Position: MPO Division Manager
Department: Department of Transportation & Engineering
Division: Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
Rate of Pay: $50,000/year
Job Summary:
The MPO Division Manager is responsible for the management, coordination, and administration of the Hattiesburg-Petal-Forrest-Lamar Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The incumbent will work under the general guidance of the Director of Transportation & Engineering in his/her capacity as MPO Executive Director. Representative job duties include long-range comprehensive/transportation plans; short-range transportation improvement programs; urban and regional transit planning; annual work programs; and other pertinent MPO documents, policies, and programs. The incumbent will conduct research and analysis of information for adherence to current federal legislation, MDOT, FHWA, and FTA requirements. Work includes ensuring compliance with federal and state laws and conformance to acceptable professional standards.
Essential Job Functions:
• Building and maintaining relationships with the MPO Policy Committee, the MPO Technical Committee, the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, and all member jurisdictions.
• Broadening outreach efforts to other potential planning partners throughout the region.
• Directly supervising the work activities of a small, dedicated team.
• Strengthening the overall quality of MPO’s work product utilizing current best practices in conformity with federal, state, and local regulations and practices.
• Performing a variety of routine and complex administrative, technical and professional work.
• Providing technical and professional advice; preparing written reports and making presentations to MPO Technical and Policy Committees, supervisors, city councils other boards, commissions, civic groups, and the general public.
• Providing information on the transportation planning process and projects.
• Performing technical and professional work on MPO plans, programs, and studies, including the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, the Transportation Improvement Program, Unified Planning Work Program, bicycle and pedestrian plans, transit plans, and other regional plans as needed.
• Supporting local and state project development and work on feasibility studies, environmental documents, and design development.
• Supporting other initiatives including bicycle and pedestrian planning, project development, comprehensive planning, corridor planning, and public involvement and outreach activities.
• Coordinating efforts in the administration of the HPFL-MPO and FTA programs by monitoring and managing existing grants. The various tasks include grant tracking, internal and external reporting, writing reports, maintaining historical records, and working with staff to ensure each project or program is meeting proposal conditions and expectations.
Skills and Abilities:
• Self-motivated individual that demonstrates strong leadership qualities and organizational skills; willing to manage and assign duties in a team environment but also to succeed independently.
• Leader, trainer, and team builder with operational and administration experience, as well as, outstanding management, analytical and technical insight.
• Excellent interpersonal relations/oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to perform work related to developing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders in various levels of government, private industry, and federal, state, and local agencies/organizations.
• Ability to prioritize workloads and meet goals and deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively with and develop others.
• Ability to submit all required reports in a timely manner, in an environment of frequent change and unexpected events.
• Ability to provide technical direction and guidance to assigned team members.
Qualifications:
• A bachelor’s degree in planning, engineering, architecture, public administration, business administration, finance, or closely related field. One (1) year of experience in urban planning/MPO, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Preferred background includes experience and understanding of planning of multi-modal transportation initiatives, including highways, public transit, rail, walking and biking, along with knowledge and experience in air quality issues related to transportation.
• Preferred management skills in any of the following areas: local government administration, planning, financing, grant processes, legislative processes, public relations, and/or communications.
• Experience in working with elected officials and state and federal agencies is desirable.
• Possess superior organization, communication, and leadership skills.
• Competence in the use of Microsoft Office products.
• Valid Class D driver license or higher with a satisfactory driving record.