Senior Transportation Planner at Kelli Global

Position summary:

Our client is seeking a creative and highly motivated Senior Planner to support our growing planning practice. This is a unique opportunity to lead and contribute to innovative planning solutions for public sector clients across a range of project types and geographic contexts. The ideal candidate will bring in-depth knowledge of planning principles and project leadership experience, with a strong background in multimodal, community, and environmental planning. Candidates must be comfortable working collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team that includes planners, engineers, and designers. Projects may include elements of transportation planning, land use, urban design, environmental review, and data-driven analysis to support long-range visioning and near-term improvements across a variety of contexts.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Lead and contribute to a variety of planning projects, including but not limited to: feasibility studies, comprehensive and master plans, corridor studies, multimodal and complete streets plan, trail and greenway plans, concept studies, grant applications, NEPA and PEL studies, and technical reports.
• Prepare and manage SEQR documentation for a variety of projects, including Environmental Assessment Forms (EAFs), Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), and associated technical studies,
• Manage project teams, tasks, schedules, and deliverables while coordinating with internal staff, subconsultants, clients, and agency stakeholders to ensure high-quality outcomes.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data related to demographics, land use, travel behavior, system performance, transportation funding, environmental conditions, and socio-economic trends using tools such as GIS, statistical software, and planning models.
• Prepare and deliver planning documents and presentations tailored to government bodies, stakeholder groups, and the public.
• Lead and support community engagement activities, including the development of outreach materials, facilitation of public meetings, and synthesis of feedback to inform project recommendations.
• Serve as a key client contact, maintaining strong relationships and ensuring the successful delivery of projects in terms of technical quality, schedule, and client satisfaction.
• Translate complex technical studies into clear, actionable recommendations for a range of audiences.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior staff, fostering professional development and contributing to the growth of the planning team.
• Participate in and occasionally lead field reviews and data collection activities.
• Support business development by contributing to proposals, scopes of work, and interviews as needed.
  
  
  

Required Experience:

• Bachelors degree in a relevant field such as urban or regional planning, transportation planning, geography, environmental planning, public policy, landscape architecture, engineering, or economics.
• AICP certification, or the ability to obtain certification within one year of hire.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible planning experience, with a focus on transportation or related disciplines.
• Proven experience leading planning projects and supervising tasks or teams.
• Strong skills in technical writing, verbal communication, and time management.
• Demonstrated mentorship and leadership abilities within project or team settings.
  
  
  

Preferred Experience:

• Masters degree in planning, geography, environmental or natural sciences, public policy, law, landscape architecture, engineering, or a related field.
• Proficiency in GIS tools (e.g., ArcGIS) for spatial analysis, mapping, and data visualization.
• Ten (10) or more years of experience supporting or leading public sector planning projects in the Northeast, particularly in the transportation field at the local or regional level.
• Active involvement in professional organizations such as APA, ITE, or similar.
• Experience with complex, interdisciplinary projects, including oversight of environmental documentation (e.g., NEPA, EIS), technical studies, budgeting, and schedule management.