STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Connecticut Careers Trainee-Travel Demand/Air Quality

Target Class: Transportation Planner 1

Recruitment #260219-1993FS-001

Introduction


The State of Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT), is accepting applications for an exciting Connecticut Careers Trainee position, with a target class of Transportation Planner 1, to assist in the development and maintenance of the Connecticut Statewide travel demand model, as well as conducting air quality emissions reductions analyses. If you are a team player who wishes to assist in preparing support data for executive decision markers when developing the best programs and plans for the future of our state transportation system, this position may be for you! 

WHAT WE OFFER
  • Our State Employee Benefits Overview page!
  • Professional growth and development opportunities.
  • A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
  • Working for an award winning agency! CTDOT was recently awarded the Employer of the Year award by the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers (CSCE) and named the Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS) CT Employer of the Year for 2024!
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
  • Monday through Friday
  • Full Time, 40 hours per week
  • First shift
  • The position is located at the Dept. of Transportation Headquarters in Newington
  • P-4 (Engineering, Scientific and Technical) bargaining unit
  • This position is eligible to apply for telework after successful completion of the working test period, and thereafter, in accordance with the Telework Policy. The Policy can be found here. Employees in their initial working test period must work on site in the office.
  • This position will report to a Transportation Supervising Planner, or an employee of a higher grade.
THE ROLE
We are seeking a self-motivated candidate for this opportunity to support the modeling and analytical efforts necessary to fulfill both federal and state requirements regarding the Clean Air Act and the air quality impacts associated with transportation projects. This position will assist in preparing the above data; assist in running the air quality modeling software MOVES5; assist in developing and implementing a GHG analysis program. This position will also assist in conducting travel demand model runs to obtain output files for other departmental programs; assist in the maintenance and upkeep of the travel demand model and its code base; assist in preparing and providing demographic data for various departmental requests; provide support for future iterations of the Connecticut Daily Travel Survey.  
The Travel Demand Air and Quality Modeling Unit is accountable for tasks essential to supporting transportation programs by conducting future-year travel demand model runs, which can in turn be used to assess future needs of the State’s transportation infrastructure; assist in providing data for grant applications; assist in obtaining federal funding via the Clean Air Act.
The selected candidate will also 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.  
This position will be responsible for assisting in developing, maintaining, and improving the input datasets and highway and transit networks comprising the Department’s travel demand model, as well as analyzing the model outputs for project prioritization purposes and as inputs into the EPA required air quality emission model MOVES5; assist in the maintenance of the travel demand model and its associated code base; assist in maintaining the functional classification system of Connecticut’s roadways; assist in developing socio-economic data forecasts for use in the travel demand model.   

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
  • Assisting in the maintenance and continuous improvement of the travel demand model to adequately meet departmental needs; 
  • Providing applicable demographic, travel demand model, or air quality data for grant applications; 
  • Manipulating large, complex datasets; utilizing data quality control and assurance methods and techniques; 
  • Analyzing data and presenting data findings using a variety of reporting techniques; 
  • The ability to use and/or learn complex software programs; 
  • Other assignments or duties as deemed appropriate.
YOUR CAREER WITH US 


Learn more about our Transportation Planners here

  • Eligibility for promotion to the target classification of Transportation Planner 1 is earned upon successful completion of the training program.
Target class: Transportation Planner 1 
  • Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree will serve a two (2) year training program.
  • Candidates with a Master’s degree in a closely related field may be eligible for a shorter training period.
First year of training: Bachelor's degree and/or qualifying experience: FS 15 Step 1 ($55,328/year) Master's degree: FS 15 Step 2 ($57,320/year)
Second year of training: General rate:  FS 15 Step 5 ($63,306/year)  
    ABOUT US
    As one of Connecticut’s largest State agencies, DOT employs approximately 3,300 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.

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

    Selection Plan

    Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.  

    BEFORE YOU APPLY: 
    • Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.  
    • Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date on the job posting.
    • Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency. 
    • Preferred Shift/Location: 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. 
    • Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State.  Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov
    • Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
    • Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

      AFTER YOU APPLY: 

      • Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.” 
      • Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).  
      • Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression! 
      • Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.  
      • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.  
      • Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. 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, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

      QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP: 

      Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Jasmyn Raymond at Jasmyn.Raymond@ct.gov

      Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

      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

      Assist in conducting air quality emission analyses using the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) required software, MOVES5, for transportation regional conformity and CMAQ funded projects in order to analyze emission levels of GHG, PM2.5, NOx and VOC; assist in developing the annual FHWA report on Air Quality improvements in regard to GHG, PM2.5, NOx and VOC levels as required under IIJA; assist in the development and implementation of a GHG emissions program as required by Section 32 of Public Act 23-135;  assist in conducting travel demand model runs for various departmental needs; assist in providing travel demand model outputs to various stakeholders; assist in preparing and utilizing demographic data from the U.S. Census Bureau or other associated vendors; assist in processing applications for functional class change requests. This position is responsible for manipulating large, complex datasets and utilizing technical computer products and software, including Microsoft Office and the travel demand modeling software; preparing documentation and flowcharts for new travel demand modeling process and procedures; related duties as required. More information can be found here

      KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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

      MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

      Candidates must be able to meet the experience and training requirements of the designated job class at the completion of the development program.

      PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

      • A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Transportation, Regional or Urban Planning, GIS, Geography, Civil Engineering, or closely related degree.
      • Experience manipulating and analyzing large, complex datasets through course work, work experience, or internships.
      • Experience presenting and visualizing findings from data analyses, and effectively delivering work materials to a variety of audiences, including both written and verbal formats, through course work, work experience, or internships.
      • Experience learning new concepts and complex computer software.
      • Experience researching and utilizing online data sources like the U.S. Census Bureau and the American Community Survey.
      • Experience communicating and working collaboratively within a team, with design professionals, with other State and Federal agencies, or outside stakeholders, through course work, work experience, or internships.
      • Experience with Microsoft Office 365, ESRI ArcGIS and related software, and interpreting other published documents and media, such as aerial photography, through course work, work experience, or internships.
      • Experience utilizing the Microsoft Office Suite of applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams through course work, 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.

      ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

      As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.