About the Department

Performs highly complex (senior-level) planning and research work primarily focused on transportation with lesser focus on economic development, land use, and other regional issues that support the region's growth initiatives. Coordinates research and data analyses to support regional planning and projects, including data collection and analysis, preparation and presentation of reports, and developing data visualizations and similar content for CAPCOG's website and social media accounts. Position may assist agency programs and local governments with identification of funding sources to support responsible regional growth. Represents CAPCOG at various policy and planning-related meetings with state agencies and local jurisdictions. Provides data-driven and actionable analysis to local communities. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for use of independent judgment and initiative.

Position Duties

Essential duties and functions include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Coordinates CAPCOG’s participation in regional transportation planning activities related to infrastructure planning and financing, impact on environment, economic development, transit, and other issues related to regional mobility.
• Manages activities of and assists the Capital Area Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CARTPO) including committee meeting preparation, facilitating collaboration of members, addressing requests, and coordinating projects.
• Manages activities for transportation initiatives, including rural transportation planning and coordination of regional transportation planning, including coordination with other regional transportation organizations.
• Assists with analyzing the relationship between land use, development codes and patterns, and demographic/economic outcomes to support planning at the local and regional levels. Presents analysis and findings to local elected officials for the purpose of informing local policy makers.
• Provides technical assistance to local jurisdictions in the support of rural transportation project development.
• Convenes and coordinates special workgroups to address issues of interest to CAPCOG communities not already addressed in existing programs.
• Uses GIS to obtain, analyze, and present data on various planning and transportation related topics.
• Collaborates with CAPCOG’s GIS program to identify unmet data needs for the region.
• Assists local governments with planning efforts that integrate transportation, land use, housing, business development and other community development priorities with a focus on place-making and best practices. 
• Tracks regulations, laws, and trends for planning issues including monitoring proposed federal and state legislation impacting cities and counties. 
• Maintains knowledge of current trends and topics in transportation and monitors funding opportunities.
• May perform research and analysis in support of projects being undertaken by other CAPCOG programs.
• Contributes regional planning content to the CAPCOG website, social media, and written publications.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience

Two years of professional experience in planning, public policy, or a related field is required, with at least 1 year working on transportation and 1 year of experience with GIS is required. The time required for transportation and GIS may be concurrent.

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university is required.

Two semesters of GIS coursework may substitute for the required GIS experience.

• Major course work in community and regional planning, urban planning, public administration is required.
• Attainment of a Master’s Degree in panning, public administration, or a related field is preferred.

Other Qualifications

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of regional planning.
• Knowledge of English grammar and rules of composition.
• Knowledge of file management systems.
• Knowledge of federal and Texas transportation rules, regulations, and programs.
• Skill in writing and verbal communication. 
• Skilled in the use of Microsoft Office Suite of products, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint.
• Skilled in the use of Adobe Acrobat Pro, including advanced features such as editing and assembly of PDFs.
• Skill in using ArcGIS to create projects and work with existing data. 
• Skill in other software, including Adobe Creative suite, Statistical software (e.g., SAS, Stat, R) Tableau or similar data visualization software, or Envision Tomorrow.
• Ability to analyze with data, particularly Census, ACS, and similar economic and demographic datasets.
• Skilled in the use of office electronics to accomplish tasks, including computers, photocopiers, and scanners.
• ability to communicate technical findings to non-technical audiences.
• Ability to use online meeting software such as Microsoft Teams.