Department: Charlotte Area Transit System DepartmentSalary: $66,826.00 - $96,061.79 Commensurate with Experience

SUMMARY

The Transit Planner I performs entry-level professional planning work supporting transit planning, service planning, regional and corridor planning, scheduling-related planning support, GIS needs and other planning initiatives across the agency’s service area. Working under direct supervision, this position assists with service analysis, field investigation, map and data review, stakeholder coordination, and preparation of technical and public-facing materials used to support service improvements, planning studies, stop-level changes, and other transit planning activities.

This role is designed as a broadly applicable planner classification that may be assigned to service planning, long-range or regional planning, or selected planning-related assignments supporting scheduling and implementation. Work is generally structured and recurring in nature and is performed within established procedures, planning standards, and agency guidance. Assignments may include elements of route and stop review, development and land use coordination, public information support, corridor or station-area research, field verification, and preparation of maps, summaries, and technical support materials.

The Transit Planner I helps strengthen CATS’ planning function by providing dependable analytical and project support, improving documentation and data quality, supporting field-informed planning decisions, and building foundational professional capability in public transit planning practice.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

The following duties are standard for this position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.

Planning and Analysis

• Assists in developing, modifying, documenting, or evaluating transit services, planning concepts, stop changes, corridor improvements, or related planning initiatives.

• Collects, reviews, and organizes data such as ridership, on-time performance, stop conditions, demographic indicators, land use information, or operational observations to support planning decisions.

• Supports evaluation and application of service standards, accessibility guidance, agency planning criteria, and other established planning practices.

• Assists with basic research, issue identification, and analytical support for planning studies, service changes, and operational or capital planning needs.

Fieldwork and Implementation Support

• Conducts field assessments of bus stops, routes, development sites, facilities, or corridors to document current conditions, accessibility needs, customer-facing issues, or operational considerations.

• Assists in preparing clear instructions, sketches, maps, site notes, or supporting material needed to implement service changes, stop modifications, or other planning recommendations.

• Verifies field conditions against maps, data, schedules, plans, or other documentation and identifies discrepancies for follow-up.

• Supports implementation-related coordination by helping gather and organize information needed by other departments and project teams.

Data Management, Mapping, and Documentation

• Maintains or updates datasets related to service planning, bus stop assets, route performance, corridor conditions, or other planning information.

• Prepares reports, summaries, maps, graphics, and supporting documentation to help communicate planning findings and recommendations.

• Uses planning software and tools such as ArcGIS, Remix, spreadsheets, and related applications to organize and present information clearly.

• Helps ensure planning files, datasets, and work products are complete, organized, and suitable for staff, management, and project use.

Development Review and Interdepartmental Coordination

• Assists in reviewing rezoning applications, development proposals, corridor plans, or public infrastructure changes to identify potential transit impacts, opportunities, or coordination needs.

• Works with internal departments and external agencies to gather information, communicate planning needs, and support coordinated transit-related improvements.

• Supports assigned planning staff or managers in meetings, follow-up coordination, and documentation of next steps.

• Helps maintain productive working relationships with partners involved in transit planning or implementation activities.

Public Information and Stakeholder Support

• Assists in preparing materials for outreach, marketing, presentations, or public information related to service changes, planning studies, or agency planning programs.

• Supports stakeholder meetings, public engagement activities, and internal coordination efforts by preparing materials and documenting input or follow-up items.

• Helps communicate planning information in a clear, accurate, and accessible manner.

• Supports a responsive and organized approach to customer- and community-facing planning work.

Core Competencies:

The position requires demonstrated competency in the following areas:

Planning Support and Analysis – Ability to provide dependable analytical and project support across a variety of transit planning assignments using established methods and guidance.

• Assists with planning work in a structured and organized manner.

• Supports collection, organization, and basic interpretation of relevant planning information.

• Contributes to clear and useful work products for staff and management.

Attention to Detail and Data Accuracy – Ability to handle planning data, field observations, and documentation accurately and consistently.

• Reviews information carefully for completeness and obvious discrepancies.

• Maintains care in data entry, map review, field notes, and file organization.

• Supports stronger reliability of planning information and outputs.

Field Awareness and Practical Implementation Support – Ability to observe conditions in the field and connect those observations to planning and implementation needs.

• Documents stop, route, corridor, and site conditions clearly and accurately.

• Recognizes visible issues that may affect accessibility, service delivery, or implementation.

• Supports better-informed planning recommendations through field-based information.

Work Organization and Reliability – Ability to manage recurring assignments and follow established procedures in a dependable manner.

• Keeps assigned work current and organized.

• Follows through on deadlines, documentation needs, and recurring tasks.

• Supports timely completion of planning assignments.

Collaboration and Service Orientation – Ability to work cooperatively with internal and external stakeholders while supporting shared planning objectives.

• Communicates clearly and professionally.

• Responds helpfully to requests for information and support.

• Contributes to a dependable and cooperative work environment.

Learning Agility – Ability to learn transit planning concepts, tools, systems, and standards and apply them effectively in daily work.

• Builds knowledge through instruction, repetition, and feedback.

• Adapts to different assignments across service, regional, or implementation-related planning work.

• Demonstrates initiative in developing professional planning capability.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, transportation planning, geography, public administration, engineering, architecture, community development, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience in internships, part-time work, academic projects, public-sector work, research support, customer-facing fieldwork, GIS support, or other planning-related experience may be considered qualifying.
• Experience using standard office software, spreadsheets, mapping viewers, GIS applications, or similar analytical and documentation tools is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in public transit, transportation, local government, MPO, community planning, or another public-sector planning environment.

• Experience supporting service planning, stop planning, development review, regional planning, scheduling support, or corridor planning work.
• Experience with ArcGIS, Remix, Tableau, or similar mapping and planning tools.
• Experience preparing maps, summaries, presentations, or public-facing materials.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles of transit planning, multimodal transportation, accessibility, and public-sector planning practice.

• Local, state, and federal requirements applicable to transit planning, including ADA, Title VI, and related public-sector considerations.

• Foundational GIS, mapping, and spatial analysis concepts related to transportation networks, stops, corridors, and land-use planning.

• Basic data collection, documentation, and field verification practices relevant to planning work.

Skill in:

• Using planning tools and software such as ArcGIS, Remix, Microsoft Office, Excel, GIS viewers, or similar tools to support planning workflows.

• Collecting, organizing, and interpreting data in support of operational or planning analysis.

• Preparing maps, summaries, field notes, and supporting documentation clearly and accurately.

• Collaborating with internal teams and external partners to complete shared work products.

• Communicating clearly in written, verbal, and visual forms.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively in written, verbal, and visual forms, including maps, summaries, and presentation materials.

• Work both independently and collaboratively while managing multiple tasks and deadlines.

• Conduct fieldwork at bus stops, corridors, development sites, or other agency locations as part of planning duties.

• Learn new tools, methods, and standards related to evolving transit planning practices.

• Follow established procedures and apply guidance consistently in a deadline-driven environment.

• Recognize issues, missing information, or field conditions that should be elevated for review.

Working Environment and Physical Demands:

• Works in a combination of office, meeting, and field environments with regular interaction with planning staff, operations staff, external agencies, and community stakeholders.

• Requires regular use of computers, GIS and planning software, spreadsheets, and other standard office and communication equipment.

• Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, reaching, and handling of documents and related materials.

• May require field visits to bus stops, corridors, development sites, facilities, or other locations, including exposure to weather and active transportation environments.

• May occasionally be required to attend evening meetings, public meetings, or project-related activities.