About the Planning Department: Boston’s Planning Department was established by Mayor Wu in 2024 to restore planning as a core function of City government and to shape growth that serves Boston’s residents and centers their needs. Our mission is to address our City’s greatest challenges: resilience, affordability, and equity; we take real estate actions and prioritize planning, development, and urban design solutions that further these priorities. We seek to build trust with communities through transparent processes that embrace predictable growth.

We are professionals who serve the City in a variety of ways—from architects who review the smallest details of a historic building to city planners who envision the future of neighborhoods with community members. We work hand-in-hand with other City departments and community groups to make our City better. 

The Planning Department’s purpose is to: develop comprehensive short and long-term plans for Boston’s built environment, establish a consistent and predictable zoning code for the City, advance exceptional and inclusive design standards, provide predictability to guide development that is responsive to community needs, and plan for the effective use of public real estate.

Under the direction of the Deputy Director for Transportation and Infrastructure Planning, the Transportation Planner II will assist in the department’s activities with regard to transportation planning initiatives, including development review, neighborhood and citywide transportation planning, transportation data management, transportation planning, and policy research, and other related projects. This position will support the transportation planning team in striving to achieve Go Boston 2030 goals to increase transit, walking, biking, and other sustainable modes. Work requires the ability to evaluate transportation planning challenges, analyze and interpret transportation planning issues, communicate clearly in written, verbal, and graphic form, and operate effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team. 

Transportation Planning:

• Work with the Planning Department staff to implement the vision and goals of Imagine Boston 2030, Go Boston 2030, and Boston Complete Streets Guidelines by proactively guiding equitable growth in Boston, creating new places to live and work, improving quality of life, increasing affordability, and fostering more sustainable, equitable transportation choices. Provide multimodal transportation planning expertise and technical support to City Departments and other City agencies. 
• Provide multimodal transportation systems analysis support. In particular, demonstrate a thorough understanding of and experience with the typical industry standard approaches to network capacity analysis utilizing lead software programs for network modeling.
• Assist with data collection and management to inform land use, employment and population models for the evaluation of future transportation projects and policies.
• Provide transportation expertise to the development review (Article 80) process. Influence and modify future development to mitigate transportation related impacts on all modes. Incorporate best practices into site designs and their adjacent improvements/impacts to the public realm. Assist in coordinating development review with senior Planning staff, the Boston Transportation Department and the Public Works Department.
• Assist in representing the City on the topic of transportation functions of other City and State agencies, particularly on participation in planning studies and the planning and implementation of transit and roadway projects.
• Assist in representing the Planning Department regarding the activities of the Boston Transportation Department, the Public Works Department, MassDOT, Massport, and the MBTA, including in particular the planning and design of transportation projects; the development and maintenance of neighborhood transportation and parking programs; and the development and maintenance of neighborhood models through which policies are explored and developed.
• Assist in staffing the City’s involvement with the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).
• Participate in planning initiatives for specific city neighborhoods and citywide projects. In this connection, meet with representatives of various City agencies, community or civic groups, business/commercial organizations, and other involved parties to obtain information about their needs and concerns; provide staff support to project committees. Work with consultant teams hired by the Planning Department and other City Departments for specific projects.
• Research, write, and compile reports, briefings, correspondence, memorandums, etc.
• Develop and prepare materials for meetings and presentations.
• Assist in managing special projects as assigned by senior staff.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Article 80 Development Review:

• Review Article 80 project filings (Project Notification Forms, Draft Project Impact Reports, and similar documents) to identify and summarize transportation issues and possible improvements.
• Draft feedback and comment letters on Article 80 project filings for review by senior staff.
• Track the status of Article 80 large projects, including the stage of review, key deadlines, and transportation staff assigned, and assist the team in workflow management.
• Assist in conceptualizing site re-designs for transportation elements, including site design, cross-section designs, ROW usage, curbside management, pedestrian/public realm accommodations, bicycle facilities, and transit components.
• Coordinate and participate in various meetings with internal and external stakeholders, including the Boston Transportation Department, the Public Works Department, and the Disabilities Commission, to discuss the City's position on projects.

• Work requires the completion of a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning or a closely related field with a minimum of two (2) years of experience in urban transportation planning or equivalent related experience.
• Candidates holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Studies, transportation engineering, or a closely related field with a minimum of four (4) years of experience as a planner may also apply.
• Prior knowledge of multi-modal transportation planning and familiarity with zoning and land use policies and regulations, as well as familiarity with Federal, State, and City agencies involved in transportation and infrastructure, are preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are an essential requirement; strong computer graphic skills are desired.
• Full command of Microsoft Office programs is required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Assemble and manage data and information required for land use planning and transportation analysis. 
• Knowledge of the standard approach to multi-modal transportation network analysis.
• Familiarity and interest in progressive multi-modal transportation strategies, policies, and programs.
• Basic design skills relative to transportation infrastructure, the public realm, and site design.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.   
• Experience in Adobe Creative Suite, Powerpoint, or similar software to design and assemble presentations, reports, and graphical representations. 
• Experience with data and database management.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 
• Ability to exercise independent initiative as well as work well in a team environment. 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Please note that applicants who are invited to interview may be required to submit one work sample that illustrates strong analytical, graphical, and written communication skills. 

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:

Union/Salary/Grade: EXM/Salary Range: $75,000 - $90,000

Hours per week: 35