Transportation Planner Resume Guide
Transportation planners are responsible for the movement of people and goods within a given area. They work with government agencies, private companies, and other organizations to develop efficient transportation systems that meet the needs of the community. In addition to planning and designing transportation infrastructure, they also play a role in its funding and implementation.
Your ability to streamline transportation systems is unrivaled. But city officials don’t know who you are or what you can do. To get their attention, write a resume that outlines your experience and expertise.
This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.
Table of Contents
The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.
Transportation Planner Resume Sample
Heloise Purdy
Transportation Planner
[email protected]
429-851-8180
linkedin.com/in/heloise-purdy
Summary
Skilled transportation planner with 6 years of experience in the public and private sector. At XYZ, created multimodal transportation plans for a variety of clients including school districts, municipalities, and private developers. Experienced in using GIS software to create maps and visual presentations. Recognized as an expert in traffic analysis and forecasting future trends.
Experience
Transportation Planner, Company ABC
Vancouver, Jan 2018 – Present
- Utilized GIS software to map out potential routes for a new public transportation system.
- Formulated a plan that would increase the efficiency of the current public transportation system by 20%.
- Planned and organized a successful campaign to get more people to use public transportation which resulted in a 10% increase in ridership.
- Successfully represented the city at a regional conference on transportation planning.
- Was able to find creative solutions to problems that arose during the planning process which saved the city time and money.
Transportation Planner, Company XYZ
Knoxville, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017
- Structured and coordinated the schedules of 100+ transportation vehicles and drivers, ensuring that all daily, weekly and monthly routes were completed on time.
- Compiled data from GPS tracking devices and mileage logs to calculate fuel usage, maintenance costs and repair expenses; revised budget by 15% to accommodate for these findings.
- Mentored new transportation planners in the use of scheduling software and helped them develop an understanding of traffic patterns in the city; reduced training time by 50%.
- Actively participated in departmental meetings to offer suggestions on route optimization and fleet management improvements; as a result, increased efficiency by 10%.
- Demonstrated excellent problem-solving skills when dealing with last-minute schedule changes or cancellations, finding alternative solutions that resulted in minimal disruption.
Skills
- Transportation Planning
- Urban Planning
- ArcGIS
- GIS
- Transportation
- Data Analysis
- Project Planning
- Land Use Planning
- Sustainability
Education
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
Certifications
AICP Certified Transportation Planner
American Planning Association
May 2017
1. Summary / Objective
Your resume summary/objective is like a teaser for the rest of your resume – it provides the employer with an overview of your skills and experience in transportation planning.
Here, you can highlight your best qualities, such as your ability to develop efficient transportation plans, your experience working with various software programs, and your excellent project management skills.
Below are some resume summary examples:
Amicable transportation planner with experience in developing and managing multimodal transportation systems. In previous role as a consultant, completed more than 12 successful projects that improved traffic flow and transit times while reducing emissions. At XYZ, increased public satisfaction ratings by 15% via the introduction of an innovative “park-and-ride” system that boosted ridership by 12%.
Professional transportation planner with 6+ years of experience in the public and private sectors. At XYZ, led a team of 4 planners in developing long-range transportation plans for 3 counties. As a consultant at ABC, advised clients on multimodal transportation solutions that improved mobility and reduced congestion.
Detail-oriented transportation planner with 5+ years of experience developing short- and long-range transportation plans, conducting traffic analysis, and overseeing construction projects. Proven ability to manage complex projects within budget and schedule constraints. Seeking to leverage analytical skills to contribute to the success of ABC’s transportation planning team.
Dependable transportation planner with 9 years of experience in the public and private sectors. Proven abilities in developing long-term transportation plans, conducting feasibility studies, and analyzing environmental impact reports. Demonstrated track record in coordinating with multiple stakeholders to achieve project goals. At XYZ, managed a team of planners and engineers responsible for the development of an award-winning regional rail system expansion plan.
Seasoned transportation planner with 9+ years of experience designing, developing, and implementing multimodal transportation plans and programs. Excels at stakeholder engagement, project management, data analysis, and report writing. Seeking to leverage expertise to become the next senior transportation planner at XYZ Corporation. In previous roles increased public transit ridership by 15% through effective planning and outreach initiatives.
Well-rounded transportation planner with 5+ years of experience in the public and private sector. Proven ability to develop creative solutions to complex transportation problems. Experienced in both short- and long-range planning, project management, and stakeholder engagement. At XYZ, led the development of a $2 million active transportation plan that was unanimously approved by the city council.
