Open Positions

Transit Planner, Full-Time

Connect Transit is celebrating over 50 years of service as the primary public transit system for the Bloomington-Normal area, providing quality transportation to residents, allowing them to live spontaneously. Our mission is to provide safe, reliable transportation and access to opportunity to strengthen and enrich individual lives, our community, the economy, and the environment. All our employees are vital in supporting this mission, read on to see how you can be part of it too!

Job Description:

As the Transit Planner at Connect Transit, you will be responsible for developing and analyzing service alternatives, improvements, and innovative projects for short and long range service plans using multiple transit service delivery options. You will also analyze and prepare complex regular and special transit operating schedules, execute and manage transportation planning study tasks at the regional, local, and system levels.

Wages: 

$50,000 - $62,000 annually, dependent on qualifications.

What We Offer:

• Medical insurance: Connect Transit will pay 100% of employee premium and 65% of dependent premiums
• Dental, vision, life insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Retirement plans, employer contribution of 5%
• Tuition reimbursement available
• Free bus pass for employees and immediate family members
• A collaborative team environment with coworkers who are committed to your success.

Responsibilities and Duties: 

• Prepares bus service plans for both temporary and long-term service changes. Collaborates with Safety and Training Department to ensure the plans are safe to execute. Provides specific details to bus service Operations and Maintenance staff regarding the execution of the service plans to ensure that the bus scheduling staff can properly prepare Bus Operator working assignments program systems supporting service monitoring and real-time tracking.
• Fosters an open dialogue with vehicle operators and riders to discuss route suggestions; responds to ideas with implementation dates or explains why suggestion was not accepted.
• Reviews customer inquiries and complaints relative to service or schedule issues and provides resolution or communication back to customer.
• Manages “Better Bus Stops” bus stop development and upgrade program, including requests for new stop locations.
• Independently performs and completes professional transportation planning assignments with limited supervision.
• Conducts spatial analysis and mapping using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software to reveal patterns of travel and opportunities for service enhancements or efficiency improvements.
• Monitors current service levels, identifies potential areas for study and service modifications that will provide efficient, safe, and effective services.

• Assists in public outreach activities, related to transit system development.
• Performs technical research and investigation needed for the preparation and completion of plans, reports, and programs.
• Evaluates the feasibility of obtaining funding for proposed projects, writes grant applications, and ensures transit system compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and funding source requirements.
• Prepares and maintains a variety of records, data, and reports.
• Makes oral presentations on transit and service-related issues to the Board of Trustees, staff, service users, governmental agencies, advisory committees, and community groups.
• Represents Connect Transit in communication with individuals, representatives of public agencies and civic organizations regarding transit service and responds to requests for service changes.
• Complies with all Connect Transit safety rules, policies, and procedures to maintain, support, and promote a safe work environment.
• Attends various training workshops, conferences, and committee and public meetings which may require meeting at night or overnight travel; records minutes of meetings as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Transportation, Public Administration, Urban Planning, Business Administration, Geography or related field.
• A compelling combination of education and experience may be considered in place of the above requirements.
• Valid Illinois Driver’s License
• Successful completion of a background check and pre-employment drug test.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn:
  • Principles, practices and techniques of data collection and presentation.
  • Applicable Federal, State and local laws, rules and regulations governing transportation policies, funding sources and development practices.
  • Applicable Federal, State and local laws, rules and regulations governing transit operations.
  • Statistics and measures of transit effectiveness used to assess route performance.
  • Principles, practices and techniques of short and long-range capital planning.
  • Familiarity with GIS, QGIS, ArcGIS, or Remix a plus
• Ability to:
  • Manage multiple priorities with excellent attention to detail.
  • Compile, organize, prepare, and maintain an assortment of records, reports, and information in an effective manner and according to departmental and/or governmental regulations.
  • Effectively communicate and interact with supervisors and other staff members as they relate to the activities of Connect Transit.
  • Use independent judgment in routine and non-routine situations.
  • Handle the required mathematical calculations.
  • Understand computer applications and techniques as necessary in the completion of daily assignments.
  • Plan, organize, and/or prioritize daily assignments and work activities.
  • Communicate effectively by written and oral means tactfully, patiently, and effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
  • Prepare and deliver public presentations.
  • Research and analyze topics and draw conclusions.
  • Operate a motor vehicle in a safe and legal manner.
  • Prepare written technical reports and performance documentation materials.
  • Communicate in a clear, concise, persuasive and tactful manner to a wide variety of audiences both orally and in writing.
  • Strong organizational and project management skills.
  • Work independently and as part of a team.
  • Be a creative and innovative thinker, who actively presents new opportunities, proposes solutions and recommends best practices.
  • Manage multiple priorities with excellent attention to detail, while meeting deadlines.
  • Experience in government funding, foundations, nonprofits, or private sector funding opportunities desirable.
  • Design and implement service changes.
  • Analyze technical, demographic, economic and financial data used to assess route and schedule changes, as well as related service enhancements.
  • Conduct cost/benefit, impact and other related technical analyses.
  • Effectively participate in a variety of outreach activities.
  • Travel in the field to support special events and attend meetings.
  • Meet the physical demands of the role, including occasional work in inclement weather.
     

*Connect Transit provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

*EEO/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability.