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SR TRANSPORTATION PLANNER
Job Title: SR TRANSPORTATION PLANNER
Job Code: 1731
FLSA: E
Job Level: 89
Revised Date: 05/01/2026
Job Family: JF 28
Occupational Summary
Plan, coordinate and administer activities within assigned transit and transportation program areas. Develop, coordinate and advise on service standards, operating practices, and policy related to campus transit operations. Monitor and evaluate service effectiveness using qualitative and quantitative techniques. Serve as the department's subject-matter expert for transportation planning, operational integration, safety compliance, and transit technology systems. Operate with delegated authority in defined areas to interpret, implement, and recommend service design and system changes. Maintain liaison with internal and external stakeholders to support reliable, safe, and efficient transportation services aligned with institutional needs.
Work Performed
Make planning and operational decisions that have a significant impact on transit service delivery; develop, coordinate and advise leadership and staff regarding service standards, operating practices, and program policy.
Develop and implement semester-based transit service plans in accordance with established guidelines and service parameters, including route structures, schedules, and driver assignments; prepare and maintain driver schedules, run boards, and materials supporting driver bids and service implementation.
Monitor and evaluate transit system performance using qualitative and quantitative methods, including ridership trends, on-time performance, service reliability metrics, and customer feedback; investigate trends and recommend and implement modifications to improve service effectiveness and operational efficiency.
Plan, coordinate and administer the implementation of service changes and operational improvements; work with dispatch, supervisors, operators, and maintenance staff to address day-to-day operational issues, resolve complex service challenges, and improve workflow, accuracy, and consistency of operations.
Review, input, and approve transit payroll and timekeeping records; verify accuracy of hours worked, leave usage, and special assignments;coordinate corrections as needed and ensure compliance with applicable policies, labor agreements, and payroll deadlines.
Provide recommendations to management regarding corrective action, performance concerns, and policy application for drivers, clerical staff, and operational personnel; support consistent, fair, and documented application of standards in coordination with supervisors, Human Resources, and labor partners.
Coordinate and maintain transit technology systems and tools, including real-time transit information and vehicle tracking systems, GTFS data feeds, radios, and head sign systems; establish and maintain standards to ensure system accuracy, reliability, and consistency across internal and rider-facing platforms; provide technical guidance and training to staff and operators as needed.
Coordinate and administer real-time transit information, scheduling, and demand responsive service platforms; configure services, manage user access and eligibility, and work directly with vendors to ensure systems function as intended and align with operational and policy requirements. Coordinate with communications and operational partners to ensure transit service information is accurate, timely, and consistent across internal systems and public-facing platforms.
Develop, coordinate and advise on safety, compliance, and training activities related to transit operations; maintain and audit driver qualification and safety files; support compliance with applicable CDL, FMCSA, ADA, and related federal and state requirements; assist with annual refresher training and retraining activities.
Maintain liaison with union leadership, operators, and management to address scheduling, operational, and procedural issues; apply collective bargaining agreement provisions to planning decisions and advise leadership on operational impacts.
Provide guidance and subject-matter expertise to leadership on transportation planning, service design, and system improvements; prepare analyses, summaries, and recommendations to support policy, operational, and strategic decision-making.
Participate in workforce planning and recruitment support activities as assigned, including candidate screening support, interviews, and onboarding coordination to maintain adequate staffing levels and support service continuity.
Assist with data collection, documentation, and reporting in support of budgeting, compliance reporting, grant documentation, and operational planning initiatives.
Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.
Required Qualifications at this Level
Education/Training
Work requires analytical, communications, and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program, preferably in transportation planning, urban planning, public administration, data analytics, or a related field.
Experience
Work requires three years of progressively responsible experience in transportation planning, transit operations, safety compliance, technology systems administration, or related program administration sufficient to acquire skills necessary to plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate transit services and advise leadership on policy and system design.
Skills
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Duke University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.
