Director of Planning
Roaring Fork Transportation Authority
Aspen, CO
Experience Level: Senior
AICP Certification: AICP Preferred
Salary: $124,600 - $158,850/annually
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Company Name: Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA)
Title of Position: Director of Planning
Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Location: Candidate must be able to work onsite in Carbondale or Glenwood Springs, Colorado (or as directed by manager)
Pay Range: Hiring/Starting pay range is $124,600 - $158,850/annually, based on experience.
Benefits: Benefits include (but are not limited to): Paid time off, medical, dental, vision, and hearing insurance with FSA/HSA, short-term disability, long-term disability, life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), 401(a) and 457(b) retirement plans, EAP, ski pass, etc. For more detail - https://www.rfta.com/employment/benefits/
Position Purpose:
The Director of Planning provides leadership in the development, implementation, and oversight of strategic and operational plans for the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA). This includes, but is not limited to, leading the creation and maintenance of the Transit Development Plan (TDP), Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), other regional and local planning efforts, and management of the capital projects program. The role requires collaboration with internal teams, external stakeholders, and government agencies to ensure projects are aligned with the organization’s vision and regional transit goals. This role will focus on ensuring efficient planning, prioritization, and delivery of transit projects to improve and expand the agency’s infrastructure, services, and customer experience.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all-inclusive.
Strategic Planning and Development:
- Lead the development and maintenance of planning documents and efforts including, but not limited to, the Transit Development Plan (TDP) and Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to align with the agency’s strategic plan and operational goals.
- Ensure that transit planning and capital improvement initiatives meet regulatory requirements, budget constraints, and operational needs.
- Conduct regular reviews and updates of the TDP, CIP, and other planning documents to address changes in funding, community needs, customer demands, organizational capacity, and technology.
- Serves as a representative on local and regional planning projects and attends meetings events, and workshops, related to local and regional land use and transportation planning.
- Develop transit service standards. Create, analyze, and revise performance standards and metrics for transit service delivery, including service frequency, reliability, on-time performance, and customer satisfaction. Collaborate with internal and external teams to ensure standards align with agency goals and best practices, supporting equitable and efficient transit operations that meet community needs.
- Evaluate the transportation impacts of land development proposals through the referral process and propose alternatives.
Capital Project Management and Oversight:
- Oversee the agency’s capital projects program, including planning, design, funding, inter-agency agreements, and construction of transit infrastructure, facilities, and fleet expansions.
- Lead a team of project managers and engineers to ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in compliance with applicable standards.
- Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track project progress and quality, ensuring alignment with agency objectives.
Funding and Budget Management:
- Manages budgets for short- and long-term transportation and capital plans and projects.
- Manage ongoing department budget and collaborates with leadership to plan and develop annual department and organizational budget.
- Work with capital programs team to manage capital project budgets, ensuring accurate forecasting and financial reporting to optimize resource allocation and reduce risks.
Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration:
- Coordinate with internal departments, local governments, community organizations, and other key stakeholders to align project goals with broader community and regional objectives.
- Represent the agency at public meetings, hearings, and community events to provide information on planned and ongoing projects.
- Develop effective communication strategies to update stakeholders on project progress, timelines, and impact.
Team Leadership and Development:
- Lead, mentor, and develop a small team of planners, project managers, and engineers, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
- Oversee staff development, including training, career progression, and performance management to ensure a motivated and skilled workforce.
Policy Development and Compliance:
- Develop and enforce policies, procedures, and guidelines related to transit planning, capital projects, and regulatory compliance.
- Ensure that all planning and capital projects comply with safety, environmental, and accessibility standards and policies.
Other Duties:
- Performs other duties and assumes other areas of responsibility as directed by the CEO, CFAO, and/or COO.
- Responds to internal and external comments and requests for information.
- Coordinates and reports on transit operating and performance data.
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:
- Strong knowledge of transit planning, capital improvement planning, development and capital project management, including budgeting, scheduling, and resource allocation.
- Solid ability to maintain positive and effective relationships among internal staff and external staff, decision makers, and the general public, and to respond to complaints and concerns in a positive and proactive manner.
- Expert written and verbal communication skills; ability to make presentations to groups and boards.
- Proficiency in Outlook, Microsoft Word, Xcel and PowerPoint are required.
Qualifications:
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Urban and/or Regional Planning, Civil Engineering, Public Administration, Political Science, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
- AICP Certification preferred.
Experience:
- Minimum of 10 years working in the transit industry, 6 years of progressively responsible experience in transit planning, or a related field, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
This position directly supervises staff. Incumbent has final responsibility for assigning and scheduling work, training, and performance appraisal, and provides input on promotions/transfers, salary recommendations, interviewing and hiring, disciplinary discussions, and terminations.
Working Conditions:
This position typically operates in a professional office environment with occasional travel to project sites, public hearings, and community events. Light physical effort required by handling objects up to twenty (20) pounds occasionally. Travel would be occasionally required to attend conferences and training.
Application Deadline/Closing Date:
No deadline. Posting will remain until all open positions are filled.
How to Apply:
Please apply via the RFTA website. This position, and all current open positions, are located here - https://rfta.applicantpro.com/jobs/
RFTA is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Posted January 23, 2025, 11:50 AM PST
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