 (less applicable taxes) after the successful completion of the employee's probationary period.
About MassDOT
The 4,000+ employees of Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) take great pride in connecting the Commonwealth's residents and communities. MassDOT is responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating transportation policies and projects for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and to efficiently plan, design, construct, and maintain a safe statewide transportation system which effectively meets the transportation needs of the Commonwealth. Information about MassDOT's culture and career opportunities can be found at mass.gov/massdot-careers.
MassDOT's divisions include Highway, Registry of Motor Vehicles, Aeronautics, and Rail & Transit. Headquarters (Planning & Enterprise Services) provides business and administrative support and policy leadership for each of the four (4) divisions.
Qualifications
Minimum Entrance Requirements
This requisition will remain open until filled; however, first consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
Current MassDOT employees should use their internal MassCareers account to apply.
All job applications must be submitted online through MassCareers to be considered.
Please provide a complete, accurate and current resume / application for MassDOT to review in order to determine if your submitted materials meet the minimum entrance requirements for the position.
Applicants must have at least (A) four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional or technical experience in urban planning, regional planning, land use planning or transportation planning, and (B) of which at least two years must have been in a professional capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
Substitutions:
I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in urban or regional planning or transportation, civil or environmental engineering may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.
II. A Graduate degree with a major in urban or regional planning or transportation, civil or environmental engineering may be substituted for maximum of three years of the required (A) experience and one year of the required (B) experience.
*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
NOTE: Educational substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of one year of the required (B) experience.
Special Requirements: Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's license may be required.
- For questions regarding the job posting, please email the MassDOT Talent Acquisition Team at talentacquisition@dot.state.ma.us.
- For general questions regarding MassDOT, call the Human Resources Service Center at 857-368-4722.
- For a disability-related reasonable accommodation or alternative application method, call the ADA Coordinator, Lucy Bayard, at 857-274-1935.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
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An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.