Energetic transportation planner with 5+ years of experience in the public and private sector. Seeking to leverage background in designing, developing, and implementing multimodal transportation plans to support the growth goals of ABC Corporation as its next transportation planner. In previous roles increased ridership on public transit by 15% and decreased traffic congestion by 20%.
Enthusiastic transportation planner with experience in both the public and private sector. At XYZ, worked on long-range transportation plans for a major metropolitan area. In addition, have experience developing traffic management plans, conducting traffic studies, and analyzing data to support planning decisions. Excited about applying my skills to help ABC achieve its goals.
Driven transportation planner with 5+ years of experience in the public and private sector. Proven ability to develop long-term transportation plans, manage multimillion-dollar projects, and deliver presentations to senior management and elected officials. Seeking to leverage knowledge of GIS, ArcMAP, and AutoCAD Civil 3D to support the growth objectives of ABC Corporation as its next Transportation Planner.
2. Experience / Employment
In the experience section, you will provide details about your employment history. This should be written in reverse chronological order, which means that your most recent job is listed first.
When writing the bullet points for this section, it is important to focus on what you did and the results of your actions. For example, instead of saying “Helped with transportation planning,” you could say, “Successfully planned and executed the transportation logistics for a large-scale event with over 10,000 attendees.”
To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:
- Planned
- Coordinated
- Scheduled
- Monitored
- Evaluated
- Implemented
- Improved
- Streamlined
- Tracked
- Forecasted
- Budgeted
- Negotiated
- Resolved
- Communicated
- Advocated
Other general verbs you can use are:
- Achieved
- Advised
- Assessed
- Compiled
- Demonstrated
- Developed
- Expedited
- Facilitated
- Formulated
- Introduced
- Mentored
- Optimized
- Participated
- Prepared
- Presented
- Reduced
- Reorganized
- Represented
- Revised
- Spearheaded
- Structured
- Utilized
Below are some example bullet points:
- Facilitated the transport of goods and personnel across the city, ensuring that all deliveries were made on time and within budget.
- Achieved a 98% on-time delivery rate for all shipments while working as part of a team of transportation planners.
- Competently managed the route planning for a fleet of 50+ vehicles, taking into account traffic conditions, construction areas and weather patterns.
- Monitored GPS data to ensure that drivers were following the most efficient routes and making timely deliveries; identified potential issues and alerted drivers accordingly.
- Expedited the delivery of critical shipments by coordinating with other agencies and departments as needed; helped to avert delays or disruptions in service on multiple occasions.
- Resourcefully managed the transportation of goods for a fleet of 50+ vehicles, ensuring that deliveries were made on time and within budget.
- Spearheaded the development of new routing methods which increased efficiency by 15% and lowered fuel costs by $4,000 per month.
- Tracked delivery times and estimated arrival times for customers, updating them as needed in order to ensure satisfaction.
- Forecasted demand for transportation services based on sales data and customer trends; adjusted staffing levels accordingly to avoid over- or under-capacity.
- Participated in weekly meetings with senior management to discuss departmental goals, objectives and progress; provided input on ways to improve operations and reduce costs.”.
- Budgeted and managed the transportation department’s $2 million annual operating budget, ensuring that all expenses were kept within allocated limits.
- Resolved complex logistical issues related to the shipment of goods and materials, often working with tight deadlines and limited resources.
- Streamlined transportation operations by developing and implementing new routing schedules and protocols; reduced average delivery time by 10%.
- Reduced fuel costs by 15% through careful route planning and optimization; also negotiated discounts with several vendors/suppliers.
- Thoroughly researched various transport options (e.g., rail, road, air) before making recommendations to senior management on which option would be most suitable for specific shipments.
- Evaluated traffic patterns and congestion areas to develop short- and long-term plans for improving transportation infrastructure.
- Proficiently used GIS software to map out proposed changes and track progress of projects.
- Coordinated with city officials, engineers and construction crews to implement new traffic plans.
- Prepared reports detailing the results of transportation studies and recommendations for improvement.
- Reorganized existing routes to increase efficiency and reduce travel times by an average of 15 minutes per trip.
- Advocated for the development of new public transportation infrastructure projects that would increase connectivity and reduce traffic congestion in the city.
- Communicated effectively with city officials, developers, engineers and other stakeholders to ensure that all transportation planning objectives were met.
- Introduced a new scheduling system for public transportation that reduced wait times by an average of 15 minutes per passenger.
- Confidently managed a team of 10 planners and schedulers to deliver efficient and effective transportation services to the community.
- Scheduled and coordinated the construction of 3 new bus stops, 2 light rail stations and 1 commuter rail station in accordance with city regulations.
