Principal Planner

The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) is seeking a qualified individual to serve as a Principal Planner in Performance Measures, Safety and Mobility. This person will be responsible for leading work plans to implement MARC’s initiatives related to transportation performance management program.

ABOUT US: MARC, the association of local governments and metropolitan planning organization for the bistate Kansas City region, promotes and supports cooperation on regional issues, including transportation, the environment, our workforce and economy, aging services, community development, quality early learning, public safety communications and emergency services. MARC has a collaborative work environment with a culture based on integrity, innovation, diversity and inclusion, excellence in performance and service leadership.

ABOUT THIS POSITION: The Principal Planner leads a team focused on advancing policy development, planning and implementation of transportation system safety programs and of emerging mobility services and technologies within the context of regional transportation, social, economic, and environmental goals, and performance objectives. This position is responsible for leading work plans to implement MARC’s initiatives related to transportation performance management program.  This position manages the transportation performance management program and the Transportation Planner III-Safety, Performance Measures, and New Mobility. This position is responsible for communication and coordination with the Highway Committee.
 
What you’ll do
Program Management

• Leads performance-management work, including establishment of federally required and voluntary performance measures and targets.
• Collects and analyzes data, prepares reports and presentations, and supports policy analysis and development related to regional transportation investments and development.
• Manages Congestion Management Process and develops Congestion Management-related work products.
• Advances EV planning initiatives and AV Policy Framework.
• Serves as Research Services Department partnership liaison with the Transportation & Environment Department.
• Oversees maintenance of functional class network.
• Oversees development and implementation of the Regional Transportation Safety Plan.
• Oversees safety funding Call for projects and programming.

• Works with the Highway Committee in preparation of an annual work plan, development of meeting agendas and material, and coordination with co-chairs and members. Cultivates external and internal relationships with agencies and individuals to engage and support the work towards a shared vision.
• Oversees work with Destination Safe committees.

• Provides technical and policy guidance to local jurisdictions and agencies on MARC policies and programs.

• Motivates and leads staff by encouraging open communication, giving and soliciting feedback. Creates a culture of teamwork and collaboration. Coaches and requires professional development to encourage individuals to grow professionally.
• Allocates work to maximize staff strengths, and to create efficient workflows.
• Inspires staff through service leadership and motivates team members to accomplish goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Ability to establish and effectively communicate goals and objectives.
• Ability to provide strong positive leadership by connecting the work of each individual to greater goals of the organization; identify individual strengths and allocate work in ways that maximize strengths and build a strong sense of inclusiveness and teamwork.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers from diverse backgrounds and work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to facilitate and lead group discussions, make presentations, serve as a spokesperson and a relationship builder. 
• Ability to drive consensus among diverse parties with different interests and perspectives to create change.
• Ability to initiate, plan and complete work with a high level of accuracy and effectiveness.
• Ability to read and comprehend complex city, state, federal and other agency regulations.
• Ability to provide excellent service to internal and external customers, demonstrating a positive approach and providing timely and thorough responses.
• Ability to look for new and innovative ways to accomplish work. Identify internal practices and external systems that are less than effective, recommend and implement viable solutions.
• Ability to conduct research, accurately prepare reports, analyze and present information.
• Ability to understand the big, long-range picture. Recognize where current trends will lead and how they may influence the organization’s direction.  Foresee opportunities that will come and go.
• Ability to understand and manage overall financial health of a program including creating budgets, monitoring, and reporting on expenditures, as well as identifying and addressing future financial needs.  
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, Teams, Office 365, and ability to learn and use various software platforms.

• Master’s degree in transportation, planning, business, public administration, or closely related field.  
• Minimum eight years work experience in the transportation industry, including prior experience in transportation performance management, safety, and/or emerging mobility/transportation technology. 
• Prior experience working in a non-profit environment preferred.
• Certifications: American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification preferred.
• Licenses: None.
• Any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education and experience may be considered to meet minimum qualifications.