Transportation Planner

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

This is responsible, professional, and technical work in the specific field of transportation planning. Work involves complex planning assignments requiring considerable skill in research, analysis, and presentation of data. Work includes the development of specific plans, studies, and recommendations. Technical advice and assistance are given to personnel to solve transportation-related planning problems. Public and interdepartmental contacts are essential features of this position. Work is performed according to general instructions from a professional supervisor, with considerable latitude for independent initiative and judgment. Work is subject to technical review through evaluation of reports.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

• Analyzes the traffic impacts of proposed developments and evaluates proposed site plans for design considerations involving vehicle access and traffic circulation.

• Reviews applications for certificates of concurrency and maintains City's roadway concurrency management system spreadsheets.

• Assists in preparing, reviewing, and updating transportation plans for roadway, trail, sidewalk, bicycle, or transit/bus modes, including the Transportation Element of the City's Comprehensive Plan.

• Coordinates with the Public Works Department regarding the budgeting and expenditure of collected impact fees.

• Reviews requests for impact fee credits.

• Provides technical advice to planning staff and other departments and coordinates as needed with Traffic Operations and Public Works staff on transportation issues and projects.

• Presents, plans, and recommends to elected officials, advisory boards, professional organizations, and civic groups.

• Monitors plans of and coordinates with county, regional, and state transportation officials regarding proposed Lakeland area transportation projects.

• Seeks grants and other funding sources for transportation projects.

• Administers and monitors current transportation grants.

• Reviews and monitors pending legislation, rules, or funding program changes.

• Meets with citizens and private development interests regularly to assist in reviewing development proposals and ensure compliance with the Land Development Code and other City policies and procedures.

• Coordinates with City departments regarding rights-of-way acquisition, construction, and maintenance of traffic issues.

• May be required to work alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

• Performs related work as required.

• Position may be designated as Mission-Critical.

QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE) AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university specializing in Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, or a related field.

• Five (5) years of experience in a recognized planning agency with primary work responsibility in multi-modal transportation planning or traffic engineering combined with planning and experience related to traffic impact analysis and review of transportation plans.

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provide the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, and other competencies necessary for success in the target position may be considered.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess a valid driver's license.

• Must maintain a valid telephone number.

• Experience obtaining grant funding and working with the local metropolitan transportation planning organization is preferred.

• AICP certification preferred.

• Master's degree preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Considerable knowledge of and experience in transportation planning and capital budgeting principles and practices.

• Considerable knowledge of quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis.

• Knowledge of and experience in the principles and practices of urban planning, design, and the relationship between land use, zoning, and transportation.

• Knowledge of State of Florida growth management and concurrency requirements.

• Ability to use MS Office Suite and familiarity with GIS/mapping.

• Ability to express and present ideas and findings clearly and concisely in both written and oral form.

• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with co-workers, supervisors, other city department personnel, elected officials, other government agency staff, and the general public.

• Ability to manage consultant projects, lead teamwork, and coordinate the work of other employees will be required.

• Ability to initiate research and analysis, recommend actions or solutions and carry through with planning efforts and funding applications as needed with minimal supervision.

• Ability to maintain planning ethics in a political environment.

• Ability to prioritize and balance work assignments through to completion, meet frequent deadlines, manage consultant contracts, and organize the work of other employees.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Requires sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time, exerting up to ten (10) pounds of force regularly, and routine keyboard operations.

• The job risks exposure to no significant environmental hazards.

• The job requires normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, depth perception, and texture perception.

All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your email and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced.

THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE

City of Lakeland

2024 Summary Sheet

Annual Leave

Annual leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows:

Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989. Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned. All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.*

Sick Leave

Sick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.

• NOTE: REGULAR employees with a working day other than eight (8) hours, please contact your supervisor regarding these policies.

Sick Leave Pool

Allows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted. Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis. Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees). Participation in this program is voluntary.

For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at 834-8768

Family & Medical Leave

Federal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual. The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave. The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working.

For more information contact Dawn Justice at 834-6038.

Pension Plan

Provision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees.

Defined Benefit Plan:

Plan C Employee 3.12%

Employer 15.64%

OR

Defined Contribution Plan:

Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire/Police Recruits

Employee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hire

Employer 15.39%

Deferred Compensation 457 Plan:

A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees' Pension Board performs the due diligence on the mutual funds. Employees may reallocate their account at any time.

Maximum contribution for 2024 is $23,000; employees aged 50 or older can also add a "catch-up" amount of $7,500. Additionally, a match of up to 5% of salary is offered by the City in Plan C.

Holidays

Twelve (12) holidays, includes one (1) personal floating holiday to be used at any time after three (3) months of employment and prior to the end of the calendar year.

Funeral Leave

Up to three (3) days off with pay due to death of an immediate family member (as defined in the policy manual). Up to four (4) hours off with pay may be obtained through supervisor approval to attend local funeral services of persons other than immediate family.

Jury/Witness Duty

Employees required to serve on jury duty will be relieved of responsibility for their regular work shift or portion thereof and receive full pay while serving. All fees received for such service may be retained by the employee. Employees subpoenaed to any civil or criminal court proceeding, which employee is not personally or monetarily interested, shall be paid as if engaged in regular work activities.

Military Leave

Allows for up to 240 hours in any one calendar year for annual military training without loss of pay or benefits for any employee in some type of reserve status for the United States Armed Forces. (see policy manual for additional information).

Maternity Leave

Refer to Family & Medical Leave for those employees who qualify. Others may take up to three (3) months leave of absence available upon approval of the Department Head. Employees may opt to utilize any combination of paid (sick or annual leave) or unpaid leave.

Leave of Absence Without Pay

Written requests are subject to approval by Department Head and City Manager or designee for less than ninety (90) days. Requests for more than ninety (90) days also require Civil Service Board approval for employees in a Civil Service classification.

Longevity Pay

Tuition Reimbursement

Program provides employees up to $2,500 per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) for reimbursement of tuition of approved college, university, vocational, or correspondence classes upon completion with a grade of "C" or better in credit courses only. Full reimbursement is given for courses and fees, upon approval. The program does not include reimbursement for cost of books, supplies or other related expenses.

For more information, contact Sue Cook at 834-6844.

Suggestion Awards

A program designed to provide a consistent and organized method for employees to submit and be rewarded for constructive ideas for improvement. Maximum award is $1000.

For additional information, contact Kathy McNelis at 834-6348.

Direct Deposit of Paycheck (refer to handout in new employee folder)

An account must be established with the institution of your choice prior to signing up for direct deposit.

Uniforms/Equipment

Uniforms issued at no cost to employees for those job classifications which require them. Equipment is issued to employees at either no cost or discounted cost depending upon job classification.

Parking

Free while at work.

Break Periods

Employees may be permitted two (2), fifteen (15) minute breaks during the workday. The time shall be at the discretion of the supervisor.

For Information on Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance please contact Benefits at 834-6797.

For Information on Retirement Benefits, contact the Retirement Services Department at 834-8765 or 834-8797.

For Information on Firefighter and Police Officer Retirement Benefits, contact Foster & Foster at 239-333-4872.