About

Young Professionals in Transportation (YPT) is an international 501(c)(6) nonprofit coalition of organizations, which helps professional development, fellowship, and networking for new professionals in the transportation field.

Membership to YPT is open to all young transportation professionals around the world. We DO NOT have an age-restricted definition of “young” in YPT. Anyone is welcome to participate in our activities.

Vision

Founded in 2008, the vision of Young Professionals in Transportation (YPT) is to become the preeminent professional development organization for emerging leaders in the transportation field. YPT provides professional development, fellowship, and networking opportunities for young professionals in transportation. Our members are rising leaders in the transportation field and are employed in consulting firms, local government, and national transportation agencies across the continent.

YPT is rapidly expanding its membership and influence. Since January 2014, YPT has added new chapters – including multiple international chapters – and has grown to 25 chapters across North America. Our International board supports local chapters as they develop innovative programming and grow membership, as well as sustaining strong ties with national transportation agencies and organizations. YPT hosts events at international conferences such as TRB, and partners on learning opportunities and fun events through digital engagement. We are the future of the global transportation community.

YPT Chapters

YPT has chapters in cities across the world. Choose from the chapters below to learn about YPT in your area. If you are interested in starting a chapter in your city and or country contact us at Chapters@yptransportation.org .

For more information on starting a new YPT Chapter click here.

CANADA

CALGARY
MONTREAL
TORONTO
VANCOUVER B.C.

USA

ALBANYCHICAGONASHVILLEPORTLAND
ATLANTADETROITNEW YORK CITYSACRAMENTO
AUSTINHOUSTONORLANDOSAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
BALTIMOREINDIANAPOLISPHILADELPHIASEATTLE
BOSTONLOS ANGELESPITTSBURGHWASHINGTON, D.C.
BURLINGTONMINNEAPOLISPHOENIX

DIRECTORS AND ADVISORS

Board of Directors

The National Board of Directors is based in Washington, DC and elected each November to provide guidance and leadership for the international organization as a whole.  

YPT 2020-2021

Board of Advisors 2020-2022

YPT’s Board of Advisors are preeminent public and private sector leaders in transportation with a wide range of exemplary experience in the field. We are grateful for their participation and willingness to assist the development of a new generation of transportation professionals.

Lora Byala – President and CEO, Foursquare ITP | D.C.

Nathaniel Ford – CEO, Jacksonville Transit Authority | Jacksonville, FL

Michael Helta – Chief Innovation Officer, Maryland Transit Administration | Baltimore, MD

Katharine Kelleman – CEO, Port Authority of Allegheny County | Pittsburgh, PA

Joung H. Lee – Policy Director, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials | D.C. 

Andy Palanisamy – Head of Mobility Management, Ford Motor Company | Detroit, MI

Chris Pangilinan – Public Transportation Policy Manager, Uber | San Francisco, CA

Robert Puentes – President and CEO, Eno Center for Transportation | D.C.

Kimberly Slaughter – Senior VP/National Transit and Rail Market Sector Leader, HNTB | Chicago, IL

Christof Spieler – Vice President, Huitt-Zollars | Houston, TX

Audrey Wennink – Director of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Council | Chicago, IL

Kimberly Williams – Chief Innovation Officer, Houston METRO | Houston, TX

Sam Zimbabwe – Director, Seattle Department of Transportation | Seattle, WA

Sponsors

YPT’s diversity of programming, events, publications and other opportunities is made possible through support from our annual Sponsors – firms and organizations within the transportation industry making a financial commitment to the development of the next generation of transportation professionals through their support. To learn more about becoming a Sponsor, please contact Sponsorship@yptransportation.org.

Becoming a YPT Sponsor

YPT’s vision is to become the preeminent professional development organization for emerging leaders in the transportation sector. Our members are the future of the global transportation community. Your generous support of our organization will ensure that you and your business will play a critical role in shaping a better transportation world for generations to come. YPT offers a number of exciting opportunities for you and your employees!

To view our  Sponsorship Package, please click here.

If you would like to discuss benefits of Sponsorship, and how your company would like to get involved with YPT, please contact the Director of Sponsorship at Sponsorship@yptransportation.org.

2020 – 2021 Sponsors

 

*NEW* LEVEL ( To be announced soon!)

BRT LEVEL

BIKE LEVEL

CARPOOL

 

As a federally-recognized 501(c)(6) non-profit entity, contributions or gifts to YPT are not tax deductible as charitable contributions. However, they may be tax deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses.