- Meticulously planned and coordinated the transportation of goods for a major retailer, ensuring that all deliveries were made on time and within budget.
- Presented transportation proposals to senior management, demonstrating an in-depth understanding of the company’s shipping needs and how they could be met most efficiently.
- Demonstrated excellent negotiation skills when dealing with suppliers and service providers, resulting in a 10% reduction in transport costs last year.
- Implemented new software to streamline the dispatch process and cut down on paperwork, saving the company an estimated 5 hours per week.
- Negotiated favorable terms with several local transport companies, securing discounts of up to 20% on bulk shipments.
- Advised clients on the best mode of transportation for their needs, taking into account budget, time constraints and special requirements.
- Improved the efficiency of client transportation operations by 10% on average through route planning and optimization.
- Independently assessed client transportation needs and developed customized solutions to address them.
- Assessed current transportation infrastructure and made recommendations for improvements to optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion.
- Optimized routes for maximum efficiency and minimum cost, using a variety of software tools such as Google Maps, StreetSmart and MapQuest.
3. Skills
Skills required for this position will depend on the company you are applying to. However, some skills that are commonly required or desired include:
-Experience with specific software programs (e.g., GIS)
-Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
-Excellent verbal and written communication skills
-Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
As such, you want to tailor the skills section of your resume specifically to each job that you apply for. This way, you can ensure that the most relevant skills are highlighted.
Below is a list of common skills & terms:
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Analysis
- ArcGIS
- AutoCAD
- Civil Engineering
- Communication
- Community Development
- Comprehensive Planning
- Data Analysis
- Economic Development
- Editing
- Environmental Planning
- Fundraising
- GIS
- Geographic Information Systems
- Government
- Grant Writing
- Inventory Management
- Land Use
- Land Use Planning
- Logistics
- Logistics Management
- Nonprofits
- Operations Management
- Policy
- Policy Analysis
- Process Improvement
- Program Management
- Project Planning
- Public Policy
- Public Transport
- Regional Planning
- SPSS
- Shipping
- Supply Chain
- Supply Chain Management
- Sustainability
- Traffic Engineering
- Transportation
- Transportation Engineering
- Transportation Management
- Transportation Planning
- Urban Design
- Urban Planning
- Zoning
4. Education
Including an education section on your resume will depend largely on how much experience you have in the field. If you just graduated and have no professional experience, it is necessary to include an education section below your resume objective. However, if you have several years of relevant work experience, you may not need to include this section at all.
If you do choose to include an education section, make sure to only list courses and programs that are directly related to the transportation planner job you are applying for. For example, “Courses included Principles of Urban Planning, Traffic Engineering, and Public Transportation.”
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
5. Certifications
Certifications in the field of transportation planning can be very useful in order to demonstrate your proficiency and commitment to the profession.
There are many online courses which offer certification upon completion, and these can be included in this section of your resume. Many employers will value such professional development, so it is definitely worth considering if you wish to make your application stand out.
AICP Certified Transportation Planner
American Planning Association
May 2017
6. Contact Info
Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.
You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.
Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Heloise Purdy, this would be Heloise-Purdy-resume.pdf or Heloise-Purdy-resume.docx.
7. Cover Letter
Writing a cover letter is a great way to introduce yourself and explain why you’re the perfect fit for the role. They are usually made up of 2 to 4 paragraphs, separate from your resume, and provide more detail about your skills and experience.
Most job applications won’t require a cover letter, but including one is highly recommended as it gives you the chance to stand out from other candidates. Not only that, but it also allows you to connect with the hiring manager on a more personal level.
Below is an example cover letter:
Dear Emmy,
I am writing to apply for the position of Transportation Planner with the New York State Department of Transportation. I am a recent graduate of Cornell University’s Master of Regional Planning program and have experience working on transportation planning projects at both the state and local level.
In my previous role as a Senior Planner with the Tompkins County Planning Department, I was responsible for leading the update to the county’s Comprehensive Plan. This included conducting outreach to stakeholders, facilitating public meetings, and overseeing the development of land use and transportation plans. As part of this process, I worked closely with NYSDOT staff on several occasions to ensure that our plans were compatible with their goals and objectives.
I am familiar with many aspects of transportation planning, including multimodal planning, traffic analysis, GIS mapping, and project management. I am confident that I can be an asset to your team and contribute to the success of your department.
Please find attached a copy of my resume for your review. If you have any questions or would like to discuss my qualifications further, please do not hesitate to contact me at [phone number] or [email address]. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your name]