Transportation Engineer ll or III

The Transportation Engineer performs regional transportation planning activities for the metropolitan Washington region, such as applying the COG/TPB Regional Travel Demand Forecasting Model, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) mobile emissions model (MOVES), or developing inputs for these two models, such as zone-level land use data, transportation networks, or information about the motor vehicle fleet. This is a technical position requiring strong quantitative skills and an ability to analyze and interpret technical data, thus also requiring familiarity with transportation planning, air quality planning, and travel demand forecasting. This person should be passionate about learning, improving technical skills, public service, and making significant contributions that will improve the agency and the region. Work is performed under the general supervision of a higher-level transportation engineer/program manager, but the candidate should exhibit a certain degree of independence and self-direction, especially at the Transportation Engineer III level.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

• Development of travel demand model inputs and MOVES model inputs, such as the transportation networks and land use data, for air quality planning, project planning and scenario planning activities.
• Running and occasionally updating the regional travel model.
• Analysis and troubleshooting of the travel demand model, the EPA MOVES mobile emissions model, and other model output in support of the air quality conformity analysis, the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) performance assessment and scenario/project planning.
• Providing network development and travel demand modeling assistance related to other air quality planning activities, including state implementation plans (SIPs) for addressing federal air quality standards.
• Conducting reasonableness reviews of various technical data related to air quality conformity and other studies.
• Preparation of project maps using geographic information system (GIS) software.
• Exploration and implementation of tools used for scenario and sketch planning analyses (e.g., VisionEval).
• Writing technical memoranda and reports.
• Becoming knowledgeable with federal regulations and guidance pertaining to air quality planning.
• Making presentations to the TPB Technical Committee, Travel Forecasting Subcommittee (TFS) and other related committees.
• Supporting data requests from outside parties related to the regional travel demand model and EPA’s MOVES model, and/or their inputs.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job generally has no supervisory responsibilities, though this person may train and/or supervise temporary staff.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Good knowledge of principles and practices of transportation engineering or planning, or related field; including techniques of statistics, quantitative methods and techniques applied to transportation planning; good knowledge of research methods and computer applications; demonstrated knowledge of aggregate, trip-based (“four-step”) travel models; ability to express ideas clearly and concisely orally and in writing; and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, officials and the public; good judgment.

Education and Experience

Minimum qualifications (Transportation Engineer II) :

• Master’s degree in transportation engineering, civil engineering, transportation planning, urban planning, computer science, or a related field. OR
• Bachelor's degree in a related or non-related field and two years of applicable work experience. OR
• Any combination of education, experience, and training that is equivalent to one of the two above qualifications, as demonstrated by college-level courses in areas such as Mathematics, Operations Research, Quantitative Analysis, Statistics, Computer Modeling, Urban Planning, Environmental Planning, and Environmental Engineering.

Minimum qualifications (Transportation Engineer III) :

• Master’s degree in transportation engineering, civil engineering, transportation planning, urban planning, computer science, or a related field and two years of applicable work experience. OR
• Bachelor's degree in a related or non-related field and three years of applicable work experience. OR
• Any combination of education, experience, and training that is equivalent to one of the two above qualifications, as demonstrated by college-level courses in areas such as Mathematics, Operations Research, Quantitative Analysis, Statistics, Computer Modeling, Urban Planning, Environmental Planning, and Environmental Engineering.

Computer Knowledge and Skills

Strong analytical and computer skills; software skills in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Microsoft Access, or other database software. Other desired computer knowledge/skills are listed above under “Ideal candidate.”

Communication Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret governmental regulations, general business periodicals, professional journals, and/or technical procedures. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to communicate in writing and speak about complex technical topics to non-technical audiences.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute percentages, rates, and ratios and to draw and interpret numeric charts and graphs.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form and deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization may exist.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

No requirements

Ideal candidate (one or more of these) :

• Passionate about learning, improving technical skills, public service, and making significant contributions that will improve the agency and the region.
• Ability to be a change agent, particularly regarding technical methods.
• Familiarity with both trip-based and activity-based travel demand forecasting models.
• Experience with travel demand forecasting software, such as Bentley OpenPaths Cube.
• Experience with EPA’s MOVES model.

• Experience with scenario planning tools (e.g., VisionEval).

• Ability to communicate in writing and speaking about complex technical topics to non-technical audiences.

• Experience with geographic information system (GIS) software, such as ArcGIS or QGIS.
• Experience with database management systems (DBMSs).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.