January 2021 Jobs: Seattle Children’s Transportation & Sustainability Department – Transportation Planner (Bicycle & Transit Program Emphasis)

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For information on how to post jobs on our site and have jobs posted in our monthly email please contact (Sponsorship@yptransportation.org).

About Us

Hope. Care. Cure. These three simple words capture what we do at Seattle Children’s –- to help every child live the healthiest and most fulfilling life possible. Are you ready to engage with a mission-driven organization that is life-changing to many, and touches the hearts of all? #HOPECARECURE

 – Transportation Planner –

Our founding promise to the community is as valid today as it was over a century ago: we will care for all children in our region, regardless of the families’ ability to pay. Together, we deliver superior patient care, advance new discoveries and treatments through pediatric research, and serve as the pediatric and adolescent, academic medical center for Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho – the largest region of any children’s hospital in the country.

In 2019, U.S. News & World Report once again ranked Seattle Children’s among the nation’s best children’s hospitals – for the 27th year in a row. We received national rankings in all 10 specialty areas evaluated by U.S. News & World Report, and are honored to be the only pediatric medical center in Washington to be ranked.

As a Magnet designated institution, and classified among America’s best large employers by Forbes, we recognize the importance of hiring and developing great talent to provide best-in-class care to the patients and families we serve. Our organizational DNA takes form in our core values: Compassion, Excellence, Integrity, Collaboration, Equity and Innovation. Whether it’s delivering frontline care to our patients in a kind and caring manner, practicing the highest standards of quality and safety, or being relentlessly curious as we work towards eradicating childhood diseases, these values are the fabric of our culture and community. The future starts here.

Overview

The Transportation Planner uses transportation demand management (TDM) principles to develop, implement, and improve upon Seattle Children’s innovative and effective transportation solutions created primarily for employees, with the goals of attracting and retaining the organization’s workforce, meeting state and regional commute trip reduction mandates, and enhancing travel options and business solutions in support of Seattle Children’s mission.

This position is the second level within a three-level Transportation Planner series . The Transportation Planner is responsible for analyzing and improving projects, programs, or policy alternatives in terms of stated goals and potential impacts. Assigned work may be organization-wide in scale or focused on a specific policy or travel solution.

Individuals at this level have some transportation planning, policy analysis, program evaluation and/or communication and outreach experience. Assigned standard work is performed with less guidance, while more complex tasks and projects are performed under closer supervision.

Develops and maintains effective working relationships with other departments across the organization and may also collaborate with external entities in the public and private sector to build and maintain Seattle Children’s holistic, comprehensive and award-winning transportation programs.

Provides research, analysis, planning, and technical support through the preparation of visual aids including, maps, tables, and graphs and technical writing to implement department projects and goals.

Requirements

***We plan to fill this position by the February 1, 2021***

Required Education/Experience:
– Bachelor’s Degree in Urban/Regional/Community/City Planning, Public Policy, GIS, Geography, Sustainable Transportation , Engineering, Communications, Program Management or related field.
– Minimum of two (2) years experience working in transportation, public policy, environmental management, urban planning, or project management.

Required Credentials:
– N/A

Preferred:
– Master’s Degree in Urban/Regional/Community/City Planning, Public Policy, GIS, Geography, Sustainable Transportation, Engineering, Business, Communications, Program Management or related field.
– At least three (3) years transportation/project planning experience.
– Proficiency with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to create maps and analyze geo-spatial, transportation, and demographic data.
– Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, including Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign and Acrobat Pro to create outreach materials.
– Proficiency with Tableau data visualization software and/or Stata or comparable data analysis software.

APPLY HERE

Our Commitment to Diversity

Our community welcomes diverse experiences, backgrounds, and thoughts as this is what drives our spirit of inquiry and allows us to better connect with our increasingly diverse patients and families. Our organization recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

The people who work at Seattle Children’s are members of a community that seeks to respect and celebrate all the qualities that make each of us unique. Each of us is empowered to be ourselves within this community, which cultivates and promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion at all levels.

Seattle Children’s is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Workplace and Affirmative Action Employer.

Learn more about Seattle Children’s progressive transportation and sustainability programs:

For more information, please visit https://careers-seattlechildrens.icims.com/jobs/37276/job

January 2021 Jobs: Boston Cyclists Union

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For information on how to post jobs on our site and have jobs posted in our monthly email please contact (Sponsorship@yptransportation.org).

