Transit Planning Technician

**Job Posting**

Under the direction of the Supervisor of Scheduling & Service Planning, the Transit Planning Technician provides transit planning support including, coordination of the collection and maintenance of various transit statistics and performance measures, work with groups promoting a transit friendly agenda, attends planning and development meetings to provide public transit input and to seek opportunities to enhance Halifax Transit service programs such as Park & Ride, as well as other transit planning technical support, as required.

**DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Maintain transit performance measures by determining data requirements, selecting potential data sources, and data collection required to prepare transit performance measures and statistical reports.
- Coordinate with the Transit Technicians in the planning data collection requirements.
- Plan, coordinate and analyses data required for transit planning including passenger load counting program, ridership surveys, running time data, etc.
- Supervise staff collecting data under the direction of the Supervisor of Scheduling & Service Planning. Issuing work, maintaining time cards/timesheets for payroll and invoices to outside employment agencies.
- Compile and analyses ridership, revenue, kilometer and other operating statistics and report to staff and various agencies including the Canadian Urban Transit Association, Statistics Canada, etc.
- Analyze and assess the data requirements to maintain transit performance measures and service standards and in consultation with the Supervisor, Scheduling & Service Planning, supervise the collection & consolidation of the necessary data to maintain the measures.
- Assists in the preparation of operating budgets, estimates and projections.
- Coordinate with other Business Units as required to obtain transit statistics, including GIS, population and transit maintenance data.
- Develop, update, and maintain all relevant electronic spread sheets and other data bases as required supporting these reports.
- Review Development proposals, subdivision plans etc. and make comments and suggestions to enhance the opportunity for future transit service.
- Respond to internal and external requests on transit planning issues.
- Liaise with development and transportation staff as required to ensure public transit is considered as part of HRM land use, transportation and other planning initiatives.
- Monitor activity at the Transit Park & Ride sites and the transit terminals as required to report on the level of usage versus capacity, identify future issues and identify the need for additional Park & Ride or other transit facilities.
- Work with the Supervisor of Scheduling & Service Planning on other transit programs and initiatives.
- Investigate and respond to complaints, recommendations, petitions and requests for service adjustments and changes.
- Participate in the planning and development of transit service, facilities and specialized services and business opportunities for Halifax Transit.
- Participate in Halifax Transit committees as required.
- Provides input and expertise to special events staff on transportation services.
- Promote a safe work environment, good labour and employee relations.
- Respond to relevant Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee concerns.
- Some field work/ site visits to review and determine potential transit service.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and provide drivers abstract annually as required.

**QUALIFICATIONS**
**Education and Experience**:

- A university degree in planning, engineering or statistics; or successful completion of Grade 12 plus a GIS, Cartographic, Planning Technicians Diploma (2 year) or Civil Engineering Technology Diploma (2 years).
- 1 year experience in transit planning, transportation planning, analyzing of data or in the transit industry considered an asset.
- Sound knowledge of public transit, transit technologies and planning initiatives
- Must have a valid driver’s license, with a good driving record. (A current abstract is required)
- Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (C.P.T.E.D.) training considered an asset
- A combination of education and experience may be considered

**Technical / Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities**:

- Excellent communication and customer service skills.
- Excellent geographic knowledge of HRM.
- Sound analytical skills; ability to gather, analyze, manipulate data and data collection methods.
- Basic knowledge of Halifax Transits operating requirements
- Strong database management skills
- Strong data analysis and maintenance skills
- Demonstrated project planning and management skills
- Experience with spread sheets (Excel).
- Familiarity with other GIS, CAD, ArcIMS, Hastus, or Trapeze software, Hansen or other database software an asset.

**Security Clearance Requirements**: Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check.

**COMPETENCIES**: Analytical