Job Summary 

Reporting to the Manager, Transportation Planning, the Project Manager, Transportation Planning will be responsible for leading environmental assessment projects and other transportation/ traffic related studies/initiatives, within the Transportation Planning Group. 

Responsibilities

1. Leads the development of Niagara Region’s Transportation Planning Studies and assists area municipalities by leading to completion, complex environmental assessments.  Ensures Regional interests related to developing front-facing Regional roads are maintained.  Leads and/or participates in the implementation of relevant projects such as, complete streets, vision zero, shared mobility and way findings.  (60% of time)

• Project lead for various transportation environmental assessment & development charges projects and other transportation/ traffic studies/initiatives.
• Develops project scope, terms of reference, and the Request for Proposal documents.
• Analyzes and evaluates proposals from transportation consultants for purposes of retaining their services.
• Manages the activities and performance of staff and project consultants, providing work direction, ensuring proper due diligence and compliance.
• Sets objective for project team that align with divisional / department goals and objectives.
• Assigns tasks/projects, determining methods and procedures to be used, resolving problems, and ensuring results are achieved.
• Monitors performance of third party services and completes consultant / contractor performance reviews.  Directs staff, third party consultants, and contractors to complete assignments on schedule and within budget.
• Prepares staff reports for senior management/committees.
• Monitors projects and the progress of consultant’s studies, including day to day coordination and liaison with consultants to ensure studies are completed on time and within budget. Prepares regular status reports.
• Conducts transportation planning studies and reviews development applications, prepares recommendations and drafts reports for Committees and Council, studies would include: Master Plans, environmental assessments, avenue/corridor studies, new business strategy etc.
• Conducts public meetings and open houses, analyzes input, identifies and recommends revisions/changes/updates.
• Reviews, participates and approves Regional and Municipal Traffic Neighbourhood Studies.
• Reviews and verifies transportation/traffic reports, design concepts/preliminary designs to ensure compliance with Regional and industry requirements.
• Processes data from transportation models for utilization in various transportation/traffic projects, as required. 
• Receives, investigates and responds to both internal and external enquiries, including members of Regional and Local Councils, stakeholder groups and the general public regarding related transportation projects. 
• Ensures compliance with provisions of various contract specifications, procedures, and applicable legislation / EA and other Acts.
• Represent Transportation Services Division on internal working groups and project teams, as required.
• Reviews Service Providers invoices and confirms progress to approve payments.

1. Assists in computer modelling and Active Transportation enhancements. (15% of time)

• Prepares Travel Demand Forecast using available relevant computer modelling (e.g. VISUM, EMME and/or TransCAD).
• Supports the preparation and approval process for grants and proposed investment in municipal infrastructures by the Provincial and/or Federal government.

1. Develops, and administers, contributes/provides input to Capital budgets and 10 year forecast ensuring support of Council’s objectives, financial transparency and accountability, monitoring budget adherence, identifying and explaining variances, timely billing and completeness of funding and financial reporting is effectively managed, in compliance with corporate financial and capital asset accounting policies and best practices in asset management planning. (10% of time) 

• Authorize and administer the acquisition of goods and services in accordance with the procurement policy. 
• Authorize, and administer the acquisition of goods and services for the projects and direct reports in accordance with the procurement policy and procedures. 
• Researches third party funding opportunities and prepares funding applications.

1. Develops internal and external relationships with various departments, local area municipalities, consultants, special interest groups/public and agencies. (10% of time)

• Attends committee meetings, chairs meetings with other special interest groups and approval agencies and represents the Department on various transportation related study teams and committees.
• Researches and prepares reports to Public Works and Corporate Services Committees.
• Communicates various project related notices for residents and local business, local area municipalities, staff and local & regional Councils.
• Tact and diplomacy is required frequently to obtain co-operation of others while dealing with difficult or specialized issues and situations.
• Attends review meetings with Region’s legal counsel to provide background information on litigations, attending discovery and other legal hearings, resulting from construction projects as required. 

1. Monitors policies and procedures to ensure compliance, efficiency and effectiveness, identifying opportunities for improvements and providing input into policies and procedures related to transportation planning and operational matters.  (5% of time)

• Evaluates effects of updates, changes, or new legislation, regulations, policies, procedures or guidelines, new products and materials, and technological advancements, recommending and adopting new strategies to address impacts on Regional infrastructure and future priorities. 
• Develops, researches and recommends new work processes and systems with a continuous improvement focus. 
• Researches new transportation products, materials, processes, and prepares reports outlining findings.
• Assists in developing recommendations to the changes to traffic manuals and guidelines, Niagara Peninsula Standard Contract Document (NPSCD), Traffic Signal Standards and other transportation related standards resulting from site, project specific, and new industry specifications/innovations.

Education

• Post-secondary degree in Civil Engineering or Transportation Planning.
• Master’s degree in Transportation Engineering or Planning is an asset.
• An equivalent combination of education, experience and qualifications may be considered.

Knowledge

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience is required in the areas of:
  • Environmental Assessments (EA) 
  • Project Management
  • Transportation Site Impact Assessment studies 
  • Road Safety and Operational studies
  • People Leadership – directs/manages consultants and provides guidance and support staff 
  • Effective Communication: Oral (presentation) & written (reports, memos, response letters, etc.)
• Additionally, experience working with traffic count and traffic safety data.
• Knowledge of travel demand forecasting using available relevant computer modelling along with the ability to extract and utilize information from transportation models for various transportation projects is highly preferred. 
• Professional designation is required (one of the following): Licensed Professional Engineer (P. Eng), Certified Professional Planner or Certified Engineering Technologist (CET). 
• Computer literacy in MS project or Primavera is an asset. 
• Knowledge of transportation planning and traffic analysis related methods, using available relevant computer software (e.g. Synchro, VISSIM, EMME, and HCS).
• Working knowledge of Ontario Provincial Standards (OPS), MTO Geometric Design Standards, MTO Roadside Safety Manual, TAC Geometric Design Guidelines, Ontario Traffic Manual (Book 7 – Temporary Conditions) and all applicable legislation and regulations (Occupational Health & Safety Act, Highway Traffic Act, Municipal Act, etc.), and applicable contract law.
• Strong Project Management/Leadership skills, with experience participating as a key person within the team in a growing and diverse transportation planning practice.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is preferred.