Salary : $60,000.00 – $68,000.00 Annually
Location : 111 Liberty St Suite 100 Columbus, OH
Job Type: Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: PL-2-23
Department: Planning
Division: Data & Mapping
Opening Date: 07/11/2023
Description
As Central Ohio’s regional council, MORPC is an association of cities, villages, townships, counties and regional organizations and serves rural, suburban, and urban areas. We take pride in bringing communities of all sizes and interests together to collaborate on best practices and plan for the future of our growing region. We do this through a variety of programs, services, projects and initiatives – all with the goal of improving the lives of our residents and making Central Ohio stand out on the world stage.
One of Central Ohio’s greatest strengths is the diversity of our communities, and to best serve our region, MORPC assertively values diversity and inclusion and strives to reflect those values in our team, our work, and our positive impact for the region. Our work progresses when our team can draw on a wide range of personal experiences and backgrounds, and when each member is open to learning from the experiences of others, both internally and externally. As an equal opportunity employer, we fully support all applicable state and federal laws and regulations and do not discriminate against applicants for employment or employees because of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, sex or gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical conditions, age, disability or other handicap, genetic information, marital/familial status, veteran status, military status, or income or status with regard to public assistance in any aspects of our personnel policies, working conditions, or hiring and recruitment.
To create and nourish a workforce as diverse as the Central Ohio region, MORPC encourages members of groups traditionally underrepresented in local government and professional positions to apply for our open career opportunities.
MORPC recognizes the value of a healthy work/life balance for our team members and as such, we provide a variety of benefits to promote that balance. Eligible employees receive a free system-wide transit pass and discounted access to other alternative transportation modes to provide options for commuting to work. MORPC encourages opportunities for career advancement through generous tuition and professional development incentives, leadership programs, and participation in local and national organizations. For eligible permanent positions, MORPC also offers flexible schedules and remote work options as well as paid time off and holidays. MORPC employees may also be eligible for excellent health, vision and dental insurance, employee assistance programs, employer paid short-term & long-term disability coverage, employer paid life insurance in the amount of $50,000 coverage, participation in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, plus two Deferred Compensation Plans that employees can opt into for additional retirement funding. More info can be found in the benefits link within the online posting.
Position Description
The position requires the practice of basic engineering, planning and research skills in transportation travel demand modeling. Associate planners/engineers/modelers work independently or as part of a team with moderate supervision from the department head, associate director, or other more senior staff. Senior or associate planners/engineers/modelers will be expected to provide task guidance to assistant transportation engineers, planners, or interns. They must be able to make effective communication via written reports and oral presentations to committees and other groups.
Examples of Duties
- Research and assist with development of the regional land use and travel demand models.
- Develop project design, methodology, scheduling, and recommendations for improvements to the travel demand modeling process with moderate supervision from supervisor.
- Perform travel demand modeling tasks: model validation and application, network and traffic analysis zone refinement, parameter estimation, traffic analysis, etc.
- Conduct statistical analysis, related to performance of the transportation system, model inputs and model outputs.
- Conduct and analyze field studies and surveys to collect primary data for model purposes.
- Review and interpret transportation data and model outputs and use ESRI software for performing GIS analysis.
- Prepare planning reports and summaries of transportation data and model outputs for use of other MORPC staff, MORPC committees, MORPC members, citizens or other technical or non-technical groups.
- Organize and facilitate meetings for various programs, initiatives, or forums.
- Participate in local and state committees, as well as other professional development opportunities to maintain technical and subject matter expertise and to keep MORPC as a leader in planning.
- Work directly with consultants to provide information required for studies to benefit the public.
- These duties are illustrative only and depending on level of experience, may perform some or all these duties or other job-related tasks as assigned.
- Actively support MORPC’s Affirmative Action Plan, Equal Employment Opportunity Policy, Diversity program, Code of Ethics and other MORPC policies.
Typical Qualifications
An associate planner/engineer/modeler should possess familiarity and/or a working knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of urban or transportation modeling and planning, as well as the ability to quickly learn new skillsets. The person should also possess experience using transportation modeling software and GIS.
Coding/scripting skills (Python, R) are a plus. Good communication (written and oral) abilities are essential and a strong knowledge of Microsoft Office. Significant math, algebra, and statistical training is required, along with the ability to produce graphs and charts to summarize data for reports. The ability to maintain a positive working relationship with peers, the public, and outside agencies is necessary.
Completion of a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, City and Regional Planning, Geography, or comparable subject matter from an accredited college or university; two years’ experience or an advanced degree in appropriate field of study preferred.
Supplemental Information
Excellent benefit package. MORPC is an EOE/AAP employer. Please apply online at or you may mail a resume to or complete an application at MORPC, 111 Liberty St., Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43215 ATTN: PL-2-23
Due to the high number of expected applicants we cannot accept phone call inquiries.
Personal Time Off- (PTO) LEAVE
15-33 days depending on the length of continuous service
HOLIDAYS
11 Paid Holidays = New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day
MAJOR MEDICAL & HOSPITALIZATION
Employee cost share for individual and family plans
DENTAL CARE
Employee cost share for individual and family plans
VISION
Employee cost share for individual and family plans
PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE
Employee cost share for individual and family plans
EAP
Employee cost share for individual and family plans
BENEFITS EFFECTIVE
First day of the month after employment begins
LIFE INSURANCE
Paid $50,000 of term coverage
PERS – Public Employees Retirement System
Employee contribution of 10%, MORPC contribution 14%
MEDICARE
Employee contribution 1.45% matched by MORPC for employees hired on or after April 1, 1986
DEFERRED COMPENSATION
Deferred Compensation plans available through the State of Ohio or the County Commissioners Association of Ohio
CREDIT UNION
Columbus Municipal Employees Federal Credit Union for checking, savings and loans or other services
ALTERNATE WORK SCHEDULE
Flexible and staggered working hours may be available for employee’s individual requirements, when work duties permit. Must be approved by department head and executive director.
EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT
Tuition reimbursement program, seminars, conferences and training offered to develop employees to enhance MORPC outcomes.
TRANSIT PASS
COTA C-Pass-Free to all employees who regularly work more than 15 hours per week.
HYBRID WORKING ENVIRONMENT
A combination of in-office & remote work, with the potential of scheduled days per each, for all positions