Associate Planner - Transportation

Salary: $51,064.00 - $59,150.00 Annually
Location : Wilmington, NC
Job Type: Full Time-Regular
Job Number: 24-00213
Department: WMPO
Division: WMPO
Opening Date: 01/24/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
Post-Offer Required Pre-Employment Screenings: Driving History Check
Education Verification
Drug Screen
Hiring Salary: $51,064.00 - $59,150.00
Full Salary Range: $51,064.00 - $81, 718
Working Hours: Monday through Friday with ability to work occasional nights and weekends. Alternative work schedule opportunities available after training period has completed
The City of Wilmington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Position Description
The Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WMPO) is a federally mandated and federally funded entity, housed within the City of Wilmington, that is tasked with providing regional and cooperative transportation planning that serves as the basis for the expenditure of all federal transportation funds within its planning area boundary. The current WMPO planning area boundary encompasses 494 square miles and is home to an estimated 300,000 residents in 3 counties and 7 municipalities.
The WMPO is required to perform long-range planning and technical services functions within its planning boundary. These functions include preparing a Metropolitan Transportation Plan and other long range transportation plans, an annual planning work program, assisting with the prioritization of projects for inclusion in the State Transportation Improvement Program, coordination of Traffic Impact Analyses, maintaining a Congestion Management Process, and allocating Direct Attributable funding in the region.
The position of Associate Planner is responsible for assisting in the implementation of the short- and long-term objectives and activities of a specific department division. This is accomplished by completing assigned tasks and projects; interpreting and applying plans, ordinances, and other policies; presenting data and information through written and oral presentations; and ensuring compliance with all codes, plans, policies, and standards.
Typical Tasks
JOB DUTIES-GENERAL:

• Assists members of the public and partner agencies with planning issues and questions by responding to questions and inquiries and providing information.
• Acts as liaison to committees and the public by developing and presenting information, meeting with citizens and property owners, reviewing public input for incorporation into codes and/or policies, organizing and facilitating public meetings, and presenting information to management, committee members, boards, commissions, and elected officials.
• Assists in policy development by researching and identifying trends; organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data; and researching local, state, and federal regulations;.
• Coordinates data collection and publications by creating and coordinating geographic data and maps and developing and tracking metrics.
• Ensures that information is made available to the public by developing and publishing information through methods such as the organization's website, social media accounts, and other public facing platforms.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

JOB DUTIES-

• Assists in developing, implementing, and tracking long-range transportation plans, studies and reports as necessary, while coordinating with a variety of stakeholders, including but not limited to; other departments; local, state and federal agencies.
• Assists in identifying and prioritizing local transportation planning and project needs.
• Reviews development projects for consistency with existing transportation plans and potential impacts.
• Manages capital improvement projects related to transportation initiatives.

Qualifications
JOB REQUIREMENTS-GENERAL
Education and Related Experience
Bachelor's Degree in transportation planning , urban & regional planning, public administration, or a closely related field and a minimum one year of related experience OR master's degree in one of the above-listed fields and no experience.

• Knowledge
  • Knowledge of the principles and practices of planning.
  • Knowledge of one or more planning disciplines/areas of specialty such as land use planning/zoning, transportation planning, environmental planning, urban design, housing, or economic development.
  • Methods of effective report preparation and presentation.
  • Citizen involvement techniques and processes.
  • Principles and practices of research and data collection.
  • Computer programs and applications, including but not limited to Microsoft Office, internet applications, and geographic information systems (GIS).
  • Knowledge of transportation planning principles and practices and ability to review and interpret traffic data.

