The Lane Council of Governments is currently recruiting for the Senior or Associate position in the Transportation and Public Infrastructure Program. The primary function of the Program is managing and staffing the Central Lane Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). In addition, the Program provides staff expertise and conducts studies on a wide range of other planning and infrastructure topics, including local, state, and regional transportation plans, corridor studies, development charge (impact fee) analysis, scenario planning, greenhouse gas emissions planning, bicycle and pedestrian facility planning, public infrastructure rate analysis and financing, and more. This position provides planning, data, and systems analysis services in these areas; secures and utilizes resources; produces maps, graphics and reports; and represents the organization at various community, state, federal, and other agency meetings.
The Lane Council of Governments is a membership agency encompassing all of Lane County, Oregon. Since LCOG’s creation in 1945, the agency has participated in a wide variety of projects and programs for local governments. Today, LCOG serves 33 members including Lane County, all of the 12 cities within the county, and education, public utility, and other special districts.
Lane County offers 4,610 square miles of diversified and beautiful landscape. Roughly the size of Connecticut, Lane County stretches from majestic Pacific Ocean beaches to the lush valleys and peaks of the Cascade Mountains. Lane County’s mountains, forests, valleys, wetlands, and beaches offer something for everyone, from surfing to skiing and other winter sports, as well as cycling, extensive hiking and camping opportunities, and much more.
The Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area is the urban center of Lane County and is home to Pac-12 sporting events, the U.S. Track & Field Olympic Trials, and numerous cultural, food, and entertainment venues. Taking transit, bicycling, and walking are common ways to travel in the Eugene-Springfield metro area, with many exciting improvements to these systems planned (many with assistance from the MPO staff).
The Central Lane MPO metropolitan area is home to approximately 250,000 of the County’s residents. The University of Oregon, PeaceHealth Oregon, and a variety of government entities are some of the largest employers, along with Symantec Corp and a rapidly growing tech sector. The position will be filled at either the Senior Planner level or the Associate Planner level based on the successful applicant’s experience, knowledge, and skills.
POSITION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Serves as team or project member on planning projects related to a specialized area such as specific aspects of land use or transportation planning; performs research and technical assistance by collecting, analyzing, interpreting and summarizing information, using research methods including literature review and telephone surveying.
Participates in the work of committees related to specialized planning projects.
Participates in program development and long range planning including the development and implementation of policies, projects, and program evaluation.
Prepares written and oral reports requiring skills in research and analysis of statistical data, field studies, surveys, and maps.
Prepares graphics and maps for written reports and presentations; presents reports to elected and appointed officials, staff, committees and work groups, as needed.
Researches, analyzes and evaluates legislation and state and federal policies affecting planning activities; presents findings in oral and written reports and presentations.
Organizes and participates in public workshops to assure public involvement in the planning process.
Responds to inquiries from the public by phone and through correspondence; provides information on specialized programs or projects, including policies, regulations and issues, to officials, citizens and interested groups.
Facilitates interagency and intergovernmental coordination and cooperation on specialized planning projects.
Gathers field data and conducts site analyses as needed; creates computerized models for planning and compliance purposes.
May perform fiscal monitoring and reporting of funding allocations, expenditures and program activities related to the budget for projects and programs; prepares drafts of contracts, RFPs, and grant applications related to program area; administers contracts and monitors contract compliance.
May develop and maintain spreadsheets containing all vendor codes, many types of expenses, and formulas for allocation; allocates costs to proper accounts.
May review bills for problems, over billings and deviations. Opportunities for errors exist in several stages of the process. Must be able to recognize problems and make corrections in complex formulas and accounting; assures proper billing for services rendered; approves bills for payment.
Creates, updates, and maintains web pages and web sites of organization, projects, and programs.
OTHER DUTIES:
Plans and conducts special assignments as directed by the supervisor
Performs other related duties as assigned.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor’s degree in urban, land use, or transportation planning and three years’ experience working on land use, transportation, or other planning projects, or any combination of education and experience that provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the job.
Ability to undertake evidence-based planning, in particular such as Transportation Safety Plans, Intelligent Transportation System/Operations (ITS/Ops) Plans, Long-Range Transportation System Plans (TSPs) and Regional Transportation Plans (RTPs).
Prefer a high degree of familiarity with Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and their role in regional planning. Familiarity with the Oregon transportation planning and operations environment (including the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Oregon Metropolitan Planning Organization Consortium (OMPOC). Familiarity with the Oregon land use planning environment.
Must work well in collaborative teams within LCOG and with local agency partners.
Commitment to working effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, in support of an inclusive and respectful environment.
Must write well, including preparation of web pages, planning documents and presentations.
Knowledge and experience with Microsoft Excel, Access, Word and other software required.
Knowledge and experience creating and maintaining web page content highly preferred.
HOW TO APPLY:
If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit an updated LCOG Application (available on the LCOG Web site), cover letter, and resume to: Joshua Burstein, Human Resources Manager, 859 Willamette Street, Suite 500, Eugene, OR 97401, or by email to jobs@lcog.org. The position will remain open until filled.