About MassDOT:
An agency on the move, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) takes great pride in connecting the Commonwealth’s residents and communities. Powered by a growing data-analytics discipline – and working in conjunction with municipalities, public agencies and the private sector – we’re finding new ways to improve the Bay State’s transportation infrastructure.
MassDOT is responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating transportation policies and projects for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and to efficiently plan, design, construct, and maintain a safe statewide transportation system which effectively meets the transportation needs of the Commonwealth.
MassDOT’s divisions include: Highway, Aeronautics, Registry of Motor Vehicles, Rail & Transit, and Planning & Enterprise Services. There are approximately 3,600 employees across the organization.
MassDOT’s goal is to provide employees with greater flexibility in when and where they work while continuing to execute MassDOT’s Safety and Customer Service Mission. Furthermore, MassDOT will be doing our part to lead by example in reducing congestion and greenhouse gas emissions by minimizing overall workplace commuting travel during peak hours through telework and schedule flexibility.
This position has a high degree of remote flexibility once established in the role. The selected candidate will be expected to follow a hybrid work model that consists of both in-office and work from home days, as needed. Currently, this department is in office 2-3 days per week.
Position Summary:
The Multimodal Planning Group develops and updates a variety of statewide transportation plans covering the movements and mobility needs of both people and goods. The group examines pedestrian, bicycle, rail, highway, and other transportation facilities, opportunities and challenges. Performs, participates in, and manages several types of transportation planning studies, conducted either internally or by other entities such as consultant firms, regional planning agencies, and other divisions of MassDOT. Often, these studies are part of the standard planning, design, and environmental processes required to advance a transportation project forward to implementation. The group provides analysis, data, and information as needed to support current studies, traffic forecasts, air quality planning activities, and a variety of transportation plans and programs.
Staff in this group provide coordination, technical guidance and oversight, manage consultant and agency contracts, attend meetings and hearings, maintain records, and prepare reports and presentations. Work within the Office of Transportation Planning may require travel across the Commonwealth and some evening meetings.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Perform, manage, and participate in transportation planning studies;
- Manage consultant contracts, monitor performance, review work products, and process invoices;
- Coordinate the implementation and administration of various transportation plans and programs;
- Use both traditional and innovative planning practices to develop scopes for transportation studies and programs;
- Draft memos, letters, reports, and other study-related documents and correspondence;
- Perform various research and data analyses;
- Respond to inquiries, maintain records, attend meetings, and other duties as needed.
Preferred Qualifications:
Ideal candidates for these positions will possess the following abilities:
- Develop and maintain strong professional relationships: The Office of Transportation Planning (the Office) is considered an Enterprise Service for all of MassDOT with the modal divisions as our clients. This means that the team members in the Office are expected to work well with individuals and departments across the agency and with external stakeholders including federal partners, and positively represent the Office through their professional conduct.
- Think critically and creatively: The Office needs team members who can draw connections between planning concepts, ideas, existing projects and organizational strategies. For example, when scoping a new project or study, the ideal candidate would consider contemporary planning practices, incorporate innovative planning strategies all while relating the new project to existing planning projects and the strategic direction of the Office of Transportation Planning. Team members are expected to have strong problem solving skills that include the use of research, quantitative analysis, reasoning and judgment. Candidates should also be familiar with current transportation specific software and planning tools.
- Work independently: The fast-paced environment of the Office can sometimes diminish direct interaction or oversight on individual activities. The candidate should be able to independently execute tasks both with direct support as well as with more limited oversight. The Office fosters a work culture that allows each team member to work in their preferred style with the expectation that outcomes will be delivered on-time and be high-quality.
- Ensure good customer service: Each team member is expected to represent the Office internally and externally and good customer service is expected. As an Enterprise Service it is critical that the rest of MassDOT, as internal customers, can rely on the Office for on-time, on-budget, accurate, creative and high-quality deliverables. Externally, our customers are the residents, businesses and visitors to the Commonwealth. The Office is privileged to work on behalf of the Commonwealth to plan and study transportation issues and investments.
- Communicate clearly and transparently: The candidate should have exceptional verbal and written communication skills whether drafting original documents or reviewing, revising and editing deliverable documents from others. The Office relies on good communication to fulfill its mission and operate efficiently and effectively. This includes rapid production of memos, slide deck presentations and ability to succinctly provide verbal briefings. One of the most essential elements of this role is being able to communicate information between different partners and stakeholders. For example, explaining technical analysis produced by engineering consultants to senior leadership or a community stakeholder in plain language that is easy to understand and respond to. The diversity of information and audiences relevant to this position make the ideal candidate one who can both understand and communicate across a range of topic areas, but also learn and appreciate the perspectives of these varied audiences.
- Manage to budget and schedule: The Office uses public resources to complete transportation planning studies and reports, and also often employs private consultants in these efforts. It is imperative that the candidate know how to manage a budget and schedule on-time and within budget. Additionally, candidates will be expected to be able to develop and negotiate scopes and budgets; direct and manage consultant teams; review and process invoices; and help to assemble contract documents. The candidate should be familiar with contracting and procurement for state and federally funded initiatives.
- Encourage and sustain positive team dynamics: The nature of transportation planning requires collaboration and teamwork. The ideal candidate should like to work in teams and know how to create and improve team dynamics to ensure good transportation planning.
Be flexible and open-minded: Transportation planning requires that all ideas, concepts and perspectives are considered. A good planning process should not be pre-determined. The candidate should be open to new ideas and processes, and be inherently flexible. This flexibility and open-mindedness will contribute to creativity and innovation and allow planning activities to be completed without prejudice based on personal beliefs or ideology.
Qualifications
This requisition will remain open until filled; however, first consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
Minimum Entrance Requirements:
Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional or technical experience in urban planning, regional planning, land use planning or transportation planning, and (B) of which at least one year must have been in a professional capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
Substitutions:
I. A Bachelor’s degree with a major in urban or regional planning or transportation, civil or environmental engineering may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.*
II. A Graduate degree with a major in urban or regional planning or transportation, civil or environmental engineering may be substituted for the required experience.*
*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
Special Requirement:
Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator’s License may be required.
For Non-MassDOT Applicants: Applicants for this position must possess a Bachelor’s Degree, or higher, in urban or regional planning, transportation, civil or environmental engineering for this position.
For MassDOT Employees: Applicants for this position must possess a Bachelor’s Degree, or higher, in urban or regional planning, transportation, civil or environmental engineering for this position, or hold a position in the department in the next lower title than the position applied for, in the same or similar career ladder.
All job applications must be submitted online through MassCareers to be considered.
· For questions regarding the job posting, email alaina.seitz@dot.state.ma.us.
· For general questions regarding MassDOT, call the Human Resources Service Center at 857-368-4722.
· For a disability‐related reasonable accommodation or alternative application method, call ADA Coordinator, Heather Ulesoo – (617) 851-9447.
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Executive Order #595: As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption.
