STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Connecticut Careers Trainee (Travel Demand/Air Quality) (40 Hour)

Target Class: Transportation Planner 1

Recruitment #221123-1993FS-001

Introduction


Are you a team player who wishes to assist in preparing support data for executive decision makers in developing the best programs and plans for the future of our state transportation system? 
If so, this opportunity may be for you!! 
Please read below and apply today to make an ImpaCT in your state!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation (DOT), is now accepting applications for an exciting Connecticut Career Trainee position, with a target class of Transportation Planner 1, to assist in developing Greenhouse Gas (GHG), performance measures, in developing and conducting air quality emission reduction analysis, in conducting travel demand model runs, and in preparing demographic and socioeconomic data and forecasts. The position is located at the Department of Transportation Headquarters in Newington. This position reports directly to a Transportation Planner 2 or other employee of higher grade within the Travel Demand & Air Quality Modeling Unit. 

Current students who will be graduating with a Bachelor's degree by the end of December 2022 are strongly encouraged to apply!

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, 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 and businesses and supporting economic and community development while preserving the State’s resources. 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: 
We are seeking a detail-orientated and self-motivated candidate for this opportunity to support the forecasting capabilities and analytical utilities of the travel demand model, the air quality model, and the demographic statistics needed for advancing the DOT's existing programs and plans, as well as new requirements of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The Travel Demand and Air Quality Modeling Unit is responsible for: implementing the DOT's Statewide Travel Demand Model, utilizing a suite of Cube software programs to estimate future travel, utilizing the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) MOVES software to simulate and forecast pollutant emissions, and preparing, forecasting, and maintaining demographic and socioeconomic data for use within the models

There is an extensive amount of preparation, maintenance, and manipulation of data files needed to produce travel estimates and air quality impacts, such as vehicle miles of travel, rail and transit ridership, rail station boarding, and pollutant emissions. This unit also conducts scenario planning for analysis of proposed Department projects. This unit is accountable 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. This position will be responsible for assisting in all aspects of the unit tasks, including conducting travel demand model runs for project analyses and regional impacts, preparing air quality impact assessments, and forecasting demographic and socioeconomic data for use in the travel demand model and for analyzing the effect of projects on communities.    

Key elements of this position include: manipulating large, complex datasets, utilizing data quality control and quality assurance methods and techniques, analyzing data and presenting data findings in a variety of reporting techniques, including visual graphics, and other assignments or duties as deemed appropriate. The selected candidate will be responsible for ensuring clear and effective communication and developing working relationships, both internally with planning and design teams, as well as with other State and federal agencies.

This position will assist in developing, maintaining, and improving the input datasets and highway and transit network data comprising the Department's Bentley CUBE model, as well as analyzing the model outputs for project impact analysis purposes and as input into the required air quality emission model. This position will assist in preparing and running air quality analyses at project and regional levels to determine the effect on pollutant emissions. This position will aid in preparing data for equity analyses, assist in conducting travel demand model updates, and model runs for various alternative project corridor analyses.


First Year of Training: 
Bachelor's Degree FS 15 Step 1: $52,661 
Master's Degree FS 15 Step 2: $54,557

Second Year of Training: 
General Rate FS 15 Step 5: $60,254 

1. The salary for an employee who completes any of the above Minimum Requirements after initial appointment to the Connecticut Careers Trainee job class will be adjusted commensurate with the schedule above and effective the pay period following the date the Master's degree has been conferred or the pay period following the date the appropriate number of credits as indicated above have been earned.

2. For current state employees compensation will be in accordance with guidelines for computing salary adjustments set forth by the Department of Administrative Services, Determining Salary Upon Change in Class manual.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU: 
Competitive starting salary, excellent State benefits package including health and dental insurance, generous paid time off, retirement plan options, alternate work schedule options, telework opportunities, professional development and tuition reimbursement, and a culture that promotes work-life balance

We also offer the convenience of an on-site, low-cost fitness center, on-site cafeteria and Electric Vehicle (EV) charging at our Newington, CT Headquarters facility. All DOT facilities have ample free parking with easy access from major highways or by public transportation.

View the video below to learn what it's like to be a state employee.

           

Selection Plan

To Apply:
  • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Please ensure that your application is complete before submitting it. Applicants will be unable to make revisions once their application is submitted into the JobAps system. Applicants who submit and subsequently withdraw their application will not be able to resubmit for the same posting.
  • 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, please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page
Important Next Step Information for 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 on a daily basis 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 on a daily basis 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, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • The immediate vacancies are 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.
  • 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, the State of Connecticut is unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Sharon McIntosh, at Sharon.McIntosh@ct.gov. 

#INDLP

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for mastering the skills necessary to satisfactorily complete the training program for a professional position.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Assisting in analyzing and preparing current and forecasted census data at multiple geographic levels for use in the statewide travel demand model  
  • Assisting in analyzing Urbanized Areas and delineating and verifying Census statistical level boundaries  
  • Assisting in preparing and analyzing demographic data at multiple levels of geography for use in planning and project development
  • Assisting in preparing base and forecast year highway and transit network changes based project plans and descriptions  
  • Assisting in preparing model changes and conducting travel demand model runs for project impact assessments  
  • Assisting in conducting air quality emission analyses using EPA air quality simulation software MOVES3 for transportation regional conformity and CMAQ funded projects, to analyze emission levels of GHG, PM2.5, NOx, and VOC
  • Assisting in developing, monitoring, and reporting of GHG performance measures
  • Assisting in reviewing, categorizing, and commenting on all transportation related projects, for exemption status, regional significance, and potential impact, based on project scope, location, and funding source  
  • Manipulating large, complex datasets and utilizing technical computer products and software, including Microsoft Office, travel demand modeling software, air quality modeling software, and geographic information systems software
  • Assisting in preparing documentation and flowcharts for new travel demand modeling process and procedures
  • Click here to see other related duties as required  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Oral and written communication skills; ability to acquire knowledge and skills required for the target classification; ability to understand, evaluate and solve problems by exercising judgement and logic; ability to read, interpret and understand written material; ability to perform basic arithmetical computations; ability to interpret charts, graphs and tables; learning and reasoning ability; ability to establish and maintain cooperative relations with superiors, associates and general public; ability to utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Possession of a Bachelor's or Master's degree.

NOTE:

  1. If the target job classification has a Substitution Allowed that requires the Bachelor's or Master's degree to be in a specific area(s), then these specific degree areas are required for appointment to the Connecticut Career Trainee classification.
  2. Candidates cannot be appointed until all degree requirements are complete.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Geography, GIS, Environmental Planning, Transportation/Regional/Urban Planning/Studies, Mathematics, Statistics, Civil Engineering, or closely related degree; 
  • Experience with manipulating large, complex datasets; through coursework, work experience, or internships;
  • Experience using data analytical skills through coursework, work experience, or internships
  • Experience utilizing the Microsoft Office Suite of applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams
  • Experience related to travel demand modeling, air quality modeling, demographic analysis, or geographic information systems through coursework, work experience, or internships 

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.