MPO Director

Metropolitan Planning Organization Director

JOB TITLE : Metropolitan Planning Organization Director

CLASSIFICATION : Exempt

DEPARTMENT : MPO

SUPERVISOR : Planning & Development Director

SALARY : $86,516 to $138,425 Annually

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION

Directs, manages, and coordinates the programs and activities of the Cheyenne Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and implements the goals and priorities of the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP).

Coordinates assigned activities with other City and County departments, divisions, and other agencies such as the Wyoming Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.

Provides responsible and complex administrative support to the MPO Policy Committee or their designee. Performs research and analysis, authors report, develops plans and work programs and manages federal grant(s).

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Management responsibility of services and activities of the Metropolitan Planning Organization.
• Manage and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs of the Metropolitan Planning Organization;

recommend, within fiscal agent policy, appropriate service and staffing levels.

Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service methods and procedures; assess and monitor workloads, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships;

identify opportunities for improvement and review within the fiscal agent; implement improvements.

Plan, direct, coordinate, and review the work plan for the assigned programs; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems;

assign work activities, projects, and programs; monitor workflow; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures.

Manage and participate in the development and administration of the Metropolitan Planning Organization budget; direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, projects, and supplies;

direct the monitoring of and approve expenditures; direct and implement adjustments as necessary.

Serve as a liaison for the Metropolitan Planning Organization with other City and County departments, divisions, and outside agencies;

negotiate and resolve significant and controversial issues.

Coordinate the activities of the Metropolitan Planning Organization advisory committees, contractors, organizations, and funding agencies;

prepare and present program issues to Metropolitan Planning Organization Committees and community organizations.

• Provide responsible staff assistance to the City, County and WYDOT Planning Directors and other appropriate persons; prepare and present staff and financial reports, contracts, proposed request for grant applications and other necessary correspondence.
• Conduct a variety of organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommend modifications to highway, roadway, transit programs and other modes of transportation, policies, and procedures as appropriate.

SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepare and supervise the preparation of federally required reports, maps, documents, plans, and boundaries necessary to the MPO.
• Assist in the evaluation and update of travel demand models and procedures and assist in the development of transportation management systems.
• Coordinate, encourage, and respond to citizen input to the transportation planning process including public hearings and meetings.
• Supervise the collection of traffic counts, traffic movements, socioeconomic data, etc. for specific projects.
• Develop and evaluate short-and long-range plans and transportation improvement programs.
• Assist in corridor and sub-area transportation and traffic studies, transit, and intermodal planning activities.
• Assist in the development of and management of the Cheyenne and Laramie County Cooperative GIS and GPS programs.
• Prepare and administer contractual relations with professional consultants.
• Participate on a variety of boards and commissions; attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of metropolitan transportation planning services.
• Respond to and resolve citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to work as part of a team and independently and to exercise reasonable judgement in decision making.
• Knowledge of operational characteristics, services, and activities of highway, transit, and other multi-modal systems.
• Knowledge of principles and methods of transportation planning including analysis and forecasting.
• Knowledge of organizational, supervision and management practices, training, and performance evaluation.
• Knowledge of administration theory, principles and practices and their application to a wide variety of MPO programs.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of municipal and MPO budget preparation, administration, control, and revenue forecasting.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of accounting, economics, highway financing, and geography.
• Knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with complex situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Provide administration and professional leadership and direction to the MPO.
• Recommend and implement goals, objectives, and practices for providing effective and efficient MPO services.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports and budgets.
• Manage, direct, and coordinate the work of technical personnel.
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
• Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Interpret and apply Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those involved with the program including city, county, state, and federal officials, community groups, and the public.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE JOB

Required :

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Urban or Transportation Planning, Engineering, related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job;

AND five years’ in increasingly responsible experience in transportation, urban, regional planning, or a similar field, including three years of administrative and supervisory responsibility.

Preferred :

Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Urban or Transportation Planning. AICP preferred or in process.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations, communicating with others, reading, and writing.

The employee is also required to maintain physical condition necessary for operating assigned equipment, walking, standing, kneeling, repeated bending or sitting for prolonged periods of time and lifting to 30 pounds.

Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions demonstrating intellectual capabilities.

Working Environment :

Work closely with others in an office environment utilizing a computer and other office equipment with some occasional outdoor work involving data collection and observations.