SECTION CHIEF PLANNING

Code: 15881H Unknown Unknown

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under the general direction of a supervisory official in the Department of Transportation, is responsible for the management and supervision of work programs of two (2) or more defined work units in a Planning related bureau (or organizational equivalent) having responsibility for the development of plans, programs, studies and/or analyses required by federal or State laws, rules or policies, or as directed; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

Plans, organizes, and prioritizes the work of the section and supervises the overall work operations. Is responsible for planning and implementing all complex planning functions relative to the section's responsibilities. Coordinates with appropriate staff and partner agencies to align the Department's Congestion Relief activities to fulfill the requests for data and meet federal performance management requirements as documented in the Federal Highway Administration's System Performance Rule. Plans, organizes, and assigns work in order to prepare a transportation asset management plan to meet the federal transportation requirements in rule 23 CFR 515. Ensures adherence to the Department's Complete Streets Policy in all phases of capital projects. Supervises and assigns work on various planning studies, projects, and analyses. Plans, organizes, and assigns the work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates. Supervises section staff in achieving goals and objectives, is responsible for the accomplishment of section objectives in conformance with pertinent federal and state laws, rules, and regulations, and ensures that interagency objectives are met. Provides specific high-level technical information for legal actions, public forums, and Department management pertinent to the section's functions and responsibilities. Supervises section activities and priorities, staff, and workload to conform to bureau and/or division priorities. Reviews and provides relevant technical guidance for planning, legal and/or scientific documents relating to or affecting the specific objectives of a program or section. Plans, schedules, and participates in formal meetings and conferences involving state, federal, county, and local officials, those of other states, and private interests in reference to section matters. Plans and supervises the preparation of detailed reports containing problem identification, analysis, findings, conclusions, and recommendations, including but not limited to studies, compilations of data, computations, and analyses pertaining to the section's work. Reviews and assists in developing guidelines, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, and implements required changes relative to the section's work. Administers, interprets, and ensures compliance with applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations. Assists in the preparation of the budget, grant applications, and personnel needs requests for the section, and monitors expenses in conformance with established budgets. Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of complex correspondence in the course of official duties. Identifies specific operational or implementation problems within the section and supervises the staff in resolving these situations. Researches and/or introduces progressive technical methods most applicable to section operations and, when pertinent, supervises the establishment and maintenance of computer data base systems relative to section operations. Addresses professional, technical, and lay groups for the purpose of providing public information relative to the section's work. Keeps immediate supervisor apprised of current activities, problems, and developments relative to the section's work. Keeps abreast of laws, current knowledge, information, and developments pertaining to the section's needs. Supervises the establishment and maintenance of essential files, records, data sources, and/or related materials. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Possession of a Bachelor's degree in Engineering Technology in a field related to civil engineering from an accredited college having a curriculum approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). OR Completion of forty-five (45) semester hour credits of specialized college level/non-remedial engineering education from an accredited college in an engineering or engineering technology program. Acceptable specialized education must include a minimum of 24 credits in Engineering/Engineering Science and a minimum of 21 credits in general science and higher-level math courses. Information regarding acceptable courses may be obtained from DOT/Human Resources. You must attach a copy of your transcript(s) to your application. Foreign degrees/transcripts must be evaluated by a recognized evaluation service. Failure to do so will result in rejection from the examination process. AND Three and one half (3-1/2) years of full time experience in engineering related work. Applicants who have more than the required forty-five (45) engineering related credits may substitute additional credits for the required experience on a prorated basis, thirty (30) credits equaling one (1) year of experience up to a maximum of two and one half (2-1/2) years.

License

Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Knowledge of planning theory and principles. Knowledge of federal transportation planning requirements in rules 23 CFR 450 and 515. Knowledge of the Department's Complete Streets Policy and the Project Delivery Process. Knowledge of Federal and State Bicycle and Pedestrian guidance materials and manuals. Knowledge of administrative practices and procedures and operational/organizational theories, and the application thereof in supervising overall work operations. Knowledge of the tools, techniques, principles, and practices utilized in planning, particularly transportation planning. Knowledge of the state and federal laws, and the rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures as they apply to the functions and responsibilities of the section. Ability to work with a large database and interpret data in a manner consistent with federal performance management requirements as documented in the Federal Highway Administration's System Performance Rule. Ability to supervise the preparation of reports on administrative, planning, or technical matters with clear and accurate findings and sound recommendations, including appropriate implementation and scheduling. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with representatives of local, county, state, and federal governments, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), industry, civic associations, nonprofit organizations and others interested in the goals, functions, and responsibilities of the section. Ability to plan and coordinate the work of the assigned section. Ability to evaluate section performance, identify problem areas, and develop and implement improved or corrective methods and procedures. Ability to effectively represent a section at conferences, seminars, meetings, and negotiations. Ability to supervise the establishment and maintenance of essential records, files, and/or data sources. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. NOTE: FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES Employees hired by the Department of Transportation on or before July 1, 1999, who do not possess the Bachelor's degree listed above, may substitute education and experience as indicated below to meet the education requirements:

Note

A work unit for this purpose would typically consist of a primary level supervisor and at least three (3) professional and/or technical subordinates, as appropriate. Any deviation from this standard must be pre-approved by the Civil Service Commission before any appointments are made to this title. The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) full year of relevant experience. Nine (9) years of professional experience in Transportation Planning, two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity, including or supplemented by twenty-one (21) semester hour credits in professional planning and related subjects such as the principles of land use planning, transportation planning, history of city planning, planning project design, urban design, community development, public health, environmental planning, real estate economics, geographic information systems (GIS), statistical analysis, and planning law and administration, or supplemented by twenty-one (21) semester hour credits in coursework related to public policy, public administration, geography, and/or economics. OR: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree; and five (5) years of the above-mentioned profesional experience, two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity, including or supplemented by twenty-one (21) semester hour credits in professional planning and related subjects such as the principles of land use planning, transportation planning, history of city planning, planning project design, urban design, community development, public health, environmental planning, real estate economics, geographic information systems (GIS), statistical analysis, and planning law and administration or supplemented by twenty-one (21) semester hour credits in coursework related to public policy, public administration, geography, and/or economics. OR: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering; and five (5) years of the above-mentioned profesional experience, two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Planning; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned profesional experience, two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. An Engineer-In-Training (EIT) certification issued by the Division of Consumer Affairs, New Jersey Office of the Attorney General may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree in Engineering. Applicants must submit proof of the EIT certification and the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam results. The area of discipline indicated on the FE exam results must be in Civil, Electrical & Computer, Industrial & Systems, or Other Disciplines. Possession of a valid Professional Engineer's license issued by the New Jersey State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree in Engineering. Possession of a valid Professional Planner's license issued by the New Jersey State Board of Professional Planners may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgement and make accurate and informed decisions.