About the Boston Cyclists Union

The mission of the Boston Cyclists Union (BCU) is to transform the streets of greater Boston into equitable and inviting people-centered spaces affording access and connection for every body. We accomplish this through organizing, advocacy, public actions, and holding city and state agencies accountable to build out the network of safe, protected bike infrastructure.

We envision a Greater Boston where people, especially those of color, elders, youth, female-identified people and those who have historically been most vulnerable can safely ride for transportation and leisure on a network of connected, low-stress and physically separated infrastructure year round. As a result, residents are healthier, cities greener with less pollution from motor vehicles, and traffic congestion eased as more and more opt for biking to reach their destinations. Residents, especially people of color and low income individuals whose opinions have historically been left out of planning processes, participate in the planning of their neighborhoods.

About the Position

The Community Organizer will focus on building our member base in Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan and engage residents in shaping a vision for safe and equitable transportation access through and to these neighborhoods. The Community Organizer will also create and coordinate events especially in those neighborhoods to build BCU’s visibility and bring people into the organization, such as bike rides, bike repair, bike talks and partner with local community organizations to be part of their events. Depending on COVID-19, the organizer will also have to be creative with virtual events, meetings and outreach.

The Community Organizer will report to the Director of Organizing. The Organizer will work closely with the Director of Organizing on campaign strategy and execution, leadership development, and coordination of campaigns across the organization. The Community Organizer will also work with our other community organizer, Communications Director, interns and members.

  • Responsibilities:
    • Increase the BCU member base in target neighborhoods and across the city through outreach, engagement and relationship building, virtually and in person.
    • Foster the growth of Dotbike and build new chapters through coaching/support for base-building, group dynamics and training leaders in outreach, 1:1s, and other organizing skills.
    • Attend community events and BCU Bike-to-Market in the spring/summer in target neighborhoods to make connections, gather input on projects, and educate residents about street safety + projects
    • Maintain existing and build new relationships with Neighborhood, Civic and Business Associations, Community Development Corporations, grassroots organizing groups, local businesses and other group/institutions/community leaders
    • Supervise street outreach team members to execute local campaigns
    • Coordinate volunteers to collect bike stories, table at events, lead bike rides and more
    • Promote existing or create new programming that gets more people of all ages and abilities on bikes including BlueBikes pass distribution, community bike rides, bike repair and more
    • Track volunteer and member participation in our Every Action database
    • Help plan and execute fundraising events and other all-member events
  • Desired qualifications:
    • Commitment to the Boston Cyclists Union mission, vision and values
    • Experience in and passion for community organizing (in any field)
    • Resident of Dorchester, Roxbury, or Mattapan and/or deep connections to those neighborhoods
    • Experience planning and executing events including volunteer management
    • Proven ability to conduct outreach and engage people in taking action to create change
    • Commitment to building diverse and inclusive spaces
    • Ability to problem solve and take initiative
    • Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends
    • Desire to work as part of a team, including group reflection, receiving and giving feedback and honoring the strengths/passions of all team members
    • Excellent communicator verbal and written with people from diverse backgrounds
    • Comfort with and ability to use online platforms and technology such as google docs and google sheets, Zoom, and Facebook/Instagram/Twitter.
    • Bilingual abilities in Spanish, Vietnamese, Haitian Kreyol or Cape Verdean Kriolu are a plus, but not required

Salary and benefits

Salary is $42,000 to $45,000 commensurate with experience. This is a full-time, exempt position. Benefits include health and dental insurance, retirement plan with employer match, two weeks of paid vacation in the first year along with paid federal holidays and 5 personal days, reimbursement for cell phone use, and a commitment to training and professional development opportunities. During COVID staff are working from home with an allowance; post COVID there is flexibility for a mix of working in the office and from home if desired.

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@bostoncyclistsunion.org. Please include “Community Organizer, YOUR NAME” in the subject line of the email. In your email, please mention where you saw the job advertised. Applications will have preference that are received by February 10, 2021. LGBTQI and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Boston Cyclists Union is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender identification, disability status, sexual orientation or political orientation

For more information, please visit https://bostoncyclistsunion.org/about_us/job-opportunities

First Annual 2020 YPT TRB Young Members Scholarship Recipients

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Over the past month, YPT International advertised for submissions our first annual 2020 YPT TRB Young Members scholarship; a direct result of the generous support of Ford Mobility. Submissions were open from November 5th – 19th, to YPT Members in good standing, and responses were collected using Google Forms. This scholarship opportunity was advertised through our YPT website and e-mail newsletter, YPT social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn), and during YPT International and local YPT Chapter meetings.

