Metro Washington Council AFL-CIO jobs in Washington, DC

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) is seeking an intern to support the Transportation Resilience Planning Program in the Department of Transportation Planning. The employment period is expected to begin in January 2026 and end in June 2026 with the possible opportunity to extend. The Department of Transportation Planning supports the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB), the federally designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the Washington, D.C. region. The TPB plays an important role as the regional forum for transportation planning in the National Capital Region. It prepares plans and programs that the federal government must approve in order for federal-aid transportation funds to flow to the Washington region. Planning for and adapting to the impacts of extreme weather and natural hazards is critical to ensure the region's transportation system can operate efficiently and safely. The TPB's regional resilience planning activities consider vulnerability, risks, and proactive anticipation of natural hazards to maintain service operations and ensure the health and safety of travelers. The TPB collaborates with its member agencies on decision-making for the transportation network and shares resources to help regional stakeholders progress towards increasing transportation resilience in the National Capital Region. POSITION SPECIFICATIONS The successful candidate will mainly support a resilience research project focused on better understanding and mapping the impacts of extreme weather on the regional transportation system, with the opportunity to also provide assistance in a variety of Transportation Resilience Planning Program activities, including supporting the regional transportation resilience subcommittee, coordinating resilience related efforts across local jurisdictions and transit agencies in the region, and supporting other long range planning regional plans and projects with transportation resilience touchpoints. Work activities may include: Collect, process, and analyze historical rainfall and extreme weather data. Integrate datasets with transportation network and closure point data. Conduct spatial analysis and mapping using GIS tools. Apply statistical or machine learning methods (potentially including large language models) to identify patterns in event data. Draft written summaries, figures, and maps to communicate findings to planners and stakeholders. Support other resilience and long-range transportation planning tasks as needed, including but not limited to: attend internal and external meetings with consultant teams and local jurisdictions/agencies, review documents, brainstorm research/study ideas, research state of practice, etc. The successful candidate should possess the following skills: Current graduate student or recent graduate in urban planning, transportation, geography, environmental science, data science, or a related field. Strong interest in climate resilience, transportation planning, and/or long-range planning. Experience with data analysis (Python, R, or similar), preferred but not required. Proficiency in GIS mapping (ArcGIS, QGIS, or similar), preferred but not required. Familiarity with or interest in large language models (LLMs) for data processing and analysis, preferred, but not required. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work independently and collaboratively. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Applicant should be a current student or recent graduate in urban planning, transportation, geography, environmental science, data science, or a related field. Graduate level preferred. HOURS AND EMPLOYMENT PERIOD 15-28 hours per week The position is expected to begin in January 2026 and end in June 2026.

Summary: The Director of Community Planning and Services (DCPS) is a senior leader with progressive experience in policy development, program management, and budgeting. The Director works directly with a network of public, private, nonprofit, and philanthropic leaders who are deeply committed to the success of the region. The Director oversees the staffing and provides leadership on an extensive range of work activities in the areas of regional economic development, housing and homelessness, public health, human services and land use. The Director has extensive experience with strategic planning with proven success in building consensus among local and regional thought leaders on developing solutions to meet the region's goals. The Director works closely with the COG Executive Director and reports to the COG Deputy Executive Director for Regional planning. Duties / Responsibilities: Proven ability to work collaboratively and develop consensus among external leaders and within the internal teams. Advisor to the Executive Director and the COG Board of Directors on program areas within the Department, including but not limited to housing and homelessness, economic development, public health, planning, and human and family services. Working with partners in the public, private and nonprofit sectors throughout the region, develop a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and having the region designated by the US Economic Development Administration (EDA) as an Economic Development District (EDD). Convene and coordinate state and local level efforts of Economic Development Agencies to advance the region's economic goals and implement the CEDS initiatives Leverage ongoing DCPS activities to support the regional economic development strategy and generate opportunities for more federal funding and technical assistance to COG's membership. Work with the region's Housing Directors and other stakeholders to advance COG's Housing Targets to increase the supply of strategically located affordable housing and address homelessness. Convene and support the Health Officials Committee, Human Services Policy Committee collaborate to advance the region's public health and human service goals Facilitate and build consensus across all DCPS programs among elected officials, senior government staff, business leaders, and civic organizations to advance the mission and priorities of COG. Work with COG's Transportation Planning department, to convene the Planning Directors Technical Advisory Committee in developing the region's Cooperative Forecasts of population, employment, and household growth. Prepare and oversee the implementation of the annual work program and budget for the department. Job Qualifications: Master's degree in urban planning, public administration, public policy or related field Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of regional planning, public administration and research and policy analysis Proven ability to help group of diverse senior officials reach consensus of matters of common interest. Proven problem solving and reasoning ability to evaluate local and regional issues and develop potential solutions Excellent verbal, written communication skills including presenting to large groups. A minimum of ten years of senior-level work experience in one or more of the following subject areas: economic development, housing, public health and substance abuse, human and family services, public safety, and community planning A minimum of 5 years of executive / senior management and supervisory experience in a similar organization Preferred experience working with elected and/or senior elected officials Strong program and fiscal management experience including analytical abilities Demonstrated experience in Word Processing (Microsoft Word), Spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel) and Presentation (Microsoft PowerPoint) software Experience analyzing and applying demographic and economic data at the local and regional level Knowledge and familiarity with data visualization tools, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and their application is desirable Supervisory responsibilities: This position does include supervisory responsibilities: Direct supervision of Department managers Broad technical and administrative supervisory responsibilities for professional and support staff Supervisory responsibilities shall be administered in accordance with COG personnel policies and practices and relevant federal, state and local laws

