STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Travel Demand Modeler

Transportation Planner 2

Recruitment #220412-8876FE-001

Introduction


Do you want to develop the best programs and plans for the future of our transportation system? 
Are you a team player who likes to analyze and prepare data? 
If so, read below & apply today! 

The State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation (DOT), is now accepting applications for an exciting full-time Travel Demand Modeler (Transportation Planner 2) opportunity located at the DOT headquarters in Newington, CT with hybrid telework options available. You assist in developing methods to improve the statewide travel demand model to better forecast vehicle miles of travel and ridership on the state's transportation system. You will report directly to a Supervising Transportation Planner or other employee of higher grade within the Office of Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), Coordination and Modeling. 

About Us: We are committed to cultivating a diverse staff that is representative of the communities we serve. Applications from individuals having diverse backgrounds and life experiences are strongly encouraged. As one of Connecticut’s largest State agencies, the DOT employs approximately 3,000 individuals statewide in five distinct bureaus. It is our mission to provide a safe, accessible, and efficient multimodal transportation network that improves the quality of life and promotes economic vitality for the State and the region. We have a significant transportation infrastructure system that is essential to maintaining mobility for Connecticut residents, businesses, and supporting economic and community development while preserving the state’s resources. 

The Role: We are seeking a highly motivated candidate for this opportunity to advance the statewide travel demand model capabilities to forecast various travel modes and vehicle miles of travel to support the DOT’s existing programs and plans, as well as new requirements of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The Travel Demand Air Quality Unit is responsible for implementing the DOT’s Statewide Travel Demand Model, a suite of computer programs that use various inputs to estimate future travel. Although commercial software (Bentley’s CUBE) is the basis of the travel model, there is an extensive amount of preparation, maintenance, and manipulation of data files to produce travel estimates, including vehicle miles of travel, rail and transit ridership, rail station boarding, and other travel modes, as well as scenario planning for analysis of proposed DOT projects. 

Discover the Opportunity to: 
  • Be responsible for tasks essential to support the plans and programs recently passed under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), now known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 
  • Conduct travel demand model runs for project prioritization needs, develop an induced traffic analytical tool, and inputs for grant applications and for the DOT’s benefit-cost software package, TREDIS. 
  • Work closely with an on-call consultant to refine the model’s rail station destination choice sub-model.  
  • Develop travel model scenarios to assess and address the future program needs of the State’s transportation assets and infrastructure. 
  • Be responsible for ensuring clear and effective communication and working relationships both internally with planning and design teams as well as with other State and federal agencies.  
Benefits: We participate in a competitive benefits package that includes comprehensive healthcare policies including medical and dental coverage, retirement plan options, paid time off, and more! We also encourage a healthy work-life balance for all employees and provide professional growth and development opportunities!

Watch the video below to see what it's like to be a State of CT employee!
             

Selection Plan

To Apply:
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. 
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • Please select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period.  It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
After You Apply: 
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board daily to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders daily in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam. 
  • At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position. 
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class. Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
Connect With Us:
  • Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. 
  • If have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact faith.macdonald@ct.gov

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Transportation and the Connecticut Airport Authority this class is accountable for acting as a working lead and/or for performing the most complex tasks in transportation planning studies, programs and related activities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the maintenance and improvement of the travel demand model for the development of an induced traffic analysis tool, data inputs into the TREDIS software, applicable grant application data, conducting model runs for project prioritization purposes, as well as creating methods to improve upon the existing travel demand model capabilities.  This entails developing new model run modifications and procedures specific to meeting the project needs, as well as developing new scripting for post-processing applications.  This position will provide support for travel demand modeling and focus on associated projects and programs utilizing model outputs. Key elements of this position include making recommendations to Department travel demand manuals and guidance to best address programs; investigating, researching, and staying abreast of trends and state of best travel demand model practice, within the industry; improving operations and processes; coordinating with State and Federal regulatory agencies and the public; presenting technical materials to diverse audiences; and other assignments or duties as deemed appropriate. Develops and conducts travel demand model runs for project prioritizations needs, developing an Induced Traffic Analytical Tool, scenario project analysis, input for grant applications and inputs to TREDIS benefit-cost software, as required; overseeing the development of framing the future model improvements, including managing an on-call consultant; developing databases, manipulating large datasets and applications as related to the Department’s travel demand model; analyzing travel demand model outputs; develops, coordinates and evaluates transportation programs; collects, analyzes and updates data related to impacts of transportation facilities, projects and programs and makes recommendations based on this analysis; performs trend, economic and environmental analyses of transportation related data; reviews studies, surveys and technical documents for conformance with department standards, needs and state and federal laws and regulations;  utilizes technical computer products and software including Microsoft Office and travel demand modeling software; reviews proposed legislation and distributes information; prepares documentation and flowcharts for new travel demand modeling process and procedures;  related duties as required see other duties here

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of multi-modal transportation planning theory, practices and methodologies; knowledge of environmental considerations involved in transportation planning; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to develop and use computer software including planning models and other programs related to planning process; analytical ability; ability to forecast trends based upon empirical data; ability to comprehend and interpret laws and regulations; some lead ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Seven (7) years of professional experience in transportation civil engineering or transportation, urban, regional or environmental planning.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must include individual responsibility for the coordination of complex planning projects in a relevant planning area.
Note: For State Employees this is interpreted at the level of Transportation Planner 1 or Transportation Engineer 2.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. A Master's degree in civil engineering, transportation, urban, regional or environmental planning may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Transportation /Regional/Urban Planning/Studies, GIS, Geography, Civil Engineering, or closely related degree. 
  • Experience with principles and concepts of travel demand modeling. 
  • Experience performing analytic analysis. 
  • Experience reading and interpreting design plans and other technical media. 
  • Experience manipulating large, complex datasets. 
  • Experience utilizing the Microsoft Office Suite of applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.