Applicants were asked to commit to attending at least 20 hours of Conference Sessions & Exhibits during January 21–22 and 25–29. Each applicant was asked, “In 100 words or less, how will the YPT TRB Young Members scholarship help further your professional development?” Additional information, such as the applicant’s Chapter and whether or not the applicant’s employer offers a program that will pay for registration for conferences, was requested to help provide context for the selection committee. We are grateful for the time many of you contributed to selecting our first scholarship recipients.

11-submissions were received for this scholarship opportunity. 9-submissions were responsive (active YPT members in good standing) and were reviewed by a selection of YPT International Board of Advisors, YPT International Board Members, and YPT Chapter Members. 4 submissions were selected for their demonstration of need, current employment status, participation in their chapter, and commitment to attending the conference and writing up their experiences. For the seven applicants who were not selected, we offered a free year of YPT Membership as a sign of our gratitude for the effort they put forth in applying.

We are pleased to introduce our four scholarship recipients:

Morgan Hunlen, is a member of YPT Los Angeles, lives in Glendale California, and recently obtained contractual work with the Thrivance Group, where she will be assisting as a Planner and hopes to obtain formal employment soon as well.

Brianne Eby, is a member of YPT Washington D.C. where she serves as a Senior Policy Analyst at the Eno Center for Transportation.

Gabi Kappes, AICP, is a member of YPT Seattle, where she serves as a Transportation Planner III, Speed and Reliability, in the Capital Division at King County Metro Transit.

J. Swiderski, is a member of YPT Washington D.C. and a recent MURP graduate (Virginia Tech 2020), where they are seeking to serve communities by expanding safe places to walk, roll, scoot, bike, and ride transit.

November 2020 Jobs: Bureau of Transportation Statistics (multiple)

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For information on how to post jobs on our site and have jobs posted in our monthly email please contact (Sponsorship@yptransportation.org).

Many thanks to our new Bike Level Sponsor, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, for their generous support!

BTS is currently hiring for several positions. For the positions immediately below, BTS has Direct Hire Authority:

NOTE: Direct Hire positions are not listed on USAJobs. Email resumes directly to BTSjobs@dot.gov

  • A leading Freight Expert to transform the current Department of Transportation freight programs. (GS 13 – 14, direct hire authority for economics/statistics series)
  • A Modeler who can reimagine the current freight and economic models using the latest techniques in statistics, economics and/or data science (GS 12 – 14, direct hire authority for economics/statistics series)
  • Multiple Statisticians:

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) seeks multiple outstanding statisticians to join our family. BTS is the Principal Federal Statistical Agency within the Department of Transportation (DOT), leading the department in data analytics, survey design, and data driven research. Mandated by congress, BTS provides independent, objective, comprehensive and relevant information to decision makers and the public on the extent and use of the Nations’ transportation systems, the system performance, and the systems impacts on society and the environment. 
The statisticians have opportunities to guide national surveys, lead research on statistical methodology to enhance data quality and usability, direct innovations to improve efficiency and timeliness of data collection and production, and represent BTS in various settings.
Applications in all areas of statistics and data science are welcome. Individuals with experiences evaluating statistical programs, applying various statically methodologies to improve data collection and production, and having a strong research background are most desired.

These positions are telework eligible. BTS is located in the DOT Headquarters in Washington, DC.  
 
To apply, submit your resume to BTSJobs@dot.gov and indicate which role you are applying for in the subject line. Direct hire authority allows BTS to hire outside of USAJobs.  
 
We are accepting resumes on a rolling basis, for full consideration submit resumes no later
than December 1,  2020.

For the positions below, please proceed through USAJobs:

A Cartographer who will advance cartographic techniques appropriate for statistical analysis and create new map based products that clearly and innovatively convey transportation statistics  (GS-12, apply for this position via USAJobs).

The Department of Transportation has been recognized as one of the top ten best places to work in the Federal Government, and the National Transportation Library is a great example of why.

Are you motivated by public service? Are you passionate about digital librarianship? The National Transportation Library is one of only four Federal libraries and, as a Reference Librarian, you will have the opportunity to lead a small reference team serving internal DOT clients as well as the external transportation research community at large.

Founded as an entirely digital library in 1998, and a leader in open access, the National Transportation Library exemplifies cutting edge data curation and delivery. Come join us in the nation’s capital. DOT Moves America! Set Your Career in Motion!

