JOB DESCRIPTION

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is seeking to fill a critical role in driving the strategic planning, execution and continuous improvement for RTA programs with an experienced Program Lead. This role will provide leadership across cross-functional teams, ensure alignment with organization goals and serves as a key point for program performance, outcomes and stakeholder engagement. The RTA oversees financing, secures funding, and conducts transit planning for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace. The RTA manages these three Service Boards' five-year capital programs.

A new era has begun for transit in the Chicago region. In December 2025, Governor Pritzker signed the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Act, landmark transit funding and reform legislation. The NITA Act includes an estimated $1.2 billion in new annual operating funding for CTA, Metra, and Pace. This sustainable funding means riders will not experience service cuts or fare increases in 2026 and instead will benefit from continued improvements to service frequency, reliability, and safety in the coming years.

Under the direction of the Division Manager, Regional Planning, this position will lead regional transit service planning work including inter-agency service analysis, route design and optimization, data collection, data processing, technical analysis, and policy analysis. Assists with development of service plan process and creation of regional service standards. Assists with maintenance, improvement and application of technical tools including GIS- based access measure tools and travel demand models and outputs. Supports RTA's Strategic Plan implementation and development and broader work of the Regional Planning division. Provides technical support for transit project sponsors in the region. Contributes to performance measurement activities, market analysis, strategic planning documents, surveys, and studies. Prepares written content and presents analyses to RTA and Service Board staff and working groups, and RTA Board.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

1. Leads system-wide service planning, route analysis and optimization, identification of opportunities for system performance improvement, reports and makes recommendations to management.
2. Leads regional demographic analysis to identify propensity for transit ridership and uses analytical tools to measure the provision of transit service across the six-county region.
3. Designs new transit services to increase service coverage, address gaps in service, and improve customer experience making recommendations suited for community needs and land use forms.
4. Liaises with CTA, Metra, and Pace service planners to close transit gaps, improve transfers, and streamline service changes from a regional perspective, ensuring riders see improvements in frequency, coverage, transfer time, and ease of inter-agency connectivity contributing to improvements in overall customer experience and rider satisfaction.
5. Assists with development of the future NITA regional service plan process.
6. Assists with development of regional service standards to measure system performance and determine annual funding amounts.
7. Manages and coordinates transportation projects from conception to completion, including developing budgets, directing consultant work and tracking timelines.
8. Supports work of Regional Planning division including inter-agency signage, transit benefit program, and market research.
9. Assists in the development and maintenance of comprehensive transit plans, programs and related studies.
10. Engages in agency budget process through cost modeling and forecasting.
11. Directs outside consultant efforts or RTA staff as appropriate, in the performance of RTA studies and projects to ensure quality products, and timely and efficient completion of projects within budget. Coordinates and collaborates on the conduct of studies with the Service Boards and other appropriate agencies and organizations.
12. Prepares materials and makes presentations of study results and recommendations to RTA and Service Board senior management, other agencies and RTA Board of Directors.
13. Participates in the development of objectives and policies for the Regional Planning Division and the Strategy & Policy team.
14. Acts in a manner which is consistent with the RTA's strategic goals and objectives as developed by the Board of Directors, while providing service of the highest level to our customers -- both internal and external. Ensure the confidentiality of all information obtained in the performance of job duties.
15. Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

The ideal candidate must have the following:

• The ideal candidate has the knowledge, skills, and abilities equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Transportation, Engineering, Urban Planning or a related field required. Master's Degree preferred.
• Minimum of (4 – 6) years' experience in transit planning or related field, with transit service planning experience.
• Expertise in service planning, scheduling, and design utilizing software platforms: Remix, HASTUS, OptiBus, TransCAD required.
• Experience in processing/analyzing GTFS and Census data products (e.g., ACS, CTPP, LEHD) and their development process required. Ability to code in SQL, Python, SAS/SPSS/R, or VBA or to acquire such skills is a plus.
• Proficiency in GIS data editing and analysis required with preference given to candidates having experience using ArcGIS Spatial and Network Analyst tools. Experience with spatial-temporal data analysis required.
• Knowledge of federal planning processes is desired.
• The ideal candidate will also have experience applying planning principles and data analysis towards strategic goals and objectives. Will be self-directed, strong problem solving, quantitative, analytical, communication, and leadership skills and have the ability to multi-task and work independently on concurrent projects; respond quickly and accurately to time sensitive requests.
• Experience collaborating with municipal partners, coalitions, and other stakeholder groups (e.g., advocates and community partners) to plan and advance strategic goals.
• Experience leading internal/external cross-functional teams, including setting scope, monitoring deliverables, and ensuring adherence to timelines and budgets.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects, delegate tasks effectively, and maintain accountability for quality and timely completion.

BENEFITS

• Pension plan or 401(k) salary match provided by the RTA at no cost to you
• 401(k) and/or 457 plan options
• Hybrid work environment
• Transit benefits to support your commute
• 12 paid holidays/1 floating holiday
• Parental leave
• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life/AD&D Insurance/Pet Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Tuition reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Employee Assistance Program