Skills

• Ability to communicate and foster a cooperative and professional culture.
• Ability to work on several projects simultaneously and meet firm deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve practical problems and address citizen inquiries and concerns.
• Effective interpersonal skills to develop good working relationships with staff, elected/appointed officials, residents, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to review plans and apply ordinance provisions to determine compliance with regulations and apply regulations to field conditions.
• Ability to attend to details while keeping big-picture goals in mind.
• Ability to facilitate in-person and virtual public participation activities, including small group facilitation as part of community workshops.
  OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Valid NC Driver's License

Our Core Values:
INCLUSION | COLLABORATION | CREATIVITY | ACCOUNTABILITY
Our Mission Statement: Through forward-thinking policies and responsible stewardship, we are creating a better city every day with excellent core services and quality of life for all.
What we offer:
The City of Wilmington believes that employees are one of our most important resources. We offer an excellent salary and competitive benefits package to serve the needs of our employees and their families. Our benefits package includes:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance + many other insurance options
• Excellent retirement benefits, including a city provided 4.5% contribution each pay period into a 401(k) or 457 account and automatic enrollment into the North Carolina Local Government Employees' Retirement System
• Employer-paid health & wellness clinic
• Paid sick and vacation leave + 13 paid holidays per year
• 6-weeks paid parental leave
• Paid volunteer & blood donation leave to give back to our community
• Flex schedule and telework availability, depending on your position
• Professional development trainings & leadership initiatives
• Tuition assistance benefits

Applicant Status Updates: After the closing date for this position, applications will be screened by Human Resources. Applicants who meet the minimum and/or preferred qualifications will be referred over to the hiring department. All updates regarding an application can be viewed through your applicant portal.
Health Benefits are offered to employees working at least 30 hours per week.
Health Insurance - The City offers two options for health coverage: a standard PPO plan and a High Deductible Health Plan with an associated Health Savings Account. Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month following 30 days of employment for employees and their eligible dependents. Both you and the City contribute to the overall cost of coverage.
Dental Insurance - Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month following 30 days of employment. Employees, their spouse and dependent children are eligible for coverage.
Life Insurance - The city pays to provide coverage valued at one times your annual salary. Supplemental insurance is available for employees to purchase. Optional coverage for dependents is also available for purchase.
Retirement:
- NC Local Government Retirement System -All benefits eligible employees make a mandatory 6% contribution every pay period.
- Deferred Compensation - The city contributes an amount equal to 4.5% of the annual salary to either the 401(k) or 457 plans regardless of employee contribution. Employees may choose to contribute additional money to the deferred compensation plans, without a match from the City, within the IRS guidelines.
Paid Leave (offered to employees working at least 1,000 hours annually*):
- Sick Leave - 12 days accrued each year
- Annual Leave - Accrual based on years of service and classification. Employees can earn from 10 to 24 days each year.
-Holidays - 12 paid holidays annually
-Paid Parental Leave - Six weeks of paid leave for the birth, adoption or placement of a child (must run concurrently with FMLA).
*Part-Time Employees will earn paid leave benefits on a pro-rated basis.
Miscellaneous:
- Tuition reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program
- Short & Long Term Disability
- Cancer & Critical Illness
- Accident Insurance
- Whole Life Insurance
- Credit Union membership
Note: The City of Wilmington is on a bi-weekly pay cycle. New employees should expect to recieve their first paycheck approximately 3 weeks after their start date.
**This is intended to be a brief overview of the benefits offered. Please visit our website at for more information.**
01
Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

• Yes

02
Do you have a valid Drivers License?

• Yes
• No

03
Which best describes your highest level of education?

• High School Diploma or GED
• Some College
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctorate Degree
• None - N/A

04
How many years of planning experience do you have?

• I have no experience
• less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years to less than 10 years
• 10 years or more

05
Please identify the company/agency/organization where you gained the experience described in question #4. Note: These employers must be listed in the work history section on your employment application to receive credit. Entering "N/A' or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response.
06
Do you have experience working for a local government/municipality?

• yes
• no

07
The hiring salary for the position is posted on the job posting. Salary determination is supported by budget availability and qualifications of the candidate to maintain internal equity. Please acknowledge that you understand this process.

• Yes
• No

Required Question