Transportation Planner

Join the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA), the largest rural transit agency in the U.S., in the stunning Colorado Rockies. Known for innovative and reliable transit, RFTA connects vibrant communities while supporting sustainability and quality of life.

About the role

The Transportation Planner is responsible for the ongoing analysis, development, and refinement of RFTA’s transit services with a primary focus on the development, tracking, and solution creation of service standards. This position will collect, analyze, and report on a variety of data related to service performance, including on-time performance, ridership, customer satisfaction and service efficiency. The Transportation Planner will work collaboratively with the Operations Department and other departments to identify and implement service adjustments that enhance the customer experience, improve operational efficiency, and ensure services meet the needs of the communities RFTA serves. The Transportation Planner will also support the implementation of RFTA’s first ever Master Plan, a strategic long-range transportation plan, by assisting with multimodal transportation plans and projects, conducting research and studies on active transportation, managing data collection, and producing reports on multimodal transportation that advance RFTA’s vision and goals.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the development, implementation, and monitoring of system-wide transit service standards and performance metrics in coordination with the Operations Department.
• Conduct comparative studies of transportation system use, population structure, economic activity and other socioeconomic variables to prepare technical reports.
• Prepare regular performance reports for internal and external stakeholders, identifying trends, and providing data-driven recommendations for service improvements.
• Collaborate with the Operations Department to investigate service-related issues and develop effective solutions.
• Analyze ridership data, demographic information and trends, and public feedback to identify needs for service adjustments and develop alternatives to achieve goals.
• Assist in the planning and design of seasonal service changes and special event transportation.
• Conduct field observations and collect data to support service planning efforts.
• Respond to Jurisdictional project referral requests by evaluating the impact of proposed land developments/events on transit services and provide recommendations and comments.
• Work closely with the Mobility Coordinator to support First Last Mile Mobility program goals.
• Manage and maintain databases related to service performance and planning.
• Utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other planning software to analyze data and create maps and other visual representations.
• Coordinate the reporting of transit operating and performance data to internal departments and external agencies as required.
• Respond to internal and external requests for information and data analysis.
• Assist in gathering public input on service changes through surveys, public meetings, and other outreach efforts.
• Respond to customer comments and inquiries regarding service performance and scheduling in a timely and professional manner.
• Work with local jurisdictions and community partners on projects related to transit service and infrastructure.
• Perform other duties and assume other areas of responsibility as directed by the Regional Planning Director.
• Support long-range planning efforts with data and analysis as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban and/or Regional Planning, Transportation, Geography, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible experience in transportation planning, preferably within a public transit agency.

Skills

• Strong understanding of public transit operations and planning principles.
• Experience in the development and analysis of service standards is highly desirable.
• Experience with GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS) is strongly preferred.
• Confidence with public speaking to small and large groups.
• Proficiency in data analysis, including the use of statistical methods and software.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required.
• Ability to problem solve issues and reach consensus on collaborative solutions and alternatives.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, and to build positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Benefits

• 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
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Ski pass

For more detail, visit RFTA Benefits.

Pay

Hiring/Starting pay range is $73,773 - $94,060/annualized, based on experience.

Working Conditions

This position typically operates in a professional office environment with occasional fieldwork to monitor transit services, which may include riding buses and visiting transit facilities. Occasional travel to attend meetings, public hearings, and community events may be required. Light physical effort required by handling objects up to twenty (20) pounds occasionally.