Senior Transportation Planner

We are seeking a creative and highly motivated Senior Planner to support our growing planning practice. This is a unique opportunity to lead and contribute to innovative planning solutions for public sector clients across a range of project types and geographic contexts. The ideal candidate will bring in-depth knowledge of planning principles and project leadership experience, with a strong background in multimodal, community, and environmental planning. Candidates must be comfortable working collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team that includes planners, engineers, and designers. Projects may include elements of transportation planning, land use, urban design, environmental review, and data-driven analysis to support long-range visioning and near-term improvements across a variety of contexts.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Lead and contribute to a variety of planning projects, including but not limited to: feasibility studies, comprehensive and master plans, corridor studies, multimodal and complete streets plan, trail and greenway plans, concept studies, grant applications, NEPA and PEL studies, and technical reports.
• Prepare and manage SEQR documentation for a variety of projects, including Environmental Assessment Forms (EAFs), Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), and associated technical studies,
• Manage project teams, tasks, schedules, and deliverables while coordinating with internal staff, subconsultants, clients, and agency stakeholders to ensure high-quality outcomes.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data related to demographics, land use, travel behavior, system performance, transportation funding, environmental conditions, and socio-economic trends using tools such as GIS, statistical software, and planning models.
• Prepare and deliver planning documents and presentations tailored to government bodies, stakeholder groups, and the public.
• Lead and support community engagement activities, including the development of outreach materials, facilitation of public meetings, and synthesis of feedback to inform project recommendations.
• Serve as a key client contact, maintaining strong relationships and ensuring the successful delivery of projects in terms of technical quality, schedule, and client satisfaction.
• Translate complex technical studies into clear, actionable recommendations for a range of audiences.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior staff, fostering professional development and contributing to the growth of the planning team.
• Participate in and occasionally lead field reviews and data collection activities.
• Support business development by contributing to proposals, scopes of work, and interviews as needed.

Required Experience:

• Bachelors degree in a relevant field such as urban or regional planning, transportation planning, geography, environmental planning, public policy, landscape architecture, engineering, or economics.
• AICP certification, or the ability to obtain certification within one year of hire.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible planning experience, with a focus on transportation or related disciplines.
• Proven experience leading planning projects and supervising tasks or teams.
• Strong skills in technical writing, verbal communication, and time management.
• Demonstrated mentorship and leadership abilities within project or team settings.

Preferred Experience:

• Masters degree in planning, geography, environmental or natural sciences, public policy, law, landscape architecture, engineering, or a related field.
• Proficiency in GIS tools (e.g., ArcGIS) for spatial analysis, mapping, and data visualization.
• Ten (10) or more years of experience supporting or leading public sector planning projects in the Northeast, particularly in the transportation field at the local or regional level.
• Active involvement in professional organizations such as APA, ITE, or similar.
• Experience with complex, interdisciplinary projects, including oversight of environmental documentation (e.g., NEPA, EIS), technical studies, budgeting, and schedule management.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed within a general office environment 95% of the time. Work is generally sedentary in nature but may require occasional standing and walking. Lighting and temperature are adequate and there are no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc. within the office environment.
• Field work is required on occasion where work may be conducted outside in heat/cold, wet/humid, and dry/arid conditions. Some lifting (up to 25lbs) may be required as needed.

Hiring Manager Notes:

• Current focus is on candidates located in Albany or Syracuse, NY. If needed, we may expand our search to Trenton/Newark, NJ and possibly Philadelphia.
• Please prioritize local candidates, as the role offers hybrid work options (not fully remote).

MUST HAVE:

• Bachelors degree in a relevant field such as urban or regional planning, transportation planning, geography, environmental planning, public policy, landscape architecture, engineering, or economics.
• AICP certification, or the ability to obtain certification within one year of hire.
• 5 years of progressively responsible planning experience, with a focus on transportation or related disciplines.
• Experience leading planning projects and supervising tasks or teams.