Assistant Planner

The Central Transportation Planning Staff of the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) seeks a motivated and organized self-starter to provide administrative and technical support to the MPO board and its staff. The Assistant Planner will be responsible for the administrative tasks associated with planning and conducting MPO meetings and supporting the members of the MPO board. The Assistant Planner, with the guidance of planning staff, will also take part in the work of the MPO to study and answer transportation planning and policy questions related to the Boston region. The MPO work includes the development of long- and short-term planning and capital documents as well as programs focused on performance-based planning, climate resilience, and community transportation access, among others. This position reports to the Manager of MPO Activities, and it is an excellent opportunity for new planners looking to expand their skillset and gain valuable formative professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage all MPO-related meeting logistics, including schedules, mailing lists, the posting of meeting agendas and materials to board and committee calendars, and the timely preparation and distribution of agendas, advance reading material, and meeting packets for board and committee members

• Host virtual and hybrid public meetings and webinars, as needed, and provide technical support during each meeting

• Attend and record all meetings of the MPO board and its committees to ensure they are conducted in accordance with relevant laws and governance standards
• Prepare meeting minutes
• Assist project and program managers with research and analysis to support the development of recommended policies and plans, writing of reports and memoranda, and presentation of findings
• Support program managers in the development of the MPO’s Long-Range Transportation Plan, five-year rolling capital plan, and annual agency-wide work plan as well as performance-based planning and programming, climate resilience, congestion management, and community transportation access work
• Perform other related tasks as needed

Qualifications

Candidates who believe that their particular experience and skills are well suited to the position are encouraged to apply. The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

• Three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in an office environment and the ability to carry out the responsibilities listed above, or a bachelor’s degree in urban or regional planning, civil or environmental engineering, political science, government or public policy, environmental science, or a related field may substitute for the professional experience
• A professional commitment to working toward community transportation access, environmental sustainability, climate resiliency, safety, and economic vitality
• Proven ability to communicate and collaborate with diverse individuals
• Skills in conveying information in understandable and accessible ways, both in writing and verbally
• Ability to organize and analyze information and perform research
• Quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, including proficiency working with and maintaining spreadsheets and databases
• Knowledge of Microsoft 365 (particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and Word) and Google Workspace
• Knowledge of virtual meeting technologies and resources
• Ability to prioritize tasks effectively to ensure deadlines are met on a consistent basis
• Attention to detail and in applying quality-assurance procedures to all products and activities

Knowledge of the following is desirable:

• MPO processes and practices
• General knowledge of transportation planning
• Applications such as ESRI’s GIS software or RStudio