Chelsae Gill-James Email & Phone Number

Atlanta, Ga, Us

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

As a Senior Planner at the Atlanta Regional Commission, my responsibilities are pivotal in advancing the region's growth and development. Within the Transportation and Mobility group, I function as multidisciplinary team member, offering professional planning support in a variety of planning practice areas. These areas encompass active modes, transportation equity, climate change and resiliency, transit-oriented development, micromobility and transit, transportation technology and electrification, freight and logistics, and land use and transportation coordination.My core duties revolve around facilitating regional planning coordination and providing technical assistance to member jurisdictions. This includes devising strategies, educating stakeholders, identifying funding options, and serving as a liaison to assigned jurisdictions. I work closely with local jurisdictions in the development of project concepts and the administration of federally funded transportation projects, following the Georgia Department of Transportation's (GDOT) Plan Development Process (PDP). I also play a role in producing quarterly reports for the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) project delivery within the Atlanta region and assist in maintaining the TIP project solicitation process under the TIP Administrator's guidance.In the realm of project management, I am responsible for coordinating deadlines, managing work prioritization, and diligently monitoring the delivery status of transportation programs and projects.I thrive in a positive, collaborative team environment. Proficiency in the Microsoft Office software suite, encompassing Word, Excel, Access, and Project, completes the toolkit that enables me to contribute significantly to ARC's mission of leveraging collective resources to prepare the metropolitan area for a prosperous future.

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

As Transportation Lead primarily gained experience in Communications and Engagement for regional transportation projects, with a proven track record of crafting and executing strategic communication plans for both public and private sector clients, including Public Participation Plans. I demonstrated proficiency in using both traditional and non-traditional communication tactics to educate, engage, and inform a wide range of stakeholders.My responsibilities included organizing and overseeing community engagement activities, public meetings, and special events. I effectively managed internal staff, coordinated with fellow consultants, and maintained direct communication with clients. I developed and delivered weekly, monthly work plans and reports. I was also skilled in crafting compelling presentations and delivering them to key stakeholders.I was experienced in writing content and developing graphics for newsletters, press releases, websites, and printed materials. Additionally, I maintained a comprehensive database of key stakeholders and relevant community groups and conducted research to stay up-to-date on communication and community engagement trends. My excellent interpersonal skills allowed me to collaborate with community leaders, government officials, and grassroots organizations.I was willing to conduct site visits as necessary and directed by clients and was dedicated to generating leads and cultivating relationships with potential clients. I actively participated in networking opportunities to enhance the firm's visibility and connections and demonstrated adaptability and the ability to explore innovative ideas. Proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite and telephone protocol, I had a willingness to learn new software applications. My strong verbal and written communication skills were complemented by my experience in Adobe Suite. I was committed to maintaining a flexible schedule to meet project demands.

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

As a Transit and Rail Planner at WSP, I played a pivotal role in advancing transit (transportation) planning initiatives for Metro Atlanta and the southeast U.S. I actively contributed to projects aimed at optimizing mobility, innovation, safety, and sustainability.My responsibilities encompassed capturing, modeling, and analyzing work site information, geographical resources, and data, essential for creating plans that facilitated the safe movement of people across diverse transport modes while considering economic, social, and environmental impacts. Additionally, I provided crucial support in preparing general and specific/master plans, public involvement efforts, and regulatory compliance for client projects focused on equitable transportation development, transportation demand management, mobility planning, multimodal access, surface transportation, and funding.With an unwavering commitment to maintaining industry standards, I generated precise and concise documentation for each project. My role extended to general planning support, involving data collection, research, and report writing, and contributing to transportation plans, feasibility studies, community outreach, and technical analyses. This entailed conducting fieldwork and leveraging software like ArcGIS, CAD, and Excel for technical analyses. In line with project-specific requirements, I occasionally traveled to different project locations.Flexibility was a core element of my role, allowing me to adapt to varying work schedules to meet project-specific demands. Additionally, I was well-equipped with relevant skills in Environmental Policy, and previous work experience implementing Bus Rapid Transit, an emerging transit mode of interest in Metro Atlanta.My journey as a Planner at WSP not only empowered me to contribute to innovative transportation planning, but also allowed me to thrive within a diverse and dynamic work environment, shaping the future of the transit in the Atlanta region.

Greater New York City Area

I had the privilege of serving as an Assistant Project Manager in the Transit Development (TD) unit at NYC DOT. In this role, I played a crucial part in enhancing the speed and reliability of bus operations on New York City streets. My responsibilities were diverse and impactful, encompassing planning, design, and the successful implementation of bus priority projects.Working under the guidance of the Director of Bus Priority, I was responsible for formulating and presenting proposals aimed at improving bus services along identified corridors, leveraging NYC DOT's comprehensive toolkit. This toolkit included innovative solutions such as bus lanes, bus queue jumps, bus bulbs, bus boarding islands, curb management, and pedestrian safety enhancements. A pivotal aspect of my role involved assessing the feasibility of these proposals through in-depth traffic analysis and close collaboration with DOT's Traffic Operations team.Effective communication and community engagement were vital components of my responsibilities. I engaged with the general public and collaborated with community boards and various public stakeholders through workshops, presentations, and other forums.My role extended beyond the immediate team, as I worked collaboratively within the TD unit and closely with other DOT staff. Additionally, I fostered productive relationships with City, State, and Federal agencies, particularly the MTA, as a key point of contact for public transit-related matters.Managing programmatic inventories, overseeing consultant work efforts and contracts, and participating in the development and review of capital projects were routine tasks within my purview. I also played a critical role in producing comprehensive project evaluation reports and conducting various technical planning analyses, all in alignment with the objectives set forth by the unit director and City of New York.

