Principal Planner (Transit)

Job Number: 3062
Job Type: Full-Time
Location: 250 Strasburg Rd - Transit-Strasburg Road Ops
Job Category: Transportation
Number of Positions: 1
Department: Transit Service Planning
Division: Transportation Services
Hours of Work: 35
Union: CUPE 1883
Grade: CUPE 1883 Grade 017
Salary Range: $51.76 - $58.67 per hour

Internal employees transferring from a bargaining unit to another bargaining unit or a Management/Management Support position will not be eligible for the payout of unused sick leave credits upon resignation, termination, or retirement, as per the collective agreement or HR Policy III-16 (Sick Leave). For more details please contact the Benefit Coordinator via email BenefitsHRC@regionofwaterloo.ca.

About Us!

The Region of Waterloo is a thriving, diverse community committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations. Waterloo Region is part of the Dish with One Spoon wampum, a treaty guiding our commitment to:

• Taking only what we need
• Leaving some for others
• Keeping the dish clean

This agreement underpins our vision, mission, and core value, and reinforces our dedication to meaningful reconciliation and equity.

Waterloo Region is home to over 674,000 residents and expected to grow to nearly one million by 2051.

Guided by our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, “Growing with Care,” we prioritize homes for all, climate aligned growth, equitable services and opportunities and a resilient and future ready organization. Our mission is to provide essential services that enhance the quality of life for all residents, while our core value emphasizes caring for people and the land we share. Join us and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our community.

The Role

Researches, develops, implements, project manages, 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.
• Collaborates on and/or coordinates service plan expansions, restructuring, application reviews, and service implementation with other divisional staff (e.g., operations, scheduling, maintenance).
• 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/micromobility network.
• Researches, plans, monitors, and coordinates the implementation of TDM programs (including cycling and micromobility 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 manages, 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).
• Reviews road capital projects and development applications, including amendments to the Regional Official Plan (ROP), area municipal Official Plans and amendments, plans of subdivision and condominium, site plans, and zoning by-laws and amendments. Analyzes supporting technical studies, station area plans, streetscape plans, and transit development implications. Makes recommendations, promotes transit and TDM positions on significant issues, and/or provides input with planning and other internal staff, development applicants and their agents, regional and area municipal councils, advisory committees, and the public.
• 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.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• 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, and Abilities

• 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/or land use planning experience.
• Knowledge of transportation planning and TDM theory, empirical research, statistical analysis, and demographics.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, planning and transportation legislation (e.g., Planning Act, Highway Traffic Act), and related provincial, regional, and area municipal policies and regulations, including Regional Official Plan, strategies, and master plans.
• Research, analytical, planning, organizational, and problem solving skills to design surveys; coordinate activities and resource allocation; analyze data from multiple sources; work independently; adapt to frequently changing priorities; and complete projects within deadlines.
  Human relations, communication, public relations, presentation, facilitation, and negotiation skills to conduct presentations; negotiate development applications and ROP amendments; negotiate employer-based programs and private sector partnerships; respond to inquiries and complaints in controversial situations; and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to read and interpret technical, policy, and legal information from various sources, and compile, analyze, and interpret survey and statistical information. Ability to write recommendations, reports, general correspondence, and information packages.
• Computer skills with ability to use software including Microsoft Office and Microsoft Power BI, ArcGIS, and transit-specific software systems. Ability to work with modeling tools and other data analysis applications. Ability to research new technologies.
• Ability to alter/flex hours to accommodate meetings outside of regular working hours.
• Ability to travel within Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.

The Region of Waterloo is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We actively encourage applications from diverse groups, including Black, racialized, First Nations, Métis, Inuit individuals, women, people with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and are committed to equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion in the workplace.

For an accommodation request, please contact us and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs. Alternate formats of this document are available upon request. Please contact the Service First Contact Centre at phone number (519) 575-4400 to request an alternate format, or email talentmanagement@regionofwaterloo.ca.

Please note: candidates will be provided an update on their application. Please check your spam or junk folder occasionally as some candidates have noticed our emails in those folders (Gmail and Hotmail in particular).