Transit Planner

Nashville, TN or Atlanta, GA | Remote option for Atlanta | 3+ Years Experience The Transit Planner helps transit agencies and communities design service that meets riders’ needs and grows ridership. The role leads and supports transit projects from existing conditions analysis through final recommendations. That work includes analyzing ridership and service data, evaluating route and network changes, planning stops, facilities, and corridors, and engaging riders and stakeholders to shape service that is reliable, connected, and equitable. The ideal candidate is comfortable with both technical analysis and community meetings, and can turn findings into clear, fundable strategies.

Company Summary

Fairpointe Planning is a woman-owned, MWDBE-certified transportation planning firm headquartered in Nashville, TN, with an office in Greenville, SC. Our team brings more than 80 years of combined public and private sector experience, including executive leadership at the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority. We help local governments, transit agencies, metropolitan planning organizations, and state Departments of Transportation build multimodal systems that improve access, strengthen communities, and move people forward. Our approach pairs technical rigor with inclusive, hands-on community engagement.

Position Summary

Fairpointe Planning is seeking a Transit Planner based in either the Nashville, TN or Atlanta, GA metropolitan area. Atlanta-based staff will work from home, and Nashville-based staff will work from our Nashville office. Both will spend time in person for client meetings, public engagement, and field work across the Nashville and Atlanta regions and the Southeast. The successful candidate will support transit agencies, metropolitan planning organizations, state Departments of Transportation, and local governments with service planning, transit plan development, corridor studies, and funding applications.

Key Job Duties

• Lead or support transit plans and studies, including transit development plans, comprehensive operational analyses, network redesigns, and corridor and high-capacity transit studies, by:

◦ Documenting existing conditions, travel markets, and ridership trends,

◦ Evaluating service alternatives, route performance, and industry best practices, and

◦ Recommending service, capital, and policy strategies that meet agency goals.

• Analyze passenger, vehicle, fare, and demographic data to assess performance, demand, and access to opportunity.

• Support Title VI service and fare equity analyses and help agencies meet Federal Transit Administration (FTA) planning and reporting requirements.

• Develop bus stop, facility, first/last mile, and transit-oriented development recommendations in coordination with land use and active transportation plans.

• Create maps, dashboards, and other data visualizations that make service tradeoffs easy to understand.

• Plan and facilitate rider, operator, and stakeholder engagement, including surveys, pop-up events, on-board outreach, and public meetings.

• Present findings and recommendations to agency boards, elected officials, advisory committees, and the public.

• Support FTA and FHWA discretionary and formula grant applications and related program management activities.

• Build and maintain relationships with transit agencies, MPOs, local governments, community-based organizations, and partner firms.

• Stay current on emerging practice, including microtransit, zero-emission fleets, and fare technology, through industry associations and continuing education.

Preferred Education and Experience

The ideal candidate has at least three years of professional experience in transit planning with a consulting firm, transit agency, MPO, state Department of Transportation, or local government. A working knowledge of FTA requirements, including Title VI, and the federal metropolitan planning process is essential. Experience in the Nashville or Atlanta region is a strong plus, including work with or alongside WeGo Public Transit, the Greater Nashville Regional Council, Nashville DOT, TDOT, MARTA, the Atlanta Regional Commission, the Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority (ATL), or GDOT.

A bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning, public administration, geography, civil engineering, or a related field is highly desirable. A master’s degree is preferred but not required. AICP certification, or progress toward it, is a plus.

Skills and Qualifications

• Proficiency with ArcGIS Pro and hands-on experience working with data.

• Experience with transit planning tools such as Remix or similar platforms; Python, R, or SQL skills are a plus.

• Strong writing and presentation skills, with the ability to explain technical analysis in plain language.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines and to work independently in a remote setting.

• Ability to represent Fairpointe Planning professionally with clients, partners, and the public.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; experience with Power BI, Tableau, or online engagement platforms is a plus.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting pay depends on experience and qualifications. Fairpointe offers health insurance benefits and an optional 401(k) plan with a dollar-for-dollar employer match up to 4% of gross salary. Contact us for more information about benefits.

Work Environment and Travel

This position is based in either Nashville, TN or Atlanta, GA. Atlanta-based staff will work from home and will need a dedicated home workspace, reliable high-speed internet, and availability during core business hours for virtual team and client meetings. Nashville-based staff will work from Fairpointe’s Nashville headquarters. In either location, the role requires regular local travel for public meetings, client meetings, field reviews, on-board surveys, and data collection, with occasional overnight travel to project sites and other Fairpointe offices. A valid driver’s license and access to personal transportation are required. Must be able to lift 30 pounds.

Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A

Equal Employment Opportunity

Fairpointe Planning is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status, or any other status protected by law.

Other Duties

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Position open until filled.