Transportation Planner II

Job Description:

Transportation Planner II

Description

The Position

The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.

Why join the City of Oakland Department of Transportation?
The Oakland Department of Transportation's (OakDOT) mission is to envision, plan, build, operate, and maintain a transportation system for the City of Oakland and assure safe, equitable, and sustainable access and mobility for residents, businesses, and visitors. OakDOT is committed to designing traffic and transportation solutions that work to meet the needs of all Oaklanders and reduce existing inequities. OakDOT staff apply strong engineering, planning, policy, and implementation expertise to advance mobility, accessibility, equity, safety, and sustainability in our transportation system.

The City of Oakland is recruiting to fill two (2) Transportation Planner II vacancies within the Department of Transportation. The ideal candidate is a customer service-oriented professional with the ability to work in a team to develop and deliver transportation plans, projects, and programs in Oakland. This position will represent and further the City's commitment to racial equity in all transportation planning work.

The following section describes the various teams and their functions within the Department of Transportation. The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill vacancies that occur within the teams listed below, but is not limited to these teams.

Planning & Project Development
The Planning and Project Development Program develops long-range, modal, and corridor transportation plans; manages outreach, planning and conceptual design for paving projects and other capital projects; and reviews, coordinates, and leverages major development projects to implement the City’s plans and strategic priorities.
Major Projects Planning
The Major Projects Planning team coordinates closely with engineers and project managers to conduct planning and engagement, design complex projects, and manage funding and advocacy initiatives to deliver transformative infrastructure identified in longstanding transportation plans and projects to connect neighborhoods in Oakland. The team also coordinates on large regional transformative projects, including Alameda CTC’s Oakland Alameda Access Project, BART’s second bay crossing (Link21), and Caltrans’ Vision 980 project.

Funding Strategy
The OakDOT Funding Strategy Team leads policy, budget, and planning analysis in the management and implementation of the department's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). This team supports the entire municipal funding process, including project scoping, grant applications, and project tracking and implementation.

Mobility Management
With increasing competing uses for curb space and the rise of mobility services like scooter-share and ride-sourcing, there’s never been a greater time to consider parking and mobility services together. The Mobility Management Team is dedicated to actively managing the City’s parking supply through demand-responsive rates, ensuring efficient use of curb space and expanding access to electric vehicle charging and shared mobility services like bike share, car share and scooter share.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Program
The Bicycle & Pedestrian Program facilitates, coordinates, and oversees the implementation of the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans and supports OakDOT in creating, managing, and analyzing transportation data. The Program designs and delivers low-cost/high-impact projects, and provides staff support to the City's Bicyclist and Pedestrian Advisory Commission.

Complete Streets Pavement & Sidewalk Maintenance

The Complete Streets Pavement & Sidewalk Maintenance team is responsible for funding, designing, and delivering street rehabilitation and preventative maintenance treatments on Oakland streets. Streets are prioritized for repaving through adopted pavement prioritization plans. Safe, well-maintained streets are the foundation of every neighborhood's local transportation network. In the process of repaving Oakland's streets, Oakland has an opportunity to update newly resurfaced streets with designs that accommodate more users and meet even higher standards for safety and accessibility.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Passionate about sustainable and safe transportation: You should have a genuine passion for sustainable transportation solutions and safety improvements and be motivated to contribute to the development of a transportation system that meets OakDOT’s strategic plan goals of equity; safety; sustainable infrastructure; and responsible, and trustworthy governance.
• Community-oriented and can engage effectively with diverse communities. You will also work across different City teams and work with many external stakeholders.
• Collaborative: You have the ability to work as part of a team in a professional environment, including excellent interpersonal communication skills. You also have excellent writing and oral communication skills. Second language proficiency is encouraged.
• An effective project manager: You are organized and detail-oriented, and able to exercise a high degree of independent judgment.
• Creative, persistent, and excited to be part of a motivated and talented team that focuses on innovative and equitable solutions to challenging and technical problems. Your skills include creative problem-solving, strong critical thinking, and analytical skills.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Conducting outreach and engagement to reach high equity priority communities
• Supporting the development of grant applications and supporting management of various funding sources (local, regional, state, and federal)
• Collaborating with other planners, engineers, and stakeholders to develop transportation plans, programs, and recommendations
• Preparing public facing project materials for community engagement and planning of transportation and related projects to enhance safety, accessibility, mobility, and sustainability.
• Supporting meetings with City departments, other agencies, and business and community groups; providing technical information as needed; and presenting information at public meetings.

