Planner Senior - Austin Transportation and Public Works

Job Description:

Planner Senior - Austin Transportation and Public Works

Description

JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer-we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles - Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity - anchors in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference : Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
  
• Value and Innovation : Work in an environment where employees are valued and innovation thrives.
  
• Competitive Benefits : Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
  
• Retirement Security : Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.
  
• Sustainable Transportation Options : Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
  
• Focus on Wellness : Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
  
• Career Growth : Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.
  
• Modern Workspaces : Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.
  

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

About Us!

Austin Transportation and Public Works (ATPW) is a highly reliable organization that builds and maintains infrastructure for our community. Our vision is for Austin to be the model for safe, reliable, and sustainable transportation. We value safety, unity, reliability, accountability, integrity, community, and employee fulfillment.

Job Description:

Purpose:

Under very limited direction while working independently, carry out very complex urban planning duties for the City.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Coordinates division/section activities with other division/sections.

Researches information as requested and or needed. Reviews analyzed data to discover patterns and/or discrepancies.

Assists in developing operating procedures. Assists in developing division/section budget.

Assists in developing and evaluating plans, criteria, etc for a variety of projects, programs, and activities.

Investigates consumer/citizen complaint to determine validity. Speaks as City representative before public groups.

Reviews complex plats and site plans for compliance with policy codes, ordinances, standards, etc.

Answers more complex citizen questions and provide assistance.

Interprets/explains/enforces City policies & procedures, building/land development codes, specifications, ordinances, etc.

Attends City Council, board, and etc meetings to provide technical advice and assistance. Coordinates activities of various boards, committees, etc.

Writes informational reports. Writes/draft legal documents, i.e., contracts, regulations, ordinance amendments, resolutions, etc.

Develops, utilizes, and modifies complex transportation planning models. Reviews complex traffic impact analyses.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

Perform as Lead Case Manager. May coordinate the activities of other planners.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of the principles of community and urban planning.
• Knowledge of Federal and State laws relating to planning and urban development.
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in planning and organizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software.
• Ability to make formal presentations of program and/or project recommendations.
• Ability to work under the pressures of rigid and/or short work cycle.
• Ability to maintain confidentially.
• Ability to develop and implement long-range plans.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Planning, Geography, Social Science, Landscape Architecture, or a planning related field, plus five (5) years of planning related work.
• Twelve (12) semester hours of relevant graduate college course work may substitute for six (6) months of required experience with a maximum substitution of two (2) years.
• Experience in planning-related work may substitute for education up to the maximum of four (4) years.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience employing best practices in local, state, and federal transportation planning, (like NACTO Design Guides), to develop and/or implement transportation policies, plans and regulations.
• Knowledge and experience in collaborating, communicating, and facilitating dialogue with diverse stakeholders, including City staff, external agencies, City Council, Boards & Commission, community members and organizations, and promoting trust, collaboration and partnership in the planning process.
• Experience and proficiency with data analysis, interpretation, and visualization through various tools including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Microsoft Office 365 Suite, Power BI, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat Pro) or other.
• Proficiency in employing visual communication, graphic layout, and cartographic best practices to communicate complex transportation planning concepts to a variety of audiences.
• Experience managing, organizing, and scheduling multiple tasks on tight timelines.
• Ability to travel to more than one work location.
  

Notes to Candidate:

Austin Transportation & Public Works Department seeks a Planner Senior with strong visual communication, GIS and data analysis skills to be part of the Long Range Planning team. This position will be responsible for a wide range of planning functions in the areas of transportation planning, policy, programming and capital project development. Duties include:

• Assisting in the implementation and maintenance of the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP), including developing Small Area Mobility Plans, and reporting on implementation progress.
  
• Supporting interagency and interdepartmental coordination. Reviewing and participating in transportation studies and other City and regional planning efforts as assigned.
  
• Conducting research, data analysis, and spatial analysis, and developing maps, reports, memos, and other deliverables. Maintaining online web maps and planning data.
  
• Developing and implementing community engagement outreach strategies and techniques (visual/written, virtual, and in-person), including leading the production of meeting materials and responding to community member requests and questions on planning processes.
  
• Presenting to stakeholders, City boards and commissions, and community groups.
  
• May assist with other Austin Transportation & Public Works Department programs and projects, as needed.
  

The ideal candidate will have the following skills and abilities:

• Advanced expertise in urban planning with a focus on transportation planning
  
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, with changing priorities.
  
• Ability to work in a collaborative manner with Division team members and across department Divisions, and a diverse group of stakeholders from multiple city departments and outside agencies.
  
• Excellent writing, visual communication, and presentation skills
  

Travel:

If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

Essential Employee:

This position is considered an “Essential” role and is essential to the operations of the City based on the preparation, response, and recovery phase of extraordinary situations or emergency conditions. As an employee that has been designated as “Essential” the expectation will be to work at a designated work site during declared extraordinary situations or emergency conditions to serve the community. Essential Employees during emergencies play a role in ensuring the public health, safety, and welfare of our community and ensuring City operations continue.

Pay Rate: $32.96 - $41.20

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm. Hours may vary depending on departmental needs and initiatives.

Location: 5202 E Ben White Blvd, Austin, TX 78741

Watch for the video linked below to learn more about Austin Transportation and Public Works and its role in the region's mobility landscape. Inside TPW: Click here to watch the video.

Working for the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities, and more. For more information on City of Austin Benefits click here!

A Cover Letter and Resume are required for this position. Please be sure to upload these documents for consideration.

Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.
We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

Applicant: READ THIS STATEMENT Regarding your Application:

A detailed and complete employment application is required to help us better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Please list your complete employment history (to include all job duties responsibilities and employment dates) on your online application. The application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered (e.g., "see resume" or "see Linked In Profile"). Resumes will not be used to qualify for the position and will not be used to recommend salary.

Close Job Posting:

Department may close the job posting at any time after 7 days.

90-Day Provision for Additional Vacancy: This posting may be used to fill other vacancies in other sections within the Division. Decisions on assigned section will be made at the time of hire based on business needs.

Office Location Notes: Office location is subject to change based on department needs and programs.

PLEASE NOTE: Austin Transportation and Public Works positions are not at 100% remote operation.

Video Conferencing Software Technology:

Austin Transportation and Public Works uses the communication platform Microsoft Teams to conduct virtual interviews.

A Cover Letter and Resume are required for this position. Please be sure to upload these documents for consideration.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

Closing Date/Time: 2026-04-27