The Department of Transportation Planning of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) is seeking a Transportation Planner III to assist in professional-level planning activities that support metropolitan transportation planning. The Transportation Planner position, as part of the Multimodal Planning Team, will primarily play a role in facilitating regional coordination and communication of regional roadway safety and bicycle and pedestrian planning issues. The successful candidate will also have responsibilities including authoring technical and policy-oriented reports on metropolitan transportation issues, the collection and analysis of data for transportation planning studies, presenting to the Transportation Planning Board (TPB) and COG committees and subcommittees, and assisting with federal performance planning requirements. The position requires program management and data analysis skills, ability to establish and maintain relationships with partners, and the candidate should be familiar with general transportation planning issues, metropolitan transportation issues, and transportation performance measurement. EXAMPLES OF WORK Undertaking bicycle and pedestrian planning; serving as a subject matter expert on bicycle, pedestrian, and micro-mobility planning for the region; and acting as a regional resource for bicycle, pedestrian, and micro--mobility information. Managing and/or supporting the preparation of metropolitan transportation planning studies such as the Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan and update/tracking of the National Capital Trail Network. Example activities include producing plan content such as narrative, charts, and maps; developing project scopes and schedule; working with consultants and/or other TPB departments; and monitoring progress toward completion. Managing and/or supporting the Street Smart program including developing annual grant funding applications; administering grants awarded by funding agencies and monitoring consultant progress on campaigns; collaborating with the Street Smart Advisory Group and the consultant to execute press events, media campaigns, public outreach activities, and new creatives; and coordinating with the Advisory Group on overall programmatic decisions. Staffing and supporting the Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee including developing agendas, conducting outreach to speakers, facilitating meetings, drafting meeting summaries, and coordinating meeting logistics and acting as a general liaison for regional transportation issues. Supporting TPB-administered grant programs (ex. Transportation Land Use Connection and Transit Withing Reach). Example activities include evaluating program applications, participating in panel selection discussions, and assisting with project oversight. Coordinating and working with federal, state, regional and local transportation agencies and organizations. Example activities include regularly interacting with and participating in other organizations' bicycle and pedestrian planning activities, representing the TPB's interests, and summarizing meeting discussions. Authoring and presenting technical and policy-oriented information including major plan documents, memoranda, and technical reports for a variety of audiences including elected officials, technical experts, and the public. Making oral and graphic presentations of metropolitan transportation data, issues, findings and recommendations to TPB and COG committees and subcommittees. Facilitating the planning of key events such as symposiums or workshops on bicycle, pedestrian, and micro-mobility planning topics. Other multimodal transportation planning duties, as assigned. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES No direct staff supervisory responsibilities but may be involved in recruitment, supervising interns, and/or oversight of consultants to ensure the quality and timeliness of deliverables. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience) Candidates must possess either: Master's degree in Transportation Planning, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Political Science, Economics, Statistics, or a related field and four (4) or more years of directly applicable work experience; OR Bachelor's degree in Transportation Planning, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Political Science, Economics, Statistics, or a related field and six (6) or more years of directly applicable work experience An equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, analytical and writing skills and abilities may be considered. Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate will possess the following: Professional experience in transportation planning, including planning for active transportation (walking and bicycling) modes. Project/program management skills and experience. Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment within and between COG departments. Ability to establish and maintain relationships with external partners and stakeholders. Passionate about learning, improving technical skills, public service, and making significant contributions that will improve the agency and the region. Computer Knowledge and Skills Background and demonstrated experience using the following: ArcGIS and Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Communication Skills Ability to interpret technical findings and share them with general audiences. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from members, regulatory agencies, community leaders and citizens. Ability to articulate intended project workflows to direct supervisors. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors. Mathematical Skills Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute percentages, rates, and ratios and to draw and interpret numeric charts and graphs. Reasoning Ability Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to evaluate technical options and implement solutions based on individual project needs. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form and deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization may exist. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations No Requirements PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; sit; and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. The candidate will be required to report to work at the COG offices in Washington, D.C. This is not a fully remote work position. COG policy currently requires all employees to work three (3) days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and an additional day as approved by a supervisor) in COG offices, and allows up to two (2) days teleworking from a remote location.