Job Summary:

The Development of Regional Impact (DRI) program was initially established by the Georgia Planning Act in 1989 to improve communication between governments in which large-scale developments impact. With the establishment of Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) in 1999, the state began to review and approve DRIs within GRTA’s 13-county metro Atlanta jurisdiction through the scope of land use and transportation specific impacts as required by Georgia law (OCGA 50-32-14).  

Additional information about the DRI program can be found at: https://srta.ga.gov/developments-of-regional-impact/.

Under the direction of the PMO Director, The DRI Planner: 1) supports the DRI Program Manager in all activities related to the DRI Program, 2) performs technical writing work, and 3) manages other projects assigned to the PMO that are outside or unrelated to the DRI Program.

Job Description:

The DRI Planner:

a)       In coordination with the DRI Program Manager, coordinates, reviews, and provides recommendations for DRIs submitted to GRTA. Works closely with the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), local governments, Community Improvement Districts, and developers to understand transportation-related issues associated with developments and recommend measures to mitigate potential impacts from those developments.

b)      Works as a member of the Project Management Office managing other non-DRI related projects, as well as performing other technical writing work. Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, implementation, execution, and completion of moderately complex projects ensuring consistency with the strategies, initiatives, goals, timelines, and budgetary parameters of the State Road & Tollway Authority (SRTA) and the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA), collectively the “Authorities.”

Job Responsibilities & Performance Standards:

Developments of Regional Impact

 ·         Attends and coordinates DRI meetings with stakeholders, reviews developer’s transportation study packets, builds consensus with applicant team and stakeholders, and coordinates conditions for inclusion in the Notice of Decision.

·         Prepares recommendations and reports for the Executive Director and the GRTA Board.

·         Coordinates with Engineering on large or complicated DRIs; may coordinate with Executive Director on high profile DRIs; may perform site visits to verify that conditions are completed as required.

·         Coordinates with other offices and divisions within the Authorities (e.g., Legal, Transit Operations, Business Intelligence & Data, Engineering, and Strategic Programs) and other external stakeholders (e.g., GDOT, ARC, local governments).

·         Recommends areas for continuous improvement of the DRI program and implements approved recommendations.

·         Maintains good working relationships with regular stakeholders such as local governments, GDOT, CIDs, regional commissions, developers, engineers, and site designers.

·         Performs reviews of DRI submissions and development site plans; Performs transportation technical analysis and generates technical reports to document transportation technical analysis findings.

Technical Writing

·         Gathers information from subject-matter experts and develops, organizes, and writes procedure manuals, technical specifications, design specifications, requirements and process documentation.

·         Researches, outlines, writes, and edits content, working closely with various departments on system and services requirements.

·         Gains deep understanding of systems, services, processes and procedures, and translates complex information into simple, polished, engaging content.

·         Writes user-friendly content that meets the needs of target audience, turning insights into language for user success.

·         Writes about technical subjects for technical and nontechnical audiences.

 Project Management

·         Manages moderately complex projects.

·         Collaborates with the DRI Program Manager and PMO Director, to develop and maintain database, documentation and collaboration platforms for the DRI Program and the PMO, utilizing Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, third-party software, and/or cloud-based file hosting services; may use other software where and when necessary.

·         Manages all project phases including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, and close out.

·         Develops project management plans and obtains approval to formalize project plans, schedule, resource needs, and budgetary needs. Defines, plans, schedules, and tracks project tasks, deliverables, goals, and milestones.

·         Manages and monitors project schedules, budgets, and scopes to ensure that projects remain in-scope and meet budgetary, scheduling, and quality requirements.

·         Measures project performance using appropriate tools and techniques in order to monitor project progress. Identify and quantify any variances and perform any required corrective actions.   

·         Reports on project status and budget expenditure. Forecasts project expenditure.

Other Requirements

·         Maintains a consistent, high quality, customer-focused orientation when conducting business and providing services or products to clients, the general public, other external customers, and members within internal business units.

·         Maintains comprehensive knowledge of current trends and developments in job related areas (DRI, project management and technical writing). Develops and evaluates new ideas, concepts, and technologies to determine impact on existing programs and to innovate new programs and technologies.

·         Maintains a high level of job skills by attending and completing various seminars and training courses and reading appropriate literature. Communicates this knowledge to others as required.

·         Performs other duties as assigned by Management.

Abilities, Knowledge and Skills

Ability to learn various programs, rules, acts, regulations, policies, guidelines, procedures, circulars, and laws relating to scope of position.

Organizational and project management/time management skills.

Strong interpersonal, writing, customer service, and presentation skills with the ability to conceptualize, structure, write, and present for a wide range of audiences.

Ability to communicate program related information to various stakeholders and partners.

Ability to communicate orally and in writing.

Ability to work independently.

Ability to effectively establish and meet deadlines.

Ability to communicate changes in policies, procedures and/or laws with staff.

Ability to prepare reports and present findings.

Ability to develop policies and procedures for the organization and/or program.

Ability to build consensus among different parties.

Other

Bachelor’s degree in transportation planning, city planning, urban planning, transportation engineering, or any other area related to this job position from an accredited college or university. One (1) to three (3) years of relevant work experience as applicable. Ability to demonstrate a high level of proficiency in computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access, and Project). Excellent technical writing, communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to present ideas in a clear and concise manner. Applicants must possess SRTA’s core values of Integrity, Collaboration, Innovation, Customer Focus, and Diversity. 

Preferred Qualifications

Direct work experience with city planning, land use planning, or transportation planning. Possession of, or ability to acquire, an AICP certification. Ability to read and interpret traffic and engineering plans. Experience in one or more of the following: transit-oriented development, commuter bus operations, tolling, ITS, site-civil engineering, and/or transportation-related Public/Private Partnerships. Experience with ESRI GIS a plus. Must be able to maintain a flexible work schedule that will require, on occasion, evenings and/or weekends.

Open until filled.