For more information, please visit https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/584611400

2020 YPT Award Winners Announced!

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Congratulations to our winners! Our annual YPT Awards program was created to fill the void presented to young professionals in large, established transportation organizations. In the past we have only had two award categories two traditional award categories, the YPT Excellence in Innovation/Research Award and the YPT Project of the Year. 

This year we are excited to launch the YPT Changemakers in Transportation to highlight several outstanding YPT members who are making a significant impact in the field of transportation. 

YPT Changemakers in Transportation

Andrea Barbour, University of Tennessee – Knoxville – YPT Nashville

Andrea Barbour is the Special Projects Coordinator at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville. Andrea has been working diligently for the last 3 years to complete Regional Rural Transportation Plans for all Rural Planning Organizations (RPO) in Tennessee. Andrea has been working to develop regional level plans for all the RPOs to ensure regional problems are being evaluated and addressed throughout the planning process rather than just focusing on local issues, as is the traditional approach. With this approach to rural planning, the members of our RPOs have been looking at transportation issues through a wider lens rather than just looking at the issues in their specific town/city. The first RPO Andrea worked with to develop a regional wide plan was the Dale Hollow RPO, one of the most economically distressed areas within the state. Through the planning process, Andrea was able to identify regional level recommendations to address transportation issues, but also create economic development opportunities through transportation initiatives. The Dale Hollow RPO and the counties within now have a long-range plan to assist them in prioritizing the transportation needs across the region and assist them in earning future grants through the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). Without the plan, the Dale Hollow RPO had little data to support the requests for transportation projects in the area. The impact she has made on the Dale Hollow RPO, and the other RPOs she is assisting, is undeniable.

Jasmine Richmond, American Public Transportation Association (APTA) – YPT DC

Jasmine Richmond works as the Educational Services Coordinator at American Public Transportation Association. Jasmine has extended the values of equitable, sustainable, and accessible transportation to hundreds of emerging leaders in the transit industry, students at all grade levels. She is always strategically building partnerships ranging from local schools to international youth development organizations to instill an appreciation and a curiosity in the transportation industry. Because of Jasmine’s work, APTA has extended its reach, and her programming and strategy has resulted in countless students, association members, and others deepening their interest and understanding of transportation, and setting up the industry to have more exposure and attract a diverse array of stakeholders and talent. 

Margaret-Avis Akofio-Sowah, WSP USA – YPT DC

Dr. Margaret-Avis Akofio-Sowah is an infrastructure asset management consultant with experience in both the research and practical aspects of asset management. She has led projects to implement Federal asset management regulations at both transit and highways agencies and is a co-author of industry Asset Management Guides including the FTA Transit Asset Management Guide for Small Providers and the 2019 update of the AASHTO Transportation Asset Management Guide. As a result of her work, she has presented at several industry conferences including the TRB Annual Meeting and the TRB National Transportation Asset Management Conference. She has published peer-reviewed articles in notable journals, including the Transportation Research Record and the ASCE Journal of Infrastructure Systems. She is also a member of the TRB Standing Committees on Transportation Asset Management (AJE30) and Strategic Management (AJE10) and an Associate Member of the Institute of Asset Management. Margaret also currently serves as President of the Ghana Transportation Professionals Forum (GTPF), an organization of professionals originally from Ghana or with an interest in Ghana who are based outside the country.

YPT Transportation Project of the Year

IH 45 Segment 2B

Emily Weigand, Jacobs – YPT Austin 

This project, titled “IH 45 Segment 2B” is the second and final proposed segment within the Central Walker County Project with the purpose to enhance freight mobility and address safety along the IH 45 corridor. The proposed changes will help meet current and future traffic needs resulting from increasing population growth and developmental trends in the region. In addition to the benefits discussed above, the project creates a route for hurricane evacuation.

YPT Excellence in Innovation/Research of the Year 

Transit Blues in the Golden State: Analyzing Recent California Ridership Trends

Jacob Lawrence Wasserman, University of California, Los Angeles Institute of Transportation Studies – YPT Los Angeles

In 2020, the UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS) completed a comprehensive study of transit ridership trends in California and released two reports, one statewide, funded by the California Department of Transportation, and one on Bay Area trends, funded by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). This innovative work analyzed the ridership drop from all angles—including both supply-side and demand-side factors—to identify the factors most affecting transit use and the ways to best recover.

Additional team members who contributed to the report are: Andrew Schouten, Hannah King, Julene Paul, Madeline Ruvolo.