Transportation Planner Analyst I

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA's Core Values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, and culture. Each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary
The
Transportation Planner/Analyst I
plays a key role in shaping the future of MBTA bus and rail service. This position is part of the Service Planning, a team dedicated to delivering reliable, efficient, and equitable bus and rail service that helps people get where they need to go.

In this role, you'll combine strong technical and analytical skills with on-the-ground engagement. You'll evaluate existing and proposed bus services, analyze data to inform service planning, and collaborate directly with frontline operators, supervisors, and community members. Whether you're crunching numbers or riding the routes, your work will help ensure MBTA bus and rail service meets the needs of the people who rely on it every day.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform technical analysis involving evaluating the operating cost, efficiency, and effectiveness of existing and proposed MBTA services.
• Work with interested parties on the location and accessibility of bus stops.
• Analyze the cost and benefits of new or improved service.
• Develop and use procedures and analytical tools to monitor and maintain service-related data including ridership, routing, scheduling and stop information.
• Provide technical assistance to long-range operating and capital planning activities.
• Attend and participate in public meetings, often occurring in evenings after regular work hours. Be able to publicly communicate project goals and represent the MBTA and its interests in public forums.
• Evaluate proposed construction projects in the MBTA service area to determine impacts on MBTA operations.
• Oversee the work of others on a project level basis as required.
• Coordinate complex projects requiring significant interaction with local officials and the public. Represent and work with local and regional planning staff, public community groups and others to ensure that service matches demand as closely as possible.
• Conduct virtual and in-person fieldwork to confirm the condition and extent of bus infrastructure, such as bus stops, busways, and signs.
• Visit work sites, bus stops, transit stations, and/or attend off-site meetings throughout the MBTA service area.
• Draft, produce, and distribute customer advisory notices electronically and at physical bus stop locations to notify the public of service changes or disruptions.
• Be able to listen and show empathy to customers and provide thoughtful and informative responses.
• Respond to each inquiry, whether from a customer, vendor, or co-worker in a courteous and professional manner.
• Assist in the management of a workforce by ensuring the fair and consistent application and strict adherence to the rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable) and policies of the Authority including the EEO, Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment and Anti-Retaliation policies.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Transportation, Planning, Geography, Civil Engineering, Business, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Three (3) years of experience in transportation planning/analysis, engineering, analytics or other related fields.
• Familiarity with public transport planning principles and application, reliability issues and metrics.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare plans to tight timescales within multi-stakeholder environments.
• Demonstrated ability to build working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, influencing key decisionmakers to make a joint outcome.
• Skilled problem solver with proven ability to resolve complex issues with skill, judgment, and ability to think clearly under pressure.
• Strong analytical skills, data collection, research, and interpretation of outputs to various audiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• May need to pass written assessment or Microsoft Office exam.
• Ability to learn quickly, take direction, work independently, and use creative and collaborative approaches to resolve issues.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Effective organizational, analytical, multi-tasking, time management and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to handle sensitive and confidential information in an appropriate manner.
• Possess excellent customer service, conflict resolution and communication skills.
• The ability to work any and all shifts and or locations as assigned or directed. Be available to work twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week.
• The ability to work effectively with a diverse workforce.

Substitutions Include

• A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
• An associate's degree from an accredited institution with an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
• A master's degree from an accredited institution in a related subject substitute for two (2) years of experience.

Preferred Experience And Skills

• A master's degree from an accredited institution in Transportation, Planning, Geography, Civil Engineering, Business, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Experience in at least one approach to advanced data analysis OR transportation software
• (e.g.Tableau, GIS, CAD, Synchro, Vissim, or other).
• Experience with HASTUS or other transit scheduling software.
• Experience in transit service planning, modelling service changes and producing outputs of their impacts.

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers and Definitions:

• General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
• Application Completion: It is each applicant's responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
• Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
• Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
• Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
• Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
• On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
• Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
• ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at or .
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer . For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit .
• Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.