Associate Planner - Transit

The City of Wichita is NOT an E-Verify Employer.

Distinguishing Features of Work

The Associate Planner is an entry-level, professional planning position responsible for transit route and service planning for the City of Wichita. This position prepares plans and reports and administers the development of transit service changes and improvements. Additional responsibilities include monitoring ridership and operational characteristics, incorporating regional transportation modeling into decision making, maintaining GIS mapping and more.

The successful Associate Planner position will have a combination of technical expertise, professional experience, and operational knowledge.

Workdays and Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Evenings as needed

Bargaining Unit: Employees Council

• Posting may close at any time **
  
  

Examples of Work Performed

• Develops maps, charts, tables and/or graphics, compiles data, and maintains project and/or program databases and software.
• Prepares elements of draft plans and reports, including communication of proposed route changes.
• Prepares analysis and recommendations regarding transit system performance and development, including the tracking of key transportation performance measures
• Makes public presentations to boards and other groups and assists citizens with questions and issues regarding transit plans.
• Conducts specialized/research studies, including identifying problems, developing alternatives, and assessing the impact of alternative actions.
• Participates in a variety of meetings and on various committees.
• Meets with neighborhood and community groups as part of the planning process.
• Assists in identifying and ranking transportation projects.
• Participates in the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) long-range planning process.
• Designs system route and development plans for consideration.
• Provides recommendations to appropriate boards for transit service plans and transit related projects.
• Responsible for the creation of transit route schedules and run cuts.
• Manages data used for system performance and federal submission to National Transit Database.
• Completion of work assignments may require the operation of a vehicle.
• These examples performed are not intended to be all-inclusive. Other related duties and responsibilities may be assigned as needed.
  
  

Requirements of Work

• Knowledge of practices and principles of comprehensive land use planning.
• Knowledge of research methods and appropriate statistical analysis.
• Knowledge of legal descriptions of property.
• Knowledge of electronic spreadsheet development, using basic mathematical and descriptive statistical operations, geographic information systems, and the use of Microsoft Windows Office Suite.
• Knowledge of public transportation planning or current literature and sources of such.
• Knowledge of the principles of urban design and site planning, economics, and/or urban sociology.
• May require ability to administer and evaluate third party contracts.
• Ability to use a computer to access, interpret and record information.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates, representatives of other organizations, and the public.
• Ability to learn all applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and procedures.
• Ability to manage complex records, compose and understand complex detailed correspondence and technical reports, and to perform all duties and responsibilities with minimum supervision.
• Ability to establish and maintain good public and employee relations and induce cooperation in complex organizational relations.
• Knowledge of current and effective transit systems or urban planning, data collection, transit system development analysis techniques, travel demand modeling, grant requirements and ability to apply to planning activities.
• Ability to lean and reach as needed to read and interpret development plans and specifications from a print that may be as large as 36 by 48 inches with information printed as small as twenty characters per inch.
• May require ability to acquire and maintain a valid Kansas driver's license.
• An employee shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.
  
  

Experience and Training

Required Experience And Training

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, civil engineering, geography, urban studies, public administration, law, economics or similar areas with ties to urban or regional planning OR 6 years of experience working as a transit planner in a similarly sized agency may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• 3 years of experience working in a planning role managing duties pertaining to the implementation of route designs, utilization of planning software, and development of plans consistent with federal requirements.
• A valid driver’s license.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship.
• Offers of employment are contingent upon passing a pre-employment physical, which includes drug screening, and upon satisfactory evaluation of the results of a criminal record check.
  
  

Preferred Experience And Training

• 3 years of experience in a transit agency.
• Master’s degree in planning, urban planning, geography, GIS, or engineering.
  
