General SummaryThe Planning Manager is responsible for leading the Planning Department and overseeing the development, coordination, and implementation of the District's planning work. This position provides leadership and supervision to planning staff and manages a portfolio of long-range planning, service planning, policy, and mobility projects. This role collaborates with internal departments, consultants, partner agencies, and community stakeholders to support strategic initiatives and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
Essential & Supporting ResponsibilitiesThe intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Essential Responsibilities- Provide leadership, coaching, performance management, employee development, and workforce planning, for department staff.
- Establish priorities, assign work, and allocate department resources to ensure the successful execution of department work and strategic priorities.
- Oversee service planning and scheduling activities, including operational analysis, bid planning, service implementation, resource forecasting, and coordination with operating departments.
- Monitor department performance, workload, and implement strategies to improve organizational outcomes.
- Assist in the development, implementation, and oversite of the department's planning work program, including long-range planning, service planning, mobility, and policy initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, funding opportunities, regulatory requirements, and Board direction.
- Coordinate planning activities with internal departments, partner agencies, and stakeholders to resolve technical, operational, and policy issues affecting projects and initiatives.
- Oversee major planning studies, mobility initiatives, service development projects, and policy efforts, including scope, schedule, budget, stakeholder engagement, consultant management, and implementation activities.
- Support grant development activities, partnership opportunities, and funding strategies that advance District planning, mobility, and service objectives.
- Oversee consultant contracts, monitor project budgets and deliverables, and ensure compliance with District procurement requirements and contract terms.
- Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local planning requirements, including FTA, FHWA, ODOT, Title VI, service and fare equity analyses, and related regulatory obligations.
- Monitor and evaluate federal and state legislative, regulatory, and policy developments affecting transit planning and mobility programs and advise leadership regarding impacts, risks, and opportunities.
- Represent LTD in local, regional, state, and federal planning processes and coordinate with partner agencies regarding transportation, mobility, land use, and policy initiatives.
- Prepare and present reports, technical analyses, recommendations, Board materials, and planning documents for leadership, committees, partner agencies, and the Board of Directors.
Supporting Responsibilities- Participate in cross-functional teams, organizational initiatives, committees, and special projects.
- Support the development and implementation of department procedures, standards, planning methodologies, and best practices.
- Monitor emerging transportation, mobility, land use, demographic, and industry trends that may affect District planning activities.
- Perform other duties as assigned
Supervisory Responsibilities- Provides direct supervision and leadership to Planning Department staff, including recruitment, performance management, coaching, employee development, succession planning, and work assignment responsibilities.
Fiscal Responsibility- Assists in the development, administration, and monitoring of the Planning Department budget and oversees consultant contracts, project expenditures, procurement activities, and compliance with District purchasing policies and procedures.
Competencies for Successful Performance of Job DutiesKnowledge:- Leadership principles including supervision, employee development, performance management, workforce planning, succession planning, and organizational effectiveness.
- Research methods, data analysis, performance measurement, GIS applications, and planning methodologies.
- Strategic planning, program management, organizational performance measurement, and project delivery practices.
- Principles and practices of transportation, mobility, land use, transit, and long-range planning.
- Organizational budgeting, procurement, consultant management, and contract administration.
- Transportation planning processes, intergovernmental coordination, public involvement, and stakeholder engagement practices.
Skills:- Leadership, coaching, mentoring, and employee development.
- Building collaborative relationships and leading multidisciplinary teams.
- Strategic thinking, planning, organizational problem solving, and decision-making.
- Managing multiple projects, priorities, budgets, resources, and deadlines.
- Evaluating technical information and developing practical recommendations.
- Facilitating stakeholder engagement, public involvement activities, partnership development, and interagency collaboration.
- Preparing and delivering clear, concise, and effective reports, recommendations, presentations, and technical documents.
- Communicating effectively with employees, leadership, elected officials, governing boards, partner agencies, consultants, community stakeholders, and members of the public.
- Exercising sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion.
Minimum QualificationsRequired Education and ExperienceAny equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job. Education and course work can substitute for years of experience. Typical qualifications would be:
Experience:
- Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in transit planning, public sector planning, transportation consulting, project management, or a related field, including at least three (3) years of supervisory, project leadership, or management experience.
- Experience managing complex planning studies, projects, consultant contracts, stakeholder engagement efforts, or related initiatives.
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Transportation Planning, Public Administration, Geography, Engineering, Business Administration, Regional Planning, or a related field.
Preferred Qualifications- Master's degree in Planning, Public Administration, Transportation Planning, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Experience leading long-range planning, transportation planning, mobility planning, or transit planning initiatives.
- Experience in a public transit agency, metropolitan planning organization (MPO), local government, transportation consulting firm, or similar environment.
- Knowledge of FTA, FHWA, ODOT, Title VI, NTD, and related transportation planning requirements.
- Experience with transit service planning, scheduling, service development, operational analysis, or mobility planning.
- Experience supervising professional planning staff.
- GIS and data analysis experience.
Working Conditions & Expected HoursReasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
- Work is performed primarily in an office environment with regular interaction with employees, partner agencies, elected officials, consultants, stakeholders, and members of the public.
- Standard work hours are generally Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; however, schedule flexibility is required to support meetings, public engagement activities, and organizational needs.
- Occasional evening, weekend, and extended-hour work may be required.
Travel- Travel throughout the service area is required.
- Occasional travel outside of the region may be required for meetings, conferences, training, professional development, or organizational business.
- Operation of a District vehicle may be required.
Human Collaboration & Job Impact- This position regularly collaborates with employees, leadership staff, consultants, elected officials, partner agencies, community organizations, and external stakeholders to support organizational objectives and mobility initiatives.
- Decisions made by this position have a significant impact on planning priorities, regulatory compliance, funding opportunities, interagency relationships, organizational strategy, service development, and District resources.
How to ApplyAll qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by
October 27, 2026 (first review, open until filled). A cover letter and resume are required to be considered for this position. Applications, resumes and cover letters will only be accepted electronically.
