Transportation Manager

Overview

Drive the Future of Transportation in northern Utah! The Mountainland Association of Governments (MAG) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is looking for a forward-thinking Transportation Manager to lead the charge in shaping the future of mobility in Utah County. In this pivotal role, you’ll collaborate with local, state, and federal partners to develop and implement transportation solutions that keep our communities connected and thriving.

You’ll spearhead the long-range regional transportation plan, guide long-term visioning, and oversee key projects and programs that enhance the daily lives of over 700,000 residents and over 1.3 million future residents. If you’re passionate about transportation, community, innovation, strategic planning, and making a real difference in how people move, we want you on our team.

Key Responsibilities

This role is pivotal in ensuring that the MPO’s planning processes are comprehensive, cooperative, and continuous, and align with state and federal requirements. The Transportation Manager will work closely with the MPO Board and transportation partners to implement the regional transportation plan, the long range vision, and oversee key programs, plans, and projects.

• Ensure the management, coordination, administration, financial management, and internal leadership of the Transportation Division including the following programs and projects: MPO, RPO, RTP, TIP, UPWP, PPP, CMP, and one-time studies and technical support.
• Assures sound fiscal management of programming, planning, and project dollars and assures compliance with all required state and federal planning, management, reporting, and funding processes.
• Implements the region’s long range vision, Wasatch Choice Vision, and transportation plan, TransPlan50 - ensuring alignment with long term goals.
• Assures coordination and consensus building among regional members including local government leaders and staff, and partners at UDOT, UTA, and others.
• Represents MAG MPO at various meetings in a professional manner in presentations, meetings, and interactions with public and elected and appointed officials.
• Works with the MPO Director to implement transportation related policy.
• Oversee and direct the work and workflow of the Transportation Division activities and staff to ensure proper resource allocation and workload balance, and set quarterly outcomes and ensure annual targets are met.
• Support and mentor staff in the ongoing development of programs, including developing multi-year visions and fostering cross-agency collaboration to identify staff’s skills that can be employed to enhance the programs.
• Promote teamwork and collaboration with other groups across the organization Communications, Community Planning, and Community and Economic Development.
• Understands the region and builds relationships with local government staff and transportation partners in order to best serve the region's transportation planning needs.
• Requires considerable independent judgment, collaborative mindset, and context sensitivity to manage day-to-day activities.

Essential Duties

The duties listed below are intended to illustrate the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

• Oversees management and administration of the following programs to include budget and obligations, reporting, and communication:
  • Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
  • Wasatch Back Rural Planning Organization (RPO)
  • Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
  • Corridor Preservation Program (CP)
  • Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)
• Participates in the development, completion, and implementation of the following work products: 
  • Regional Transportation Plans
  • Transportation Improvement Program
  • Performance Measurement
  • Congestion Mitigation Plan
  • Public Participation Plan
  • Air Quality Conformity
  • Other required elements as identified in the UPWP
• Leads the transportation staff who are responsible for implementing a regional vision and transportation network that is safe, equitable, sustainable, and resilient. 
• Provides ongoing, timely support and feedback to team members, and delivers thoughtful evaluations to the staff.
• Serves as lead staff of the MPO Board Technical Advisory Committee and coordinates MPO Board and TAC meeting agendas.
• Understands the federal and state laws, regulations, and requirements that govern MPOs, ensuring that programs and projects adhere to all relevant rules and regulations; and keeping abreast of best practices in metropolitan transportation planning in order to bring innovative ideas to the process. 
• Takes an active role in ensuring robust and transparent public outreach and education, Title VI / Nondiscrimination needs and requirements are met.
• Engages with a range of stakeholders to ensure collaboration and to meet MPO and RPO requirements including federal, state, regional, and local officials and staff, partner organizations including Utah Department of Transportation and Utah Transit Authority, advocacy and other organizations, and the general public. 
• Conducts or participates in complex studies related to transportation and associated areas such as land use, community and economic development, or environment.
• Regularly prepares and presents oral and visual reports and presentations to the MPO Board, MPO TAC, legislative, councils and committees, community groups, partner organizations, and private organizations.
• Develops and manages project scopes of work for grants and work programs and serves as a project manager for special studies, projects, and programs that can be complex and sensitive. 
• Contributes to organizational initiatives in support of the organization’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 master’s degree in urban studies, planning, public administration, political science, government, public policy, engineering, or a related field; and
• At least four years of professional experience as a transportation manager with management experience; or a bachelor’s degree in the fields listed above plus seven years of professional experience as a transportation manager with management experience.
• Proven ability to manage people with emotional intelligence, empathy, and listening skills. Commitment to diverse perspectives and collaboration, people-centered leadership, and a culture of respect and belonging.
• Proven ability to navigate complex political landscapes, balance diverse perspectives, and build consensus in challenging policy environments.
• 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, legislators, technical staff, consultants, and the public.
• Proficiency with Google Suite and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Knowledge of or an ability to quickly learn the MPO process and the mission, functions, and operation of the MPO group.

Additional Valued Qualifications:

• Experience overseeing or assisting in the management of an MPO and creating and implementing a long-range regional transportation plan.
• Experience administering transportation programs.
• Experience with land use and transportation models.
• Familiarity with the Provo-Orem metropolitan region or similar sized regions experiencing rapid population growth.

Why Work for MAG

• Why We Love MAG
• Utah Valley is a valley in North Central Utah located in Utah County, and is considered part of the Wasatch Front. It contains the cities of Provo, Orem, and their suburbs. 
• The U.S. Census Bureau rated the Provo/Orem area as one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country between 2010 and 2019. 
• Utah has four seasons a year. It gets cold in the winter and hot in the summer. But compared to other parts of the U.S., the weather is pretty tame in Utah. Utah County has more sunny days per year than the U.S. average (226 versus 205). It has fewer rainy days than the rest of the country and more snowy days - Utah is known for having "the greatest snow on earth" because of its consistent snowfall, unique climate, and many ski resorts.
• Utah is known as the most family-friendly state in the nation offering year-round family activities and adventure.
• If you love the outdoors, you'll love living in Utah. The area around Utah County has lots of options for outdoor activities, including biking, hiking, climbing, and skiing. Our many State parks provide an opportunity to enjoy nature.

MAG Benefits

MAG offers a comprehensive set of employee benefits, including medical/dental/vision coverage, employer-paid short- and long-term disability, various types of paid leave including vacation, sick, personal preference hours, and a very generous holiday schedule. We are always looking for ways to expand our benefits offering as ways to ensure life-work balance and show our people how much we appreciate them.