Multi-Modal Planner

Salary Range: $63,302.51 - $73,254.89/annually. Salary reflects Step 1 and Step 4 of a 7-step pay scale. Salary at hiring will be dependent upon the applicant's education, experience, and training.

Job Summary:

Under general supervisory direction of the Planning Division plan, manage, develop, analysis and implement of multi-modal transportation systems, policies, plans and programs that include walking, biking, public transit and vehicular travel. This role focuses on creating a balanced transportation network that enhances mobility, accessibility, and safety for all users. The multi-modal planner will engage with community stakeholders, conduct analysis, and collaborate with City and County departments, City and County boards, the Yellowstone County Board of Commissioners, and Billings City Council to create innovative and sustainable transportation solutions.

Scope of Responsibility:

Performs advanced troubleshooting or analysis; uses judgment to select from multiple known alternatives.  Failures and successes impact the division or functional operations, with moderate financial impact on the overall organization.   Requires frequent interaction with other City staff, citizens, and community groups to provide detailed procedural explanations or technical responses and/or occasional contact with other agencies and individuals to negotiate basic agreements, where relationships involve significant cooperation within the overall organization and/or directly interfacing with individual customers or vendors. 

Division Operations

• Duties may be assigned under the direction of the Transportation Planning Coordinator.
• Works with a team of planners, engineers, transit planners, community health professionals, and volunteer groups to further active transportation in the community and implement the City of Billings Complete Street Policy, Long Range Transportation Plan, Active Transportation Plan, Community Transportation Safety Plan; etc. 
• Uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other tools to model and analyze transportation networks.
• Conducts need assessments and prioritize multi-modal projects based on safety, accessibility, and equity considerations.
• Conducts feasibility studies for multi-modal corridors and recommending design improvements. 
• Prepares maps, diagrams, and other visual aids to present transportation concepts effectively. 
• Assists in the facilitation of public meetings, workshops, and surveys to gather input from residents, businesses, and community organizations.
• Collaborates with city departments, state, regional, and federal agencies, local transportation partners, and consultants to ensure coordination of multi-modal initiatives.
• Communicates technical information clearly to non-technical audiences, including the general public and elected officials.
• Assists with multi-modal transportation projects from concept through completion, ensuring they are delivered on time and within budget.
• Assists with the management of consultant contracts and oversees the work of sub-contractors involved in transportation projects.
• Monitors and reports progress, prepares project documentation, and provides updates to stakeholders.
• Promotes active transportation through programs including but not limited to Kids in Motion and the annual Billings Commuter Challenge.
• Develops policy and guidelines to encourage sustainable transportation and reduce reliance on single-occupancy vehicles.
• Ensures all projects comply with local, state, and federal transportation and safety standards, as related to multi-modal plans and policies secure land or easement arrangements for the trail network.
• Reviews subdivision and master site plan applications for opportunities to incorporate recommendations of all multi-modal plans and policies
• Coordinates the pursuit of funding for multi-modal projects as well as trail maintenance programs. 
• Researches availability of grants and prepares or oversees grant applications and administers grants for various City or County transportation improvements.
• Secures and maintains data relative to the multi-modal projects including trail scanners, on-street bicycle and pedestrian counts, as well as Bike parking data and information. Upkeeps this database on an annual basis and develops best practices for analysis and presentation of the data for formal reports and presentations.
• Conducts safety audits of existing and proposed multi-modal facilities.
• Recommends solutions to address safety concerns for vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists.
• Attends training and conferences related to the MPO as well as Transportation Planning. 
• Provides staff support to the Planning Board, City Council, Board of County Commissioners, Technical Advisory Committee, and Policy Coordinating Committee.  

• Develops and evaluates transportation projects, ensuring designs support safety, accessibility, and efficiency for all modes of travel, including walking, biking, transit, and vehicular traffic.

Public Outreach and Information

• Reviews and coordinates responses to citizen requests for information and projects.
• Promotes cycling and pedestrian activities. Organizes multi-media campaigns and educational programs for special events including preparing press releases, newspaper articles, power-point presentations, public service announcements and photographs for publications.
• Participates on a variety of boards and commissions including but not limited to the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee and the Lockwood Pedestrian Safety Committee; attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of bike/pedestrian planning.
• Responsible for Website management and Social Media development.
• Interacts and coordinates with School District 2 for Kids in Motion (KIM) and educational components throughout the community.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• One (1) year of experience in private or public sector planning
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud Suite

Preferred Qualifications and Skills:

• An understanding of multi-modal transportation planning principles, with demonstrated familiarity with current design standards and guidelines such as Federal Highways Administration (FHWA), American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO), National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). 

Working conditions require moderate physical effort, moving between 5 and 25 pounds, where effort is intermittent, less than 15% of the time.  Working conditions require high attention to detail and deadlines occasionally (between 15% and 45% of the time).  A typical workday involves exposure to multiple disagreeable elements, none of which are of greater than moderate intensity, on an intermittent basis (less than 15% of the time).

Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.  All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required.  To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise.  The City retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.