MPO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are NOT intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

Please email your resume and cover letter to:

jackie.kuechle@theforksmpo.org

Application Deadline: July 11, 2025

DEFINITIONS

To plan, direct, manage and oversee the activities and operations of the MPO including urban and transportation planning; to coordinate assigned activities with other local and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the MPO Executive Board.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general administrative direction from the MPO Chair and Executive Policy Board.

Exercises direct supervision over supervisory, professional, technical, and clerical staff.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS—Essential responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

• Assume full management responsibility for all MPO services and activities including transportation and community planning, transportation improvements programming, grants, and public relations; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Manage the development and implementation of MPO goals, objectives, policies and priorities for each assigned service area.
• Establish, within MPO policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocate resources accordingly.
• Plan, direct and coordinate, through subordinate level staff, the MPO's work plan; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; meet with management staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement; direct and implement changes.
• Select, train, motivate and evaluate MPO personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
• Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the MPO budget; approve the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; approve expenditures and implement budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
• Explain, justify, and defend MPO programs, policies, and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues and assist local agencies in amending the transportation plan.
• Represent the MPO to other local agencies, elected officials and outside agencies; coordinate MPO activities with those of other departments, outside agencies and organizations.
• Provide staff assistance to the MPO Chair and Executive Policy Board; participate on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence; provide staff support to boards and commissions.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints. Provide high quality oral and written communications to local agencies and organization to promote general awareness and consensus building.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of urban and transportation planning.
• Solicit input from the local operational agencies to understand concerns. Provide creative solutions to maximize local benefits, minimize local costs and impacts while meeting federally mandated system requirements.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

Knowledge: Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive MPO organization; Principles and practices of urban/transportation planning, design, regulation, implementation, administration and enforcement; Planning theory and social policies; Advanced site planning and architectural design techniques and methods; legal aspects of transportation planning and plan implementation; Land Use development; Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation; Computers and planning related software; Statistical analysis, economics and economic development; Government purpose, function, policies, practices and administration; Research methods and analysis; Technical report writing; Principles and practices of program development and administration; Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration; Applicable environmental laws and regulations; Pertinent Federal, State, and Local laws, codes and regulations.

Skills: Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities; Maintain effective audio/visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful performance of assigned duties.

Abilities: Plan, organize, direct and coordinate the work of lower level staff; Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff; Delegate authority and responsibility; Lead and direct the operations, services and activities of a comprehensive metropolitan planning organization; Interpret planning and zoning programs to the general public; Identify and respond t community and Executive Policy Board issues, concerns and needs; Develop and administer, departmental goals, objectives, and procedures; Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports; Solve complex planning problems; Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals; Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques; Interpret and apply Federal, State, and Local policies, laws and regulations.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Seven years of increasingly responsible urban and/or transportation planning experience, including three years of administrative and supervisory responsibility.

Training: Equivalent to a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, transportation planning, public administration or a related field.

License or Certificate: None.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental and Physical Conditions: Office environment; exposure to computer screens; essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting for prolonged periods of time.

SALARY: The Grand Forks – East Grand Forks MPO adheres to the City of Grand Forks pay scale. The Executive Director position is classified as (24) with a 2025 salary range of $117,104.00 to $178,193.60.