Senior Consultant, Transportation Planning

About the Role

This opportunity provides technical planning assistance and guidance for capturing, modeling, and analyzing work site information, geographical resources, and spatial and tabular data to inform and create plans for the safe movement of people and products by all modes of transport. The role optimizes logistics, scheduling, and systems while accounting for economic, social, and environmental impacts of projects and initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Provide support and guidance to project leadership for multi-site/phase planning projects, site and impact assessment, preparation of general plans, specific/master plans, public involvement, and regulatory compliance for client projects related to equitable transportation development, transportation demand management, mobility planning, multimodal access, surface transportation, and funding.
• Substantiate documentation to advise on project areas by integrating transportation, environmental, and regional planning.
• Determine well-defined data collection methods for identifying and compiling observational, spatial, operations, and environmental data from multiple matrices for projects, research, and surveys.
• Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS data, and other visualization tools to determine exact locations of project areas, site impact, and associated physical, urban, population, economic, and political sensitivities.
• Prepare and assist with completing general plans, specific/master plans, community plans, zoning codes, comprehensive plans, permitting policies, and/or development standards, with emphasis on transportation and multimodal accommodation.
• Comply with regulatory requirements for data integrity, documentation, procedures, training, monitoring systems, reporting, and record compliance and retention.
• Perform professional transportation planning work, conducting investigations, inspections, studies, and surveys to address equitable development, construction, transportation demand management, mobility planning, and multimodal access.
• Prepare data visualizations such as tables, charts, reports, models, infographics, and 3D illustrations for interpreting or presenting data, findings, or analyses.
• Prepare applications and represent clients in the approval process with local and regional jurisdictions.
• Coordinate and facilitate public involvement and consensus-building meetings, answering public questions on behalf of the client and assisting with long-range planning efforts.
• Prepare drafts of technical memos, meeting minutes, transmittals, presentations, and other written materials summarizing research, findings, and conclusions.
• Analyze, evaluate, and interpret facts and data from field and site investigations, developing action plans to minimize community, population, economic, and environmental impacts.
• Read, interpret, compose, and review Planning Reports, Categorical Exclusions, Environmental Assessments (EAs), Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs), and other technical documents.
• Assist with overseeing and working with cross-functional teams in executing project work.
• Interact with regulatory agencies, subcontractors, and clients in a confident and professional manner.
• Conduct research and assist with proposal development.
• Remain current in latest transportation planning subject matter, practices, regulations, and techniques.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, adhering to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Transportation Planning, Urban Planning, Environmental Planning, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5 to 7 years of experience in the transportation planning field, actively engaging in general plans, specific/master plans, zoning code updates, public involvement, and regulatory compliance for client projects related to equitable transportation development, transportation demand management, mobility planning, multimodal access, surface transportation, and funding.
• Experience with the transportation project development cycle, from planning to implementation.
• Experience reviewing surface transportation projects and program cost estimates, and assessing project readiness for inclusion in strategic local/regional Transportation Plans.
• Competent analytical skills and prior experience with research techniques, local/regional geography, transportation networks, systems, and modalities.
• Working knowledge of relevant approval processes, zoning laws, permitting requirements, notification and compliance practices, and applicable Regional/State/Federal regulatory frameworks.
• Familiarity with local, state, and federal regulatory and permitting agencies.
• Demonstrated experience contributing to transportation technical reports, preparing impact assessments, evaluations, siting reports, logistics, and permit applications.
• Project management experience with small to mid-level projects, including tracking hours and expenses.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for interacting with technical and non-technical audiences.
• Highly capable self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization in a dynamic work environment.
• Ability to work independently and provide guidance to junior team members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Experience with discipline-specific software (e.g., CAD, ArcGIS, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch-Up).
• Proficiency with technical business writing, office automation, and communication software and tools.
• Developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills to reach conclusions from testing results and data collation.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety, and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in a related field.
• Essential Professional Licensure/Certification.

About the Company

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, a global engineering and professional services firm. Dedicated to serving local communities, WSP USA designs lasting solutions in buildings, transportation, energy, water, and the environment. With over 15,000 employees across 300+ U.S. offices, WSP partners with clients to help communities prosper. The company offers a flexible and agile workplace model alongside a comprehensive suite of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on health and financial stability.