Director of Systems Planning (TBC)

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Ames (IA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay and benefits including

IPERS Retirement Package

401A plan with employer contributions

Employee Discount Programs

Professional growth opportunities

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

The Iowa DOT’s Systems Planning Bureau needs a Director to guide planning activities, lead a diverse team of about 36 employees across four groups, and ensure delivery of transportation plans.

The role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and collaborative skills to work with internal bureaus, the department, planning organizations, and federal partners. Hybrid work is available and in-person presence is common.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college and six-and-one-half years of management-level work
• Ten and one-half years of full-time management-level work experience
• All of the following (a and b): a. six-and-one-half years of management-level work... and b. a combination of education and experience per CPM equivalencies
• All of the following (a, b, and c): four-and-one-half years of management-level work experience... plus further education/experience equivalencies

Responsibilities

• Lead the Systems Planning Bureau and oversee 36 FTE across four teams.
• Develop modal transportation plans and the state long-range transportation plan.
• Coordinate with bureaus, department director, planning organizations, and federal government.
• Oversee regional/metropolitan planning and manage planning funds.
• Recruit, retain, and develop staff; manage resources.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Project management

Deadline-driven

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Iowa Certified Public Manager Program

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Director of the Systems Planning Bureau

Reports To: Iowa DOT Transportation Development Division Deputy Director of Planning and Programs

Position Type: Confidential, At‑Will

Location: Ames, Iowa

Shift Requirements: Day shift, Monday – Friday, 8 hours typical (may be flexed), mostly in‑person but telework is available, some overnight and in and out of state travel is required.

The Transportation Development Division is seeking a director for the Systems Planning Bureau. This is an at‑will position that reports to the Deputy Director of Planning and Programs.

What You’ll Do

As Director of the Systems Planning Bureau, this position will lead the bureau and provide direction and oversight of approximately 36 full‑time employees. There are four teams in the bureau: Traffic Collection & Analysis; Modeling, Forecasting & Telemetrics; Planning; and Mapping & Geographic Information.

The Systems Planning Bureau Director is responsible for the development of modal transportation plans and the state long‑range transportation plan. These plans guide the department’s investments in all modes of transportation within the state of Iowa. The development of plans requires close and extensive consultation with other bureaus and divisions within the department, the department director, the Transportation Commission, other state agencies, regional/metropolitan planning organizations, and the federal government. In addition, the Director will be responsible for utilizing a participatory planning process to develop plans that involve internal as well as public, private, and citizen interests. As part of the planning efforts, the Director manages data collection, analysis, and mapping and visualization activities that are critical to the development of transportation plans and projects.

The Systems Planning Bureau Director is also responsible for overseeing and administering Iowa’s regional/metropolitan planning process, which includes the administration of planning funds that support that process and the development and implementation of planning guidance. This involves close coordination and communication with Iowa’s 18 Regional Planning Affiliations and nine Metropolitan Planning Organizations.

The Director has a key role in the department’s responsibility to provide services of value and excellence to customers inside and outside of the department. The Director is expected to strive for personal and work unit excellence by continuous improvement, understanding and communicating customer needs and priorities, building a work environment of trust and respect, and improving work processes and systems. The Director is further responsible for the recruitment, retention, and career development of assigned staff and is responsible for the assigned resources.

We’re Looking For Candidates Who Have

• Commitment to customer service
• Effective leadership and management experience
• Excellent problem‑solving skills
• Highly effective communication skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Commitment to meeting established deadlines
• Ability to simultaneously lead multiple programs and priorities

It is imperative that this person is a visionary and values openness, fairness, innovation, transparency, accountability, safety, and diversity.

Requirements

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance
• Insurance benefits start the first month following 30 days of employment and costs can be reviewed here.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Paid time off effective immediately - biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match
• Optional 401A plan with employer contributions.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial).

We encourage you to learn more about the State of Iowa Employee benefits and costs at the State of Iowa Employee Benefits Website !

Iowa Department of Transportation’s Mission is Making Lives Better Through Transportation . To accomplish our Mission, the person selected for this position will demonstrate actions and behaviors guided by the Iowa Department of Transportation’s five CORE values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception .

Iowa DOT complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the EEO & ADA Officer at 515-689-1009 or via email at [e-mail] .

The State of Iowa participates in E‑Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E‑Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov .

In this position, you will have a non‑merit opportunity with the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

• Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university with a degree in any field, and experience equal to six and one‑half years of full‑time management‑level work in finance, human resources, engineering, law, data processing, or program research or evaluation.
• Ten and one‑half years of full‑time management‑level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, data processing, or program research or evaluation.
• All of the following (a and b): a. Six and one‑half years of full‑time management‑level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, data processing, or program research or evaluation; and b. A combination of a total of four years of education and full‑time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full‑time experience. Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full‑time experience or education.
• All of the following (a, b, and c): a. Four and one‑half years of full‑time management‑level work experience in finance, human resources, engineering, law, regulation, data processing, or program research or evaluation; and b. A combination of a total of four years of education and full‑time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full‑time experience; and c. A combination of a total of two years of graduate‑level education and full‑time experience (as described in part a), where twenty‑four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university course work in a public‑service‑related area (e.g., public or business administration, social work, law, education, engineering) equals one year of full‑time experience. Graduation from the Iowa Certified Public Manager Program is also equivalent to one year of full‑time experience or education. 5) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes two years of full‑time work as a Public Service Manager 1.

For additional information, please click on this Job Class Description - 04251