Position Open: Program Administrator (full-time, exempt)

​

Date Posted: October 2, 2026

Application Deadline: Open until filled

​

Please submit a resume describing experience and qualifications and at least three professional references with full contact information to Shannon McPherson, Administrative and Human Resources Specialist, smchpherson@cfrpc.org.

 

The Central Florida Regional Planning Council (CFRPC) provides technical assistance, transportation planning, emergency preparedness, economic development, resiliency, and regional coordination services to local governments and communities throughout Florida’s Heartland.

​

The CFRPC serves DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee, and Polk Counties and supports regional transportation programs throughout the broader Heartland region, including Glades and Hendry Counties. The CFRPC also provides staff services to the Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO), which serves DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, and Okeechobee Counties.

​

The CFRPC office is located in Bartow, Florida. The CFRPC is an award-winning organization staffed by a small, experienced team of planning professionals and program specialists. Named a Best Place to Work, the CFRPC offers a dynamic, flexible, and team-oriented work environment.

​

Position Summary and Duties:

The Program Administrator is a professional and managerial position responsible for the administration, coordination, and implementation of CFRPC and HRTPO transportation programs.

​

The position manages program activities, grants, consultant projects, public involvement, intergovernmental coordination, and required planning products. The Program Administrator is expected to independently manage assigned programs and routine operational matters while coordinating with the Transportation Director/Staff Services Director on major policy issues, priorities, significant decisions, and emerging concerns.

​

The position requires regular coordination with local governments, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), federal and state agencies, consultants, transportation providers, elected officials, advisory committees, community organizations, and the public. Travel throughout the Central Florida and Heartland regions is required, including occasional evening meetings, conferences, and other events.

 

Essential duties include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinate HRTPO and CFRPC Boards and advisory committee meetings, including agendas, meeting materials, presentations, public notices, records, follow-up activities, and coordination with members, presenters, agencies, and staff.

• Track schedules, budgets, deadlines, program commitments, consultant assignments, Board and committee direction, and agency requests to ensure timely completion and follow-up.

• Monitor compliance with applicable federal, state, grant, contractual, and CFRPC requirements.

• Manage the development, implementation, maintenance, and amendment of transportation planning documents and programs, including the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), Public Participation Plan (PPP), Title VI Program, transportation performance measures, and other required products.

• Coordinate procurement activities for transportation planning services and projects in accordance with applicable CFRPC, state, and federal requirements.

• Perform additional planning, administrative, fiscal, technical, and program management duties as assigned.

 

The Program Administrator is expected to:

• Have strong knowledge of local government and transportation planning functions, processes, responsibilities, and applicable federal and state requirements.

• Independently manage multiple complex programs, projects, deadlines, grants, consultants, and work assignments.

• Exercise sound professional judgment and recognize when issues require management, policy, legal, or Board-level direction.

• Be highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of producing accurate, high-quality work within established deadlines.

• Have excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, presentation, and public speaking skills.

• Demonstrate initiative, accountability, professionalism, and the ability to work independently while functioning effectively as part of the CFRPC and HRTPO team.

• Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor when representing the CFRPC and HRTPO.

• Be available to attend meetings and events throughout the region, including occasional evening meetings and travel.

​

Training, Education, and Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree in transportation planning, urban or regional planning, public administration, engineering, geography, or a related field is required. An equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and professional experience may be considered. In the absence of a degree, significant other training and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the minimum qualifications.​
   

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in transportation planning, program management, public administration, grant administration, project management, or a related field is preferred.
   

• Experience with one or more of the following is highly desirable:

  • Metropolitan/Transportation Planning Organization programs and processes;

  • Working with Regional Planning Councils;

  • Working with local governments and agencies;

  • Working with elected and appointed officials;

  • Public transportation or mobility programs;

  • Federal and state transportation grants;

  • Transportation planning and project prioritization;

  • Consultant or contract management;

  • Public involvement and stakeholder engagement; and

  • Working with FDOT or other state and federal transportation agencies.

 

Skills:

• Strong program and project management skills, including establishing priorities and tracking budgets, schedules, deliverables, responsibilities, and follow-up.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, particularly for planning products, meeting processes, grants, contracts, and financial documentation.

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including appropriate grammar, punctuation, spelling, and professional writing.

• Ability to develop and maintain successful working relationships and partnerships with local governments, transportation agencies, elected officials, consultants, stakeholders, and the public.

• Ability to coordinate the work of professional, technical, administrative, and consultant staff.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, Adobe Acrobat, project management applications, and other technology used for transportation planning, data analysis, document preparation, and public communication.

 

Physical Demands:

Occasional lifting of items up to 25 pounds. The position requires travel throughout the region and occasional travel outside the region for meetings, training, and conferences.

 

License, Certification, or Registration:

Valid Florida driver’s license or the ability to obtain one upon employment.

 

Location:

Central Florida Regional Planning Council office; 555 East Church Street, Bartow, Florida.  This is an in-person full-time position, and not a hybrid or remote position.

 

Salary and Benefits:

Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience and a full benefits package. The CFRPC’s full benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and retirement plan benefits (non-FRS).

​

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Central Florida Regional Planning Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability or any other protected class. Central Florida Regional Planning Council is a Drug Free Workplace. Central Florida Regional Planning Council determines employment eligibility through the E-Verify system.