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Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council​​​​

Planning Positions (two): Entry and/or Mid Level

February 2026

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The Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council (SMTC) is seeking qualified applicants for up to two positions. The SMTC is the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Onondaga County and small portions of Madison and Oswego Counties.

Desirable Skills and Abilities
These positions are either entry level or experienced mid-level for a motivated transportation and/or planning professional with an ability to interpret data and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

The major work areas for the position(s) include participating in transportation planning studies, meeting the needs of the SMTC’s member agencies, and fulfilling requirements of the MPO process. The position(s) require knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of transportation and land use planning and the municipal planning process. Documented knowledge of current planning trends and strong writing skills are expected. Experience with and understanding of MPO operations and processes is a plus. Transportation planners are expected to work independently and in a team environment, capable of advancing multiple tasks concurrently.

The ideal candidate(s) will have some combination of the skills below; all skills not expected.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of transportation and land use planning and the municipal planning process. Documented knowledge of current planning trends and strong writing skills.

• Traffic and Data Analysis: Familiarity with traffic analysis concepts and data will be beneficial. Working knowledge of some of the software relevant to transportation planning and how it is applied to projects is also a benefit (i.e., Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Synchro, or TransCAD). Proficiency with MS Excel and Word is expected; experience with MS Access is desirable.

• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, especially the ability to convey technical information and data in a way that is easily understood by a non-technical audience. Candidates for a mid-level position should have demonstrated public speaking skills. Experience with both in-person and virtual public engagement techniques such as presentations, focus groups, small-group forums, open houses, virtual public involvement tools, etc. is a plus.

• Visualization: Preferred candidates should possess a basic level of user proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite/Cloud.

• Candidates with a demonstrated ability to create more advanced graphics, illustrations, and photo simulations, especially for transportation-related projects, in Illustrator and/or Photoshop, and ability to complete reports in InDesign are highly desirable.

• Project management: For mid-level position, candidates should have some experience/familiarity with managing planning projects from scoping through final report completion, including a public engagement process.

Salary range
The position(s) are expected to be filled at either the entry or mid-level, depending on qualifications and applicant pool. The current salary ranges are:

• Transportation Planner I: $63,068 - $69,610

• Transportation Planner II: $74,067 - $81,831

• Transportation Analyst: $74,067 - $81,831

 

Starting salary within the range will be dependent on experience and qualifications.
The SMTC provides a competitive benefit package including Medical and Dental Insurance, participation in the NYS Retirement System, and an optional Deferred Compensation Plan.
 

Minimum Qualifications

At minimum, the ideal candidate shall have a four-year degree in Planning (Urban and Regional or Transportation), Geography, Landscape Architecture, Civil/Traffic Engineering, or a closely related field.
And:

• Entry level Transportation Planner I: preference to relevant internship or similar relevant experience.

• Mid-level Transportation Planner II should have 3 years of directly related relevant experience OR a master’s degree in any of the above fields plus at least 1 year of directly related relevant experience (quality internships qualify as experience).

• Transportation Analyst: This mid-level position requires a highly technical, motivated, and experienced transportation and/or planning professional. The major work areas for this position include Travel Demand Modeling, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and transportation/traffic analysis. (The candidate would not be required to have all of these skills at time of hire) should have 3 years of directly related relevant experience OR a master’s degree in any of the above fields plus at least 1 year of directly related relevant experience (quality internships qualify as experience).

 

How to Apply
Interested candidates should forward a letter of interest, resume, salary requirements and three (3) professional references to: Director, SMTC, 126 N. Salina Street, Suite 100, Syracuse, New York 13202, or e-mail to jdagostino@smtcmpo.org.
 

Notes
All applicants should be eligible to work in the U.S. without VISA sponsorship. Applicants invited to interview will be asked to provide a writing sample and will be encouraged to provide a sample of previous graphics/report layout work if applicable.
 

Should an employment offer be made, position(s) require physically working in the SMTC office.
 

The position(s) is open until filled.
For a description of the SMTC please visit our website at www.smtcmpo.org.

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GTC Executive Director

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The Executive Director of the Genesee Transportation Council (GTC) provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for all activities of the Council. This position is responsible for ensuring compliance with federal and state transportation planning requirements, overseeing staff and resources, and advancing the region's transportation vision through effective planning, coordination, and stakeholder engagement. The role requires exceptional independent judgment, strong leadership, and the ability to manage complex, multi-agency initiatives involving local, state, and federal partners. 

