The City of Tacoma's, Public Works Department, Transportation Division, is recruiting a full-time position for an Active Transportation Programs Planner.  
 
Division Overview: 
The mission of the Transportation Division is to support the City of Tacoma’s goals through the fiscally and environmentally responsible planning, design, maintenance, and operation of transportation systems for everyone who lives, works, or plays in Tacoma. Our services enhance the community by improving the function of the multi-modal transportation network for all users.
 

• Safe:  We prioritize the safety of all users, and strive to build a transportation system that provides safe and reliable access for all users and neighborhoods 
• Equitable:  We center anti-racism in our work and work to decrease disparities in our transportation system.
• Sustainable: We recognize that transportation is a leading contributor to local greenhouse gas emissions and work to improve the efficiency of our existing investments and to prioritize active transportation and transit in new investments.

 
The Transportation Division collaborates with a broad cross-section of disciplines within the City of Tacoma staff organization, City Council, Transportation Commission and other boards and commissions, and community stakeholders to establish and implement transportation plans and policies, such as the Transportation Master Plan, Safe Routes to School Action Plan, Vision Zero Action Plan, and the transportation elements of long-range planning documents. We work closely with local, county, and statewide partners to create a transportation system that is safe and accessible for all ages and abilities.
 
Position Profile:
 The Active Transportation Programs Planner will develop and implement programs that encourage the use of active transportation and transit and reduce barriers to using these modes – with a strong focus on creating a more equitable transportation system.

 This position will be responsible for implementation of a federal transportation demand management (TDM) grant, which will include:

• Developing and implementing a community outreach strategy to ensure that programming is responsive to community needs, helps reduce barriers to using active transportation and transit, and creates ongoing opportunities for improvement.
• Planning and implementing transportation demand management programs, education and marketing campaigns, and events (i.e. open streets events, residential trip reduction programs such as InMotion, community walks, etc.).
• Facilitating meetings with partner jurisdictions and organizations; ensuring on-going communication and collaboration.
• Grant reporting and documentation – including managing the project budget, tracking expenses, and ensuring compliance with grant rules.

This staff person will also support ongoing active transportation programs – including the City’s transportation demand management and commute trip reduction programming, bicycle parking, micromobility and Bike Month, along with education and outreach.
The City of Tacoma is taking bold steps to improve active transportation safety and access – including implementing our Vision Zero Action Plan to eliminate collisions that cause serious injuries or deaths by 2035, investing in significant active transportation infrastructure projects and programs, updating our Transportation Master Plan, and implementing Safe Routes to School projects and programs. This position will offer a unique professional opportunity to be part of these dynamic changes, engage with the community, and support the City as we aim to ground this work in equity and center voices most affected by the safety and access disparities we see today.

Candidate Profile: 
 The ideal candidate will be a person who exhibits the following skills and experience:

• Equity-oriented: Understands the intersections between equity and transportation and an ability to work effectively with communities most affected by transportation disparities to develop programs that meet their needs.
• Effective program coordinator: Skillfully manages a multi-faceted program.
• Collaborative: Values partnerships and develops and supports relationships in order to create change.
• Communicator: Able to effectively and comfortably communicate with both technical and non-technical audiences by creating clear and concise written, verbal, and visual communications.
• Strong organizational skills and follow-through with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• The Active Transportation Programs Planner will be given a great deal of responsibility and independence and must be self-motivated and well-organized. They must have the ability to thoughtfully engage with diverse communities and demonstrate excellent follow-through and a commitment to ongoing and transparent communication.

The Principles that Guide Us:
Tacoma, the City of Destiny, has a workforce of dedicated, talented and open-minded employees with unique skills and perspectives. We embrace innovation and strive for excellence and community engagement in all that we do. The Principles that Guide Us, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Equity, speak to the values that we embody as City of Tacoma employees, and represent the core of our work in public service.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Depending on the assignment, the following are the essential duties for the Active Transportation Programs Planner (Transportation Services Analyst, Associate):

• Develops and implements programs, educational and marketing campaigns, and events to improve equitable access to active transportation and transit and reduce barriers to using these modes.
• Collaborates and coordinates with diverse partners and community organizations to ensure programs meet the needs of Tacoma's most impacted by transportation disparities.
• Designs and implements outreach and marketing strategies, including social media, outreach materials, community presentations, and web content.
• Coordinates regularly with partner jurisdictions and internal and external stakeholders to coordinate efforts, maintain communication, and keep projects on track.
• Gathers and analyzes data and community feedback to ensure projects, programs, and initiatives are achieving desired goals and to identify and implement improvements where needed. 
• Manages contracts with project partners, RFPs, and other agreements needed to meet program goals.
• Develops program budgets and tracks expenses. Tracks grant deliverables, ensures compliance with grant requirements, and submits required reports.
• Performs other work as assigned

Qualifications

Minimum Education*
Associate’s degree in urban planning, public administration, engineering or directly related field.

Minimum Experience*
2 years of experience in urban planning, active transportation, community outreach, or program development.

*Equivalency: Years of experience may be substituted for years of education, and years of education may be substituted for years of experience at a 1 to 1 rate. 

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements
Washington State Driver's License may be required

*Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all of the qualifications listed. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. If you have transferable experience, please tell us about it.

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENTS:
This position requires the ability and willingness to travel throughout Tacoma and partner jurisdictions in Pierce County; at times, with supplies and equipment for outreach and events. An ORCA transit pass will be provided. City fleet vehicles will be available for use only with a valid Washington State Driver’s License.

 

Knowledge & Skills

Knowledge & Skills

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress.

One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.
 
The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workplace. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws. 

WHY WORK FOR THE CITY?
The City of Tacoma offers a generous program of employee benefits:
 

• Outstanding working conditions and an exceptional quality-of-life environment.
• Medical coverage for eligible employees, spouses and dependents, including children up to age 26.
• Vision care with VSP for employees and eligible dependents enrolled in the Regence PPO medical plan with vision benefits.
• Dental coverage for eligible employees and their elected dependents, including dependent children up to the age of 26.
• Deferred compensation allowing tax-deferred savings as authorized under Section 457 of the IRS Code.
• Personal time off.
• Paid holidays.
• A great pension plan.

 


Apply
Interested individuals should apply online and attach a detailed resume and cover letter that includes job experience, major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position.

Examination Process:
This is a competitive selection process. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their responses to Supplemental Questions # 5-7 reviewed and scored by a committee of subject matter experts, as the Experience and Training Test. It is the responsibility of the applicants to adequately describe all pertinent experience and training. Please make sure you read the questions and provide complete informative answers.  DO NOT respond with see resume in lieu of answering these questions; this will result in a failing score.

Applicants who pass the test will be placed on an Eligible List for potential interview and hiring consideration. 

Per City of Tacoma Personnel Management Policy #170, the City of Tacoma is a drug-free work environment. Appointment is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.

For assistance with the NEOGOV application process, or questions regarding this job announcement, call the Human Resources office at (253) 591.5400 before 4:00 pm of the closing date of the job announcement.