Associate Principal Transportation Planner

Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates is seeking a highly organized, independent, and motivated Associate Principal level staff member for our nationally recognized multimodal planning practice in the Bay Area. This is an outstanding opportunity for the right person to become involved in supporting and growing our leading work in developing transportation systems for vibrant, livable communities in California and around the country. We are seeking an individual with at least ten years of experience and a strong interest in integrated, multimodal transportation planning as well as some background in developing sustainable strategies to improve community accessibility and mobility.

Nelson\Nygaard offers a dynamic and self-directed work environment that is fast-paced, congenial, and supportive. This is your opportunity to work with one of the most innovative groups of planners and engineers in the United States, including highly talented junior and support staff. Our office culture is built upon diversity and creativity.

About Us

For over 35 years, Nelson\Nygaard has led the transportation planning field with our values and innovation. We’ve always been guided by the principle of putting people first—designing transportation systems for people, not just cars. This principle also extends to how we operate as a firm. We were founded by two women who believed in the benefits of a more egalitarian workplace, where leadership and creativity can blossom at all levels and where diversity is a core strength. Today, we are 160 talented and dedicated people in 13 offices across the country who continue to live by those values. What unites us at Nelson\Nygaard is the belief that transportation can change the world and our steadfast commitment to make the world more just, more sustainable, more connected, and more beautiful.

Research has shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for roles unless they believe they meet all qualifications. We strongly encourage candidates from marginalized groups to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of the job qualifications listed.

About You

• You’re resourceful, curious, communicative, and enthusiastic.
• You’re passionate about how transportation can make the world a better, more equitable place.
• You bring energy and a commitment to your teams and clients to do great work, together.

Responsibilities

Our Principal transportation planners focus on planning for municipalities, agencies, universities, and private clients, and lead project teams to develop and deliver solutions that address our clients’ challenges. The ideal candidate should have a broad range of transportation and urban planning experience and have successfully managed dynamic transportation planning projects and budgets. Responsibilities will include managing, supervising and supporting several project teams, keeping project work on schedule and within budget, mentoring junior transportation planners, research, data collection and analysis, writing and editing technical and public-facing reports, developing presentations and outreach materials, leading business development efforts and client communication. You will work both independently and as part of a team.

A candidate should be able to share previous work examples and demonstrate significant expertise in a range of multimodal planning and design topics such as multimodal planning and design, citywide or regionwide planning, parking and transportation demand management, transit station area planning and service planning, equity frameworks and analysis, and stakeholder coordination.

You will work closely with Nelson\Nygaard’s senior and junior staff in the Bay Area office and with staff in our other offices throughout the country.

Qualifications and Requirements

Above all, we are looking for someone who:

• Has a passion for sustainable transportation planning
• Is an inquisitive self-starter and a natural problem solver
• Understands the connection between transportation and equity and is committed to incorporating equity, diversity, and inclusion into their work
• Is interested in working with our diverse clients and communities across the U.S. and Canada to create more equitable, livable, and sustainable mobility systems through community-based efforts, including engagement with BIPOC communities
• Possess proven experience in managing projects within budget
• Work successfully with clients, members of the public, and project teams
• Successful and sustained experience in business development (i.e., winning work); if you have public agency experience, grant writing and successful RFP development are applicable skills
• Excellent written, verbal, and other communication skills, including facilitation of public workshops
• The ability to manage complex projects on time and on budget
• Demonstrate advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

The candidate should meet the following qualifications:

• 10 years of progressive experience in transportation planning, engineering, or design.
• A bachelor’s degree in transportation planning, economics, public policy, or engineering. A master’s degree in one of these fields is looked upon favorably. Demonstrated experience or expertise in lieu of precise educational attainment may also meet this requirement.

The ideal candidate will be excited to take on the following opportunities:

• Represent Nelson\Nygaard and maintain excellent standards of quality to our clients and project partners
• Creatively solve multimodal transportation problems
• Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Serve as a project or task manager and manage projects within budget
• Work successfully with clients, members of the public, and project teams
• Outline and prepare successful proposals and reports
• Analyze a wide range of transportation data and manage the completion of technical analyses, feasibility studies, and other transportation reports
• Prepare and give effective presentations
• Participate in firm-wide strategic planning activities to ensure that we continue to build on our mission and core values
• Mentor and train other staff

Strong candidates will have a passion for advancing equity through community-based efforts, including engagement with BIPOC communities, and will demonstrate an ability to work effectively with diverse communities.

Salary and Benefits

The annual salary range equivalent for this position is $124,020 - $165,360, depending on qualifications and years of experience.

Benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance, pre-tax transit and bicycling benefit, a 401k program, life insurance and paid time off. Additionally, we offer opportunities for in-person collaboration and flexibility for work from home up to 3 days per week.

Applying for the Position

To apply, please click on the 'Apply Online' link. Qualified and interested candidates must submit the following items:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Work samples that highlight your skills. Please do not exceed 6 MB.

At Nelson\Nygaard we believe that inclusion spurs creativity, and that innovation is born from an engaged culture of diverse people and ideas. By moving beyond barriers and stereotypes of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, medical condition, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran status, we are committed to building an organization that reflects the diversity of the communities and clients we serve. We strongly encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, and members of ethnic minorities. We’re committed to maximizing the diversity of our team and want to hear from anyone who is passionate about our work.   

Salary : $124,020 - $165,360