Principal Planner

**Our Story**:
Committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations, the Region of Waterloo is an inclusive, thriving, and sustainable region of connected rural and urban communities with global reach. Our mission is to serve, engage and inspire, by delivering quality services to a diverse population of 630,000+, while creating a healthy, collaborative environment of learning, respect, and innovation.

This is a place where employees are valued and recognized for their talents and contributions to our success. Our employees take pride in making a difference in people's lives through the work that we do. We are looking for people like you to help make it happen.

**Description of Duties**:
Researches, develops, implements, project manager, promotes, and monitors transit programs and/or transportation demand management (TDM) initiatives to help foster a transit-supportive community consistent with the Region’s goals of promoting travel choice, enhancing quality of life, and supporting sustainable development. Designs an efficient, effective, and integrated mobility network through the development and implementation of service plans, policies, programs, fare strategies, infrastructure, and advanced technology.

**Duties/Responsibilities**:
Plans, designs, implements, and evaluates the transit service, including establishing new and restructured routes and services (e.g., bus stop installations, passenger information). Monitors and analyzes system performance through benchmark analysis, service use, financial indicators, and trend analysis. Administers the internal review process to confirm service issues and refine options. Presents technical analyses, constraints, and opportunities, obtains approvals, and selects preferred options for public consultation.

Develops conceptual plans, determines functional requirements, and evaluates alternative locations for transit or active transportation facilities. Obtains site plan approvals and oversees construction phase. Collaborates with management in negotiations with representatives or property owners of potential host sites. Works with internal or external engineering staff and other built environment professionals when building or designing bus stop infrastructure, transit stations/facilities, transit priority lanes and signals, and the cycling/micro mobility network.

Researches, plans, monitors, and coordinates the implementation of TDM programs (including cycling and micro mobility network) with other departments, area municipalities, public and private sector organizations, and community interest groups, including project management and monitoring. Plans, develops, and implements promotion strategies and materials. Identifies needs, justifies, project manager, and leads preliminary design for active transportation projects.

Determines, develops, and implements strategies for public feedback (e.g., open houses, workshops, market research, focus groups). Makes recommendations to marketing and communications staff regarding marketing/customer service issues. Attends public meetings, workshops, and seminars, provides professional advice and information, addresses inquiries and complaints, and conducts presentations to businesses, institutions, area municipal councils, public groups, schools, and the public. Writes or contributes to reports to Committees of Council with information and recommendations.

Assists to develop and administer contracts for goods and services (e.g., procurement process, specifications and evaluation criteria, performance evaluation, invoicing, and approvals within limit).

Prepares documentation for government approvals and/or funding. Assists municipalities, businesses, and other organizations in obtaining government funding and approvals. Reviews financial support and other TDM activities with provincial and federal government staff.

Leads project teams that develop and implement technology projects or multimodal programs, including research, report writing, project management, stakeholder feedback, and technical input.

Monitors program budgets with Finance staff. Develops annual passenger revenue budget with management, including projections. Reviews and analyzes fare pricing and policy.

Develops program agreements with Legal staff. Resolves problems with consultants, developers, and solicitors.

Liaises with peers in other municipalities to discuss/exchange industry information/advancements. Coordinates with other transit service agencies and/or transportation providers to provide an integrated service. Performs related duties as assigned.

**Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required**:
Knowledge and skills normally acquired through a 4-year bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., Geography, Planning, Environmental Studies, Civil Engineering), completion of Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) transit planning and scheduling courses (or equivalent), plus 3 years of related transportation, transit, and/