District Staff Engineer

Iowa; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Iowa Department of Transportation is seeking a District Staff Engineer with strong leadership and problem-solving skills. This key role involves managing transportation projects and ensuring safety, customer focus, and integrity in the engineering processes. Join a supportive team and contribute to enhancing Iowa's transportation systems, leverage your professional skills, and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance

Paid time off effective immediately - biweekly vacation, separate sick leave

Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package

Opportunities for professional growth and development

Qualifications

• Two years of full-time experience in transportation or civil engineering.
• Valid Iowa Driver’s License.
• Ability to maintain licensure as a professional engineer.

Responsibilities

• Lead project management and design responsibilities for highway and bridge improvement projects.
• Coordinate with various teams during project development and execution.
• Manage project schedules and maintain documentation on software.

Skills

Leadership

Problem Solving

Critical Thinking

Education

Licensure as a professional engineer

Master’s degree in engineering (civil, transportation, etc.)

Tools

Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Project Management Software (PPMS Masterworks)

Job description

Are you seeking to diversify your skills and use your energy and ideas towards making a difference? As our newest District Staff Engineer(Transportation Engineer Specialist), you will have the opportunity to flex those critical thinking skills while fulfilling our Mission - Making Lives Better Through Transportation. So, read on to see how you can contribute your strengths towards the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Core Values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception alongside your supportive teammates.

Location: 205 East 227th Street Fairfield, Iowa 52556

Shift Requirements : Day shift, Frequent travel with some overnight

As a District Staff Engineer (Transportation Engineer Specialist), you will be ona team developing projects that enhance the state and national transportation systems in Iowa. You will serve in a critical, professional leadership role as a District Project Manager designing, overseeing, and/or coordinating the preliminary and final design of highway and bridge improvement projects being designed by staff within District 5, by any of the various DOT project development offices, or by consultants working on behalf of the DOT.

With your fortitude, impeccable leadership, and problem-solving skills you will serve as the lead staff in the absence of the Assistant District Engineer. As the lead designer and Engineer-of-Record for projects designed by yourself or other staff you will manage project schedules, lead, and direct the work of others, develop project concepts, apply design criteria, prepare project plans and estimates, and represent the DOT in discussions with internal and external customers and other government agencies.

You will be using the latest technology, such as Project Management System, Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD/MicroStation), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), asset management systems (budgets, pavement, equipment, etc.) and internally developed databases, to make the most efficient and effective use of agency resources and continually increase customer services and safety.

Additional duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Serving as a District member of Project Management Teams (PMT) during the planning phase of projects, and potentially lead the PMT during the design phase of projects.
• Serving as lead designer on assigned 3R, 4R, ER and MP project development and other projects as assigned. The Staff Engineer will have primary responsibility for the development of concepts, conducting field exams, and certifying final project plans.
• Maintaining the project schedule with needed tasks documented on the Project Management Software (currently PPMS Masterworks).
• Making recommendations and help prepares 3R funding programs for management review/approval.
• Assisting District Planners in evaluating RISE and other funding applications that will impact the primary highway system.
• Identifying impacts on the primary highway system from local government projects, including RISE, TSF, Parks and Institutional, and U-STEP/C-STEP.
• Providing engineering support to District Maintenance and other Departmental agencies in the selection, design, and construction of projects within the district.

Special Requirements:

• Maintain a valid Iowa Driver’s License.
• Must possess and maintain licensure as an Iowa Professional Engineer in Active status.

The Iowa Department of Transportation is proud to be a partner with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Through this partnership, DOT engineers are granted membership at a largely discounted price, as well as discounts for conferences and continuing education through the ASCE. We are excited to offer this benefit and to have you join this partnership with us! If you're interested in learning more about this benefit, please visithttps://www.asce.org/membership

What we offer YOU:

• Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance
• Insurance benefits start first of the month following 30 days of employment. 2025 health and dental insurance premiums can be found 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 variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial)

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

You have the freedom to flourish in Iowa – Apply today!

The Iowa Department of Transportation is an equal opportunity employer. If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing any screening, interviewing, pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please direct your request to the Affirmative Action & Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/EEO) Officer at: [e-mail]

Reasonable accommodation such as: interpreter, translator, written materials, modified equipment / devices, ADA access, etc. This does not include scheduling needs.

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

1) All of the following (a and b):
a. Licensure as a professional engineer; and
b. Two years of full-time professional work experience in transportation engineering or civil engineering.
2) All of the following (a, b, and c):
a. Licensure as a professional engineer; and
b. One year of full-time professional work experience in transportation engineering or civil engineering; and
c. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in chemical, civil, construction, environmental, materials, structural, or transportation engineering; engineering management; or a field closely related to transportation engineering.
3) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes one year of full-time work as a Transportation Engineer.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description .Prior to appointment, applicants must possess active licensure as a professional engineer by the Iowa Engineering & Land Surveying Examining Board.