Read the complete job description by clicking Transportation Planner II Class Specification
*Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!
Working for the City of Oakland

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will have the opportunity to deliver projects, programs, and services that contribute to creating a city where diversity is maintained, racial disparities have been eliminated, and racial equity has been achieved.
• You will be interacting with various stakeholders, including City departments, agencies, businesses, and citizens. This service-oriented aspect allows candidates to make meaningful connections with the community they serve and collaborate with different groups to improve transportation and safety.
• You will work on complex and transformative infrastructure projects, providing a sense of accomplishment and pride in contributing to the development of Oakland's transportation system.
• You will have the flexibility to work from home and have an alternative work schedule.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will be assessing and understanding the needs of stakeholders, including citizens, businesses, partner agencies, and the community to collaborate towards a shared outcome.
• You will work on capital projects with various funding sources that present challenges with accelerated deadlines and delivery requirements.
• You will find that while the City of Oakland is committed to reducing existing inequities, achieving equity goals in transportation planning work can be challenging due to various factors, including budget constraints, competing priorities, and community expectations.
• You will encounter unique planning and logistical challenges when working in an urban environment like Oakland, a major city with diverse neighborhoods and traffic issues that require effective navigation.

Competencies Required:

• Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Involving Others (Engaging Teams): Engaging others for input, contribution, and shared responsibility for outcomes
• Interpersonal Savvy: Considering and responding appropriately to the needs and feelings of others in different situations
• Professional Impact: Presenting self as a positive representative of the organization
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Project Management: Ensuring that projects are on-time, on-budget, and achieve their objectives

Minimum Requirements for Application

This recruitment will produce two eligible lists. The restricted list will be for full-time, permanent part-time, or part-time City and Port of Oakland employees who maintain employment for the duration of the recruitment and pass all stages of the recruitment process. The open list will be for all other applicants who pass all stages of the recruitment process.

Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications is acceptable. Note: Experience may be substituted for education to allow for less typical patterns of qualification.

Education:
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in transportation, urban planning, public policy or administration, geography, business, economics or a related field.

Experience:
Two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in transportation-related planning or another relevant field.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience with or familiarity in using a variety of software packages (GIS, Adobe, Microsoft Excel, etc.)
• Experience in understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Experience reviewing and understanding transportation project drawings/designs
• Experience in public speaking
• Ability to create work products that are functional, intuitive, and aesthetically pleasing

License or Certificate / Other Requirements
Successful incumbents in this position are expected to operate automotive vehicles in the performance of assigned duties. Due to the nature of the assignment and the hours worked, public transportation may not be a cost effective or efficient method for traveling to the various locations required. Individuals who are appointed to this position will be required to maintain a valid California Driver's License throughout the tenure of employment OR demonstrate the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as required in the performance of duties.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Work a flexible schedule that may include weekends and evenings.

FLEXIBLE STAFFING
Incumbents in the Transportation Planner I classification are eligible to promote to the Transportation Planner II classification in accordance with established City policy related to flexible staffing.

Supplemental Information

The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the “minimum qualifications” listed for each position.

Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.

Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.
In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.

For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be sent a writing exercise, which will then be evaluated and rated by subject matter experts. The tentative date that the writing exercise will be sent to you for completion is the week of November 11, 2024.

For some recruitments, more than one type of assessment may be used. Depending on the number of candidates who pass the first assessment (multiple-choice test, structured interview, writing exercise, performance exam) you may be asked to complete a secondary assessment before the recruitment is finalized. If a secondary assessment is scheduled, you will be notified by email with specific details. If a secondary assessment is not scheduled, department hiring interviews will occur during this time frame.

Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you’re applying to a “restricted” posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass.
The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

What’s in it for you?

• Work/Life Balance: 37.5 hour work weeks, and a flexible/hybrid remote schedule
• 15 paid holidays
• Vacation: 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
• Retirement: CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
• Health: The City of Oakland pays the full cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care, and other HMO and PPO plans
• Dental: Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Vision: VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Sick leave: Employees accrue 12 days per year
• Deferred Compensation: 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
• Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance up to $200k & Employee Training.

Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.

Disaster Service Workers
All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

How to Apply
Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least two to three hours to submit your application if you are a new user of the system. APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY. You may apply and view current openings by visiting our employment opportunities webpage at:
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oaklandca/default.cfm.

If you do not have access to a computer, there are computer stations available at any City of Oakland Public Library. There are also workstations at the Human Resources Management Department, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612. Workstations are available during regular business hours (normally 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Our online application system is provided by GovernmentJobs. If you have problems while applying online, please contact GovernmentJobs Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday. You may also call the City of Oakland Human Resources Management Department during regular business hours at (510) 238-3112 for information; however, we are unable to provide technical support for the online application system. For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Mary Ann Gonzales, Sr. HR Analyst at mgonzales@oaklandca.gov.

The City of Oakland is committed to the wellbeing of its employees and offers comprehensive health and wellness services along with an array of other benefits for most positions. Benefits may include*:

• CalPERS Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter Benefits
• Group & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH)
• Pension Benefits
• Deferred Compensation

* Specific benefits may vary depending on the assignedspecific bargaining unit. Information regarding most benefits can be reviewed here: Employee Benefits Information Current MOUs may be reviewed here: City of Oakland Labor Agreements

Closing Date/Time: 11/17/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$94,421.76 - $115,937.76 Annually