The Central Transportation Planning Staff of the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) seeks a manager for the MPO Activities team with primary responsibility of executing the work of the MPO policy board. That MPO policy board, made up of the chief executive officers of 22 cities, towns, agencies, and other entities in the Boston region, is responsible for implementing a vision of a safe, equitable, sustainable, and resilient transportation system in the Boston region. The Manager of MPO Activities builds relationships with the members of the MPO board so that the agency and staff can best serve the region’s transportation planning needs and complete federally required planning work. This position reports to the Director of Policy and Planning.
Responsibilities
• Develop a vision for how the team works to support and implement the MPO’s goals and brings transparency to the planning and programming process.
• Lead and oversee staff responsible for the planning and financial documents required of an MPO, including the Long-Range Transportation Plan (establishing the vision, goals, and objectives for a 20-year planning horizon), the Transportation Improvement Program (detailing a five-year, rolling capital investment plan), and Unified Planning Work Program (setting the annual plan for expending funds to carry out planning work).
• Lead and oversee the staff that support the MPO board and its committees; coordinate agenda development and facilitate MPO meetings.
• Collaborate with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s MPO liaison to ensure that staff are able to obtain necessary information and feedback, as well as to successfully plan and facilitate board meetings.
• Oversee and direct the work and workflow of the MPO Activities team, ensure proper resource allocation and workload balance, set quarterly outcomes, and ensure annual targets are met.
• Build internal and external relationships to support and enhance the work that the MPO Activities team engages in.
• Engage with a range of stakeholders to meet MPO requirements, including federal, state, regional, and local officials, other agencies, advocacy organizations, and the general public.
• Understand the federal and state laws, regulations, and requirements that govern MPOs, keeping abreast of best practices in metropolitan transportation planning, and bringing innovative ideas to the process.
• Take an active part in meeting Title VI/Nondiscrimination needs and requirements to ensure that the MPO’s programs and activities are inclusive of and evaluate the impacts to people in protected populations.
• Contribute to organizational initiatives in support of the agency’s strategic plan.
Qualifications
While the following sections describe required and desirable qualifications, candidates who believe that their particular experience and skills fulfill the requirements are encouraged to apply:
• A bachelor’s degree in urban studies, planning, public administration, political science, government, public policy, or a related field, plus at least five years of management experience; a master’s degree in the fields listed may substitute for three years of management experience
• Proven ability to manage people with emotional intelligence, empathy, and listening skills
• Ability to work collaboratively and manage concurrent streams of work
• Experience applying quality assurance procedures to products and activities to produce work products of a high standard in the context of changing priorities and deadlines
• Strong organizational and time management skills and attention to detail
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate with a variety of audiences, including the MPO board, elected officials, technical staff, and the public
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite
• Knowledge of or an ability to quickly learn the MPO process and the mission, functions, and operation of the MPO Activities team
Additional valued qualifications:
• Previous MPO experience
• Experience working with Asana or other related project management software
• Proficient with Deltek Vision or other resource planning software
• Familiarity with the Boston metropolitan region
Compensation and Benefits
This is a full-time position. The starting salary range is $95,000–$110,000 annually, contingent upon qualifications and experience. The agency offers excellent Massachusetts state employee benefits; a flexible, supportive work environment; and a commitment to ongoing professional development.
Additional Information
The Central Transportation Planning Staff of the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization is a public agency made up of a passionate team of transportation planners, analysts, modelers, programmers, and engineers working to address the Boston region’s transportation challenges. The agency’s deep transportation knowledge is an essential asset to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), regional transit authorities, cities and towns within the region, as well as other agencies and stakeholders.
The agency has a hybrid schedule, combining time in the office with remote work. Employees must reside within a commutable distance from the Central Transportation Planning Staff’s office, which is located in downtown Boston, in a transit-oriented and bicycle-friendly area.
Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the United States and a valid driver’s license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. All employees will be required to provide proof of vaccination status.
The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is the fiduciary agent to the Central Transportation Planning Staff and legally employs the staff. Both organizations are Equal Employment Opportunity employers that take pride in the diversity of their workforces and encourage all qualified persons to apply. MAPC participates in the E-Verify system to confirm employment eligibility.
How to Apply
The position is open until filled, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 21 days. When applying for this position, please upload both a resume and cover letter via Click Here or bostonmpo.org. Candidates selected to interview will be asked to submit three references plus a sample of relevant writing or a work product.
