Transit Project and Planning Coordinator

Job Title: Transit Project and Planning Coordinator
Closing Date/Time Fri. 10/20/23 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Salary $30.17 Hourly
$58,823.30 Annually
Job Type: Full Time
Location: Asheville, North Carolina
Department: Transportation

About Asheville
Asheville is a vibrant and dynamic city that is praised for its quality of life, being a travel destination, its music and food scene, and its proximity to amazing outdoor amenities. All within a three-block area in downtown Asheville, locals and tourists alike can admire art deco architecture, catch an original play, dine al fresco, shop at independent boutiques, sip on a beer from our many microbreweries, choose from all kinds of cuisines, watch an artist at-work, play to the beat in a lively drum circle, browse some of the nation’s best independent bookstores, and more. On the outskirts of town, the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains and French Broad River offer an outdoor respite from the hustle and bustle of the city’s core.

As the county seat of Buncombe County, Asheville serves as a hub for Western North Carolina relative to manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, banking, professional services, and entertainment. With approximately 90,000 people and an area of 45.2 square miles, Asheville is the eleventh largest city in North Carolina.

It’s easy to see why makers and doers, adventurers, creatives, families, professionals and people of all backgrounds enjoy visiting and living in Asheville. After you explore our region first-hand, we guarantee you’ll want to make Asheville your home.

About our Opportunity
We invite you to apply to join our team as a full-time Transit Planning and Projects Coordinator in the Transportation Department within the Transit Planning Division. The purpose of this position is to perform active planning, project coordination, data management and analysis, community engagement, grant administration support, federal regulatory compliance, and general support activities of the Transit Planning Division. The Transit Planning and Projects Coordinator will provide direct support to the Transit Planning Manager for all projects related to transit planning and operations of the City’s transit system, Asheville Rides Transit (ART).
This position will be heavily involved in the implementation of the current Transit Master Plan, and will have the opportunity to help shape the future of transit in Asheville. Major projects that the Transit Planning and Projects Coordinator will facilitate include:
– Implementation of multi-year $1.0 million federal grant project focused on area-wide bus stop improvements.
– Maintaining and utilizing ART Intelligent Transit Systems (ITS) technology and Infrastructure
– Planning, design, and construction of a major expansion of the Downtown Transit Center.
– Short-term and long-term planning to locate and construct a new transit maintenance garage.
– Assisting with Transit Master Plan monitoring and evaluation of new service improvements, and preparing and implementing master plan recommendations as budget allows.
– Assisting with service planning efforts including short term planning, Comprehensive Operational Analysis, and long-term planning.

Work Schedule:
Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM; total of 37.5 hours per week. Some weekend and evening work is required for public meetings and special projects. This position qualifies for Compensation Time. Hours worked beyond 37.5 hours per week, will be counted toward Compensation Time, which may be used as paid leave, up to a certain amount which is based on years of service. A temporary remote work schedule can be considered if needed.
Flexible schedule arrangements may be requested.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
Utilizing an array of transit software applications to perform various types of transit service analysis, including the evaluation and forecasting of service delivery, developing route alternatives, performing land use and demographic analysis to evaluate route alternatives or infrastructure improvements, designing and conducting rider surveys, preparing trend analysis, examining problems to develop strategies to address community needs.

Utilizing various transit data systems and software to communicate real-time transit data, digital signage messaging and alerts, text message alerts, and bus headsign messages.

Oversee and maintain Intelligent Transit System technology (ITS) & Infrastructure Database.

Manage ART ITS System and work with ITS vendors and Google Transit to ensure all General Transit Feed Specification – real time information is processed properly.
Run reports weekly to ensure ITS is working properly and validate and analyze data.
Communication and public engagement, including developing presentations and reports regarding key transit performance measures, service changes and improvements, and serving as a liaison to the Transit Committee and other Committees and Commissions as needed; lead and implement public engagement activities to obtain feedback from riders.
Representing the Transit Planning Division in the development review process. Review new development projects for impacts to the transit system, and make recommendations for improvements.
Supporting the Transit Planning Manager with operations contractor oversight by providing reports and data on schedule adherence, missed trips, completed revenue hours, etc.
Assist with the compilation and submission of required transit data to FTA for compliance purposes. Responsible for National Transit Database (NTD) and Transit Asset Management (TAM) reporting the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and NC Operating Statistics to the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Provide operational statistics, working with administrative staff, the Transit Planning Manager, and the Director and facilitating the operational information for the NTD Base Report
Coordinating with ART Operations Staff to modify schedules and routes as needed.
Oversee Bus Stop Improvement Project.
Managing transit procurement projects. Creating bid documents. Use scopes of work to procure amenities and general services in collaboration with the City procurement division in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local policies and procedures.
Researching funding opportunities and assisting the Transportation Grants Coordinator with developing and managing grants.
Research and report on transit innovations and industry trends.
Work closely with other departments and with ART on various transit capital projects, including bus shelter installations and improvements, facility renovations, and rolling stock procurement.
Coordinate with other departments and ART regarding roadway closures and detours.
Perform website updates and assist in posting and sending rider alerts.
Serve as a staff liaison to the Transit Committee.
Supporting the Transit Planning Manager on projects as needed.
Supplemental Functions:
Performing other similar duties as required.

Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Transportation Planning, Transit Planning, or related field is required. One (1) to three (3) years of related work experience preferred, including GIS and/or analytical experience, is not required, but is preferred.
Over two (2) years of experience in project management, transit planning, or closely related field is preferred.
Experience with graphic design or ability to update maps and schedules with Adobe Design Suite is not required, but is preferred.
Familiarity/experience with following transit-related software programs, such as: Trillium, Remix, Swiftly, SPSS, etc. is not required, but is preferred.
Applicants with equivalent experience and/or education may be considered.
Licensing/Certifications (not required but preferred):
ADA in Transit
Basics of Transportation Planning
Transit Service Planning
American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)
Applicants with equivalent experience and/or education may be considered.