STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Transportation Planner 1 (Grants & Socioeconomics) (40 Hour)

Recruitment #220908-8875FS-001

Introduction



The State of Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT), Bureau of Policy and Planning is recruiting for a Transportation Planner 1 in our new Grants and Socio-Economic Unit. This position will be located at the Department of Transportation Headquarters in Newington. This position will be pivotal in gathering and disseminating information and providing grant guidance as well as support to Department staff, community partners, and working with other agencies. This unit will also focus on analyzing the state’s varied socioeconomic landscape and the intersection with transportation projects and programs. With many upcoming funding prospects tied to equity and rebuilding of jobs and communities, this unit will serve the varied needs of the Department in securing funds, as well as applying them to the projects and programs which will bring the most benefit to our State and its residents.

About Us: As one of Connecticut’s largest State agencies, DOT employs approximately 3,000 individuals statewide in five distinct bureaus. It is our mission to provide a safe, efficient and accessible 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 and businesses and supporting economic and community development. The recent passage of the Infrastructure Improvement and Jobs Act (IIJA) presents exciting funding opportunities for the State of Connecticut, and this position will be crucial in aligning the Department to be successful in obtaining approvals for discretionary program funds. The Department of Transportation is 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.

The Role: The Transportation Planner 1 position will be an important part of a unit which will be responsible for leading federal, multi-modal grant initiatives within the Department, across Bureaus. This position will be focused on completing tasks required to fulfill objectives of the unit including but not limited to performing cost / benefit analysis and evaluations utilizing Regional Economic Models, Inc (REMI) and Transportation Economic Development Impact System (TREDIS) (or similar) software applications to assess impacts of various projects and programs on local, regional, and State economics, including special analysis for Grant applications as needed.

This Transportation Planner 1 position will be responsible for coordinating the preparation of Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) with subject matter experts to gather and perform this necessary analysis for Grant applications and for ensuring analysis is completed in accordance with United States Department of Transportation's (USDOT’s) Benefit-Cost Analysis Guidance for Discretionary Grant Programs. This position will support the goals of the unit as described and will also include investigating, researching and staying abreast of trends within the industry as well as other assignments or duties as deemed appropriate.

With many upcoming funding prospects tied to equity and rebuilding of jobs and communities, this unit will facilitate the varied needs of the Department in securing funds, as well as applying them to the projects and programs which will bring the most benefit to our State. This unit will be dedicated to analysis of the impact and benefits of transportation projects on local, regional and statewide economics, historically overburdened and underserved communities, reducing barriers to opportunity, and resiliency and sustainability of the State’s transportation infrastructure. The unit will gather and utilize data regarding travel time savings, accessibility, and job creation to calculate the likely economic implications of transportation projects and programs.

This position will report to a Grants and Contract Specialist and will collaborate closely with and support the Government Relations Office as well as key personnel from all Bureaus regarding grant applications.

Duties of this position will include:

  • Performing cost/benefit analyses for grant applications
  • Creating grant application materials
  • Responding to inquiries and comments on the Grant as needed
  • Aid in completing reporting requirements for Awarded Grants
  • Aid in completing Close-Out requirements for Awarded Grants
  • Review, analyze and assess impacts of various projects and programs on environmental justice communities
  • Aid in developing a data driven analysis of likely economic development implications of transportation projects and programs
  • Aid in developing a data driven analysis of impacts and benefits of transportation projects and programs to environmental justice communities and census tracts across the State
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

The State of Connecticut offers a competitive starting salary, excellent state benefits package including health/dental insurance, generous paid time off, retirement plan options, alternate work schedules, and a culture that encourages work-life balance.

View the video below to learn what it's like to be a state 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 or shift.
  • 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.
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Important Information After You Apply:

  • 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 questionnaire's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • Note: 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.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
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. Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Frank DeCusati at frank.decusati@ct.gov or 860-713-5176.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Transportation this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in conducting transportation planning studies, programs and documentation activities pertaining to the State transportation planning program.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Conducts planning studies relative to all transportation modes for the movement of people and goods; directs surveys related to safety, environmental studies, land use, suburban and urban population changes and transportation needs; 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; prepares statistical and written reports and environmental impact statements; reviews studies, surveys and technical documents for conformance with department standards, needs and state and federal laws and regulations; provides planning assistance and coordinates activities and projects with local, regional, state, and federal agencies, private consultants and stakeholders; investigates and responds to public inquiries and complaints regarding transportation plans, programs and/or projects; reviews proposed legislation and distributes information; may perform site analysis work; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of transportation planning theories, practices and procedures; knowledge of various transportation problems as related to urban centers; knowledge of related social, economic and environmental considerations; knowledge of state transportation conditions and probable trends; knowledge of basic engineering principles; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to conduct transportation planning and environmental studies; ability to use computer software including planning models and other programs related to planning process; ability to understand and interpret laws, rules and regulations; research ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of professional experience in transportation civil engineering or transportation, urban, regional or environmental planning.

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.
3. For State Employees three (3) years of experience as a Transportation Planning Assistant 2 or Transportation Engineer Technician may be substituted for the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience or training in creating grant application materials
  • Experience or training in performing cost/benefit analysis for grant applications
  • Possession of a bachelor’s or master’s degree in economics, statistics, urban or regional planning, public administration, or similar
  • Experience with data comparison and analysis of census data
  • Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook)
  • Experience with geographic information system (GIS)
  • Experience with TREDIS, REMI, or similar software
  • Experience or training communicating and working collaboratively within a team and with external groups
  • Experience meeting deadlines

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.