Division 8 Planning Engineer

State of North Carolina

7d

About The Position

Please note that all positions close at 12:00 AM on the posted closing date. You must apply by 11:59 PM prior to the posted closing date. This posting is for an Engineer III that will serve as the Division 8 Planning Engineer. This position assists and coordinates in the development of comprehensive transportation plans (CTP) for metropolitan planning organizations (MPO), counties, and small urban areas which serve as guidance for local policies on long-range highway, transit, rail, bicycle, airport, pedestrian, land use, and other developmental plans. Position will assist the Transportation Planning Branch staff in the collection, review, and validation of local data in coordination with MPOs and rural planning organizations (RPO); assist with the evaluation of the environmental, financial, political, and societal impacts of each alternative; assist with the presentation of these alternatives to the local elected officials, municipal planning staff, and local citizens within the planning areas at organized public meetings to solicit their input into the formulation of the plan. Attend various project meetings including project scoping meetings, NEPA merger meetings and feasibility study groups to provide financial and environmental assessments to Planning staff. Assist and coordinate with the Project Development Branch in conducting environmental studies for programmed projects. This includes assisting with engineering studies and coordination with local agencies for the early phases of project development, from project scoping to purpose and need. Attend project public hearings and aide in facilitating these meetings by providing local answers to inquiries that are raised at meetings. Assist in programming of project in the TIP by providing transportation planning and funding data to the MPO, county, and municipalities. Assist the Strategic Planning Office of Transportation in conducting the project prioritization process at the Division and MPO/RPO level. Serves as liaison between the MPOs and RPOs and the Division and central NCDOT staff by providing information and responding to requests for information. This position assists the multi-modal divisions in developing non-highway projects to ensure consistency with various planning documents: bicycle/pedestrian, rail, public transit, ferry, and aviation. Position will review and evaluate highway projects for feasibility and effectiveness of integrating non-highway features. The ideal candidate for this position should possess knowledge of the principles and practices of professional civil engineering as they apply to highway and traffic engineering and transportation planning to include a knowledge of city and regional planning concept and procedures, knowledge of social and environmental sciences, and knowledge of statistics and economics; thorough knowledge of the organization and operation of The Department of Transportation and municipal government; general knowledge of Federal-Aid highway planning and research programming and budgeting procedures; and general knowledge of auditing and accounting procedures; ability to adequately plan, schedule, coordinate, and conduct transportation engineering planning assignments, and document and convey the findings in both oral and technical report form; ability to train, provide instructions, and provide guidance to staff of other agencies and local governments on transportation system planning work; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with private and public offices, and other employees. This position must be capable of independent research and development in the area of transportation planning, air quality considerations, transportations modeling and statewide transportation policy issues. Technical report analysis and writing ability; a high degree of oral and written communication skills; public speaking ability; and group discussion leader skills. Employee hired into this position must be able to legally operate a vehicle.

Requirements

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of professional civil engineering as they apply to highway and traffic engineering and transportation planning to include a knowledge of city and regional planning concept and procedures, knowledge of social and environmental sciences, and knowledge of statistics and economics
• Thorough knowledge of the organization and operation of The Department of Transportation and municipal government
• General knowledge of Federal-Aid highway planning and research programming and budgeting procedures
• General knowledge of auditing and accounting procedures
• Ability to adequately plan, schedule, coordinate, and conduct transportation engineering planning assignments, and document and convey the findings in both oral and technical report form
• Ability to train, provide instructions, and provide guidance to staff of other agencies and local governments on transportation system planning work
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with private and public offices, and other employees
• Technical report analysis and writing ability
• A high degree of oral and written communication skills
• Public speaking ability
• Group discussion leader skills
• Employee hired into this position must be able to legally operate a vehicle.
• Bachelor’s degree in an applicable field of engineering from an appropriately accredited institution and four (4) years of progressively responsible experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• May require registration as a professional engineer by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors.

Nice To Haves

• Experience conducting meetings with employees, citizens and public officials in order to conduct investigations and resolve issues
• Customer service experience related to resolving problems that involve explaining engineering concepts to various customer groups
• Experience assimilating large amounts of data to properly plan, prioritize, track progress, and monitor various projects and programs within NCDOT
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of engineering concepts, practices, and theories used in construction project proposal development
• Experience maintaining effective working relationships with NCDOT staff, consultants, contractors, and public officials while managing conflicts and deadlines

Responsibilities

• Assists and coordinates in the development of comprehensive transportation plans (CTP) for metropolitan planning organizations (MPO), counties, and small urban areas which serve as guidance for local policies on long-range highway, transit, rail, bicycle, airport, pedestrian, land use, and other developmental plans.
• Assists the Transportation Planning Branch staff in the collection, review, and validation of local data in coordination with MPOs and rural planning organizations (RPO).
• Assists with the evaluation of the environmental, financial, political, and societal impacts of each alternative.
• Assists with the presentation of these alternatives to the local elected officials, municipal planning staff, and local citizens within the planning areas at organized public meetings to solicit their input into the formulation of the plan.
• Attends various project meetings including project scoping meetings, NEPA merger meetings and feasibility study groups to provide financial and environmental assessments to Planning staff.
• Assists and coordinates with the Project Development Branch in conducting environmental studies for programmed projects.
• Assists with engineering studies and coordination with local agencies for the early phases of project development, from project scoping to purpose and need.
• Attends project public hearings and aide in facilitating these meetings by providing local answers to inquiries that are raised at meetings.
• Assists in programming of project in the TIP by providing transportation planning and funding data to the MPO, county, and municipalities.
• Assists the Strategic Planning Office of Transportation in conducting the project prioritization process at the Division and MPO/RPO level.
• Serves as liaison between the MPOs and RPOs and the Division and central NCDOT staff by providing information and responding to requests for information.
• Assists the multi-modal divisions in developing non-highway projects to ensure consistency with various planning documents: bicycle/pedestrian, rail, public transit, ferry, and aviation.
• Reviews and evaluates highway projects for feasibility and effectiveness of integrating non-highway features.
• Capable of independent research and development in the area of transportation planning, air quality considerations, transportations modeling and statewide transportation policy issues.

Benefits

• Eligible state employees are entitled to comprehensive benefits, including a variety of leave options, professional development opportunities, insurance, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level