Planner III

 Position Summary

RailPros is seeking a Transportation Planner with 3–5 years of experience to support planning in the Midwest-Chicago focused on grant development, land use coordination, and rail/transit project delivery. This role is ideal for a planner who wants to grow in railroad planning and infrastructure programs, contribute to federal/state grant pursuits, and support rail/transit capital planning and community/agency coordination.

Chicago transportation experience is a plus (Metra/CTA/CREATE/IDOT/CMAP familiarity) but not required. We are looking for strong foundational planning skills, clear writing, and curiosity about how rail projects move from early concepts to funded programs and implementation.

Key Responsibilities

Planning + Project Support

• Support railroad and rail-transit planning studies, including corridor, station-area, yard/terminal, grade crossing, and service planning efforts.
• Assist with alternatives analysis, purpose & need development, planning-level feasibility, and implementation strategies.
• Compile, analyze, and summarize data (ridership/freight context, safety, operations, land use, demographic and economic indicators).
• Support project coordination with internal engineering teams and external stakeholders (railroads, agencies, municipalities.) 

Grants + Funding (Major Focus)

• Contribute to grant applications and funding strategies (e.g., FRA/CRISI, RCE, INFRA, USDOT discretionary programs; state programs as applicable).
• Draft or support development of key grant components: problem statement/need, project description, outcomes/benefits, readiness, budget, schedule, and partnerships.
• Help assemble application exhibits and attachments: maps, letters of support templates, benefit narratives, risk/write-ups, and readiness documentation.

Land Use + Stakeholder Coordination

• Support land use and community context analysis for rail/transportation investments (station areas, grade crossing corridors, industrial access, freight routes).
• Assist in preparing meeting materials and notes for stakeholder meetings, public engagement, agency workshops, and railroad coordination.

Documentation + Deliverables

• Prepare clear, organized written materials: memos, technical summaries, narratives, slide decks, and meeting notes.
• Assist in developing graphics and exhibits (figures, tables, maps, simple diagrams) to communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences.