Associate Transportation Planner

Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates is seeking a motivated, inquisitive, and organized transportation planner for its Oakland office to support the firm’s nationally recognized work in planning for more equitable and livable communities. This is a unique position in the firm: half of your work will be dedicated to one of our corporate clients implementing sustainable transportation programs; the other half of your work will be dedicated to supporting other transportation projects.  

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. 

About You 

• You’re passionate about designing and implementing equitable and sustainable transportation programs to make the world a better place. 
• You’re dedicated to delivering transportation programs and plans for our corporate and institutional clients that make it easier for people to bike, walk, take transit, and share rides.
• You understand the connection between transportation and equity and are committed to incorporating equity, diversity, and inclusion into your work.
• You’re resourceful, inquisitive, communicative, and enthusiastic. You don’t just find problems, you suggest solutions. You take initiative.
• You see yourself as an extension of our clients with an eye toward building trusted relationships. 
• You actively seek new opportunities to deepen your skills.
• You bring energy and a commitment to your teams and clients to do great work together. 
• You have innovative ideas about how to engage with people on the challenging topic of “commuting;” you’re patient, a good listener, and a natural problem solver.
• You have a positive, customer-service oriented, and can-do attitude.  

Responsibilities  

This Associate Transportation Planner position will primarily be focused on designing, implementing, and monitoring transportation programs for our private and public sector clients. Up to half of your time will be dedicated to one corporate client. You will be responsible for:  

• Commute Program Design: Develop and implement a comprehensive and engaging employee outreach program with a goal to raise awareness about commute options and reduce the number of employees driving alone to work. 
• Communications: Play a key role as part of the “go to” team for all question and concerns related to commute and parking programs and day-to-day operational requests and issues. Host individual and group meetings with employees. Work with client workplace team to develop commute program messaging to employees.
• Events & Competitions: Organize periodic transportation events; coordinate with facilities teams and vendors. Develop and market monthly commute competitions.
• Program Development & Monitoring: Work collaboratively with the client and the Nelson\Nygaard project team to develop and test new programs on an ongoing basis. Monitor employee commute activity, work with Nelson\Nygaard data team to synthesize commute trends, and report out on program metrics to client leadership. 
• Partnerships: Engage with public sector partners to advocate for improved transportation services. Engage with property management and corporate neighbors to continually improve transportation program offerings. 
• Vendor Coordination: Manage vendor contracts and performance; coordinate with transportation vendors to ensure programs meet client expectations. 
• Program Budget Management: Manage the transportation program budget and support in the quarterly and annual forecasting process.  

Our associate transportation planners also focus on planning for municipalities, agencies, and universities. Depending on your skills and our project needs, responsibilities include research, data collection and analysis, mapping, visual communications, writing and editing technical and public-facing reports, developing presentations and outreach materials, conducting public engagement activities, and supporting limited business development tasks. You will work both independently and as part of a team.  

Qualifications and Requirements 

Candidates must have the following qualifications: 

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in Transportation or Urban/Regional Planning or related degree, including Public Health, Public Administration, or a related field. 
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in transportation planning, urban or regional planning, program implementation, or related experience 
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 
• Familiarly with transportation options in the Bay Area 
• Prior experience in corporate commute planning or implementation a plus  

The ideal candidate will demonstrate skills in the following areas: 

• Excellent skills in writing and storytelling, oral presentation, data analysis, and/or problem solving
• Experience incorporating equity, diversity, and inclusion into academic and/or professional work
• Familiarity with and interest in sustainable and non-motorized transportation, emerging technologies, and commute program implementation 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and communicate effectively with project managers, colleagues, and project partners 

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 depends on qualifications and years of experience. 

• Associate Planner II: $76,396 – $93,373
• Associate Planner III: $84,334 - $103,074

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; pre-tax transit and bicycling benefits; a 401k program; life insurance; and paid time off. Additionally, we offer opportunities for in-person and in-office collaboration as well as flexibility for work from home for part of the 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. There is a 6MB limit for work samples. If they exceed 6 MB, please provide a link (e.g., via Dropbox or a similar service).  

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 : $76,396 - $93,373