  

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws. Please find more information under the following links:

https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/fmlaen.pdf

https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf

https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/eppac.pdf

CITY OF WICHITA

Full-time Employee Benefits

• VACATION - Most employees with less than five years employment earn 10 days of vacation per year. After five years, accrual rates increase at varying rates to varying maximums, depending on work schedule and/or union representation. Employees can accumulate and carry forward up to 240 hours each year.
• HOLIDAYS - There are eleven paid holidays. Employees also receive one Personal Holiday that is granted after the first six months of employment.
• SICK LEAVE - Sick leave accrual begins at one-half day per month. After five years, sick leave accruals are one work day per month. Employees can accumulate and carry forward all unused sick leave each year. Employees who use 24 hours (3 days) or less of sick leave in a calendar year earn a "Well Day." An additional "Well Day" can be earned following a year of perfect attendance.
• HEALTH INSURANCE – UMR / United Healthcare provides two levels of medical and prescription drug plans. Both medical plan are PPOs and do not require selecting a physician or referrals for specialty care. Both medical plans include Teladoc virtual care (primary care/mental health benefits at no charge), Dario healthy living programs, and VSP Vision benefits. Pre-tax premium deductions are offered. The City contributes 80% of the premium cost towards medical, prescription drug and vision insurance.
• DENTAL INSURANCE - Two Delta Dental plans are offered – Preferred and Traditional. The Delta Preferred plan requires using a dentist from a smaller network for a lower premium. The Delta Traditional plan allows use of any dentist, although benefits are higher using a dentist from the large Delta network. Benefits under both plans are the same (with the exception of some Orthodontic benefits) Pre-tax premium deductions are offered.
• LIFE INSURANCE – Low-cost voluntary term life insurance is available. Employees pay one-third of the cost. The amount of Basic Life coverage is two times annual pay up to a determined maximum amount. Dependent coverage is available at $20,000 spouse / $10,000 child(ren) for an additional $0.14 per pay period. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The plan is through MetLife.
• SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE – Additional voluntary employee-paid term life insurance is available from MetLife at low group rates. Participation in Basic Life is required. The Life Insurance plans are portable.
• LONG-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE– The voluntary employee-paid group disability plan from MetLife provides 60% of pre-disability income for injury or health related disabilities. Premiums are determined by income and age.
• VOLUNTARY ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT – Voluntary employee-paid AD&D from MetLife offers coverage for accidental death and dismemberment.
• RETIREMENT - The City offers two retirement plans - Wichita Employees (WER) Plan 3, and Commissioned Police & Fire Plan C-79. The WER plan is a defined contribution plan; Police & Fire is a defined benefit plan. Both are contributory - employees and the City share the cost.
• FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS – Employees may elect to make FSA pre-tax deductions for dependent care and/or unreimbursed medical expenses, reducing the cost of these expenses by eliminating taxes on the amount deducted.
• LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE – This plan from UNUM offers facility and home care benefits for employees, spouses, and some other family members. Several options for benefit amount and duration, and specific plan features, are available.
• MORE BENEFITS & SERVICES
  
  

Deferred Compensation Investment Program

Employee Discounts and Wichita Employee Association (WEA)

Bereavement Pay

Employee Emergency Assistance Fund

Voluntary Shared Leave Program

Training Programs

Longevity Pay

Credit Union

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Injury Leave (on-job injury)

Community Volunteer Events

01

The following validates my highest level of education...

• Some High School
• High School/GED
• Some College
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctorate/JD
  
  

02

I have a Bachelor's degree or higher in the following education focus: Architecture, Civil Engineering, Geography, Urban Studies, Public Administration, Law, Economics or similar areas with ties to urban or regional planning

• Architecture
• Civil Engineering
• Geography
• Urban Studies
• Public Administration
• Law
• Economics
• Similar Degree with ties to Urban and/or Regional Planning
• My Bachelor's degree or higher education focus is not in any of the above areas.
• I do not have a degree with any of the above emphasis
• I do not have a Bachelor's degree or higher
  
  

03

I have a Masters in Planning, Urban Planning, Geography, GIS, or Engineering

• Yes
• No
  
  

04

I have following years of experience as a transit planner in a similarly sized agency:

• Less than 1 year of experience
• 1 - 2 years of experience
• 3 - 4 years of experience
• 5 years of experience
• 6+ years of experience
• I do not have any experience as a transit planner in a similarly sized agency.
  
  

05

Requirements

I have following years of experience working in a planning role managing duties pertaining to the implementation of route designs, utilization of planning software, and development of plans consistent with federal requirements:

• Less than 1 year of experience
• 1 - 2 year of experience
• 3 - 4 years of experience
• 5 + years of experience
• I do not have any experience working in a planning role managing duties pertaining to the implementation of route designs, utilization of planning software, and development of plans consistent with federal requirements.
  
  

06

Do you have a valid driver's license.

• Yes
• No
  
  

07

I am legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

• Yes
• No
• Required Question