Senior Planner

The Rapid is looking for a Senior Planner to join our team!

Where public transportation goes, community grows.

If you are ready for a career where every day you are making a positive impact on our community, then it is time you explored The Rapid! The Rapid is an award-winning transportation organization headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI. We serve the following communities: Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kentwood, Walker, and Wyoming. Discover why the U.S. News and World Report ranks Grand Rapids, MI among the top places to live in the United States. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Grand Rapids-a city that defines innovation, community, and cultural richness. From Grand Rapids' world-renowned art scene to year-round fun activities. Grand Rapids is a great place to raise a family. Grand Rapids is ranked at the top of the list of the best places to raise a family in the U.S. by Rocket Homes. Dream big, live grand-start your journey with The Rapid today!

The Rapid is looking for a Senior Planner who will monitor, evaluate, and report on performance of the fixed route and micro transit system. The Senior Planner will analyze system performance and develop recommendations for improvements by modifying services, and/or methodologies that increase service efficiencies, productivity, and ridership. This position will work closely with multi-jurisdictional agencies to ensure appropriate coordination of infrastructure planning & mobility projects including the coordination for installation of bus stop amenities, Transit Oriented Development (TOD) initiatives, joint development and/or public/private partnerships (P3s) with (but not limited to) various developers, economic development departments, and Chambers of Commerce. The Senior Planner will serve as a project manager for transit planning projects as required. This position is responsible for researching, evaluating, and developing both long- and short-range service plans for the fixed route system and related micro transit services.

Here's what you can look forward to as a valued member of our team:

• Salary Range: $65,137.48 - $81,422.10
• Health Insurance - We offer three medical plan options through Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan (BCBSM) and Blue Care Network for you, your spouse, and/or children. A Health Savings Account with an employer contribution and match is available with our High Deductible Health Plan!
• Dental Insurance - The Rapid offers two dental options through BCBSM, including orthodontic coverage.
• Vision Insurance - Is offered through BCBSM, utilizing the VSP network.
• Retirement Contribution - You are eligible to participate in a 457 Retirement Saving Plan on your first day. We also offer a 10% employer contribution to a 403(b) Retirement Saving Plan.
• Life Insurance and Disability Insurance - The Rapid provides Basic Life and AD&D Insurance, and short and long term disability insurance. You are able to purchase additional life insurance coverage for yourself and dependents.
• Wellbeing and Fitness - We care about your overall wellbeing. We provide an employee assistance program. You can enjoy our onsite fitness center and gym membership reimbursement.
• Explore your community - Your employee badge is your ticket (and your eligible dependents) to riding The Rapid for FREE!
• Vacation - Your vacation time accrues at 8 hours per month and Sick time accrues at 6 hours per month. Accruals increase with your years of service at The Rapid.

What will you be doing in this role:

• Perform analysis (ridership, productivity, schedules, etc.) on fixed route system and provide recommendations on service improvements to the department Director and Executive leadership.
• Compile daily, weekly, monthly, and annual ridership/productivity reports and provide service recommendations to the department Director and Executive leadership.
• Contribute to the development of long-range and short-range service plans.
• Assist in the interdepartmental development of plans for service & policy improvements, changes, or modifications.
• Coordinates with other jurisdictional entities on relevant zoning, land-use, transportation, and related policies and plans.
• Serve on regional planning/public committees & Boards as required.
• Assist the External Relations & Communications Departments in public/neighborhood meetings to explain planning proposals, gather feedback from those affected by projects, or to achieve consensus on project designs.
• Work with the Communications Department to ensure the accurate dissemination of information to the general public.
• Research industry best practices and develop measurable goals and objectives for the performance of the transit system.
• Analyze information related to transportation, such as land use policies, environmental impact of projects, or long-range planning needs.
• Maintain and develop ITP's Geographic Information System (GIS).
• Work with Operations to solicit information regarding route and/or service changes.
• Compile data for monthly and annual NTD reports for fixed route.
• Download fare-box data daily, producing daily ridership reports and custom reports as necessary.
• Responsible for maintaining and updating The Rapid's Title VI plan.
• Coordinates with the department Director and Executive leadership when representing The Rapid and coordinates with various inter-governmental committees, meetings and projects as requested.
• Manage The Rapid's Planning Department's ITS functions, including the collection and analysis of stop specific boarding and alighting data.
• Interpret Geographic Information System (GIS) data to analyze, evaluate and plan services.
• Act as Project Manager of transit planning projects as required.
• Participate with internal ad-hoc service-related committees as needed.
• Coordinate The Rapid's stop improvement program and make recommendations as to where additional benches and shelters should be placed.

To be successful in this role you will need:

• Bachelor's degree in urban planning, and/or transportation planning, or closely related field PLUS two (2) years of progressively responsible work experience in transportation, planning, or municipal government administration.
• Working knowledge of transit operations; experienced knowledge of data collection and analysis; working knowledge of municipal planning and urban design; general knowledge of the Land Development Ordinance and its applications; experienced knowledge of the use of personal computers; working knowledge of the use of planning related computer software; comfortable with delivering difficult or uncomfortable answers; ability to prepare and analyze complex reports; ability to present the results of research effectively in oral, written, and graphic form; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, municipal officials, representatives of other agencies, and members of the general public.
• Working knowledge of computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to learn proprietary data/fare systems as necessary including Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Physical Demands:

Employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds for movement of boxes, files, or other items. May also include frequent bending, stooping, squatting, pushing, and pulling. Employee is required to perform job duties in accordance with existing health and safety procedures and policies.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods. The employee is frequently required to walk and stand. Use of hands and arms is necessary to reach or use various tools or objects. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

The Rapid is an EEO Employer.Minorities, veterans, and women are encouraged to apply. The Rapid is committed to employing people with disabilities and making reasonable accommodations for them. Let our recruiter know if you need an to request an accommodation at any point during the application/interview process.