Director of Transportation Planning and Development - Abilene District Headquarters

TxDOT is looking for a Director of Transportation Planning and Development for their Abilene District Office. If you are looking to build a career, you have come to the right place!

At TxDOT we strive to achieve a work-life balance and recognize the importance of your career as well as your home life. We offer a wide array of programs and activities including compressed work schedules, wellness leave incentive, career development programs, tuition assistance and many other benefits.

Also, check out a few of our employees’ testimonies of why they’ve chosen TxDOT:  Why we choose TxDOT

Considering moving to Abilene, TX or the Abilene area?  Here is a link to Abilene’s Chamber of Commerce’s Relocating webpage to learn more about Abilene!  Abilene Chamber of Commerce 

At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including:

• Retirement Plans
• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Leave and Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
• On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package
To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)
 

Directs the coordination of district-wide project planning and oversees project development and design, preparation of construction plans and production of right-of-way maps.  Oversees district advanced transportation planning, consultant contract administration, public transportation, aviation, advanced project development, transportation management systems, design and/or right-of-way programs.  Reports to the District Engineer or Deputy District Engineer.  Manages professional, technical and administrative employees.  Work requires contact with governmental officials and the public. Employees at this level establish their own work plan and priorities to meet set objectives.  Issues are rarely referred to the supervisor but are handled at the occurrence.

Essential Duties:

•    Coordinates the district's consultant contract selection and administration.
•    Coordinates the preparation of the district Annual Letting Plan, the summary reports of contract letting schedules and the planning status for all district projects.
•    Coordinates transportation planning and development matters with the Area Engineers, adjacent districts and other entities.
•    Directs the implementation of an action plan for all project planning in the district and participates in the preparation of the Unified Transportation Plan and development of the Transportation Improvement Program.
•    Responsible for the Bridge Inspection Program.
•    Oversees advance planning programs and all design and plan preparation for the district.
•    Oversees coordination with Regional Mobility Authority or local Metropolitan Planning Organizations to develop annual work program and long-range and short-range transportation plans.
•    Oversees the preparation and submission of Plans, Specifications and Estimates and ensures final release for contracting of projects.
•    Participates in development of budgets and monitors expenditures.
•    Plans, conducts and directs the preparation of final reports including environmental studies for public meetings and hearings for all projects in the district.
•    Prepares and secures execution of agreements and related correspondence necessary to provide for a contract letting for all project planning.
•    Represents the district at state and local levels and advises local officials and the public concerning proposed project development.
•    Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering or related science bachelor's or higher degree accepted by TX PELS.

Experience:

• 7 years transportation engineering, planning, design, ROW acquisition. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent). Related graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications
• Must have 3 years managerial/supervisory experience.

Licenses And Certifications:

• Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
• Licensed Prof Engineer*

*Professional engineers licensed in another state in the United States, but not currently licensed in the State of Texas, must (1) meet the license requirements of the State of Texas Engineering Practices Act, (2) obtain a professional engineering license from the State of Texas within six (6) months of the date of hire, and (3) sign an agreement to that effect as a condition of employment.

Competencies:

• •    Applicable engineering workstations and applications to support efficient planning and design activities
• •    Applicable plans, specifications and estimates preparation, review, processing and compliance requirements 
• •    Applicable laws, rules, and regulations
• •    Establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support overall business strategy/results, anticipating and adjusting for problems/roadblocks
• •    Public relations for maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external
• •    Applying engineering principles, practices, and methods in job responsibilities
• •    Planning methods, techniques, and strategies
• •    Planning, assigning, directing, coordinating and reviewing the work of professional, administrative and technical employees
• •    Coordinating labor, materials, and equipment
• •    Using computers, applicable programs, applications, and systems
• •    Manages financial and personnel resources to achieve individual and organizational goals

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions:

• •    Light work: Lift up to 20 lbs. at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs.
• •    Repetitive Motion-substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers
• •    Close Visual Acuity-work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading
• Conditions of Employment:
• Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)
• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.
• Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) – does not authorize “medical marijuana” under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position. 

TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category. 

To view the MOS codes please click on link below and click on the appropriate occupational category.

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions

The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990.

Please click this link to read the information for applicants: Additional Applicant Information