MPO Transportation Planner

Come expand your career with an organization that values and supports you to learn, grow, and develop. Join our collaborative, supportive, and results-driven team. This role provides the opportunity to bring your whole self to work, engage, lead, and drive your own learning and growth within the organization. La Crosse County leaders are committed to provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We are also dedicated to your learning and development to grow in an organization that is deep in talent.

The La Crosse Area Planning Committee (LAPC) utilizes a Transportation Planner to assist the LAPC to meet its federal and state responsibilities as a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The Transportation Planner will assist in preparing a quinquennial Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), an annual four-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), an annual Planning Work Program (PWP), a Public Participation Plan (PPP), a Title VI plan, and modal plans and studies as needed. The Transportation Planner will perform such tasks as research, collecting and analyzing data, technical writing, website management, mapping, and public outreach. Other tasks may include technical assistance to member communities, planning partners, and County staff. The Transportation Planner will work under the supervision of the LAPC Executive Director. This is a full-time, salaried, position working Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm.

Essential Job Functions

Acts with integrity and builds trust through demonstrated respect, humility, and honesty. Treats others with dignity.

Encourages open communication. Actively listens and demonstrates open-minded thinking and willingness to accept other’s points of view. Engages stakeholders and effectively collaborates. Demonstrates the courage to speak out appropriately with leaders and peers even when your point of view is unpopular.

Employs vision and strategy to drive positive results by leading with clear goals, objectives, and desired outcomes. Seeks out new opportunities to drive results through new processes and initiatives. Evaluates and monitors to hold self and others accountable for results.

Demonstrates ability to be flexible while informally influencing others through coaching, motivation, and team-minded thinking to arrive at solutions that provide positive outcomes for all stakeholders. Seeks feedback and listens to learn despite personal setbacks.

Demonstrates agile thinking while understanding the dynamics of the organization and public influence and perception.  Uses analytical skills, experience, and input from others to make critical decisions.

Takes intelligent risks and leads the organization through change. Demonstrates perseverance by pushing through difficult and challenging situations.

Assists in the development or update of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, the Transportation Improvement Program, the Planning Work Program, the Public Participation Plan, the Title VI Plan, and modal plans and studies as needed.

Collects, analyzes, and summarizes data. Prepares graphics, website content, online maps, presentations, and reports as necessary to explain and illustrate information to committee members, agency partners, and the general public.

Provides technical assistance to local communities and other planning partners with data collection, GIS analysis and mapping, plan preparation, and grant applications.

Organizes and facilitates public meetings, committee meetings, focus groups, and other public input events as needed. Experience engaging underserved communities is a plus.

Coordinates and works with local, regional, state, and federal agencies on transportation planning issues.

Performs administrative duties including maintaining contact lists, preparing minutes and agendas, updating the LAPC website, and other duties as needed to support the LAPC staff office and to meet federal requirements for metropolitan planning organizations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Professional knowledge and skills related to transportation planning and policy including transportation planning process, federal transportation regulations, travel demand forecasting, transportation policy, public transit planning, bicycle and pedestrian facilities planning, and public engagement.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with federal, state, and local partners; committee members; and public and private representatives of disadvantaged communities.

Ability to collection, analyze and present data.

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Training, Experience and Other Requirements

Master’s degree in urban and regional planning, transportation planning, transportation engineering, GIS, or a related field, with two years of planning work experience, OR a Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in these areas, with four years of relevant planning work experience.

Excellent written and oral presentation skills and the ability to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences included elected officials, technical staff, and the general public.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, ArcGIS Pro, and ArcGIS Online.  Website management and design experience are a plus.