Manager, Transportation Planning

The Role

Manages the preparation and implementation of a long-term transportation plan based on population growth and land use; identifies strategic transportation corridors; and manages the preliminary design of transportation engineering projects. Manages the delivery of the Region’s major active transportation (cycling and pedestrian) projects at the planning phase and manages continued support to design and implementation teams in other Divisions. Provides direction to the programming of active transportation projects within the Region’s transportation capital program and works with area municipalities to enhance active participation connectivity across Waterloo Region. Defines the scope and ensures the provision of efficient, safe, and cost effective transportation facilities to support the mobility, safety, and economic objectives of the Region.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Supervises transportation planning engineers and students. Administers contracts with consultants for transportation and environmental assessment studies. 
• Manages major transportation planning projects, including the development, implementation, and monitoring of the Transportation Master Plan. Defends recommendations throughout the approval process, including testimony in Court and represents the Region’s position in areas under dispute. Conducts public meetings to explain project scope and obtain input into final designs.
• Develops and recommends updates to the 10-year transportation capital expansion program, based on available funding, traffic trends, congestion measures, traffic operational problems, transportation planning forecasts, and Class Environmental Assessment recommendations.
• Conducts and manages transportation-related studies, including strategic transportation studies, roadway functional and needs analysis, roadway environmental assessments, sub-area traffic studies, and noise analysis.
• Chairs/participates in meetings with multi-disciplinary project teams, including engineering consultants, planners, and legal, financial, and environmental specialists related to transportation planning and environmental assessment studies. 
• Manages the development and implementation of transportation demand forecasting models. Establishes the need and justification for transportation demand forecasts; and maintains license.
• Manages committees for the consultant selection process (e.g., prepares and reviews terms of reference, evaluates and shortlists submissions, interviews consultants). Reviews and negotiates work plans and budgets with consultants. Presents recommendations to Council.
• Manages the Division’s review and comments for development applications affecting Regional transportation facilities and services (e.g., roads, transit, transportation facilities).
• Prepares and reviews Environmental Study Reports (ESR), identifying and evaluating project alternatives and impacts on the social, economic, and natural environment in accordance with the Environmental Assessment process.
• Coordinates the implementation of identified transportation initiatives in the Regional Official Policies Plan (ROPP) by establishing and implementing a strategic plan for the involvement of the Region, area municipalities, and other agencies.
• Reviews and processes major transportation-related ROPP amendments proposed by area municipalities. Resolves issues and objections and prepares recommendation reports for Council.
• Responds to requests for transportation-related data from within other departments/divisions, area municipalities, other government agencies, consultants, and the public.
• Represents the Region and department on external task forces and committees addressing transportation planning issues or studies with Regional implications, and to provide technical expertise in Provincial policy planning.
• Liaises with the Manager of Transit Development in preparing long-term transit demand forecasts and developing and evaluating long-term transit strategies, including the planning of higher-order transit facilities.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Prepares and recommends the budget for legal agreements on consultant administered projects. Monitors budgets, arranges purchase orders, and approves payments to consultants. 
• Makes recommendations regarding the acquisition of published data, transportation planning software, research, and resource materials and equipment.
• Provides professional transportation services and guidance to Regional senior management, Council, and Committees. Presents reports and responds to inquiries/complaints from Councillors.
• Provides technical forecasting to area municipalities and policy recommendation for local master plans and transportation studies.
• Represents the Region for transportation development at the Planning Board for contentious development applications.
• Establishes and maintains transportation policy guidelines (e.g., access policy, transportation impact assessment).
• Negotiates cost sharing with government, private developers, and others on projects. Negotiates with the public, developers, ratepayer groups, property owners, and government when projects affect their property. Negotiates with area municipal staff, consultants, and developers (who often have conflicting goals) to resolve municipal servicing problems. Represents Regional interests and provides input to the Provincial planning process to the Ministry. Provides information to the media. 
• Backs up the Director, as required.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of transportation engineering, transportation planning, transit planning, travel demand forecasting, active transportation, impact studies, noise analysis, project management, official plans, analytical modelling, and research techniques and methodologies, normally acquired through a Masters degree in Civil Engineering or Environmental Engineering (or equivalent combination of related education and work experience) plus progressively responsible experience in transportation planning.
• Must have membership in the Professional Engineers Ontario as a professional engineer, and participate in activities to maintain professional license.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, collective agreements, the Regional Official Plan and Transportation Master Plan, and related legislation (e.g., Planning Act, Public Vehicles Act, Highway Traffic Act, Environmental Assessment Act, Municipal Act, health and safety).
• Analytical, problem solving, and continuous improvement skills to plan and develop objectives and determine goals, including administrative, technical and operational components; organize and coordinate simultaneous projects, including divisional comments/reviews of development applications; and recommend policies/guidelines as part of the Transportation Master Plan.
• Communication, human relations, and negotiation skills to supervise train, develop motivate and support staff; present evidence to boards and tribunals; resolve issues and objections with area municipalities; conduct public consultation meetings and open houses; make presentations to Council and committees, boards, the media, and the public; and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to read and interpret policy and procedure manuals, engineering and technical journals, contracts, reports, and legal documents. Ability to write technical reports, letters, and documents.
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office, Geographic Information System software, and computerized transportation models.
• Ability to alter hours to attend public meetings. 
• Ability to travel within and outside Waterloo Region. 
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.