 

COMPENSATION: $102,000 - $112,000 (depending on experience)

 

Position open until filled. See https://myrts.acquiretm.com/job_details_clean.aspx?ID=2222&iframe=0 for full job posting.

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Deputy Commissioner 

Orange County Department of Planning

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The Orange County, New York, Department of Planning is seeking to fill one of two Deputy Commissioner positions. The new Deputy will handle either oversight of the Transportation and Transit Units or the Land Use and Environmental Units. Applicants for either position should have supervisory experience including budgeting and fiscal management as well as human resource management. The target hiring salary range is $100,000-$154,130. Competitive benefits package includes comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance, long term disability insurance, and NYS Retirement. Competitive examination is not a requirement for this position.  FINAL CANDIDATES MUST SUBMIT TO A FINGERPRINT CHECK AND CRIMINAL HISTORY AND BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION. More information is available at: https://orange-portal.mycivilservice.com/post/jobopps

 

SEND RESUME TO:

Commissioner of Planning

Orange County Department of Planning

124 Main Street
Goshen, NY 10924

Or Email Erussell@orangecountygov.com

 

Applicants for the Transportation and Transit Units Deputy will ideally have experience with MPO administration activities such as:

• Coordination of Planning and Policy meetings, public notices and comments, public meetings

• UPWP updates, reimbursements, and reporting

• TIP administration and reporting

• LRTP preparation

• Preparation and/or coordination of transportation plans and studies (e.g. corridor analysis, transit route redesigns)

• Consultant management

• Travel Demand Modeling and Traffic Analysis processes

• Air Quality Conformity process

• MPO coordination within a Transportation Management Area

 

Applicants for the Land Use and Environmental Units Deputy will ideally have experience with activities such as:

• General Municipal Law 239 review of municipal land use applications

• Preparation and/or coordination of Comprehensive Plans or elements thereof such as land use, water, economic development, open space

• Agricultural & Farmland Protection Plan preparation and implementation

• Preparation of model land use laws

• New York State’s Climate Smart Communities program

• Green House Gas Inventories and Climate Action Plans

• Grant applications, administration, and reimbursement

• Consultant management

• Coordination of trails, greenway, and similar construction projects, including grant management

• Experience working with multiple departments on County projects

• Procurement and contracting

 

 

 

Principal Planner

Orange County Department of Planning

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Orange County, New York, Department of Planning is accepting applications for the position of Principal Planner. This position is currently in the NYS HELPS program and is not subject to Civil Service Examination. This supervisory position is responsible for specialized professional and technical work related to municipal, community, county, and regional transportation planning, especially as it relates to the federally mandated allocation of federal transportation and capital funds under the auspices of the Orange County Transportation Council, which is the Metropolitan Planning Organization for Orange County (MPO). Work is performed under the supervision of the Commissioner of Planning/MPO Director with latitude allowed for the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out transportation planning activities. Supervision is exercised over subordinate professional, technical and clerical personnel. Related work is performed as required.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either: A) Possession of a Master's Degree in Transportation Planning, Planning or closely related field and four (4) years of experience where the primary function of the position was Regional, County, Municipal or Transportation planning activities, two (2) years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity in the field of transportation planning; OR B) Possession of a Bachelor's Degree in Transportation Planning, Planning or closely related field and six (6) years of experience as outlined in (A) above, two (2) years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity in the field of transportation planning.

 

Some typical work activities related to the Transportation and Transit Units include:

• Overseeing grant program management including financial recordkeeping, and grant application, reimbursement and reporting requirements;

• Coordinating the formulation, assignment, and scheduling of reports, planning studies, program services, and performance reviews in concert with department staff, consultants, and other regional, federal, state, and local entities;

• Organizing and analyzing data for plans and studies and to monitor performance, compliance or plan service improvements;

• Preparing reports and recommendations;

• Ensure effective public participation, education, and communication regarding delivery of department and Transportation Council services and/or programs;

• Providing guidance to Transportation Council member municipalities and administering Transportation Council activities.

 

SALARY: For County Employees – According to CSEA contract for Grade 18. For New Employees – Grade 18, Step 02 – effective Jan 2025 $49.8268/hr; $103,639.74 annually (40-hour work week)

 

FINAL CANDIDATES MUST SUBMIT TO A FINGERPRINT CHECK AND CRIMINAL HISTORY AND BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION. More information is available at: https://orange-portal.mycivilservice.com/post/jobopps

 

SEND RESUME TO:

Commissioner of Planning

Orange County Department of Planning

124 Main Street
Goshen, NY 10924

Or Email Erussell@orangecountygov.com​​​​​​​​​​​​