Transportation Planner - Freight and Goods Movement

The Greater Nashville Regional Council (GNRC) is seeking a professional planner with experience in planning for freight and goods movements to join its Department of Transportation and Infrastructure. The team leads in the development of plans and programs that prioritize investments for the multi-modal transportation system serving a dynamic and rapidly growing metropolitan area.

GNRC is responsible for developing the Regional Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement Program for the Nashville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and is a key partner in planning activities carried out by public transit agencies, local governments, the TN Department of Transportation, and neighboring MPOs and Rural Planning Organizations.

Key Job Duties: Lead/assist in the development of local and regional plans by 1) documenting and analyzing existing conditions and trends, 2) identifying and assessing best practices and tools, and 3) recommending policies, actions, or investment strategies tailored to address planning objectives; Lead/assist in the development of maps and other data visualizations; Present staff reports to elected officials, planning boards, stakeholder organizations, and the general public; Provide guidance and/or coordinate with planning and engineering firms and local jurisdictions engaged in regional and corridor level planning studies and engineering analysis; Build and strengthen partnerships with community-based organizations and advocates, universities and research institutions, business groups, local governments, public transit agencies, the TN Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, among others; and Participate in industry associations and continuing education opportunities to remain current on emerging and best practices related transportation planning.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have experience in transportation planning or engineering within a state DOT, regional planning organization, transit agency, or local government setting and possess working knowledge of federal metropolitan planning requirements. The preferred candidate will have a demonstrated understanding of freight and goods movement including commodity flows across the nation, distribution networks within the southeastern U.

S., and local rail and trucking routes in Middle Tennessee. A master’s degree in logistics, public policy, engineering, community and regional planning, or a related field is required, along with at least two years of professional experience. A bachelor’s degree and four years of relevant experience may be substituted for the master’s degree.

Foreign degrees and credentials will be considered.

Compensation

Minimum starting pay is $57,500 with the offered salary dependent on experience and qualifications. GNRC offers exceptional health insurance benefits, a fully paid pension through the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (with no employee payroll deduction), and an optional a dollar for dollar match to a 401k, up to 3% of gross salary.

Inquire for more information about benefits. Remote Work Policy: While GNRC provides flexibility for remote/hybrid working conditions, this is not a remote position. The selected candidate will be expected to work from the GNRC office with regularity. Travel Expectations: This position will require regular travel throughout the Middle Tennessee area .

A valid driver’s license and access to personal transportation is required. About GNRC: The Greater Nashville Regional Council was established by the TN General Assembly as an association of local governments empowered to convene local and state leaders for the purposes of planning and programming state and federal investments into a range of social services and public infrastructure.

GNRC serves as the region’s federally-recognized Area Agency on Aging and Disability (AAAD), Economic Development District (EDD) and administers the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) on behalf of the Nashville Area MPO Transportation Policy Board . More information is available at GNRC.org . Position open until filled.

GNRC is an EOE, AA Employer