The Planning Manager is a key figure in the planning, developing, and implementing service delivery, ensuring transit system performance goals are met or exceeded. This position plans, consults, reviews and coordinates the implementation of transportation-related developments while performing transit reviews, bus scheduling, analysis and development, statistical data collection and interpretation of data. The position also supervises and completes mandatory reporting in addition to other work as required.
This position requires local travel between MVTA locations and schedule flexibility for after-hour events and on-call duties.
KEY CONTRIBUTIONS
Manages and coaches specified MVTA Development teach members including the provision of mentorship, performance evaluations, and ongoing training to ensure high-quality service delivery and effective project execution.
Performs and manages complex and sensitive professional planning projects, research and analysis. Evaluates and provides comment/recommendation on planning-related legislation applicable to department projects.
Manages consultant contracts and prepares scopes of work/requests for proposals as needed.
Partners with the Transportation Director and Public Information Manager to investigate requests for service changes and research/market/implement service changes.
Leads service improvements and expansion efforts and changes to current planning policies; identifies underserved markets and areas of insufficient capacity; and balances service improvement priorities against resource limitations.
Manages MVTA's service planning to improve efficiency and effectiveness of MVTA service including creating and revising schedules, blocks, routes, route descriptions, maps, stop reports, route reviews, destination signs, and other related documents and communicating service changes.
Utilizes technical and software skills to program destinations signs for all buses assigned to a specific route.
Employs Optibus scheduling software to make recommendations, prepare new schedules, or make schedule adjustments in accordance with load checks and service standards. Oversees processes in order to maintain current routes, maps, stop listing, General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS), and schedule production documentation for use in creating bus schedules and driver runs.
Applies a data-driven, technical approach toward planning and research projects and performs analysis to direct MVTA service evaluations. Organizes and develops service planning and programming objectives to ensure conformance with MVTA Board Strategic Plan.
Compiles and analyzes information such as population and economic growth estimates, demographics, housing transportation and land-use data, and city comprehensive plans that support future planning policies and priorities.
Leverages technology to monitor the performance of MVTA’s service, measure the results of service planning decisions, and improve system performance. Manages MVTA Title VI analysis and reports findings to the MVTA Board and other regional or federal agencies.
Oversees specialized planning functions such as large-scale new development proposals and environmental studies. Manages numerous projects such as bus assignments, ridership, transit planning best practices, convenience fare database, system surveys, destination sign programming, automated vehicle location (AVL) and automatic passenger count (APC) evaluations, performance statistics, and other service-related material.
Coordinates with the Planning and Public Outreach Manager regarding transportation-related developments in MVTA’s service area.
Develops information and materials and presents forward-looking concepts for public comment. Presents data, maps, or other information at public hearings or meetings.
Represents MVTA as a regional service provider and collaborates with partners and stakeholders to achieve transit goals and growth.
Monitors and ensures compliance with local, state and federal laws.
Maintains and fulfills ongoing and emergent reporting requirements and data requests.
Assists in preparing and monitoring the department’s annual budget and ensures that expenses are consistent with the approved budget.
Advises and prepares recommendations to MVTA Board on planning and service related issues.
Performs other duties as assigned or as apparent.
CORE COMPETENCIES & CREDENTIALS
Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, transportation, geography, public administration, or related field
5+ years of experience in transit planning or related field and management experience
Experience with transit operations data (AVL, APCs, ridership, etc.)
Foundational knowledge of regional transit governance and public policy
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
Possess knowledge computer software such as Geographic Information System (GIS), Adobe Illustrator, Avail, Optibus, etc.
American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification (or willingness to obtain within two years).
DESIRABLE COMPETENCIES & SKILLS
Graduate degree in urban planning, transportation, geography, public administration, or related field
Possess training in statistical analysis methods, script coding, destination sign programming, and transit principles
Possess American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification
Possess Geographic Information Systems (GIS) certification
Possess Professional Transportation Planner (PTP) certification
The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) is the second largest public transit agency in Minnesota based on ridership, providing transportation throughout seven suburbs south of Minneapolis and Saint Paul in some of the largest and fastest-growing communities in the state. MVTA operates within Dakota and Scott counties and extends substantial service beyond these borders into adjacent regions. As the major transit provider for Minnesota’s southern metro area, MVTA is committed to serving our communities well with a safe, accessible, and reliable public transportation experience.