Job Description
The final salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their growth potential.
Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service.
Strategic Planning and Capital Programming is comprised of two key groups: Planning and Strategy and Program Development and Grant Pursuits. The Planning and Strategy group spearheads Metra's long-term planning, land-use planning, and strategic planning efforts. The Program Development and Grant Pursuits group is responsible for formulating Metra's capital program and handling the preparation of all discretionary funding grant applications.
Reporting to the Director, Planning and Programming, the Manager, Planning and Strategy leads the Planning and Strategy Division and is responsible for managing Metra's efforts in station area land-use planning, transit-oriented development planning, and strategic planning. Directs and plans activities in support of Metra's strategic plan and regional, corridor, and station planning studies of the Metra rail system. Leads planning efforts related to major capital expansion projects. Directs analyses of capital projects trends, legislative initiatives, and proposed rules or policies relating to long-range plans, regional coordination, and project development.
The primary duties include:
- Manage day-to-day activities of the Planning and Strategy Division including assigning, reviewing, tracking, and approving final work products; and training, mentoring, and overseeing staff's professional development.
- Manage the development, public outreach/participation, administration, reporting, and updating of Metra's strategic planning efforts.
- Oversee the development of Metra's station area land-use planning, transit-oriented development planning, long-range system service planning, corridor planning, and planning activities to support capital projects.
- Oversee and coordinate with external parties on the development of regional, corridor, station area, and strategic plans, studies, strategies, and documents to ensure consistency with Metra's plans and initiatives.
- Lead the development and execution of planning data collection and survey efforts, including modeling efforts.
- Approve time off, coordinate staff schedules, fill vacancies as necessary, and ensure compliance with departmental and company policies and objectives.
- Decide/implement staffing decisions, performance evaluations, and performance improvement, disciplinary, and/or termination procedures.
- Make recommendations regarding hiring, performance evaluations, disciplinary and/or termination procedures.
- Promote safe work practices and maintain and foster a safe work environment.
- Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.
Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, not the Social Security Administration.
Posted Until Filled
Job Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree in Planning, Geography, Public Administration, or related field. Master's degree in Planning will be deemed to meet the bachelor's degree requirement.
- In addition to #1, must have a minimum of six years of progressively responsible land-use planning, transportation planning, urban planning, spatial analysis, or related planning experience.
- Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of transportation planning particularly public transit and commuter/regional rail and urban planning and design.
- Considerable knowledge of data analysis, report preparation and writing, spreadsheets, and statistical software packages.
- Considerable knowledge of research methods, analysis, and techniques.
- Some knowledge of the Chicago land region, including transit lines/routes, community locations, and land-use patterns is preferred.
- Strong analytical, organizational, research, and critical thinking skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills in dealing with internal and external groups.
- Strong verbal and written communications skills.
- Strong math skills, specifically statistical analysis.
- Proficient in Microsoft 365 (specifically Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint) and ArcGIS.
- Familiarity with travel demand modeling software and techniques.
- Ability to read and interpret technical materials.
- Ability to manage projects.
- Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
- Ability to supervise staff.
- Ability to pay a high degree of attention to detail.
- Ability to represent Metra to external agencies.
- Ability to establish work processes and procedures.
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
- Ability to lift and move up to 20 pounds.
- Must be able to operate a vehicle.
- Must be willing to travel within and outside of Metra's 6-county region.
- Must be available to work flexible hours in the early morning, late afternoon, evenings, or weekends.
Preferred:
- Master's degree in Planning
Metra employees in an active review period under the current discipline policy or who have documented attendance or performance issues will not be considered and/or selected for this position.
Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana, Metra prohibits applicants and employees’ use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for pre-employment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.
Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.
Metra is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals. If you encounter difficulties or limitations in using or accessing our online application, or if you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, participate in interviews, complete any pre-employment testing, or engage in any other aspect of the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to
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