Transportation Planner - Public Works

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Job Title: Transportation Planner
Department/Division: Public Works – Engineering Services
Reports to: Public Works Manager
Supervises: n/a
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Pay Grade: 145
Employee Group: Non-Bargaining
Revision Date: January 2025

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Planning, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration or related field.
Minimum Experience: Four years of experience in transportation planning OR any combination of education and experience which would provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job.
Minimum Certifications: n/a
Other Requirements:

• Experience in the use of GIS, Travel Demand Modeling principles, Auto CAD.
• Familiarity with the Washington State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP)
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License if driving a vehicle for County business.

POSITION SUMMARY:
This position performs planning and engineering duties in the development and implementation of Benton County public works projects to ensure the logical progression of maintenance and capital project delivery.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are essential for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.

• Conducts comprehensive studies to assess the current state of transportation systems, analyzes traffic patterns, and identifies areas of congestion or inefficiency.
• Develops short-term and long-term transportation plans that address existing transportation issues and anticipates future needs based on studies and analysis; determines capacity, safety, and operational needs to ensure for the safe and efficient movement of commerce and people across all travel modes.
• Participates in the design of transportation projects, such as road improvements, public transit expansions, bicycle lanes, pedestrian facilities, and traffic management strategies.
• Uses data analysis and transportation modeling techniques to forecast future transportation demands and evaluates the potential impacts of proposed projects.
• Manages the County Road Logs, Traffic Count, and Road Rating programs including directing internal staff, working with outside agencies and managing consultant contracts.
• Responsible for the Annual Construction Program and Six-year Transportation Improvement Programs (TIP). Presents completed plans to Board of Commissioners and funding agencies. Monitors and update plans as required.
• Reviews, updates and modifies relevant sections of Benton County Code to ensure department rules and regulations are clearly relayed to the public and other interested parties. Guides development of the Transportation Element of Comprehensive Plan.
• Works with various stakeholders, including government agencies, community groups, businesses, and the public, to gather input and ensures that transportation plans align with the needs and preferences of the community.
• Assesses the environmental and social impacts of transportation projects and incorporates strategies to minimize negative effects and promotes sustainability.
• Promotes sustainable transportation options, such as public transit, walking, and cycling, to reduce reliance on single-occupancy vehicles and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
• Assists in project development efforts for the Department, with attention to funding opportunities under federal, state, and local sources including.
• Monitors the progress of transportation projects and evaluates their effectiveness in achieving the desired outcomes. May make adjustments or improvements based on feedback and evaluation results.
• Prepares reports for various Federal, State and local agencies, including annual reports to the County Road Administration Board (CRAB) for compliance with standards of good practice, quarterly project status reports to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the annual bridge report to the Board of County Commissioners.
• Responsible to stay updated on the latest advancements in transportation technology, policy changes, and best practices to inform their planning efforts.
• Works to integrate transportation planning with land use planning to create more sustainable and walkable communities.
• May advocate for transportation policies and initiatives that support the development of efficient and equitable transportation systems.
• Develop, recommend, and implement policy, plans and procedures to assure efficient and effective operations in compliance with department goals and objectives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:

• Transportation system operation and maintenance practices, procedures and techniques.
• Basic planning principles and practices pertinent to land use, affordable housing, economic development, infrastructure, and community revitalization.
• Engineering and surveying maps and records.
• Laws/regulations relating to planning, construction and highway maintenance.
• Mathematics as applied to planning calculations.
• Computer aided drafting programs (CAD).
• Policies and procedures of the County.
• Occupational hazards of the work and necessary safely precautions.
• The County and Department’s operating requirements, policies, procedures, and practices; and local, state, and federal regulations related to department programs and operations.
• Other computer software consistent for this position.

Skill in:

• Organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and survey data.
• Use of specialized engineering equipment.

Ability to:

• Research land records.
• Read and understand engineering drawings, review and understand plans and specifications for road, highway and bridge projects.
• Adapt and take control of situations, dictating subordinate activities in a responsible manner.
• Instruct and train in methods and procedures.
• Organize, assign, and modify the work assignment of others, and (re)-establish priorities to meet deadlines.
• Establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
• Understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions.
• Perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision.
• Communicate clearly, concisely and effectively in English in both written and verbal form.
• Interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Work the allocated hours of the position and responds after hours if needed.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Work will include outdoors in seasonal weather extremes.
• Duties are performed daily both in and outdoors under all weather conditions and include working in and/or around heavy construction equipment, high-speed traffic, culverts, bridges, steep slopes, streams, and wetlands.
• Work is in an office setting as well as in field/construction zones.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,605.00 - $117,562.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Commute:

• Kennewick, WA 99336 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Kennewick, WA 99336: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $90,605 - $117,562