Associate Transportation Planner

Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates is seeking a motivated, inquisitive, and organized associate-level transportation planner in its Atlanta office to support the firm’s nationally recognized work in transportation planning for more equitable and livable communities. This is an outstanding opportunity for the right person to become involved in supporting and growing our work in planning vibrant, livable, and walkable communities in the Atlanta region and around the country. We are seeking an individual with at least two years of experience with a strong interest in transit and multimodal planning and background in developing strategies to improve community accessibility and mobility. This person’s work will be focused on transit, multimodal and active transportation planning projects, and may also include public engagement for these types of 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 resourceful, curious, communicative, and enthusiastic. You don’t just identify problems, you suggest solutions. You take initiative.
• You’re passionate about how sustainable 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.
• You actively seek new opportunities to deepen your skills and explore new analysis techniques.
• You’re a clear writer. You get to the point.
• You have a keen eye for design and are able to turn content into compelling graphics and visual stories that make sense to non-technical audiences.
• You want to grow and evolve as a leading transit and multimodal planning professional. 

Responsibilities  

Our associate transportation planners focus on planning for municipalities, agencies, universities, and private clients. As part of the Atlanta office, you will assist our teams working on a broad range of projects, including studies for mid and large-size transit systems, transit corridor projects, and multimodal and active transportation plans. Depending on your skills and our project needs, responsibilities may 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, working closely with Nelson\Nygaard’s Atlanta staff, as well as staff in offices throughout the country. Our approach is to bring the most appropriate staff together, irrespective of where they are based, as collaboration across offices produces better outcomes and staff growth. 

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
• Has experience, exposure, or passion for transit and multimodal planning work 

Candidates must have one of the following prerequisites: 

• A master’s degree in planning or an equivalent degree with a specialization in transportation planning and 2-6 years of relevant experience, OR
• A bachelor’s degree in planning or a related field and 3-7 years of experience in transportation planning; other relevant degrees and concentrations include, but are not limited to, urban/city/regional planning, public health, urban design, geography, transportation operations, civil/traffic engineering, and/or landscape architecture. 

The ideal candidate will demonstrate skills in at least three of 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 and emerging technologies
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Experience with mapping platforms (GIS), graphics (Illustrator, InDesign, SketchUp), modeling (Synchro, TransCAD), and/or database analysis (R, Python)
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and communicate effectively with project managers, colleagues, and project partners
• Proficiency in Spanish or other foreign languages 

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: $73,121 - $89,370
• Associate Planner III: $80,718 - $98,655 

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 : $73,121 - $89,370