Greater Atlanta Area

Former intern with MARTA's Department of Planning. After completing a literature review on light rail and public-private partnerships, I found myself interested in transportation and the expansion of public transportation (bus and rail) as a way to promote alternative transportation options in large cities. Transit plays an important role in improving air quality and reducing GHGs, and facilitating sustainable development within cities and communities.As an intern gained firsthand experience working with Transit System Project Managers and was given responsibilities that encompassed managing project controls for various aspects of MARTA's extensive capital improvement program (included rehabilitating and expanding rail infrastructure, bus operations, transit facilities, and stations). Contributed to day-to-day responsibilities of managing project teams, stakeholders, consultants, and contractors, ensuring that projects were executed on time, within budget, and in compliance with project guidelines. Additional duties included conducting on-site inspections, maintaining project status reports, and briefing senior staff. Assisted in ensuring project compliance with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) guidelines, the development and pursuit of FTA Capital Investment Grants (CIG) and managing aspects of project delivery, design, implementation, and monitoring.

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

As a part-time Bookseller, while balancing academics and other extra-curricular commitments as both an undergraduate and graduate student, I had the privilege of working in a dynamic and customer-centric environment, where my passion for books, positive attitude, and dedication to creating a memorable shopping experience were paramount. I consistently met and exceeded the qualifications and responsibilities outlined for the role, contributing to the success and vibrancy of the bookstore at three college campuses.I maintained a positive and can-do attitude, fostering a welcoming and inviting atmosphere for both customers and colleagues. Working closely with a diverse range of customers, which ranged from community members, faculty, special guests (such as authors), and fellow students.Core competencies like active listening and problem-solving were integral to my approach, as I consistently addressed customers' needs and guided them to the right books. Effective communication was fundamental in my customer interactions, ensuring that customers felt heard, respected, and well-informed during their shopping experiences. I actively engaged customers in key campaigns, continuously educated myself, and contributed to the store's success.I played a pivotal role in identifying key titles and collaborating with the store team to tailor merchandise selections to reflect the community's interests. Ensuring the store was consistently neat, tidy, and shoppable was a top priority.As a team player, I exhibited initiative, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment, and consistently showed respect and kindness to fellow booksellers and customers. I accepted responsibility for assignments, executing them with care and meticulous attention to detail, while maintaining an open attitude towards feedback and a strong commitment to personal and professional growth.

Manchester, Nh

In 2015-2016, I served as a City Year AmeriCorps member, where I played a crucial role in supporting elementary-aged students academically and fostering a positive school climate. In my role, I identified students who could benefit from City Year programs, planned and conducted one-on-one and small group tutoring sessions, and collaborated with teachers to facilitate differentiated learning activities and encourage assignment completion. I also contributed to creating literacy and math-focused class content and events, recorded student data, and participated in data review meetings.Working with a diverse team, I facilitated programming and coaching sessions for students, modeled positive behaviors to promote a positive learning environment, and supported extended day and virtual programming. I actively engaged students in leadership roles and organized events recognizing growth in social-emotional development and positive behavior.In addition to my primary responsibilities, I actively participated in meetings, welcomed students, engaged with families, and contributed to community outreach and documentation tasks. Through these experiences, I developed adaptability, effective collaboration with diverse teams, and the ability to make a positive impact on students and the community. Serving as a City Year AmeriCorps member was a rewarding experience that allowed me to contribute to the organization's mission of supporting students and schools.

Greater Atlanta Area

During my time as an Advocacy Intern with AARP's Georgia's Advocacy Team, I had the opportunity to contribute to a noble cause. AARP, the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people aged 50 and older, tasked me with supporting their advocacy efforts, which included collaborating with the Associate State Director for Advocacy and contributing to the implementation of legislative wins in 2015 and planning for the 2016 legislative session. My responsibilities ranged from researching policy issues and crafting research findings to participating in team meetings and strategy discussions. I also played a crucial role in communications tactics and assisted in the execution of both virtual and in-person events. Throughout my internship, I developed excellent written, oral, and digital communication skills, working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds. This experience allowed me to manage multiple projects, anticipate project needs, and prioritize tasks while utilizing Microsoft Office programs. I am grateful for the opportunity to have contributed to AARP's mission, fostering social impact and personal fulfillment for individuals in their golden years.

Master’S Degree, Environmental Policy

Bachelor’S Degree, History, Environmental Studies

Education record