Senior Planner, Sustainability Specialist (Capital Projects)

Start Date: 07/13/23  Compensation: $69,175.00-$103762.00 Annually

General Description/Information

Summary

 

 This position is open until filled. 
The first review of applications will begin on August 7, 2023. 
Resume must be included for consideration
The Senior Planner, Sustainability Specialist (Capital Projects) performs professional planning duties in support of studies and projects led by more senior level staff; serve as the lead or project manager for small scale studies and projects, leading teams of other professional staff and consultant; and professional sustainability work in the development, implementation, and maintenance of the Agency's sustainability program and guides Valley Metro's commitments to the America Public Transportation Association's (APTA) Sustainability Core Principles. Work is performed under general supervision from direct supervisor or a project manager. Position will consist of 60% of time completing capital planning work and 40% of time completing sustainability work.

As a member of the Valley Metro’s Capital and Service Development team, demonstrates the Agency’s Core Values of Whatever It Takes, Team Player and Positive Customer Care/Service in performance of daily duties.

Valley Metro is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

Responsibilities/Duties

Examples of Duties / Knowledge & Skills

The statements listed below describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time. 

Serves as team lead or project manager for small and routine research projects and studies in conjunction with regional and local transit initiatives

Provides high level planning and assistance in support of transit capital facility and/or high-capacity corridor development

Supervises routine work of consultants and other transit planning staff when leading a project team

Assists with assessing regional capital needs and projecting priorities for capital requests

Provides high level planning and assistance in support of environmental assessments and evaluations, sustainability efforts, and other environmental planning efforts

Provides complex planning data to other divisions and departments at their request

Writes scopes of work and independent cost estimates for small studies, reviews invoices, prepares project reports, prepares progress reports, board memos, and white papers

Attends meetings, serves on committees, and makes presentations as needed; supports and leads public meetings as needed

Makes presentations to internal agency staff, technical working groups, and member agency committees

Prepares and relays routine agency information at public meetings

Works with project planning teams made up of Valley Metro staff, member agency staff, and consultants

SUSTAINABILITY JOB DUTIES
Develops, organizes, and implements a climate action plan

Serves as the Agency's sustainability champion; liaison to agency management, staff, contractors, and member agencies coordinating efforts toward implementing and completing work plans and goals

Prepares and submits annual status updates on sustainability progress to American Public Transportation Authority (APTA)

Assists all Agency departments to identify and prioritize sustainability activities

Prepares internal and external communication materials regarding sustainability programs and initiatives

Assists Communications department on media responses, releases, and website updates

Provides oversight of the Agency's trash and recycling programs, and manages the Agency's contract with trash and recycling service provider

Researches and analyzes complex information, issues, sustainability regulations and policies

Develops peer city reports that evaluate comparable systems in terms of sustainability practices and programs

Leads and participates in professional meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in transit related fields; incorporates new developments as appropriate

Prepares reports and environmental documents

Assists in the development and implementation of an Environmental Management System for the Agency

Performs other duties of similar nature and level as assigned

Knowledge of:
General knowledge of regulations and laws governing public transportation
General knowledge of federal and state grant programs for public transportation
Environmental concepts and principles
Land use concepts and principles
Sustainability practices
Statistical, data, and financial analysis principles
Survey methods and techniques
Capital, service, or environmental planning principles
GIS concepts
Transit planning principles and practices
Report preparation methods
Public transportation techniques
Reading and interpreting maps and plans
Customer service principles
English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation

Skill in:
Conducting transit studies and research
Conducting complex sustainability studies and research
Recommending and implementing goals, objectives, and practices for providing an effective sustainability program
Analyzing, evaluating, and identifying complex transit and sustainability issues
Providing positive customer service and issue resolution techniques
Preparing a variety of business correspondence and reports
Speaking in public
Developing and making presentations
Using a computer and related software applications
Coordinating activities between multiple departments
Comprehending and solving complex transportation problems
Compiling complex data, analyzing findings, and identifying complex issues
Reviewing and providing feedback on plans and reports
Intermediate GIS skills
Identifying, developing, and performing capital/facilities, service, or environment planning
Supervising and monitoring the routine work of consultants
Communicating in order to interact with coworkers, supervisor, and the general public at a level sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction

Physical Demands / Work Environment

Positions in this class typically require: fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, and seeing. Valley Metro complies with ADA/EEOC requirements with respect to reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities.

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Qualifications/Requirements

Minimum Qualifications & Requirements

 

Bachelor's Degree in Geography, Urban Planning, Environmental Planning, or a related field and

 Two (2) years of transportation planning and sustainability experience

OR an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties such as those listed below.

Desired Qualifications:
Master's Degree  
Transit planning experience desirable
AICP designation
Sustainability Experience

Background Investigation:
Employment is contingent upon the results of a background check.

Licenses and Certifications:
Valid Arizona Driver's License